Lightened Pulleys or PROECM Chip?

1958 Views 31 Replies 13 Participants Last post by themattcole, Jan 26, 2013

joefocker20

Discussion Starter · Feb 23, 2002

Should I buy Lightened pulleys from Larry Ganz, strut tower braces, or a PROECM for my 2002 2.5 RS? I already have a Ganzflow CAI, K&N filter, Kartboy Shifter, and 20mm rear swaybar.

1 - 20 of 32 Posts

Elite421

· #2 · Feb 24, 2002

I got the pulleys on my 01 RS and they did make a little difference, i dont have a chip yet and i have heard mixed reviews about them so thats why i went with the pulleys first, plus i did not want to void my warrenty to early. Thats a question you should ask your self!
I recommend the pulleys first!

Alex

I_H8_1.8

· #3 · Feb 24, 2002

I'd have to agree with Elite. I got pulleys for my '95L w/the sorry ass 1.8 and they made a difference in the top end.

I_H8_1.8

· #4 · Feb 24, 2002

This is just my opinion, but I wouldn't do the strut bars unless you upgrade your suspension first.

Cone Eater

· #5 · Feb 25, 2002 (Edited)

I have an '02 and was told that the strut braces were not that effective because of the new design. I have the Ganzflo and the lightweight N1 pulleys, the combination of the two was quite noticable. And you are right putting in the chip will mess with you warranty. I would have to say to go wiith the pulleys.

We are thinking much along the same lines. I have the Amsoil filter and the 20 mm sway bar. I am going to order a Brullen Catback and maybe a shortshifter in March.

joefocker20

Discussion Starter · #6 · Feb 25, 2002

How hard were the pulleys to put in? I was favoring the chip more because its easier, but you guys have a great point with warranty issues.. I want to make my car as fast as possible as cheaply as possible since I do have 2 car payments

I_H8_1.8

· #7 · Feb 25, 2002

Mine weren't as bad as I expected. The crank pulley was pretty tough to get off; I had to put a long piece of pipe over my breaker bar to get enough leverage to get it off. The power steering was probably the second hardest, because I had to put something between the holes to keep it from moving. The alternator was the easiest since I had access to an impact. All I had to do for that was hold the old pulley and loosen the nut. Sadly, I think the thing that confused me the most was getting the belts off!
I got mine from Suby Sports, and they threw in the belts free. Aside from a screw up with the shipping, I was extremely satisfied. It was right around Xmas, though, so I wasn't too upset about it.

I_H8_1.8

· #8 · Feb 25, 2002

I can't say I noticed a LOT of difference in mine, but I have the 1.8 Liter. I have no power to begin with, so if you add a little bit, it still feels like nothing!:curse: I think with the 2.5, you would see/feel a fair amount of difference.

Graham

· #9 · Feb 25, 2002

I would definetly go for the ProECM chip, as I have only heard the best about its performance. The pulleys will make a difference, but I don't think by an amount the chip will. But, the pulleys sure look good.

Graham

I_H8_1.8

· #10 · Feb 25, 2002

One last thing. If you are planning on autocrossing, I would probably get black pulleys. They look stock, so they probably wouldn't penalize you. I made the mistake of getting blue ones. Were I thinking straight, I would have gotten black since I want to autocross, but I have no idea what class they would put me in.

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I_H8_1.8

· #11 · Feb 25, 2002

Here's another one. Sorry about the graininess.

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Cone Eater

· #12 · Feb 25, 2002

I did an autocross today...they put me in the STS class. I was told the intake alone did that and the pulleys didn't penalize me any further. I was running on stock Re92's, Lots of sliding. Managed to beat at least 1 WRX.

COwannago

· #13 · Feb 25, 2002

At the meet today, a quick "competition" was had. The contestants...1 RS with only the torque chip, no other mods vs. 1 RS with lightweight pullies, intake (Ganzflow I think) and exhaust (make unknown). The result....even! That makes up my mind as to what is next.

Nick C.

I_H8_1.8

· #14 · Feb 25, 2002

I have never autocrossed, so I don't know about the classes. I don't have an intake, so I'm guessing if I lost the strut bars and the blue pulles I could run in a stock class. Just my thoughts.

I_H8_1.8

· #15 · Feb 25, 2002

COwannago said:
At the meet today, a quick "competition" was had. The contestants...1 RS with only the torque chip, no other mods vs. 1 RS with lightweight pullies, intake (Ganzflow I think) and exhaust (make unknown). The result....even! That makes up my mind as to what is next.

Nick C.

That does sound like quite a difference, but it's not all in the car. The driver has quite a bit to do with it, too. Not saying to go one way or the other, just wanted to mention that.

I_H8_1.8

· #16 · Feb 25, 2002

What if you got the pulleys, intake, exhaust, AND the chip? Just do it all at once!

joefocker20

Discussion Starter · #17 · Feb 26, 2002

Well, I bought a PROECM chip today and I notice some gains, does it take a while to notice more, or is that all there is? RIght now I have that, a Ganz, K&N, Kartboy Shifter, 20mm rear sway. What should I get next

Elite421

· #18 · Feb 27, 2002

After the ECU is finished reprogramming itself you ehould notice a little more power, let me know what you think in about a week! about what you should get next..... Man there are so many things you can get! it all depends on what aera you what to put money into. Handling... I would go with a coilover system with adjustable shocks, like Tiens. The great thing about them is that you can raise the car if your going to be going off road and lower it if your autoXing. Also if you still have the RE92 get new tires! Engine... If you want a really good mod get a Clutch and lightened flywheel, One of my friends in his RS just got his installed a little while ago and Damn it was impressive! then you would not need to worry about the pulleys, they say that if you do both it is to much lightening and can mess up your engine. this is pretty expencive though. Labor is the worst! If not that route i would go with a catback system, or Headers, Get even length ones! Thats what i want to get anyways.

And about the strut braces, i got a rear strut brace and it did pretty much nothing. I could not even tell that i put it on there! It is nothing like getting a bigger sway bar.

Alex

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joefocker20

Discussion Starter · #19 · Feb 27, 2002

Well, its pulling pretty good now, definitely worth 250 bucks..It accelerates alot quicker off the line and is quicker running ot redline.. I just put some Mobil 1 0-w30 in today and Im changing out the Champion plugs for NGKs tomorrow, so my car should be running pretty good tomorrow..

COwannago

· #20 · Feb 28, 2002

That does sound like quite a difference, but it's not all in the car. The driver has quite a bit to do with it, too. Not saying to go one way or the other, just wanted to mention that

Sorry I didn't clarify, it was a fourth gear test on the highway, driver skill was minimal if not non-existant.

Nick C.

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