Underdrive pulleys for V6 Camrys? - Toyota Nation Forum : Toyota Car and Truck Forums

SE V6 · 01-26-2002, 01:16 AM

Hello all,

Does anyone know if any company makes underdrive crank pulleys for Camry V6 engines? I have a 2002 but they are basically the same (bottom end wise) as the 2001 and earlier engines.

Please let me know if you do... I already asked Unorthodox and they don't make it for the V6s.

Thanks!

Flipside909 [SC³] · 01-26-2002, 04:59 AM

I wouldn't mess with it. All you will do is disturb the harmonic balance of the engine. You will just cause yourself problems in the long run.

SE V6 · 01-26-2002, 12:30 PM

Thanks! I was not aware that they had harmonic balancers. That's too bad b/c I'm sure they are way too heavy. Are there any 'tweeks' that can be made?

How about this... Is timing controlled by the computer box? If not, how do you adjust the timing on '02 V6s? Anyone with a '01 V6? I was unable to get any answers from someone at Toyota...

speedemn · 01-26-2002, 09:12 PM

Quote:

On 2002-01-26 13:30, SE V6 wrote:
Thanks! I was not aware that they had harmonic balancers. That's too bad b/c I'm sure they are way too heavy. Are there any 'tweeks' that can be made?

I don't think we have "harmonic balancers." What Ryan was getting at is that there is a balance between the 3 pulleys that drive you accessories, ps, etc and changing one of them will mess things up.

However, I do have the Unorthodox underdrive pulley in my car and its given me more gains than losses. The only loss I could claim it gives is the power drain from my accessories... which I don't really care about. I did get a bigger battery recently which seemed to fix that problem.

Quote:

How about this... Is timing controlled by the computer box? If not, how do you adjust the timing on '02 V6s? Anyone with a '01 V6? I was unable to get any answers from someone at Toyota...

Our cars adjust timing automatically from the ECU. However you can adjust base timing I think (dunno about your year). Lemon Tree from CMPL has directions on how to do it on his FAQ page. Check for it on there.

SE V6 · 01-28-2002, 08:43 AM

Quote:

I don't think we have "harmonic balancers." What Ryan was getting at is that there is a balance between the 3 pulleys that drive you accessories, ps, etc and changing one of them will mess things up.

The harmonic balancer is the rubber piece sandwhiched by the two metal parts of the crank pulley. Without that, I have heard of bearing failures which ultimately leads to a toasted bottom end. Speedmn, I wouldn't suggest you using your Unorthodox since our cars are equiped with the 'harmonic balancer'.

There was a long discussion on the Talon board about this and it was said not to use this.

Quote:

Our cars adjust timing automatically from the ECU. However you can adjust base timing I think (dunno about your year). Lemon Tree from CMPL has directions on how to do it on his FAQ page. Check for it on there.

Who is Lemon Tree and where can I find his website?

Thanks!

***Phi*** · 01-28-2002, 09:13 AM

Quote:

Our cars adjust timing automatically from the ECU. However you can adjust base timing I think (dunno about your year). Lemon Tree from CMPL has directions on how to do it on his FAQ page. Check for it on there.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Who is Lemon Tree and where can I find his website?

I don't know what his webpage is, but you can find him on the forums @ http://www.CamryMan.org .Just post a msg "Attn: Lemon_Tree" of something to that effect.

speedemn · 01-28-2002, 05:05 PM

Quote:

The harmonic balancer is the rubber piece sandwhiched by the two metal parts of the crank pulley. Without that, I have heard of bearing failures which ultimately leads to a toasted bottom end. Speedmn, I wouldn't suggest you using your Unorthodox since our cars are equiped with the 'harmonic balancer'.

There was a long discussion on the Talon board about this and it was said not to use this.

Actually I've been using it for a few months now and have dyno proof that it flattens the power curves all the way through, especially in top end, giving quite a boost in power. The car is running fine, so people on the Talon board can talk theory all they want. I have practical proof that its just fine.

Quote:

Who is Lemon Tree and where can I find his website?

Thanks!

Sorry I don't have his site bookmarked. But he posts on camryman. Do a search or post a message ATTN to him. Gibson on camryman would know the URL for his site as well. It is very helpful on many other issues too.

igloo · 01-28-2002, 06:58 PM

So there is seriously a harmonic balancer? Never heard of anything like that, or are you just trying to cover up yourself?
That is with my limited knowledge of car engine pulley systems.

SpectraBlueCam · 01-28-2002, 08:01 PM

Yes, there is a harmonic balancer. It's the rubber thingy in the crank pulley - according to Basil. :smile:

I have the same UR pulley and do feel a difference - though not huge.

SE V6 · 01-28-2002, 11:28 PM

SE V6 · 01-28-2002, 11:33 PM

Hey guys,

Yes there will be a difference in power for the underdrive pulleys b/c they are lighter than the stock unit. Less rotating weight = more hp. I never disputed that but there is a reliability factor to take into consideration. And it's just not talk on the Talon board either. Many big name racers do not suggest to use a pulley w/o a harmonic balancer if it originally came with one.

I would love to have a underdrive pulley but I think the costs are much too much to bear in the long run. As flipside909 said, it will cost you in the end. Just be aware that's all but of course it's your call...

Jeff, there's not much left for you to do short of a turbo kit eh? Speedmn,just curious, how much hp did your car make on the dyno? Is it auto? V6? What mods?

Thanks,

speedemn · 01-28-2002, 11:51 PM

Heheh its only a 1993 4cyl auto. My stock numbers were good... on par with a 1993 5-spd Celica. 98HP/117lb.ft to the wheels

After cat-back and pulley I gained about +10HP/+8lb.ft at peak and top end was up +15HP/+15HP or so (flatter curve). So breathing became better and pulley made it easier to do the work at high RPMs.

I am done doing any engine mods to my 5S-FE. Either I will do a 3S-GTE swap or just save up and buy the MKIV Supra TT... I think by Summer 2003 when I have graduated and already in a good job. Maybe I'll do both! :smile: Keep the 3S-GTE Camry for Winters and Supra TT for other seasons.

Quote:

On 2002-01-29 00:33, SE V6 wrote:
Hey guys,

Yes there will be a difference in power for the underdrive pulleys b/c they are lighter than the stock unit. Less rotating weight = more hp. I never disputed that but there is a reliability factor to take into consideration. And it's just not talk on the Talon board either. Many big name racers do not suggest to use a pulley w/o a harmonic balancer if it originally came with one.

I would love to have a underdrive pulley but I think the costs are much too much to bear in the long run. As flipside909 said, it will cost you in the end. Just be aware that's all but of course it's your call...

Jeff, there's not much left for you to do short of a turbo kit eh? Speedmn,just curious, how much hp did your car make on the dyno? Is it auto? V6? What mods?

Thanks,

SpectraBlueCam · 01-29-2002, 09:04 AM

Quote:

On 2002-01-29 00:33, SE V6 wrote:
Jeff, there's not much left for you to do short of a turbo kit eh?

I wouldn't hold my breath. :grin: :grin:

Seriously though, I've been thinking about it. But the most important ingredient is misssing - the dough!!

Anyway, the latest project on the Spectra Blue Camry is the interior. :wink: