Aftermarket Crank Pulley Install

[Ziptied]

I still don't understand the use of these, you replaced a harmonic balancer, with a crank pulley, which doesnt help counter balance the crank. so you took off a useful part and replaced it with one that could in the long run have negative implications.... brilliant.

[Marrk]

Originally Posted by wparsons

Is the pulley undersized, or just lighter weight? I've seen some undersized ones for other cars that slow the accessories down too much at idle so you have charging issues if stuck in traffic, and the AC sucks unless you're revving above ~2500rpm.

From what I can find, this is just lighter?

Originally Posted by Ziptied

I still don't understand the use of these, you replaced a harmonic balancer, with a crank pulley, which doesnt help counter balance the crank. so you took off a useful part and replaced it with one that could in the long run have negative implications.... brilliant.

I am not an expert, or an engine whiz, so I have similar questions, so I look forward to anyone's response.

[Apoc]

Originally Posted by Marrk

I am not an expert, or an engine whiz, so I have similar questions, so I look forward to anyone's response.

From what I have read here and on Perrin's blog this is not a harmonic balancer. Just a crank pulley with a dampener. This is the same pulley used on other subaru boxer engines. Thousands of subaru modders have used Perrin's pulleys over the years without issues.

[Ziptied]

Nothing against Perrin, but this has been debated several times on several cars over the years. I'm not saying it WILL cause an issue, i'm saying it COULD, and fat chance of a warranty paying for that. It's just not worth it for that little bit. On Supra's for instance using a crank pulley that isn't OEM or an ATi is a trashed engine waiting to happen, these with such a short crank may not be as bad, just not worth it to me for what could happen. To each their own though, we will know in a few years I suppose.

[wparsons]

Has anyone even confirmed if the stock one is a harmonic damper? Not all cars have them stock.

[Norkoastal]

I think a good question is why hasn't the aftermarket made a pulley with dampening? It may weight more (than existing lw pulley) but rules out any potential related crank issues.

[zoomzoomers]

Originally Posted by Norkoastal

I think a good question is why hasn't the aftermarket made a pulley with dampening? It may weight more (than existing lw pulley) but rules out any potential related crank issues.

There's a simple answer. For the aftermarket to harmonically match their pulley with YOUR motor, you'd need to ship your motor to them to have it harmonically matched/balanced to your exact motor. Hope that answers your question. :happy0180:

[wparsons]

Originally Posted by zoomzoomers

There's a simple answer. For the aftermarket to harmonically match their pulley with YOUR motor, you'd need to ship your motor to them to have it harmonically matched/balanced to your exact motor. Hope that answers your question. :happy0180:

That's not true... if you took it to a dealership needing a new crank pulley they would pull the closest one off the shelf, not pull the engine and match a new one to your motor. They aren't matched or balanced to the engine in anyway.

All a harmonic damper does is absorb resonant vibrations in the crank. That's why they have a bit of weight to them, and also a rubberish material to absorb the vibration.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Harmonic_balancer

[zoomzoomers]

True, to a certain degree. Even at the factory these things aren't balanced a 100%. I'm sure they leave a certain deviation since not doing so would be unrealistic for the real world. But by looking at the all the aftermarket pulleys it's pretty obvious that they're not balanced.

I'm still on the fence about one of these. For now, I'm going to hold off. Since I do have a slight idle dip and the chirps. I don't want to fight with Subaru about them taking care of that.

Originally Posted by wparsons

That's not true... if you took it to a dealership needing a new crank pulley they would pull the closest one off the shelf, not pull the engine and match a new one to your motor. They aren't matched or balanced to the engine in anyway.

All a harmonic damper does is absorb resonant vibrations in the crank. That's why they have a bit of weight to them, and also a rubberish material to absorb the vibration.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Harmonic_balancer

[OrbitalEllipses]

Originally Posted by Ziptied

Nothing against Perrin, but this has been debated several times on several cars over the years. I'm not saying it WILL cause an issue, i'm saying it COULD, and fat chance of a warranty paying for that. It's just not worth it for that little bit. On Supra's for instance using a crank pulley that isn't OEM or an ATi is a trashed engine waiting to happen, these with such a short crank may not be as bad, just not worth it to me for what could happen. To each their own though, we will know in a few years I suppose.

That's an inline engine, this is a boxer.

http://forums.nasioc.com/forums/showthread.php?t=444518 <-- Read that.

[Ziptied]

Read the end of my post, I think you missed it...

[OrbitalEllipses]

Read my post, I know you missed it.

[CharlieChaos]

Installed mine and my buddies last night the first one took about 30-45 minutes second one took about 10. Mind you it was dark and raining lol.

Took a drive to grab food after and def notice a difference for the cash its a no brainer I think.

[Kwaziekeller]

I got mine in today and because of this DIY I had the tools on standby. Took me about 10mins once I got the tools gathered, opened the package and went outside, still in my work uniform. Hardest part was working around the warm pulleys/engine components but I had some mechanic's gloves so I didn't feel a thing!

Suggestion... If you don't mind working in a smaller area, you can do it by only removing the first part of the DIY, removing the intake tube from the throttle body to airbox, and undoing the PCV/EGR recirculation hose or the sound generator tube and moving it out of the way as shown. I'm thinking that the bolt may loosen easier if you put the tranny in reverse but I'll check it tomorrow when I retorque/check the bolt. I left the belt on until I broke the bolt free as well, a little extra resistance never hurts!

Driving impressions... noticed slightly better mpg and more "torque" low in the rpm range. Seems to pull through the rpms a little faster and more smoothly. Instead of the usual chirp on the 2-3 shift it will chirp enough to kick out a smidge like the 1-2 always has. I'm content so far. Just the beginning tho.