Underdrive Pulleys on a 2.0

[GatorBeetle]

Looking at a lightweight billet underdrive pulley set, underdrive pulley, power steering, and AC. Who's done this, and did you see much difference?? How difficult is the install?? Any thoughts or guidance would be GREATLY appreciated!

[bugasm99]

install should not be too difficult. A little time consuming but not difficult. You need to work on top of and below the side of the motor and their isn't much room. I am assuming you may have to loosen the motor mount and jack the car up and down to get room.

[Too Cold NB1.8T]

I've have a light weight P.S./crank pulley set with a slight under drive on my 1.8t, made a pretty nice improvement on my setup and was a piece of cake to install.

The reduction in weight is what generates the greatest performance improvement not the under drive, beware of kits with excessive under drive because this can cause a number of unwanted problems.

On a 2.0L, I don't know that it would be worth the time and expense, thats a judgement call.

[GatorBeetle]

This set is supposed to be only a slight underdrive. I like my AC, steering, and battery too much to do otherwise. I have read the lighter weight of the drive pulley makes the biggest difference, is that right?

Briefly, what did you have to do for the install? Did you have to loosen any of the motor mounts, because I don't know if I want to go that far. Would be afraid something wouldn't go back right or something, don't need the engine out of line or something.

[Too Cold NB1.8T]

Loosen motor mounts in order to install a pulley set on a 1.8t, no, on a 2.0L, I'm not sure but probably not.

[GatorBeetle]

Originally Posted by Too Cold NB1.8T

Loosen motor mounts in order to install a pulley set on a 1.8t, no, on a 2.0L, I'm not sure but probably not.

That was my read on it, but wanted a second opinion. I've never been bleddes with a car which had much room under the hood, so I'm pretty aware of what I can and can't do in the space provided.

Anyone with a 2.0 done this?? I need more opinions as to if it makes a difference!! Thanks for all responses thus far!

[bugasm99]

Good to know. I was just thinking about to how much room you had when I did my timing belt job. I figured you might need the room of loosening the mount. But even better if you don't.

[GatorBeetle]

Agreed...but now I need to get the tool for the alternator pulley removal. I suppose I could do the other two until I can get to the third.

ECS has a good deal, get the tool and a new bolt and washer for the pullet for $25, and return it for a $15 credit, but they just had a bunch of credit card numbers stolen...apparently.

The instructions for the Unorthodox Racing Pulleys say all you have to do is remove the wheel, well liner, and the Washer Resivoir (sp?)...

[Too Cold NB1.8T]

If you chose to get your pulley set from Unorthodox Racing then you made a very good choice, their pulleys are the best I found, they installed, fit and worked like a dream on my engine and they are a visual work of art.

The instructions supplied by Unorthodox Racing are pretty much on point, get your pulleys, instructions and Bentley manual together, put the car on jack stands and do the install, it's easy.

Just make sure that you torque all fasteners to the factory spec., put everything back together, hook a scan tool up and clear codes even if none exist and run the TB alignment procedure as a precaution, this will allow your ECU to begin immediately adapting to the pulley weight change and ensure that your TB is setup.

Nothin' to do now except, enjoy...

[GatorBeetle]

Thanks for the input. I'm sure I won't see the difference you did, but am hoping for something more...the things I've done so far have been really awesome, intake, Magnecor wires, sport exhaust. This is just one more thing to hopefully pull a few more HP out of the 2.0 engine. I do need a new torque wrench...