Audioholics

I was at my dealer today getting some service on my 07 TLS. My service manager is big on performance mods as he just threw on a supercharger on his on 05 TL and a custom exhaust.

He said he would NEVER recommend me doing the UR Pulley mod b/c the aluminum pulley is not as durable as the OEM steel one. He also said it would void the engine warranty on my car and doubt's any performance advantage over the pulley.

I even spoke to their master tech and he basically said the same thing. I guess I will hold off at least until my warranty is up but also wondering if anyone had issues doing the pulley over the long term usage. thx.

Steven Bell

iTrader: (2)

Gene...that's exactly why I haven't done it yet too. I've spent too much money on this car-let alone the mods, to void out my warranty.

TL|GTX

What ur dealer says is actaully true, u might get like 1hp, but not worth a damaged motor, and a voided warrenty

warren4066

I wanna see numbers...FACTS, or is it just he say she say...

stillhere153

iTrader: (1)

how could that void your warranty on the engine if the engine is working fine... I am trying to think of what problems could occur and be a direct cause for engine damage...

the only thing I can think of is if the belt slipped... and that would be pure installer error

javamanbill

I waited till my warranty expired before doing mods on my engine but now have the UR Pulley. I have had it on over a year with no problems. On this site the the pulley is probably mentioned as the best bang for your buck for extra horse power. Well more than the 1 HP mentioned above plus you are decreasing the weight of your car which always helps. I have also never heard of anyone on this site saying they had a problem with their UR Pulley. In short, I highly recommend it but I too would probably not doing anything to void my warranty.

Timeless

This has been discussed several times now...The pulley's do not damage the motor. People have run them for years and there have not been any problems as far as I know. Someones opinion is really cool and all, but how about hard facts and testing...sort of like the people that run the UR pulley with zero problems.

A service manager saying the pulley is not as durable as the stock one? That doesn't even mean anything. It spins and moves a belt to spin other things. Its pretty simple.

minkl81

iTrader: (2)

well...

my previous ride '05 TSX. 25k miles with underdrive UR pulley set. not a single problem

now on my '07 TL-S. 30k miles with underdrive UR crank pulley. not a single problem either

BLACKURA_NY

iTrader: (6)

about 15k on th blackura with me pulley, and i put the same pulley on the type-s.. for about 25k... so 40k... no problems

i am using stock size though... maybe he meant underdrive?

Audioholics

well this guy is really into performance mods. He dropped a full A-spec on his TL in addition to the Supercharger and exhaust, etc. He seems to really know the ins and outs of the TL well. He even blacked out his headlights amoung other cosmetic mods.

I asked him to really research the pulley as I was thinking about doing it.

He said that aluminum is not as strong as steel and there exists the possiblity of cracking. Not sure I buy that completely, but I can't find a single certified honda mechanic locally that will do this mod for me. Maybe that accounts for something...

stillhere153

iTrader: (1)

ok so if this guy is soooo performance is he on azine or v6 pee?

cuz if he is.. have em chime in sigh

ChucksCL-S

Audio...I need to chime in here for everybody as I'm a member since '01. To keep my story short, my '00 TL now has 258,000 miles on it, with a UR on there since 20K miles, and my newer toy, an '03 CL-S now has 129K miles with a UR on there since I bought it at 80K miles. Both engines are PERFECT. That means UR pulleys have done a perfect job for 287,000 miles. Neither engine has any issues at all, neither burn or leak any oil. They will not harm anything if you ask me, and to all the doubters out there, I say don't worry about it!

Steven Bell

iTrader: (2)

Gene, would the master technician do the mod for you, even if you are aware of the possible problems?




2009 Kansas City Acura Meet-May 17th
https://acurazine.com/forums/midwest-312/kansas-city-2009-spring-all-acura-meet-may-17th-12pm-%40-jay-wolfe-acura-714994/

RonJonTL757

Leave the ACURA/HONDA dealers and just go to a performance shop and install it.

Audioholics

He looked it up on his service computer and claims its a 4 hour job. He claims there is no way it can be done in 45 min. I am wondering if they are thinking of a different pulley than what is being done here?

What is the OEM part# and what is the part technically called?

Thanks guys and I don't want to make the dealer or DIY'ers here look bad, I just want to get the facts. thanks.

paliknight

taking off the tire, removing the old pulley, and putting the new one on is a 4 hour job? maybe for a noob like me lol.

RonJonTL757

you dont even need to take the tire off. 45 min job with the right tools END OF STORY.

The dealer wants 4 hrs of labor so they can take their sweet ass time and rail you for $$$

Audioholics Just forget the dealership bra!

minkl81

iTrader: (2)

4hrs for a single pulley is total

don't let dealers to performace mods... they'll charge you with insane install price. go find local performance shop. they are much faster and much more knowledgeable with mods

neogauge

Dealers go by a book. They are supposed to charge the same price as it would be for the OEM. But why in the hell would you want the Acura dealer to mod your car? DIY or find someone you can trust...well trust is a big word but you know.

Audioholics

who would you trust to do this type of mod? What about mainstream franchise mechanics or do you find speciality shops?

ifirahse

iTrader: (6)

Where do you live? I got my pulley installed at a specialty honda/acura shop that deals with only our cars for $60. Took the guy about 25 mins for everything.

Type S Fanatic

Timeless is right. I have run the UR pulleys on every single car I have ever owned. Cars where I have had the pulleys on for 30K miles with no problems. Master Techs dont always know everything, I have met a few that were retards. Not saying the guy you talk to was, but sometimes if they don't know they will just say what they think. I have never heard of anyone with problems with UR pulleys. I think it is a great upgrade. Yeah not huge WHP but the car just seems like it runs sooo much better and smoother. My mileage went up too. You have to do what you feel is right, but from my experience I will always put one on every car I own.

Nick337

iTrader: (2)

If your going to put on a pulley, See if they ATS makes one for the TL. I wouldn't run anything else.

stillhere153

iTrader: (1)

if you happen to be in the east you can borrow the pulley tool from me and attempt it yourself... I think the hardest part is putting the belt back

Audioholics

I live in Tampa Florida. I haven't been able to find any Honda mechanics other than ones working directly for Honda whom won't touch this mod.

DexDiamonds

Damn they don't want to touch it? That's lame. I guess they don't want easy money. The mod is very simple and definitely worth it. I was worried when I first read your post but with everyone chiming in on it's reliability in their cars in makes me that much more glad I have it. I say if the dealers in your area want to void the warranty don't mess with it now though. A $250 part is not worth the $1,000s they'll try to get from you for anything issue that most likely have nothing to do with the pulley.

Excelerate

iTrader: (1)

Ask your service manager what evidence he has to prove that the OE pulley is more durable than the UR pulley. In fact what evidence does he have it all to back up his claim? The fact is that the lightweight pulley does free up hp. Interestly enough we recently acquired a 09 TL crank pulley and wouldn't you know it Acura lightened up this pulley by 30-40% over the 3rd gen TL pulley. I find that interesting. The UR pulley is CNC machined and 0 gram balanced which is better than the factory pulley.

And the pulley takes about an hour to install if you are tightening the bolt down with the proper amount of tq and not just using an air gun.

MobTownTL

iTrader: (1)

hmm maybe he's biased becuz he has the s/c?

i was told that the ur pulley sucks with the s/c and that the oem does a better job, in terms of performance i guess. x_X lol

just a thought xP

ggesq

iTrader: (1)

Audio- which dealer and service advisor are you dealing with in Tampa?

Tripnbeats

lol thats funny.... the 09 tl's pulley is lighter....i guess honda is listening.... the master tech that works on my car in NY said that the stock sized UR pulley is one of the best things for the TL....it frees up HP and it lets u have more fun without having to do a mod thats fully visable like the intake or exhaust.

Bearcat94

Your dealer would probably say the same kind of stuff about CAI, Tint (void the window motor warranty), and whole host of other "common" mods. They have to say that; it is 100% CYA.

OE Pulley more "durable"? Maybe. GD thing weighs a ton and is made from cast iron. You could drop bricks on it and it'd be fine. So keep the bricks away from your UR Pulley.

1 extra HP - . Weight difference is SUBSTANTIAL. And it's rotational mass. You're giving yourself a hell of a lot more than 1 HP.

4 hour install = 1 Hour install plus 3 hours . And 100% OE R&R is even easier since both the old and new parts have the hex knockout for the pulley tool. OE Part number is 13810-RJA-003. It is item #14 in this drawing:

http://www.acuraautomotiveparts.org/...s=&view=normal

JD TL-S

iTrader: (1)

Good to hear the 09 TL's is much lighter. That should answer the question. On my last 2 TL automatics I was TOO worried about the warranty. With my 06 TL 6speed I said WTF and bought the UR Pulley a couple weeks ago. But reading SO many posts about the UR pulley, Pro's and Con's, I feel better now about installing it. And if I blow my engine then I guess I will just pay for a re-build and be HAPPY with a new Engine again.

Tripnbeats

JD i had it installed at acura only because the tech said the "pulley was bad". so i got the pulley from josh and threw it on, I have a 6spd too and i havent had one prob except for one..... DRIVING FAST! lol!!!

Audioholics

thanks for that info. I may have found someone to do this mod for me whom owes me a favor and seems to have the tools to do it. I will search the threads here for the exact procedure that you guys used. thanks.

Kennedy

iTrader: (2)

Exactly... I was a doubter too back in the day. I found this doing my research:

http://www.dinancars.com/bmw/technia...armonic-damper

Dinan is a well known BMW tuner...

Josh/Excelerate and I bantered about this a year ago, Josh set me straight.

Bottom line is this:
- The arguement/concern may be valid, but the Dinan article is based off a straight 6, not a smooth as glass V6.

- The stock pulley is heavy because it's intended to absorb minor vibrations... again trying to isolate vibes and help give the luxury feel. You MAY feel more vibes, but doubtful.

- Don't expect big gains, especially with an auto. The tranny eats most, if any, of the gains.

- Show me the evidence of danger... Lots of folks here have em, noone's had a problem anywhere... anywhere!
Truth be told most motorheads break thier engine or trade up way before this could ever be a problem.

and in closing. Dealers believe the only performance mods they believe in are ones:
1) installed from the factory
2) Offered as a factory option
3) installed by them

bigmoetl1

i had a 2004 with 45,000 miles and a ur pulley no issue it was stock size and the first performance item i bought worked great and if freed up some horsepower. it took me and my friend under 1 hour its not that hard the bolt came right off.

bigmoetl1

oh and i have a 2008 type s and will be putting one on there also.

Spiritman

Yes, but..... What if?? I mean only 400,000 miles? In two different car's? How can I be sure???? What if the synth lube in my car, like puts it over the edge? I mean WOW..... This is a big scary risk here.....

Skyrix

Hey Ifirahse, I would be interested to know the honda/acura specialty shops in the Los Angeles area.

Thanks.

Timeless

Removing one pound of weight at the crank is equivalent to removing 15 pounds of weight out of the car. The difference between the stock pulley and the UR pulley is at least 6 pounds...Thats a lot of weight.

In conclusion, dealers opinion is bad news. UR pulley is good news. End of story.