3.0 Performance Pulleys

[Big Jim M]

Lets all look at it!
Big JIm

 

[Casper98]

NOT MINE I copied this from another site

2002 4x2 Auto, 3.0 with no mods vs. Underdog UD Crank Pulley.
underdog
87 Octane fuel, w/o Ethanol
Run 1 - Stock
Run 2 - Underdog Crank Pulley (UDP) - no other pullies.
Peak Gains: 8.4HP/11.1TQ
****No TC Lock, run in "D"****

 

[Big Jim M]

That's right off of the underdog site... isn't it? What do you expect them to put up there...THE TRUTH?
Big JIm

 

[Casper98]

Nope it's not from their site, and you wanted proof so I posted it! Don't get mad that I proved you wrong!!

here's where I got it from
http://www.rangerpowersports.com/forum/showthread.php?217127-3.0L-Dyno-Results-vs.-Mods-56K-warning

 

[Rearanger]

What do you expect them to put up there...THE TRUTH?Big JIm

That dyno run is pretty hard to dispute unless you run your own. But the question is what do you give up to run your PS pump, A/C compressor, alternator and fan slower? That extra HP isn't free.

 

[Froggmann]

Jim, the facts are posted.


Edit: There are no negative side effects to the U/D pulley. My A/C works killer and I don't have any charging issues even with the e-fan and stock alt pulley. No overheating problems in 100+ heat with the A/C blowing cold.

 

[Rearanger]

I found this discussion of possible downsides, which may not show up right away.

http://www.ls1tech.com/forums/generation-iii-external-engine/965221-downside-underdrive-pulley.html

 

[locovaca]

Nope it's not from their site, and you wanted proof so I posted it! Don't get mad that I proved you wrong!!

here's where I got it from
http://www.rangerpowersports.com/forum/showthread.php?217127-3.0L-Dyno-Results-vs.-Mods-56K-warning

That post is a collection of Dyno runs found across the internet. It is no more verifiable than if you had put up your own webpage.

Why would anyone doing their own dyno run put in the advertisement for the product they were testing? Why is the username linked to that dyno run "underdog"? Why does it seem extremely non-coincidental that Maxwell Dodge Supercenter is in Austin, TX, as is Underdog? Sure looks like advertisement to me, not independent analysis.

 

[stmitch]

Yeah, you're probably right. I'm sure the hundreds of us running underdrive pulleys are all wrong about the gains. The gains we feel are just in our heads as some sort of placebo effect, even after years of being installed. Our fuel economy increases must just be because we can't properly calculate fuel mileage, or we're all just lying. It's just one giant conspiracy across the ranger community where we spread lies and misinformation about mods we've done to others in hopes that they'll fall into the same trap we did, and we can all feel a little better about spending that $200 on our trucks.

 

[Pagemaster]

ok. so just kinda stumbled across this and wanted to throw an opinion out there. having never done the discussed mod i cant comment on if it improves your mpg and hp, but just wanted to throw this out: Big Jim, all the original poster was asking for was an opinion, then someone gave one and you jumped all over his case for changing what the all powerful ford engineers have already perfected. there is no reason for that and thats not what this site is for. people come on here looking for sound advice on things they dont have much experience on in a positive attitude. even if they are completely wrong and are getting negative feedback its usually in a respectful, positive tone. YOU on the other hand are doing nothing productive with your post and shouldnt even be allowed to post on here in my opinion. -Louie

 

[stmitch]

ok. so just kinda stumbled across this and wanted to throw an opinion out there. having never done the discussed mod i cant comment on if it improves your mpg and hp, but just wanted to throw this out: Big Jim, all the original poster was asking for was an opinion, then someone gave one and you jumped all over his case for changing what the all powerful ford engineers have already perfected. there is no reason for that and thats not what this site is for. people come on here looking for sound advice on things they dont have much experience on in a positive attitude. even if they are completely wrong and are getting negative feedback its usually in a respectful, positive tone. YOU on the other hand are doing nothing productive with your post and shouldnt even be allowed to post on here in my opinion. -Louie

I feel like thats an extreme reaction. Although Big Jim and I rarely see eye to eye, I've seen him help many members. He's knowledgable, and his posts can offer valuable insight. He and I both come here with the intent of helping people, and I'd hate to see him go anywhere.

 

[locovaca]

Yeah, you're probably right. I'm sure the hundreds of us running underdrive pulleys are all wrong about the gains. The gains we feel are just in our heads as some sort of placebo effect, even after years of being installed. Our fuel economy increases must just be because we can't properly calculate fuel mileage, or we're all just lying. It's just one giant conspiracy across the ranger community where we spread lies and misinformation about mods we've done to others in hopes that they'll fall into the same trap we did, and we can all feel a little better about spending that $200 on our trucks.

Fuel economy is an extremely poor way of gaging a change in performance because there are a ton of variables involved.

* Outside temperature
* Wind
* Cargo load
* Properly Inflated Tires
* Average Speed
* Driving conditions (City vs Highway)
* Windows up/down
* AC On/Off
* Night time vs Day Time - Additional alternator load for night time
* Gas quality
* Length of trips
* Probably more that I'm missing

I don't doubt you can properly calculate MPGs; I doubt that you can rule out every factor I just listed as being exactly equal between your pre test and post test. I've tracked my MPGs for years. My 2.3 truck has a 8.5 MPG swing over a given year; it went as low 17.42 mpg last Winter and as high as 26.06 this summer. That's without changing a thing and driving nearly the same route which is mostly interstate.

A proper dyno run is the ultimate verification. And I don't believe any run that has a manufacturer's website on it.

And yes, there are plenty of people, thousands, who buy throttle body spacers, fuel tornadoes, fill their tires with nitrogen, MAF resistors, and believe they have unlocked the mysteries of internal combustion efficiencies for a tiny amount of cash. I'm sure UDP do something, but it usually involves overtaxing voltage regulators and higher idle temps.

 

[Pagemaster]

I feel like thats an extreme reaction. Although Big Jim and I rarely see eye to eye, I've seen him help many members. He's knowledgable, and his posts can offer valuable insight. He and I both come here with the intent of helping people, and I'd hate to see him go anywhere.

ok. my bad. but he did kinda just thrash anyone who would mod their engine. sorry for the reaction jim, im crabby in the mornings. heres a beer:

 

[stmitch]

Fuel economy is an extremely poor way of gaging a change in performance because there are a ton of variables involved.

* Outside temperature
* Wind
* Cargo load
* Properly Inflated Tires
* Average Speed
* Driving conditions (City vs Highway)
* Windows up/down
* AC On/Off
* Night time vs Day Time - Additional alternator load for night time
* Gas quality
* Length of trips
* Probably more that I'm missing

I don't doubt you can properly calculate MPGs; I doubt that you can rule out every factor I just listed as being exactly equal between your pre test and post test. I've tracked my MPGs for years. My 2.3 truck has a 8.5 MPG swing over a given year; it went as low 17.42 mpg last Winter and as high as 26.06 this summer. That's without changing a thing and driving nearly the same route which is mostly interstate.
A proper dyno run is the ultimate verification. And I don't believe any run that has a manufacturer's website on it.

I calculate my mileage with every fill up, and have been for 3 years. Before the fan and pulley install, I was averaging 17-20mpg in mixed driving conditions. After the install, that number jumped to 19-22mpg. Every factor you listed would explain differences between individual tanks, but not on the whole over a 2 year span. My driving style, and route have not changed. I have made no other changes in the drivetrain other than changing the oil.

I agree that a dyno run is the only conclusive way to test, and plan on running my truck in the next couple weeks.