I just got my March aluminum underdrive pulleys in today, and WOW, what a difference!!!!! They are the power and amp series and they supposedly add 11 rwhp. These sure feel like more than 11 hp, and if this is 11 hp, I can't imagine what a blower must feel like! These pulleys greatly improve throttle response, especially mid-range and top end power. I can rev up to 4000 rpm's so much easier and quicker now, and with better results as well. And as far as my amp meter, absolutely no fluctuations or any adverse effects. I paid $150 for these pulleys through Jeg's mail order and I am very glad I did. In my opinion, they're worth every penny and they exceeded my expectations. I would definately recommend them to anyone.

P.S. I'm supposed to get my chip by the end of the week so I'll evaluate that as well.

 

I have the FRPP three piece set, and the most noticed difference was in the mid range and top end. I also picked up a little bit of mileage, so all in all a well spent $100 bucks.

As for the chip I've heard various opinions on the 5.0s. Some have had them and taken them out, some love them. Personally from all the dyno pulls I've seen I tend to think the performance improvements are as much from the shift changes as they are from any power increase. I've never seen any chip live up to HP claims on a NA engine. Not knocking chips, as most bolt ons don't live up to the claims.

Are you going to do some timed runs with just the pulleys? Many of the guys with the first gen Lightnings claim around .3 in the quarter mile from them.

It would be interesting to see the performance improvements with pulleys vs the chip. Keep us posted....

 

Well, since I have the AOD tranny, there supposedly won't be any shift changes from the Superchip. It will be just a straight power increase of up to 20 hp and 30 ft/lbs of torque, or at least that's what their website claims. This is why I added a shift kit to my "coming soon modifacations list". I would time my truck again in the quarter mile with just the pulleys but I don't think my preliminary runs were very accurately timed. My engine temp. wasn't ideal, my shifting wasn't ideal, and the road conditions weren't ideal. But I definately wouldn't be surprised if I knocked off more than .3 seconds of my quarter mile time. Lightnings are already pretty fast, and as a rule of thumb, the faster the vehicle is, the harder it is to make it faster. Or at least that's what I've noticed. So it really shouldn't be all that difficult to knock a couple seconds off my quarter mile time with pulleys, chip, heads, intake manifold, and a throttle body considering I was in the 19-20 second range. My goal is to someday be in the 16's, but I plan on adding a supercharger to achieve that, in addition to other mods. of course.

 

Thanks for the review. I'll keep them on my "future Mods" list

 

TF,

I didn't notice the AOD. I guess in your case the improvements would be power only, maybe a good thing for those of us still considering chips.

As for the timed tests, something to consider..... I don't have a G-Tech and have found a stop watch hard to be consistent with. An easy way to measure that is fairly consistent is to just check speed between two points. Using some from a standing start and some from a roll also gives a good idea of where the power changes are happening. I've found that with a heavy truck/low stall speed converter/high rear end that little if anything makes my truck launch quick. The differences from a roll are much more noticed.

 

You folks know how I feel about chips, but allow me to elaborate further.

Granted, this was in a 4.9L, but I still find it rather interesting. I have concluded that the chip did much more than just advance the base timing. I have tried several base timing adjustments, and have been unable to duplicate the power the chip gave me. It not only made the truck faster, but more responsive in all conditions, yet didn't cause the engine to run hotter than normal, which advancing the base timing has done. I am satisfied that the chip I had worked well with the various elements that the stock ECM had to work with to generate power when and where I needed it. I had more power and responsiveness off the line as well as on the freeway, and everywhere in between. The difference is just amazing. The best analogy I can give is to say that it now feels like I'm towing a small car, compared with the way it was before. Mind you, it's still faster than it was stock, but there is a noticable loss without it. My chip advertised an 18 horsepower gain, and I will stand by that number. In fact, based on my experience with racing engines and race cars, I'd say 25 hp was more like it. Can you tell that I miss it?

Take care,
-Chris

 

PKRWUD, since you mentioned your chip I have a question for you. I'm strongly considering the superchip which claims a 20 hp 35 tq gain for my 351. For $225 I can't think of anything else that will give me that much gain. From what I read they bump up timing and fuel delivery. I'm not sure what else they do. Anyway, to my question, have you noticed a decrease in mpg due to the chip? A friend thinks that I might lose a little mileage due to the extra fuel delivery. I don't mind paying an extra $2-3 / week on the premium gas for the chip but I would be bummed to lose mileage too. The diablo chip claims +0-2 mpg with their chip where superchip makes no claims re: mpg. What's your take? I'm considering an electric fan and maybe pulleys.

 

Is a chip something I would be able to install or would I need to take it in...I'm prety handy with tools

 

drm7-
I never really checked my mileage before, but I did after I removed the chip, and it's just over 14 mpg. I drive hard, and spend too much time at idle, but I was still surprised. I can't back it up with numbers, but it feels to me as though my mileage has gotten slightly worse with the chip removed.

SPROCKET_X-
In my truck, I had to remove the three 9/16 (14mm) nuts that hold the e-brake pedal assembly in place, and the electrical connector there as well. I then set it to the side, and the access cover to the ECM was in plain sight. After removing the access cover, you simply push the chip onto the exposed "motherboard", reinstall the e-brake assembly and reset the ECM by disconnecting the negative battery cable, and turning on the headlight switch for 10 minutes (to drain the capacitors). Reattach the battery cable and go through the ECM re-learn process, and you're good to go.

Take care,
-Chris

 

Why did you remove your chip? Are you planning on putting it back? I think I'm already sold.

 

ok,I just went to http://www.jetchip.com and it said for my year (96) it was located under the dash on the passenger side...but every year prior it say's it's under the driver side kick panel..sounds like where you were describing PKRWUD...but a lot of places screw up my year truck for some reason some think 95 was the last year of the best model..BUT NO!... I'll just tinker with the dash first and if it's not there I'll no where it will be.Thanks again PKRWUD...Your check should arive tomorrow..j/k

 

I guess they must have changed the location of the ECU between my year (1990) to yours (mid 90's). Luckily, I don't have to touch the e-brake. I just have to pull off the driver's side kick panel, remove one bracket that holds the ECU in place, and I'm there. It's pretty much idiot proof, which in my case is a good thing

By the way, I probably won't be getting my chip until next week. I called Superchips to check up on my order and they said they were a little backed up. I'm just wondering what could be so wrong with a supechip that people would return them. I don't know about them, but 20 hp and 30 tq sounds great to me!!! And mileage? Well, I'm not exactly buying the superchip to get a mileage increase. If there happens to be one, then great. If not, at least my fuel injectors will appreciate the higher octane gas, right? What other problems have people had with chips that would make them want to take them out? Just curious...

 

Doug-
It deserves more than a line or two of explaination. Grab a cup of coffee and go read this thread.

Take care,
-Chris

 

I was considering these pulleys - Power & Amp.
Did you need a puller for the alternater pulley? Are there 2 or 3 pulleys? I remember reading about the product in Jegs awhile ago but can't remember the specifics. Thanks

 

i have the power and amp series too. theres three pulleys in the set. i think i have some pics of them in my gallery that i took before i installed them.