cAN sopmsone host a picture i got a comparison of OEM vs AEM pulleys.
Review of the AEM pulley set on the H22A:
Install:
I have to say the install is not too bad if you have air tools. At the time i dind't have air tools and the alternator pulled took some time because you have to use one offset wrench to turn the nut holding the pulley, and another rachet wrench to hold the pulley from spinning. The Power steering pulley was much easier as i just stuck a long screwdriver in between the spokes to hold the pulley from moving then just undid the nut. All and all the install is fairly basica and i think anyone with tools could do it, basically if you hvae the right tools any job is easy. I didn't have the tools to do this job at the time, in order to get at the alternator pulley i had to pull the whole thing out. In order to do this you have to pull the power steerign pump put first which was a real pain. Once it's out it's' pretty straight forward, there were really no tricks to this install, just basic, take the nut off, swap pulleys, put nut back on, and tighten up the belts. Prettty much that's the install. Yes, easier said than done but i believeanyone can do this.
Review:
My first impression of the pulley was how huge the alternator pulley was compared to teh stock one. After the install, first thing i noticed was that the lights were a bit dim cause the alternator was not pumping out as much current anymore, and indeed i did feel that the steering was a little stiffer, not much but a little that i could notice it. The one thing that did wonder in the back of my mind is what everyone says about a bigger pulley causing the alternator/ps to work harder and cause premature failure. Sure and behold one year after i installed it, my PS bearing went out and failed. What a pissoff, so i had to replace it and such. Things were good for a bit then all of a sudden my alternator started acting very wierd and did not charge. I'm really not sure exactly what happened but after taking it out and getting it checked then putting it back it started to work again. I have no idea what happened. In the end i just got fed up with the pulleys and just felt it was not worth the headache so i returned back to stock and sold off my pulleys. I think the pulley is an awesome aesthetic piece but for the performance i didn't feel it was worth it. In my opinion i didn't really feel much power gain at all. Thus, for the troubles "i feel" it's not worth it.
This was just my experience, bad as it maybe, others may have had other/better experiences than my own.
my 2cents
I wonder if a stock size pulley made of alluminum would be beneficial since there could be less parasitic loss, but also not as much stress on the alternator or PS? hmm...
I've had the AEM pullies for about 2 years now. About 6 months ago, my battery was dying so I got a new one. The shop did an alternator test and it was failing which caused the battery to never charge. I never thought once that the pullies could have caused it. I've got the stock sound system other than an Alpine HU. I guess I'll have to keep an eye on my battery/alternator and hope that it doesn't happen again.
Other than the aftermarket deck i have running the rest of my stereo system is stock. I am not too into audio so not much wear on the alternator in that aspect. It is strange that the PS bearing would go as well. All and all i just took the pulleys all off, save me the headache. You can make up that power elsewhere.
i have the AEM pullies and i felt more of a difference from them than intake or exhaust. i have an aftermarket deck and speakers and i my headlights only dim at idle. also, i'm still on the original battery at 102K miles, i've had the pullies on for about 25K miles.
i just wanted to say that was my experience and my review.
However, i thought about ditching my pulleys before this happen, as a JDM junky, i always look at JDM cars to see how they mod them. Really, i didn't see any of the Spoon, JUN cars run special accessory pulleys. I HAVE however seen aftermarket pulley sets for some Toyotas like the MR2's and such....who knows, but i'm not using it anymore. I still think i can race without these pulleys and still do alright. like i said it's my review.
You CAN or you can do without these pulleys it's your choice, after all, it's your money
I had the AEM pulleys on my Prelude. The only difference they made was that the lights would dim at idle. I never noticed any gain or loss of power. Total waste of money IMO.
FYI, I had an AEM cai, pulleys, and a DC catback.
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Tee-Dot
-2008 Mini Cooper S on the way.
It's not a BMW - the turn signals work.
I've had the AEM pullies for about 2 years now. About 6 months ago, my battery was dying so I got a new one. The shop did an alternator test and it was failing which caused the battery to never charge. I never thought once that the pullies could have caused it. I've got the stock sound system other than an Alpine HU. I guess I'll have to keep an eye on my battery/alternator and hope that it doesn't happen again.
how old was that battery if it was approaching 3 years on a battery its ending its lifetime anyways. Had pulleys in my car for 3 years with no problems
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2006 IS350 + Sport + Mark Levinson
how old was that battery if it was approaching 3 years on a battery its ending its lifetime anyways. Had pulleys in my car for 3 years with no problems
Could have been because it was old. I've had the car for almost 2 and a half years now.
the gains are actually 7-9 whp from proven dyno by SpanishRicer, although I could not find the post on the dyno but people mentioned his dyno of the aem pullies.
my lude has been very sluggish lately i've had the aem pulleys for about a year now and i'm starting to think the pullies are the cause. BTW: what is the stock diameter of the crank pulley? oh and also the weight if anyone knows off hand? thanks
I personally feel they help but can be a PITA with the low power at idle, its something you have to keep an eye on. I run a decent stereo setup and never had a problem with them except at idle with other accesories on, like headlights a/c etc...
Had mine on for over three years now, not a single problem with the battery nor the alternator. I can attest though that the A/C gets shaky when you're sitting at an idle, and it blows out less cold at idle as well. Headlights dim a LITTLE at idle, but when the gas is pressed, it's bright again. Windows roll down slower when both are rolled down together.
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Black 2001 5-spd
I/H/Hi-flowCat/E/P/VAFC/DC Short Shifter
Eibach Prokit/KYB AGX/Neuspeed front strut brace/Tanabe rear strut brace/Suspension Techniques rear sway
Energy Suspension Motor Mount Inserts
