Underdrive pulleys

whoops · 10-24-2002, 12:53 PM

Hi,
Curious what the consensus is for replacing the underdrive pulleys on an '89 LX 5.0L?

I've heard possible overheating problems or issues with the alternator.

I have an electric fan to install to help with the overheating problem.

Any suggestions good or bad? I just don't want to do a simple mod that will cause massive problems for me later. I'm just looking for a little more horse. Is 15 - 20 hp worth it on an AOD '89 5.0L?

Thanks,
Justin

ultraflo · 10-24-2002, 01:07 PM

The March Performance 'Power and Amp' series billet aluminum pulleys are claimed to cure the issues associated with utilizing underdriven accessories while still freeing up 10hp to the wheels, though I can't back up the claim personally... it's food for thought

TwiLighTBluEGT · 10-24-2002, 02:16 PM

I have the March *Power and Amp* pulleys on my 91 5.0 AOD, and so far have had no problems with them. The only thing I noticed after putting them on was that my car started to run a little hot in 95*+ weather. But thats nothing a 180* thermostat can't fix! As for the hp increase, my car seemed to run a bit smoother, and I could feel it pull harder past 4000rpms. one thing I wouldn't recommend doing is running an electric fan with underdrive pulleys if you still have the stock alternator. You usually need a 130amp alt. when running both.

drudis · 10-24-2002, 02:59 PM

THe pulleys are worth an honest 7rwhp, seen it myself!

You _may_ experience some charging/cooling issues, depending on what underdrive percentage you go...

moc · 10-26-2002, 02:32 AM

Come on , I no it's tough after you have bought something !
To dipute the claim ? But you are talking to some one now that
has never seen this ! I've had 7 different pulley systems on 5 stangs.
And it just was not there . Sorry ,maybe i was making to much H/P to notice ,don't think so , Maybe it was the shitty amp meter reading i was getting all those years in defferent stangs ? maybe ! but you no what ,there ain't a difference with those stock pulleys .. And your stang will love you for it .

jrgoffin · 10-27-2002, 10:19 AM

Unless you are driving around with the tach at the upper end all the time, you won't notice a thing. Well, actually you will notice your lights dimming at night when at idle and the temperature guage reading hotter when in stop-and-go traffic. I thought they sucked (even had the March pulleys) so I tossed them long ago. With my current combo, I doubt they would make a difference. I now run the '93 Cobra crank pulley with the matching water pump pulley (which is SMALLER) to keep the coolant flowing. My 3G alternator also has the OEM '94 pulley. Just my $.02.

10-24-2002, 12:53 PM	#1
whoops Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: Broomfield, Colorado Posts: 53	Underdrive pulleys Hi, Curious what the consensus is for replacing the underdrive pulleys on an '89 LX 5.0L? I've heard possible overheating problems or issues with the alternator. I have an electric fan to install to help with the overheating problem. Any suggestions good or bad? I just don't want to do a simple mod that will cause massive problems for me later. I'm just looking for a little more horse. Is 15 - 20 hp worth it on an AOD '89 5.0L? Thanks, Justin __________________ Justin '89 LX 5.0L AOD, notch back (STOLEN 11/21/02 at 4 am!)

10-24-2002, 01:07 PM	#2
ultraflo NX dealer-man Join Date: Sep 1998 Location: Peoria, Illinois Posts: 977	The March Performance 'Power and Amp' series billet aluminum pulleys are claimed to cure the issues associated with utilizing underdriven accessories while still freeing up 10hp to the wheels, though I can't back up the claim personally... it's food for thought __________________ RLS Racing! 93 LX 9.20 @ 147mph 03 Mach 1 12.39 @ 116mph

10-24-2002, 02:16 PM	#3
TwiLighTBluEGT Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Massachusetts Posts: 157	I have the March Power and Amp pulleys on my 91 5.0 AOD, and so far have had no problems with them. The only thing I noticed after putting them on was that my car started to run a little hot in 95+ weather. But thats nothing a 180 thermostat can't fix! As for the hp increase, my car seemed to run a bit smoother, and I could feel it pull harder past 4000rpms. one thing I wouldn't recommend doing is running an electric fan with underdrive pulleys if you still have the stock alternator. You usually need a 130amp alt. when running both. __________________ 1991 Mustang GT Conv: 58,000 original miles, 2nd owner. Engine: FMS 65mm tb/spacer, C&L 73mm maf, MAC cai. Drivetrain: Built AOD w/ Edge 2800rpm lockup converter, hardened 3-4 inner shaft, Trans-Go shift kit, B&M supercooler, FMS 3.73 gears & aluminum d/s, rebuilt traction lock. Exhaust: BBK unequal length shorty headers, BBK o/r h-pipe, Flowmaster 2 chamber mufflers. Chassis/suspension/brakes: Kenny Brown supersubs. The rest is stock.

10-24-2002, 02:59 PM	#4
drudis Moderator Join Date: Dec 1999 Location: Livonia, MI, USA Posts: 1,194	THe pulleys are worth an honest 7rwhp, seen it myself! You _may_ experience some charging/cooling issues, depending on what underdrive percentage you go... __________________ Darius Rudis, Moderator Corner Carvers Delight 1989 Mustang LX - Open Track Car http://www.dariusrudis.com

10-26-2002, 02:32 AM	#5
moc Registered Member Join Date: Mar 1999 Location: Ocean City , Maryland Posts: 344	Now thats what they want you to belive Come on , I no it's tough after you have bought something ! To dipute the claim ? But you are talking to some one now that has never seen this ! I've had 7 different pulley systems on 5 stangs. And it just was not there . Sorry ,maybe i was making to much H/P to notice ,don't think so , Maybe it was the shitty amp meter reading i was getting all those years in defferent stangs ? maybe ! but you no what ,there ain't a difference with those stock pulleys .. And your stang will love you for it . __________________ 1991 5.0 NotchBack,Black as of 05/04/09 34,300mi. 2001 LIGHTNING Black 29,872 mi. 05/04/09 (Hangar Queen) SMOKEM UP

10-27-2002, 10:19 AM	#6
jrgoffin Registered Member Join Date: May 2002 Location: The Midwest Posts: 79	Unless you are driving around with the tach at the upper end all the time, you won't notice a thing. Well, actually you will notice your lights dimming at night when at idle and the temperature guage reading hotter when in stop-and-go traffic. I thought they sucked (even had the March pulleys) so I tossed them long ago. With my current combo, I doubt they would make a difference. I now run the '93 Cobra crank pulley with the matching water pump pulley (which is SMALLER) to keep the coolant flowing. My 3G alternator also has the OEM '94 pulley. Just my $.02. __________________ '90 LX Too many mods... Rear-Disc tech

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