Underdrive pulley recommendations - Camaro5 Chevy Camaro Forum / Camaro ZL1, SS and V6 Forums

Larz29 · 02-21-2013, 09:43 AM

I'm going to get a cam swap this spring, and since the labor will be free I was thinking about getting an underdrive pulley. The only issue was I might install an aftermarket JL audio amp for my factory speakers.

Will the pulley really add any noticable power and will the pulley hurt the daily drivability of the car with the A/C on?

Smirnoff · 02-21-2013, 10:31 AM

Nice cam specs, let us know the results when installed.....

SSDan · 02-21-2013, 10:56 AM

Did the same as you - added 25% UD pulley w/ cam swap. More power in theory - yes. Less parasitic loss spinning the accesories. How much - don't know. Did not dyno separately. Others have quoted 7-10 HP gain.

Daily drivability - zero issues - same as stock. Use A/C a lot here in SC - no problems or concerns 7500 miles later.

2012InfernoSS · 02-21-2013, 11:05 AM

I think its a waste for only 10 hp but thats just me,others seem to like it but ive also got 900/5 jl amp and 10w7

LeanPocket · 02-21-2013, 11:51 AM

its worth around 5-15hp. Dont get all wound up on HP numbers, the pulley will net you around a .1 off your ET at the track. To me, thats worth ~200$

trickflow sells the pulley by itself for $189 over at calspeed

biggerisbetter · 02-21-2013, 11:54 AM

wich pulley do those of you who have them reccomend

Ivan @ Southwest Speed · 02-21-2013, 01:10 PM

The Powerbond and SLP are both really decent UD's for the price. They're right around 25% and are a simple install. Most do it when they swap cams since the original balancer comes off.

Both of those will yield you a solid 10-15. Better SOTP increases.....

Ivan

VADER SS L99 · 02-21-2013, 01:29 PM

I still think there might be a relation between timing chain/tensioner failures and a aftermarket UD pulley/balancer. Choose your UD pulley wisely.

Nightmare2012 · 02-21-2013, 01:49 PM

Bump

DuskSS · 02-21-2013, 01:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by VADER SS L99

I still think there might be a relation between timing chain/tensioner failures and a aftermarket UD pulley/balancer. Choose your UD pulley wisely.

use a good chain(s) when you do the cam and you wont fail.

I still dont see how people blame the UD for chain failures.
we have been using UD pulleys for decades on many types of performance cars with stock cams and chains/belts.

Powhusku · 02-21-2013, 02:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by VADER SS L99

I still think there might be a relation between timing chain/tensioner failures and a aftermarket UD pulley/balancer. Choose your UD pulley wisely.

All the stories I've read about this have me scared to install an UD pully with my cam later this month. Granted the timing chain will be upgraded at the same time, is it just less risky to stick with the factory one rather than an aftermarket one?

Kelly@PCMofNC · 02-21-2013, 03:09 PM

I like Powerbond personally. Have them on my own cars and use them a lot in the shop as well! It's not an enormous amazing gain on its own but it does help complement a nice heads/cam package and pick up a few extra ponies.

I do not notice any difference at all with accessories or a/c.

I have never had a timing chain or tensioner failure because of an underdrive pulley.

Here's what I have on my own car, we also offer the belts and a new harmonic bolt to save you the hassle!

Camaro 2010+ Powerbond Pulley

VADER SS L99 · 02-21-2013, 04:07 PM

No one can proove that some aftermarket pulleys don't do damage the same way no one can proove that they can. Its a double sided coin and a pretty big debate because there is no actual PROOF either way. I say better safe than sorry. Its only 5-10 extra HP. If I ever get a UD pulley it will be a ATI or maybe Fluidampr. Those are the only ones I would trust to fully dampen as good or better than stock. How do you know for sure the others are controling harmfull engine vibrations and harmonics at all rpm's with every engine combo. Even if you did put a stong enough chain on it to not break, a crank balancer not doing its job will take a toll on a motor over time. Granted I had a powerbond on my LS1 and never had a problem for over 100k miles but that was a bolt on only car and I wouldnt take the same risk with this one for 5HP but thats just me.

biggerisbetter · 02-21-2013, 04:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kelly@PCMofNC

I like Powerbond personally. Have them on my own cars and use them a lot in the shop as well! It's not an enormous amazing gain on its own but it does help complement a nice heads/cam package and pick up a few extra ponies.

I do not notice any difference at all with accessories or a/c.

I have never had a timing chain or tensioner failure because of an underdrive pulley.

Here's what I have on my own car, we also offer the belts and a new harmonic bolt to save you the hassle!

Camaro 2010+ Powerbond Pulley

i have heard n othing but good things about the powerbond. when i buy mine that the one im going t go with.

02-21-2013, 09:43 AM	#1
Larz29 Drives: 2010 camaro ss LS3 cyber grey Join Date: Aug 2010 Location: Madison,wi Posts: 226	Underdrive pulley recommendations I'm going to get a cam swap this spring, and since the labor will be free I was thinking about getting an underdrive pulley. The only issue was I might install an aftermarket JL audio amp for my factory speakers. Will the pulley really add any noticable power and will the pulley hurt the daily drivability of the car with the A/C on?

02-21-2013, 10:31 AM	#2
Smirnoff Drives: Camaro SS Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: Motorcity Dragway Posts: 978	Nice cam specs, let us know the results when installed..... __________________ 11.90's w/headers, CAI, custom tune, slicks/skinnys, shifter & 100+ Ethyl.

02-21-2013, 10:56 AM	#3
SSDan Drives: 2016 1SS 6MT NPP Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: Lake Murray, SC Posts: 2,245 View My Garage	Did the same as you - added 25% UD pulley w/ cam swap. More power in theory - yes. Less parasitic loss spinning the accesories. How much - don't know. Did not dyno separately. Others have quoted 7-10 HP gain. Daily drivability - zero issues - same as stock. Use A/C a lot here in SC - no problems or concerns 7500 miles later. __________________ 2016 Camaro 1SS Hyper Blue 6MT NPP 2010 Camaro 2SS Cam/Headers/CAI/3.91 gears 476 rwhp/440 rwtq (sold)

02-21-2013, 01:29 PM	#8
VADER SS L99 Drives: 2013 A6 GT 5.0 Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: Edmond, OK Posts: 2,909	I still think there might be a relation between timing chain/tensioner failures and a aftermarket UD pulley/balancer. Choose your UD pulley wisely. __________________ BLK/BLK 1SS/RS Ordered 11-01-2009 Took delivery 12-22-2009. Heads/cam/converter/bolt ons. SOLD Feb 2015 to fund 6th gen LT1 SS with 8L90E.

02-21-2013, 04:07 PM	#13
VADER SS L99 Drives: 2013 A6 GT 5.0 Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: Edmond, OK Posts: 2,909	No one can proove that some aftermarket pulleys don't do damage the same way no one can proove that they can. Its a double sided coin and a pretty big debate because there is no actual PROOF either way. I say better safe than sorry. Its only 5-10 extra HP. If I ever get a UD pulley it will be a ATI or maybe Fluidampr. Those are the only ones I would trust to fully dampen as good or better than stock. How do you know for sure the others are controling harmfull engine vibrations and harmonics at all rpm's with every engine combo. Even if you did put a stong enough chain on it to not break, a crank balancer not doing its job will take a toll on a motor over time. Granted I had a powerbond on my LS1 and never had a problem for over 100k miles but that was a bolt on only car and I wouldnt take the same risk with this one for 5HP but thats just me. __________________ BLK/BLK 1SS/RS Ordered 11-01-2009 Took delivery 12-22-2009. Heads/cam/converter/bolt ons. SOLD Feb 2015 to fund 6th gen LT1 SS with 8L90E.

02-21-2013, 11:05 AM	#4
2012InfernoSS Drives: 93GMC sierra stepside/ ctsv3 Join Date: Dec 2011 Location: San Antonio, Texas Posts: 914	I think its a waste for only 10 hp but thats just me,others seem to like it but ive also got 900/5 jl amp and 10w7

02-21-2013, 11:51 AM	#5
LeanPocket Drives: 2010 2SS Join Date: Jan 2013 Location: Corpus Christi TX Posts: 634	its worth around 5-15hp. Dont get all wound up on HP numbers, the pulley will net you around a .1 off your ET at the track. To me, thats worth ~200$ trickflow sells the pulley by itself for $189 over at calspeed

02-21-2013, 11:54 AM	#6
biggerisbetter lll Drives: 2010 camaro ss L99 Join Date: Jan 2013 Location: new orleans Posts: 1,176	wich pulley do those of you who have them reccomend

02-21-2013, 01:10 PM	#7
Ivan @ Southwest Speed Drives: '15 Z06, '01 NBM SS, '97 SS Join Date: May 2009 Location: Rio Rancho, NM Posts: 12,170	The Powerbond and SLP are both really decent UD's for the price. They're right around 25% and are a simple install. Most do it when they swap cams since the original balancer comes off. Both of those will yield you a solid 10-15. Better SOTP increases..... Ivan

02-21-2013, 01:49 PM	#9
Nightmare2012 come find out;) Drives: stockish 2012 camaro ss Join Date: Oct 2012 Location: speed county Posts: 2,166 View My Garage	Bump

02-21-2013, 03:09 PM	#12
Kelly@PCMofNC Drives: 2010 RS/SS Join Date: Dec 2010 Location: Mooresville, NC Posts: 959	I like Powerbond personally. Have them on my own cars and use them a lot in the shop as well! It's not an enormous amazing gain on its own but it does help complement a nice heads/cam package and pick up a few extra ponies. I do not notice any difference at all with accessories or a/c. I have never had a timing chain or tensioner failure because of an underdrive pulley. Here's what I have on my own car, we also offer the belts and a new harmonic bolt to save you the hassle! Camaro 2010+ Powerbond Pulley