Replacing the Pulley not a good idea?
 

So I asked for a install quote on the NST Pulley kit from a local installer and this was his response:

I was definitely set on getting it, but now I'm starting to reconsider. What do you guys think?

Hogwash. What "shop" was this? lol

I'd rather not say. Can you elaborate a bit more? They might just be unfamiliar with this engine.

You will be fine, NST makes some of the best pulleys out there, I wouldnt worry about such a thing

Well they shyed away from their initial stance and just said it isn't something they personally use, but they would install it. They also haven't done any work on a 370Z yet, but they did do a TT 350Z recently. I figured it wasn't really a problem, but just thought I'd see what people here thought.

i ain't got time for all this jibber-jabber

Sounds like they just don't want to do the install. Find another shop.

They are the only shop relatively close to me that actually has a good reputation (East Orlando area). I'm going to go in and talk to their owner/technician in a week or so.

I went to NST personally this past weekend and talked to Mike for a bit, the design of the pulley is to replace the stock pulley and improve the system. Maybe the shop is thinking of something different and misunderstood what you wanted to do exactly?

I dunno, I gave them a direct link to the NST thread for the pulley kit. I'll go down and talk to the owner next week, but I'm sure things will be fine.

i have them on my car - took the car to the strip this weekend no problems

Yeah, personally I really wasn't too worried about it. There is at least a few dozen people on this forum using their pulley, and probably hundreds more on the 350Z, but I figured I'd ask anyway with what they said and see if it was true or not.

If your in wpb, bring it by the shop and ill install it.

That's a bit of a drive for me, I'm in Orlando. Thanks though. Wish there were more reputable shops around here.

Do you plan to order a new drive belt with the NST pulleys? It was recommended to get a slightly smaller belt. Search the thread for the Gates belt part number. I ordered from O'Reilly's.

Yep, I am going to pick up the Gates belt mentioned in that thread. Makes sense to replace it at the same time. Especially if it is slightly smaller than OEM.

I won't pretend to have researched of the NST pulley before, but generally aftermarket "under drive" pulleys have a very bad reputation. Harmonics in an engine are a very real issue, and there are countless articles on the subject from very recent to decades past. I would do a quick google search at least, and get some of the opinions of people that build actual race engines for a living.

Having seen an oil pump shatter taking out the entire engine and turbo system as a result of an un-dampened pulley, i'll vote to keep it stock, or upgrade it to something like a fluid damper when it is needed.

You should contact S&R Performance in tampa. Tell them Ryan from prosport gauges, inc sent you and bobby will give you a good deal :)

They do great work and even built our 500whp suby. They do ALOT of Z's

Ryan

I'd love to take it to S&R for my work, but at 2 1/2 hours each way, it just doesn't make sense. I'd like to have a local "go to" shop for all my performance work. I'll probably be taking it to Real Street Performance in Longwood, which I've read mostly positive comments about.

I think there was another thread on here ref the harmonic balancing off the VQ motor, the pulley has no effect on our motors in this area.
A decent pulley will be a good upgrade. NST make a good one, I am doing one shortly.

The comprehensive NST pulley thread has numerous pages filled with countless first hand reviews from Z owners who have actually used NST pulleys in the real world... http://www.the370z.com/engine-drivet...no-charts.html

None of these owners have ever experienced any electrical issues, weak accessory output, pump failure, or engine failure when using our product. The reasons for why NST pulleys perform as well as they do, can be found in the same thread.

In addition, there are many threads on other forums where Nissan, Honda, Toyota, Scion, VW, BMW, etc. owners have posted their first hand, real world, reviews and experiences with NST pulleys. 99.999999% positive.

Not all pulleys are created the same, and no other pulley is an NST pulley.

:tup::tup:

Also doing a search through old threads I found mentions that our engine is internally balanced and does not have a harmonic dampener on the pulley.

edit: Basically what Kastley said above! :tup:

Stillen throws in the gates belt when you order their UD pulley, n.c..

and i would say again balancing an engine is not the same function and harmonic dampening.

Google "torsional vibration" Read what the damper is actually doing, and then explain to me how "internally balancing" and engine will have any effect on that.

But you have time to post that useless statement? Way to add value to the thread...

Anyhow - I have never heard of such stuff from anyone - curious to see if what the shop is saying is correct?