Okay, I know this topic is one of those topics where everyone has a strong opinion in either one way or the other, i.e. very polarizing. Thus, I am not looking to open a discussion about the physics behind this topic, or a discussion about how engines are built, balanced, or dampened, or a discussion about possible risks. If anyone is interested in reading some arguments: https://my350z.com/forum/engine-and-...general-7.html has a very long (nearly 3 years long lol) discussion regarding the issue, and the UR FAQ website (is biased, but you can decide for yourself) has their side of the story as well as a rebuttal to an old article from a BMW engineer that said that dampers are very important for engines: https://www.unorthodoxracing.com/Pag...8-11407d066161.

Like I said, this isn't reopening the discussion behind the physics or anything of that sort, I understand that some people do not think its worth it, or prefer to play it safe, etc... I am just interested in having a thread of peoples experiences: what pulley brand/type (i.e. under-driven/OEM size or crank/alternator/both) you purchased, about how long you've had them installed (i.e. time or miles), and how they have treated you (i.e. any issues, dyno #s, reliability, etc...). Additionally, if you don't own one yourself, but know someone who does, how has their experience with it been? Anyone actually know of anyone who actually had a crankshaft snap over this (i.e. just within a few months of installing this with no other probable cause)? According to my search, the last thread on this forum with a few people sharing their experiences was about 3 years ago, and most of these threads really only one or two people with a few months of drive time, so I am interested to hear from perhaps more people or with longer experience with the lighter pulleys.

Again, I'd appreciate that this thread doesn't become a damper argument thread, there is already a lot of that out there. Just curious to hear actual experiences, especially regarding dyno #s, engine feel, and how long you've had them installed.

 

With the transmission in neutral, you might feel like the engine is slightly more responsive to the throttle and revs up quicker, which could be welcome when rev-matching on downshift with the 6MT. However, when in gear on a daily driver, not so much, and not with a slushbox.

Is any of that based in reality? But that's where my head was at years ago after installing the Unorthodox Racing lightweight pulley (in OEM diameter) on a 2003 Maxima SE 6MT. I have zero plans for ever doing so with my G. That said, I distinctly remember holding the pulleys in my hands at the same time, both the OEM pulley and the new UR pulley. The weight difference was significantly noticeable. But at the end of the day, I don't think it mattered.

 

That seems like a reasonable review of the pulleys. I'm just super interested in these websites claims that it adds 8-10whp. Its not much, but then again, neither is $190, and if you keep getting small increments of 8-10whp, even with diminishing returns, it will eventually add up to something nice.

In any case, thanks for the input. I didn't know what "slushbox" meant before your post, gave me a good chuckle.

 

Things like LW pulleys don't add HP, they just act less parasitically on the HP on hand. However, after saying that out loud, it's brake HP that's unchanged... but would a LW pulley affect wheel HP? I don't know. I suppose it would have to.

IIRC, it was more like one to two HP, not eight. I mean, eight would be HUGE. I'd get a LW pulley in a hot second if it meant recovering eight horsepower.

 

Yeah, I guess thats what I mean to say. Or, the end state being a higher value off a dyno. And yeah, 1-2whp sounds like something one would expect from dropping ~3 pounds of rotational mass, which is why I was baffled to read the Z1 website for the Stillen and AMS pulleys which quote 10 and 8 respectively I believe. It seems too good to be true, hence this post. I was especially interested to hear from people who have dynoed the vehicle after the upgrade to gauge the actual performance gain. Z1 is always garnishing HP here and there, so wouldn't be surprised to hear that this is the product of a little bit of garnishment lol.