UUC Pulleys

[m3f_Norlin]

I thought the difference in size would be much more pronounced. I haven't gotten the pulleys fully in yet for a test drive, I'm expecting them to perform like everyone says, just was suprised when I pulled the old ones out and compared the sizes. Just thought I'd post this up for anyone thinking about getting the pulleys in case they were curious how much of a size difference there is before and after. Also, for removing the alternator pulley, I have a breaker bar with 24mm socket...but what do you guys do to keep the pulley from rotating while you try to loosen it?



Left to right

UUC Water Pump Pulley

BMW Water Pump Pulley

UUC Power Steering Pump Pulley

BMW Power Steering Pump Pulley

[m3f_understeer.com]

what do you guys do to keep the pulley from rotating while you try to loosen it?

Every time I've done an alternator pulley, I've unbolted the alternator and zipped the nut off with an air impact. I've tried other methods, like grabbing the pulley with channel-lock pliers, but the air impact method works best.

[m3f_imports4ever858]

how much is that set and does it have 3 pulleys like evo sport or only 2? and how much power does this set claim?

[m3f_understeer.com]

You can buy UUC's UDPs with or without an alternator pulley. Their alternator pulley does not underdrive the alternator, but is lighter than stock. UUC advertises a 4-11rwhp gain.

[m3f_BMWGuy206_5da5c2e650]

Getting the UUC UDP without the alternator pully is also $20 cheaper too!

[m3f_n8nod9it]

Getting the UUC UDP without the alternator pully is also $20 cheaper too!





Go UUC without the alt pulley. You dont need the alt pulley anyways unless your matching all the pulleys together for looks. I installed my UUC kit last week, and noticed a revvier engine. Dont look for big results, its the sum of all the parts that make your car faster, and this kits a good start. The pulley difference in size cant get too big because you start slowing down the accesories too much.



Also do the fan delete while your in there and water pump, housing, thermostat, and belts. Its easy enough to remove the radiator to work in there, and highly suggested because you can inspect everything more closely. Good luck

[m3f_imports4ever858]

evo sport is the way to go, the power pulleys, the underdrive altenator pulley doesnt even make a big deal for sound, i have one JL 12 w3 and i thought it wouldnt work, but it does just like before, u get 3 pulleys, noticable difference, and for a cheap price, evo sport is the way to go

[m3f_understeer.com]

evo sport is the way to go, the power pulleys, the underdrive altenator pulley doesnt even make a big deal for sound

It certainly did in my friend Brian's '98 M3/4 with two Eclipse 34230 amps. After installing a set of Evo's pulleys with an underdrive alternator pulley, the alternator wouldn't put out enough voltage to keep the lights from dimming down at night with the stereo on at all and he started eating through Optima Red top batteries like candy. Besides, the UUC pulleys are still $100 cheaper.

http://www.understeer.com/images/brian/bm33.jpg

http://www.understeer.com/images/brian/bm34.jpg

[m3f_Norlin]

Now that the pulleys are in, here were my findings.

The hardest part was getting the fan clutch nut off, the left hand threaded screw wouldn't budge even though I had the pulley stopped from turning just fine. I had to actually tighten the nut then loosen it (the 32mm nut).

The alternator pulley wasn't difficult at all once understeer pointed out that it's easier to take the whole alternator out. The alternator was easy to remove, grabbed the alternator pulley with a strap wrench, then with a 24mm impact socket and an air impact wrench the nut came off like butter.

There are two belts that come with the UUC kit, though you do not change any of the pulleys that go with the smaller belt (A/C belt). The UUC supplied AC belt was smaller than the one I removed, and after 45 minutes of trying to get it on I gave up and just put the old belt back on (since none of the pulleys were replaced for this belt). The accessories belt (water pump + power steering + alternator) that UUC provided fit just fine. I don't know if a smaller belt for the A/C was provided on purpose, I'm guessing no.

Just some pointers for people who haven't gotten pulleys yet that might be helpful.

[m3f_understeer.com]

UUC had been suppling AC belts that were the stock length for '92-'95 32X/M3s, but are now suppling belts that are the longer length specified for '96+ cars. The longer belts fit all 32x/M3s just fine. If you contact UUC, they'll probably swap out the belt for you for free so you'll have a spare AC belt that's actually usable... or you can give it to a friend with a 325 or '95 M3



FYI, you don't even need to use a strap wrench with the air impact, the nut will zip right on and off without holding the pulley at all.

[m3f_vpd]

Getting the UUC UDP without the alternator pully is also $20 cheaper too!





You could have bought the whole set (3 pulleys) for $160 at www.victoryproductdesign.com

[m3f_vpd]

Now that the pulleys are in, here were my findings.

The hardest part was getting the fan clutch nut off, the left hand threaded screw wouldn't budge even though I had the pulley stopped from turning just fine. I had to actually tighten the nut then loosen it (the 32mm nut).

The alternator pulley wasn't difficult at all once understeer pointed out that it's easier to take the whole alternator out. The alternator was easy to remove, grabbed the alternator pulley with a strap wrench, then with a 24mm impact socket and an air impact wrench the nut came off like butter.

There are two belts that come with the UUC kit, though you do not change any of the pulleys that go with the smaller belt (A/C belt). The UUC supplied AC belt was smaller than the one I removed, and after 45 minutes of trying to get it on I gave up and just put the old belt back on (since none of the pulleys were replaced for this belt). The accessories belt (water pump + power steering + alternator) that UUC provided fit just fine. I don't know if a smaller belt for the A/C was provided on purpose, I'm guessing no.

Just some pointers for people who haven't gotten pulleys yet that might be helpful.



An underdrive pulley tool kit would have made the job much easier. The kit includes two wrenches for the fan clutch and a special socket for the alternator nut. Available at www.victoryproductdesign.com

[m3f_Norlin]

I actually have the victory product tool set...didn't want to complain about it here, but some things happened:

The wrenches were great for holding the pulley to stop it spinning while trying to loosen the fan clutch with the 32mm wrench. However at first I used one of the vpd wrenches to hold the pulley, the other to turn the 32mm nut, the wrench just gave way...so used it in the other order and the second wrench bent too (not the shaft, but the area where the wrench makes contact to the nut rounded open)...I think the metal is too soft of a material...so I had to run to sears and buy a proper 32mm wrench, which happened to fit.

The alternator removal tool is just a 24mm impact socket, I thought it might have had something extra that would hold the bolt that looks like it has a torx head inside the alternator pulley, but it doesn't (not sure if holding that would help anyway)

But despite it all I wasn't too upset because I got a jack pad from them too which works excellent. And the wrenched were able to keep the fan clutch from spinning so I could loosen the nut so that was good too.

[m3f_vpd]

Not to be a smartass, but are you sure you were turning the fan clutch in the proper direction (left handed thread). The wrenches are made from .25" thick x 2.00" tall plate and it would take a great deal of torque to bend the material.

[m3f_Norlin]

Yep, positive I was turning the correct direction (clockwise facing the car) because when I did it in the same direction with the craftsman 32mm wrench the nut came off enabling me to finish the project