I will ask one of the engineers to do a MOI on the flywheels to see what the potential for gains might be. Remember, the engine is not making any additional HP with a lightened flywheel, just more of it reaching the drive wheels during a transient state, such as accelerating.

 

As far as A/C underdrive, one of the goals is to reduce the diameter of the main pulley, keeping mass as close to the center as possible. As I had said, we saw no complaints from the compressor. I would be willing to get a production kit out to someone in a high temp area such as Texas. We can do this through one of our dealers down there: Alamo Autosports. I think you'll be happy with the results.

20% underdrive is not a lot on an accessory. We are one of the few manufacturers that keep underdrive ratios this low. As a matter of fact, because we are at 20% or less on our pulleys, we are eligible to receive C.A.R.B. exemption in California. The maximum for C.A.R.B. is 25% underdrive. Anything over this can send an ECU into different mappings and effect emissions and HP output. Charging system voltage, engine cooling, and how the ECU sees all of this can have effects on emissions and power output. Our pulley systems do not drop ratios below these requirements.

 

Ok gripe time, why do you guys all have to beat up on the Unorthodox guy? Some folks will buy the pulleys, some will not. Personally I like buying stuff for my car, my wife buy’s clothes, I buy car stuff! Will it be a huge HP gain? Probably not, but then there will be other benefits such as cosmetic appeal (I wish you did them in red) possibly less noise, and possibly a little smoother revving do to the reduction of parasitic loss. This is not just a vendor rep here, the guy has his own RX-8 and has put the pulleys on his own vehicle, and is excited about the results and wants to share.

For my part, I appreciate the info. God knows my Auto needs all the help it can get and Underdriving has proven benefits.

 

I know the other pulleys will be awesome, i was just saying I don't believe the AC pulley helps at all, except shorten the life of it.

 

Really? I would have though it would help in day to day driving.

Ultimately I am not looking for hard and fast, oh it gives me an extra XXhp, I just want it to give me a little more flexibility across the range.

Why would you feel underdriving with a lighter pulley not help with this? It would cut down on the inertial mass right? Which right there is going to help. As for underdriving it, I am no expert in that area, but heck. If it shortens the life of the compressor a little, I expect to replace things after four or five years anyway. Now if there was evidence showing a drastic reduction in life, then sure thats a different matter. But then would a vendor with history such as UR put that kind of product out? Doubtful.. just my thinking.

I wasn't especially griping about the AC underdrive comments, I think this is interesting info. More the others that were generally spreading doom & gloom!

 

Why do you think it would shorten the AC life? Its underdriving it, so if anything I would think it would lengthen its life at the expense of a small amount of AC output.

jds

 

I really don't know. Just going off what the garage was saying about it. Underdriving to me wouldn't seem to make a difference, overdriving would, you are correct. Just saying from my findings it didn't matter.

 

Unorthodox - When will the Pullys ship? I just placed an order.

I have quite a bit of dyno time on my car, I intend to install the pullys at the shop to put the silly comments to rest. With 20+ pulls in stock config, I have plenty of comparision data.

They will work or they won't. A little independent test should'nt hurt.

 

1stRX8, please post your test data when you can. This is what we need more of!

Oh.. what effect, if any, will underdrive pulleys have on the warranty? Problems when you roll into the shop???

 

We will find out.

Patiently waiting for UR to telll me when the pulleys will arrive.

FYI:

Base line July 03' - 182hp

Baseline Apr 04' - 182hp 11k miles

with CZ1 active - loss of hp - Maurice and I have determined there is a small problem, should be remidied soon.

changed to Royal Purple - added 2-3hp!! surprise. AND made the dyno pulls way more consistent.

NEXT on the Dyno:
UR Pullys
Mazdatrix Flywheel [unless UR has one in the next week and wants and indy test]
RB exaust - cat back
CZ2 with mid-pipe
Still decidinng on and intake - havent seen one 'I like.
I will most likely be first in line for the SSR turbo when that is ready.

If manufacturers and fluffing HP, we will find out.

 

What was the reason for the CZ loss? Intakes are iffy, the mazda design is awesome.

And I'd wager that all the pulleys except the A/C ones will boost power :D

 

I will wait until it is working to answer that.

 

Could you PM me the possible reasons? I've been reading a bunch of posts with the CZ not working, and mine is coming in 3+ weeks.

 

Did you get your pulley's 1ST? I am thinking about purchasing this too....

It looks like a great deal.

Did you get the SS or SSc?

I like that they not only underdrive but also reduce component weight.

Thankx!

 

I talked to UR, still a few weeks out.

 

A few weeks? how unorthodox

 

Are you "pulling" my leg???


:D

 

haha.. yeah.. they must have unorthodox shipping methods to go along with their leg.

kidding aside.....

I bet it will be a great product.

 

Did you receive the product yet?

 

no. They have called with updates, though. Nice customer service.

 

Thats cool. It's amazing how companies take their customers for granted. I am in the midst of a deal where I purchased an arcade game and he was very cool.. sent me pics.. called me back.. all that up until the point where I sent him a check.. Then.. no return calls.. no tracking number.. hard to get a hold of...

It's frustrating at times.

Thats cool they called you though.. Makes it easier to wait for your purchase to come.

 

I'll be testing a set of pulleys on Thursday, they don't do anything to the A/C. I'll let you guys know my results.

 

Hmmm. a new contender other than UR or SR Motorsports?

 

Yeah, I'll give you all their information after testing. I went and saw them, really really light and man they are awesome! They even put a little rotary design for us

 

Got them installed They work good, but i have to give them back as they are a prototype and need minor tweaking. Dynos did show a gain in HP. The car does feel quciker, I don't know what it is but I like the feel of it a lot better.

I'll check with the garage tomorrow about releasing information and numbers for ya guys!