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Home > User Content > Product / Modification Reviews > REVIEW: NST pulley kit (provided by Carcandy)

REVIEW: NST pulley kit (provided by Carcandy)

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Web


Reg'd: Apr 17, 2006

THE SHADOW

To start, I would just like to say that Carcandy is a great vendor and really knows how to make sure all his customers are treated fairly and courteously.

Now, for the review of the underdrive pulley kit...

I purchased the Gray NST underdrive kit from Carcandy (http://www.clubsciontc.co...ce-kit---vendor-sale.html) and am very glad I did. This kit comes with a 20% reduced size crank pulley, as well as being light weight, a light weight waterpump pulley, and a smaller diameter and lighter alternator pulley. If you are thinking of tackling this task yourself, I would rate this on a scale of 1-5 (5 being the hardest) as a 3.5-4 depending upon skill level.

The overall installation of the crank pulley is straight forward but the other 2 are not as easy. After removing the alternator, there is MUCH more room to work with the water pump pulley. If you don't have an impact gun, I wouldn't try this yourself.

Prior to installing this kit, I had the Agency Power Light Weight crank pulley and liked it for what it was. I noticed a slightly modified rpm rise and fall and a slight power peak in 2nd and 3rd gear. Now, with the NST kit, the power is felt more evenly throughout each gear and it doesn't feel like any gear is a waste to be in. In high rpm runs, you can feel a bit more pull from the vehicle and a faster mph climb compared to stock or even with only a light weight, stock size pulley (Agency, Zpi...).

In city driving and just doing short trips, not much will be felt from this kit, but a possibility of slightly elevated MPG is always a plus. Less rotational inertia will allow the engine to produce is power more efficiently, not wasting some on "parasitic drag." I noticed a slightly cooler thermostat readout on the cluster gauge due to the waterpump pulley actually being slowed in rotational speed and the coolant/water is allowed to stay in the radiator longer to disipate heat. I don't have any audio, other than stock, in my car, so I couldn't care less about alternator output as long as it stays close to stock and keeps the battery charged normally.

With this kit, normal functions of the engine and accessories is retained, but yet you do feel a better overall pull from the vehicle in all gears.

I rate this modification, on a scale of 1-5 (5 being the best I've done) at around a 4.5-4.75. My full suspension and tire setup is my favorite just b/c of the driving characteristics of my toy, but overall power feel...this is my favorite to date.

If you have install questions or just questions overall about this kit that you think I can answer, shoot me a PM or comment on this post and I'll try to answer you the best way I can.


I know not with what weapons World War III will be fought, but World War IV will be fought with sticks and stones. A.E.
[#] May 01, 2008 11:58pm
lee_tc


Reg'd: Jan 12, 2007

Vehicle Designer

"If you don't have an impact gun, I wouldn't try this yourself."

ok i dont have one so i have to take it somewhere to get it done dam it
[#] May 02, 2008 12:00am
Web


Reg'd: Apr 17, 2006

THE SHADOW

Yeah, the crank pulley bolt and alternator bolt (holding the pulley on the alternator) have to be impacted off and then back on. If they are not torqued to spec, BAD things can happen.

If you weren't that far, I would install the kit for you. Sucks you live in the middle of the country.


I know not with what weapons World War III will be fought, but World War IV will be fought with sticks and stones. A.E.
[#] May 02, 2008 12:01am
lee_tc


Reg'd: Jan 12, 2007

Vehicle Designer

yea i know hahahah but try to get some of my scikotics buddy to do it for me if they can dam hopeing to get them on asap well have to wait just like im waiting for my turbo lmao


[#] May 02, 2008 12:03am
Mayo


Reg'd: Feb 14, 2007

The Guru

Another NST pulley review, nice! This sounds like a mod worth getting. Is rev matching any different? (Easier of more difficult?)

But in the mean time, does this mean you have an Agency pulley you will be selling?


"I have an idea! An idea so smart, my head would explode if I even began to know what I was talking about." - Peter Griffin
-- Want to post a "For Sale" thread? Check out the rules first.
[#] May 02, 2008 12:08am
Web


Reg'd: Apr 17, 2006

THE SHADOW

Rev matching seems to be just slightly smoother, but I didn't really pay attention to it. There's still the normal jerk that you get most of the time, but when it's smooth, it's definately smooth.

07TouringCoupe already had dibs on it and me installing it. Sorry



I know not with what weapons World War III will be fought, but World War IV will be fought with sticks and stones. A.E.
[#] May 02, 2008 12:10am
Racr350


Reg'd: May 18, 2007

Chief Mechanic

How much power am i looking at after installing this? You said it WAS noticable but i'm just wondering what kinda of numbers i'd be looking at. I want to get these SOOO bad but i want to know if price is worth the gain.


-BearZ Rules!
[#] May 11, 2008 01:17pm
Dr_Isotope


Reg'd: Sep 02, 2005

Chief Mechanic

They don't make any power at all. They just reduce drivetrain loss (of which we already have very little, around 7%) at the cost of losing all harmonic damping. So in the unfortunate event that you crack a crank or roast your main bearings, at least you'll know what did it.

If you want positive effects, all the time, with no negatives: lightweight flywheel.


Custom parts for your Scion tC: Doctor Isotope dot Com
[#] May 11, 2008 01:45pm
Racr350


Reg'd: May 18, 2007

Chief Mechanic

^YIKES!...They really lose all harmonic balancing? I thought everything was internal on our engines?


-BearZ Rules!
[#] May 11, 2008 02:22pm
Web


Reg'd: Apr 17, 2006

THE SHADOW

We have no harmonic balancer. We have a stock crank pulley with rubber inserts....that is NOT a harmonic balancer.




In this picture of a different engine setup, the harmonic balancer is the back piece (red). The Pulley is the front piece (blue). In this case, the pulley is part of the harmonic balancer assembly (with Ford and Chevy engines this is a common setup). Our engines do not have a balancer wheel mounted to the crank shaft or the pulley and are strictly pulley only.


I know not with what weapons World War III will be fought, but World War IV will be fought with sticks and stones. A.E.
[#] May 11, 2008 02:31pm
Dr_Isotope


Reg'd: Sep 02, 2005

Chief Mechanic

Is there a chance of catastrophic failure from switching to lightweight pulleys? Absolutely. Will it happen to you in 10, 30, 80, or 150 thousand miles? No one can say for sure.

It's really like the never-ending CAI debate. I just don't see the logic behind it. The benefits of such a mod are so far outweighed by the potential losses. If you're gonna gamble, gamble with boost-- gamble with big rewards vs. big risks. CAIs and pulley sets are minimal reward vs. big risks. It just doesn't make good sense.

To the above two posts: I never said harmonic balancing, I said harmonic damping. Two entirely different things.


Custom parts for your Scion tC: Doctor Isotope dot Com
[#] May 11, 2008 02:34pm
Web


Reg'd: Apr 17, 2006

THE SHADOW

Dr_Isotope wrote:
Is there a chance of catastrophic failure from switching to lightweight pulleys? Absolutely. Will it happen to you in 10, 30, 80, or 150 thousand miles? No one can say for sure.

It's really like the never-ending CAI debate. I just don't see the logic behind it. The benefits of such a mod are so far outweighed by the potential losses. If you're gonna gamble, gamble with boost-- gamble with big rewards vs. big risks. CAIs and pulley sets are minimal reward vs. big risks. It just doesn't make good sense.

To the above two posts: I never said harmonic balancing, I said harmonic damping. Two entirely different things.


But that's just it and what is making people more skeptical. The fact that it hasn't happened but people still say it could. Of course ANYTHING could happen if you put something that is NOT factory on your vehicle. I am not saying every mod for our car is perfectly ok to use (I just want to make that clear for everyone). But, in this case, continuous use of the pulley as well as continuous meticulous maintenance on my vehicle has shown me that there is no cause for alarm. I haven't seen any forums that have had specific "tC" engine failure with pulley installs, which leads me to see that they either have not happened, or maybe no one says anything. Something like that, though, I would assume someone would have something to say about it.

And yes, I agree that 50K, 60K,...150K is not much testing BUT, if we tested these things just like manufacturers test their engines, lets add up all the miles that have accrued from EVERYONE that has a pulley. That will show larger numbers of test mileage on these items with no issues.

If we all just went turbo b/c it's "safer" in regards to this arguement, then if/when the engine blows (we will say that a pulley will blow your engine), you're already out an engine in both scenarios. The bad part is that with the turbo engine, you have already dumped 3K+ into that turbo kit and are out that much more money. Either way, if something bad's gonna happen, you're screwed either way no matter if you go big and have power or spend less and have less power.


I know not with what weapons World War III will be fought, but World War IV will be fought with sticks and stones. A.E.
[#] May 11, 2008 02:40pm
LA_Tc_Rider


Reg'd: Nov 10, 2007

Detailer

In Web i trust

[#] May 11, 2008 02:43pm
Web


Reg'd: Apr 17, 2006

THE SHADOW

Dr_Isotope wrote:
To the above two posts: I never said harmonic balancing, I said harmonic damping. Two entirely different things.


I do apologize for sticking to the balancing issue. I read the second post prior to reading yours. Yes, they are 2 seperate concerns for vehicle engines.


I know not with what weapons World War III will be fought, but World War IV will be fought with sticks and stones. A.E.
[#] May 11, 2008 02:47pm
SoCalCory


Reg'd: Apr 22, 2008

Chief Mechanic

Dr_Isotope wrote:
It's really like the never-ending CAI debate.


What is this all about?
[#] May 26, 2008 05:46pm
Web


Reg'd: Apr 17, 2006

THE SHADOW

SoCalCory wrote:
Dr_Isotope wrote:
It's really like the never-ending CAI debate.


What is this all about?



There's always people against CAI due to hydrolock or how they don't create any power........but there's also those that praise them and swear they make power.

Just like that, there's arguements FOR and AGAINST pulleys.


I know not with what weapons World War III will be fought, but World War IV will be fought with sticks and stones. A.E.
[#] May 26, 2008 07:28pm
SoCalCory


Reg'd: Apr 22, 2008

Chief Mechanic

ok, i was gonna start worrying. I just put mine in, I like it, i dont love it. It gives good sound however at low RPMs it kinda sounds like it is struggling. Idk what it is. I hope it goes away :/

[#] May 26, 2008 09:03pm
Web


Reg'd: Apr 17, 2006

THE SHADOW

Hmmmm...mine doesn't have any low end struggle. Is the idle lower than usual?


I know not with what weapons World War III will be fought, but World War IV will be fought with sticks and stones. A.E.
[#] May 26, 2008 09:52pm
SoCalCory


Reg'd: Apr 22, 2008

Chief Mechanic

It idles around 700 RPM... and it like rumbles around 2500-3500 ish.... It is not a good sound Kinda like something rattling... I chked all the bolts and they are all tight. And the sound is coming from the filter area...

[#] May 26, 2008 10:27pm
Web


Reg'd: Apr 17, 2006

THE SHADOW

SoCalCory wrote:
It idles around 700 RPM... and it like rumbles around 2500-3500 ish.... It is not a good sound Kinda like something rattling... I chked all the bolts and they are all tight. And the sound is coming from the filter area...



If you have an aftermarket filter, check the vibramount incase it broke (most likely the case) or check where it enters the fender and make sure it's not rubbing the metal. If it is doing either of those, go to http://www.doctorisotope.com and order his fender panel for your specific intake. It will take care of those issues.

The 700 idle seems ok but a rumble at 2500-3500 is a bit odd. Definitely check for broken intake mounts.


I know not with what weapons World War III will be fought, but World War IV will be fought with sticks and stones. A.E.
[#] May 27, 2008 06:50am
TheFantasticG


Reg'd: May 17, 2008

Master Mechanic

w3rd on the pulley Web.

But, I have to say I'm on the Dr. side of this one.

I had a NST lightweight pulley on my 4EFTE Tercel, and never had a problem with it. Just putting that out there.


[#] May 27, 2008 06:54am
Web


Reg'd: Apr 17, 2006

THE SHADOW

TheFantasticG wrote:
w3rd on the pulley Web.

But, I have to say I'm on the Dr. side of this one.

I had a NST lightweight pulley on my 4EFTE Tercel, and never had a problem with it. Just putting that out there.


It's all good. This thread is just to comment on it for those who have it on their tC and are curious about it. All info is welcome as long as it doesn't become a bashing thread.


I know not with what weapons World War III will be fought, but World War IV will be fought with sticks and stones. A.E.
[#] May 27, 2008 09:34am
keys101

Reg'd: Jul 26, 2007

Tech Advisor

Yes im gonna get the kit and i have a sound system will this hurt it or be good for it, and is the l/w crank pulley or underdrive one better.. thanks

[#] Aug 11, 2008 10:29pm
Web


Reg'd: Apr 17, 2006

THE SHADOW

Underdrive will spin the crank faster but accessories slower. Better for power, not so good for alternator (audio system output). Stock audio systems and a mild speaker setup (no amp) should be fine but anything else and it will be effected negatively by not being able to charge the battery enough and dimmer lights.


I know not with what weapons World War III will be fought, but World War IV will be fought with sticks and stones. A.E.
[#] Aug 12, 2008 12:45am
Web


Reg'd: Apr 17, 2006

THE SHADOW

3 months and about 12000 miles later.....still running great


I know not with what weapons World War III will be fought, but World War IV will be fought with sticks and stones. A.E.
[#] Aug 12, 2008 01:17am
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