Steeda and Mac pulleys, What's the diff?
 

OK, I know Steeda's kit comes with a new balancer. But do the ones that don't come with a balancer do the same job as the Steeda's? Mark M:t:

Pretty much.They are both a waste of money in my opinion.

I haven't noticed a big improvement in the two to three years I have had the Steeda pulleys. The one thing I can say is, I live in Utah and if it snows you have to keep speeds slow. When you do this, the underdrive pulleys don't get up to being high enough and keeping the battery charged. I found this out the hard way last winter when I stopped and got gas and my car wouldn't turn over. If you are in a decent climate, then they wouldn't pose much of an issue. Save the money and get heads, cams, intake, plenum or gears. They are better investments than the pulleys.:flamed:

Sounds more like a bad battery to me then the fault of the pullies. They may have merely brought on a problem a little sooner, but you would have been up that creek anyway.

UDP's are proven to work....you just don't gain but 8 hp.

I got steeda pulleys on my car. Only difference I noticed was that I have to turn my fan on a higher setting to get my a/c or heat to blow out the vents. On the first dot, it doesn't even feel like anything is blowing out. Some people have battery charging problems. I haven't experiences that as of yet (fingers crossed) and I've had them for almost 2 years now. Some people say they are worth it, I say spend your money on something else.

Are the "Worth it" is totally a matter of opinion. If you are trying to stay N/A and you want every little bit out of your motor, then Yes, they are proven to add small power. Will you feel the power, probably not. Some people like to feel the immediate improvement. I had them for 3 years and never had any problems. SO, is it worth it? Maybe, but their are also other parts that will give you more HP and TQ for a little more money.

I put a set of mac pulleys on last weekend and the pickyback style for the crank pulley was a bitch to put on for me. If you get them, spend the extra cash and get the steeda pulleys. In the end, I'm pretty sure they will both provide the same results but installation will be much easier with the steedas.

Steedas are better. Have had mine for 4 months with no issues at all. Oh, and definitely felt a difference after they were installed.

If you get them, then find some used ones. Same with t/b and plenums.

the balancer (actually harmonic damper) that you get with the steeda set is SFI rated and a very nice piece (I hate steeda so it takes a lot for me to pander to their stuff).

NOTE: Since the mod motors are internally balanced you need to have a damper on there. If you use a crank pulley that eliminates the stock damper (non-piggyback style) and doesn't include a damper in the new pulley, then you risk severe engine damage. Piggyback style have never fallen into favor with me.. no likey. Just more stuff to go wrong.

I've seen on the dyno 6hp-ish gains that don't start till you're pretty high in the rpm band and land at less than that at the peak power point. They're definitely the sort of thing you either get used and in sparkling condition for super cheap or dont' bother.