VAC S14 Pulley Kit

[Mick]

I got my VAC pulleys and they look great.

The install was a breeze as expected but I did run into a very slight interference problem with the PS pulley.
As you can see here the over sized pulley just slightly rubbed the bushing on the bracket.





I took a little material off of the sleeve and it's all good now.



Here are a few pics with size comparisons.






I took measurements but don't have them with me. From what I remember the diameter PS and ALT pulleys are
about 13mm larger than stock.

I don't have any info on the water pump. There was a packing mix-up with my shipment and I got 2 PS pulleys
and no WP. The folks at VAC have been very helpful and are sending me a new pulley straight away.

[UofOm3]

thanks for the info on these mick! Keep us posted!

[Jake]

Hi Mick. I think the power steering tension adjuster bracket is supposed to be turned around the other way so the adjuster nut is at the top and the pivot is at the bottom. Am I mistaken?

Cheers,
Jake

[Mick]

Jake,
You had me convinced for a minute, but I took a look at the ETK and it is correct.
http://www.mydig.com/auto/posts/ETK_psbracket.gif
I also found this pic. I don't know who's motor this is but you can clearly see how much more clearance the stock pulley has
http://www.s14power.com/gallery/bild...Engine_012.jpg

[Magnus]

Thanks for the tips Mick!

[Jake]

LOL Ok. Then mine is backwards! :p I wonder if this gives me more or less room?

Jake

[Mick]

Haha, nice.
I'm going to take a look this weekend. I'm sure it would fit the other way, but it may be a problem with the rubber bushing on the block side. I'm not sure how it will affect the bracket if you change vibration dampening point.

When I removed my >1 year old alternator bracket it was cracked in 1/2 on the toothed side just before the adjusting bolt. This will be the 3rd one I replace in 4 years for the same fracture.

When I removed the original PS bracket it was in fine shape. I know the leverage and stresses are different between the two, but maybe the rubber bushing also helped.?.

[Modena 1]

Did I miss something?

Mick - they just look "great"? How about a review? I guess you are waiting to install the WP pulley before a review?

[Mick]

Originally Posted by Modena 1

Did I miss something?

Mick - they just look "great"? How about a review? I guess you are waiting to install the WP pulley before a review?

You missed a group buy
http://www.s14.net/forums/showthread.php?t=24054
I'm still waiting on the water pump pulley so I haven't run the car with them. I don't think there will be much more to say than they look nice. If I said I felt a difference I'd be lying

[Mick]

Got the WP pulley.



Also, when installing the Alt pulley you need to ditch the 2 spacers to get proper alignment. The stock pulley was a 2 piece stamped plate design and needed the spacers for offset and to keep the plates rigid. With the VAC being 1 piece they aren't needed.

[Jake]

Great write up Mick. I'll be installing mine today.

Jake

[autox320]

Sweet! I must of overlooked these on Vac's page, ordering mine this week.

[///Mflossin]

Great Stuff Mick.....have you noticed any benefit at all other than aesthetics?

[Mick]

In an earlier post I told Modena I'd be lying if I said I felt a difference. But the car really did feel nice after installing these. I did make some other small changes at the same time though (new wires, removed intake muffler). So who knows.
Overall I'm very happy with them.

[Jake]

Hey Mick. I just installed mine last night. Oddly enough, the factory manual has the bracket the other way around (opposite of what the ETK shows). However, your method works best. I tried it the other way and the pulley rubs on the adjuster arm. I chopped a small flat section off the rubber bushing and mounted it like you described and viola! Good to go.

Jake