Thread: What to look for when running a smaller pulley

I have a 3.5 on there now and I only see knock at wot between the 1/2 shift and it's only a 1.something, nothing major. I am looking to put on the 3.3 when the smaller belt arrives. I have done some reading and I see comments all over for yes or no. I have sd headers, 160 thermostat, cai and a gen v. I have hptuners for logging but I only use it when getting a log for my tuner. I also have an ultra guage (http://www.ultra-gauge.com/ultragauge/) that I have hooked up all the time.

EDiT, I also have 3" exhaust, tr55's

A new engine because your already knocking.

Originally Posted by ITHURTZ

A new engine because your already knocking.

Most engines have knock. Mine only shows up for a spit second during shifting as it bounces off the rev limiter during shift.

Weird because mine doesnt......ever

A 160 degree thermostat is too cold for your car and a 3.3" pulley is too small of a pulley for your setup. I would suggest you try a larger pulley than a 3.3".

Originally Posted by buickman104

A 160 degree thermostat is too cold for your car and a 3.3" pulley is too small of a pulley for your setup. I would suggest you try a larger pulley than a 3.3".

How come it's too cold? I only drive the car in the summer. I have the 3.5 on there now.

keep it on.. 160 dont mean jack really, its when the tstat opens, not what the engine will actually operate at, it will hit 200 if it wants to.

Originally Posted by ITHURTZ

keep it on.. 160 dont mean jack really, its when the tstat opens, not what the engine will actually operate at, it will hit 200 if it wants to.

I have the t stat on the shelf, my motor rarely gets over 90 Celsius on a hot day. I just see the lower t stat as a supporting mod that's why I picked it.

It doesn't really "support" anything

So what's the point of the lower thermostat other than to open earlier. And why do they make a 160 degree one if it's too cold?

I dunno. For racekars?

All is does is slow the temperature climb to operating temp.

Originally Posted by Jomamma

I dunno. For racekars?

All is does is slow the temperature climb to operating temp.

Mine takes a while just to get to 90c so I guess I'm good there.

Originally Posted by GTPpower

How much timing are you running?

Not sure it varies from 15-30 ish

you have a fiero so you should be able to get away with smaller pulleys than the typical wbody guy because your car is much lighter, thus less load on the engine.

I was just thinking, I see on the mod list for running a smaller there's cams and what not. What about a turbo? Why can we run a turbo with I'm assuming more boost and again assuming less problems?

turbos make immensely less heat and are immensely more efficient. Two 100% different animals, that cannot be compared. A turbo 3800 car can make more power with basically no supporting mods than a maxxed out m90 car can with heads/cams etc.

Originally Posted by SnowTh1ef

turbos make immensely less heat and are immensely more efficient. Two 100% different animals, that cannot be compared. A turbo 3800 car can make more power with basically no supporting mods than a maxxed out m90 car can with heads/cams etc.

Ahh I see I was looking at it as a boost level comparison.

Boost is by no means a power comparison. A stock l67 makes like 6 psi. a stock l67 but with a turbo instead of an sc on 6 psi is a 100% different machine. turbo and 6psi will get you into the high 13s. A stock gtp is like low/mid 15s. lol