I tried searching on here but somehow got "no results." (This website REALLY needs a better search function.) I've got 48k on my OEM harmonic balancer and want to replace it before it fails. I do not have the funds to be able to replace it with an ATI Super Damper...

I was wondering if anyone here is running a lightened (I'm thinking of going 2% overdrive) crank pulley and how they hold up. I know that theoretically this can cause problems but I was looking for some real world experience from those who have tried running one of these.

Thanks in adavance,
Sean

 

For what it's worth, I've never used the search here, but you may want to use Google with the keyword inurl:www.northamericanmotoring.com/forums then whatever you were looking to search for. Your milage may vary.

 

Won't recommend it if you're planning to keep the car. Check out PRW fluid damper if cost is a concern. I just had my OEM fail. Went w/ ATI but not w/o going back & forth w/ fluid.

 

I second that for looking into the fluid type, I wish I would have had more info on them when my OEM failed, I wouldn't have bought the ATI.

I know the SFI is going for only $275.00

 

Thanks for the suggestions I'll check those out but being a college student working a near minimum wage job those are still nearly an entire paycheck thats why I was asking about the lightened pulleys but since the general consensus is stay away for longevity I guess I'm going to have to bite the bullet and just drop a whole paycheck on one part

 

I have one of these on the way. Pretty pumped about it. Last thing you want is that stock one to go on you.

The consensus here is the consensus I've seen as well. Combining that with a reduction pulley on the supercharger increases the risk for over-spinning the supercharger, creating excess heat, etc.

 

IF you add a 2% oversize crank pulley to a 15% reduction on the SC, you have about the equivalent of a 17% reduction...generally OK by most accounts..I WOULD NOT add a 2% oversize to a 17%...not many folks had good luck running 19% a few years back...most had issues.

A few folks that rebuild motors said they could see visible wear on the engine bearings, and it can cause issues with the oil pump....
I did notice a slightly smoother idle after the change...not sure if it was just cause my wallet was thinner..lol. Best way to describe it is my car went from MINI tuned smooth to HONDA/Toyota idle smooth!

I would wait till you see signs of failure...some last nearly forever...some do not....when you change you belt yo can look at it pretty closely if you remove the pax side tire, and bend back the wheel well liner....

 

I'm only running a 15% pulley so I figured a 2% oversize crank pulley would just make me equivalent to a 17% and I don't do any track driving this is my daily driver and I'm starting to get worried reading about all the OEM failures near or even sometimes below my current mileage. Zippy you're running the ATI, I assume?

 

Yup...got it about 1 month ago...was more $$ than I wanted to spend, but long term figured it was worth it.
Still have the (apparently ok) stock sitting in a box...LOL.
My local mechanic suggested a swap for reliability reasons. Like I said it LOOKS ok, but he thought when he wiggled it with a prybar, it seemed to move more than some..so we inferred it MIGHT be getting ready to give up the ghost.

 

Damn...I knew the ATI was supposed to be the best on the market...maybe I can try to get a loan from family members or something

 

I'm running Alta's lightened crank pulley, 0%. I went 0% since I already have the 19% reduced SC pulley. Haven't had any issues with it, however, I haven't even put 10k miles on it yet. I was in the same boat as you. Stock pulley failing, needed something quick, but my paycheck also supports a wife and two kids. So, for now, the lightened pulley is only temporary, I hope.

 

I don't think mine is failing....YET. I would hate to get stranded at some point over the winter and then have my only car out of commission for x amount of time. I'm looking into one as preventative maintenance.

 

Dead giveaway mine was failing was the belt squeal at 5k rpms. Here's what mine looked like:



So I installed this:

 

Mine failed this summer. The car went into limp mode when I had the AC on. I ended up going with the ATI 2% with my 15% pulley. Car is back to running smooth again.

 

Mine went @only 45k mi. Regretted pushing back an earlier swap.

 

My belt isn't squealing, although I know its slipping. At 7-8psi my boost gauge flutters and I can barely hit 15psi at WOT. Another giveaway my belt is slipping is I only have 1/2 hole visible on my tensioner. Does anyone know if I went with a 2% crank pulley, if I would be able to use the same belt? (I installed it less than 3k ago with my 15% pulley)

 

If you really wanna get a 2% overdrive, sadly, Way's 2%ATI would be the best route. You could ask him on ideal belt size w/ your combo. Make sure you get a new OEM crank bolt w/ the damper. It's not a difficult diy install.

 

Thats the route I'm going to end up taking, I think. I just need to save up the money (or get someone that trusts me to forward the money to me ) before I can buy that. Plus I would need a puller as well, correct? I did the supercharger pulley myself and didn't have much trouble (besides the puller wanting to strip its threads ).

 

I did mine with a snap-on puller set from work. Basically it's the same as the ones you can get at autozone, just 3 times the price. Had to pick up some different sizes of bolts from ace since the ones in the puller set didn't work. All in all, had it changed out in about an hour by myself. Nice thing about the Alta crank pulley, stuck it in the oven for about 10 minutes, expanded it, and it slipped right on.

 

Did mine as MYT. Had long prepared a cheap chicken foot crank puller w/ 3 bolts that fitted the OEM damper. Heated the ATI on a portable electric stove for a few minutes. Installation was simple. As advised by K-huevo, check for machining burs on the opening of your new pulley. Smooth them out w/ 2k grit & thoroughly degrease before heating/installing. It's press fit so don't force it in w/o enough heat expansion. You won't want to be extracting it to reheat again. Remember to use new OEM Crank bolt. It's got Loctite & it's cheap insurance.

 

I hope that's not why my belt is chirping. Ive been having problems ever since I changed out the SC pulley. I still think I need to put on a smaller belt (doing that tomorrow), but this definitely a concern now..

 

I need to actually get a pulley before all these install tips will come in handy to me but you guys definitely convinced me a lightened pulley is not the route to go...let the saving begin.

 

After the trauma of OEM damper failure, I'd recommend aftermarket damper replacement to be placed high on any 1st gen owner's mod-list. Reduction charger pulleys are popular 'options', but damper replacement is a must-do item.

 

I think there should be a sticky about that...if there isn't already. I didn't start taking the threat of failure seriously until about a week ago

 

Folks....one thing to mention...
Quite a few dampes have gone 100,000+, just like many sc have...no leaks, or failures, some closer to 200,000....
i would watch your damper...monitor it for cracks in the rubber, and replace it if/when you believe there is an issue. For some reason, when it comes to a mini, 50% of the folks become a bit ocd, and get consumed with worry.
if you know the symptoms of a failing pulley, and can catch it before you are stranded, you can order what you need overnight, or in 2-3 days....just save your $$, or wait for a good sale!!
if you have some spare $$ to throw at your car...go for it, but don't be consumed by worry....drive your car, have fun, or you will soon hate the feeling of what is next...and the bill to come.