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Recommend lightweight pulleys?

6.6K views 9 replies 4 participants last post by  Hackura  
#1 ·
Keep in mind, this is my daily-driver and I live in a pretty alternating climate (hot summers, cold winters).

Do you really recommend I get a set of lightweight pulleys? In the summer time, keep in mind I have no use for my A/C (I just roll my windows down and soak in the wind) but fall, winter-time I do use my heater and wipers (of course I use lights at night-time). Would using a set of lightweight pulleys harm my alternator from properly charging my battery? The last thing I want is for my car to break down when driving around with pulleys.

OH and I don't even use the radio anyway (I just blast music from my phone sometimes and place it somewhere in the car).

Yay or nay?
 
#3 ·
As DivineCL9 said, you should be ok with lightweight pulleys if you go with oem sizes. The issue some folks experience is when you install under driven pulleys. This will expose weak batteries or cause regular alternators to output a lower voltage allowing batteries to not charge sufficiently and ultimately discharge.

One way to offset this is to use an over driven alternator pulley to compensate for under driven crank or power steering pulleys. So you do have options if you really want to go the under driven route though you may have to experiment finding the right alternator pulley size. This also means that you will also have to determine a new serpentine belt size.
 
#4 ·
Will this be an issue if I have my dash cam plugged into the cigarette hold? Yeah I am looking for some "bargain" performance mods that can free up every bit of pony this car is hiding from those wheels!

Off-topic, but instructions on installing and tuning the ZDX throttle-body on the TSX would be super helpful!
 
#5 ·
The problem with some under driven pulleys is the amount of voltage that the alternator outputs, particularly at idle. So you probably won't have an issue with running anything electrical if your output is sufficient to begin with. You'll have to measure it, at idle, and then see if putting a load (accessories, lights, AC, fan, radio, etc.) drastically drops the charging voltage to where it's at or below the battery level with the under driven pulleys.

Of course , as stated earlier, oem-sized (same diameter) light weight pulleys should not affect your alternator output.
 
#6 ·
Many of the members, including myself, have driven our 1st gen TSX?s with the underdrive pulleys for thousands of miles without any perceivable issues. I?ve had my UR underdrive pulleys for about 20k miles now and haven?t noticed any issues with my battery or alternator. As far as accessories, I have a dash cam, after market speakers (with stock amp), and iSimple USB port that charges my smart phone at 2.1 amp all running at the same time without issues.

The only times when you want to avoid underdrive pullys is if you have a high power aftermarket amp setup or if you want to go supercharger.

That said, I completely would recommend getting the UR underdrive pulleys. One of the best bang for your buck power mods in my opinion.
 
#8 ·
Basically, all you need is the gaskets, bolts that came with the TB/Adapter and the TB itself? No need for extra supporting parts? Will the factory intake tube fit on the ZDX TB or do I need a custom-made or a coupler?
 
#9 ·
I bought a kit from feuss2 that came with everything, it included a p2r vacuum fitting along with oem honda bolts for the throttle body to intake manifold (longer bolts?sorry it's been on for a long time) and I used an ebay intake that was a pain in the butt to install. Custom intake would be the way to go.