I just got my UDP installed on my 96 SE 5 speed. As far as the review goes overall I am VERY happy with this mod and would recommend it to everyone with a 5 speed (dont know about the gains for autos). 1st and 2nd gear pull very hard now and it is hard to maintain traction in 1st gear and in the 1-2 shift. My car has 145,000 miles with an original clutch. Before the UDP I would sometimes have trouble chirping 2nd probally due to my aging clutch now it is very effortless, I launched half throttle merging into traffic today shifted at about 5k and it just chirps. On the highway at around 60-70 the car seems to have greater throttle response in 5th gear.

Now for my question:
In the mornings when I start the car I am getting belt squeel like the belt is slipping?? I used the appropriate sized GATES brand belts and replaced my front crank oil seal. A friend of mine said that it will do this during the break in period. I have had the UDP on the car since Thursday 9-5-02 and drove maybe 200 miles. Also while I was driving I could give the engine a slight rev and it would squeel Does anyone know how to solve this problem?? Your help would be greatly appreciated. Overall this is a great mod 0-60 just seems like it flies!! Dont let those doubters that say the UDP is worthless because in my mind it was well worth it. Even though I have no dynos before and after I still feel this way. Thanks again guys and gals!!

Jason

 

It's not uncommon to have to readjust new belts. Just tighten them and the squealing will stop.

 

See the only problem with that is that I did not install them I was too busy last week and too excited. I installed all of my other mods which I feel everyone should do but I got the job done for $60. As far as tightening the belts which bolt will tighten them the crank pulley bolt? Thanks for the response

 

Did you replace the belts or re-use the originals? If you reused them, then that's your problem. The UDP requires both the serpentine (A/C+alternator) and power steering belts to be replaced with one-step smaller. The UDP is smaller in diameter so it stands to reason that a smaller belt is also required.

If the belts were replaced, 1st make sure they are the proper size. Sometimes a 2-step smaller belt should be used (car-to-car variation). If there is no more adjustment on the belt tensioner (maxxed out), then a smaller belt should be used.

If the belts are the proper size, then as sinewave stated, you likely just need to adjust the belts.

As far as belt adjustment, it's too hard to explain. It's best for you to get ahold of a service manual for the directions. It's not difficult, just too difficult to explain.

 

Yes I did use the smaller belt size. It is in our factory service manual or the Haynes? What about belt dressing? So tightening the crank bolt will do nothing? correct.

 

I have had my pulley for over a year. I have tried to tighten it multiple times. It has never stopped squeeling until the car warms up. In the summer it is the worst. Winter.. not so bad. I have even tried belt dressing to limit the noise but to no avail. My guess? The aluminuim doesn't heat up at the same rate as the rest of the pulleys and that creates the noise until the car warms up. Hope you have better luck than me.

 

Sh**!! What year is your car? I would think it would be worse in the winter w/ condensation on the belts?? No?

 

Its a 97 se. And remember that you don't run your Air con. in the winter. All squeeling is caused by the belts sliding on the pulley. When you tighten the belts you increase the frition, thus eliminating the sliding of the belt.

 

I had the UDP on my car for well over a year and never had a cold-engine belt squeal problem. Either I was a lucky one, or your belt(s) just needs to be tensioned some more.

 

I've had my UDP on for almost two months and I've never gotten a squeal. The tensions aren't too hard to work with, but it's a lot easier the second time or with the help of someone who has adjusted belts. First try to determine which belt is squealing; i.e. if it only squeals while using power steering you know which belt it is
-hype

 

Allright.. thanks for all the responses. It only squeels on start up and with the fan on. So fan belt? It also squeels when I was reving the engine.. is it something with the pulley? What would it mean if it squeels when you rev the motor?

 

The crank pulley powers both the power steering and the alternator/AC, so there are 2 belts. The power steering belt furthest towards the firewall, while the accessory belt is the serpentine belt closer to the front of the car. If the fan makes the belt squeal it's probably the front serpentine belt.
Reving the motor could make either belt squeal because the UDP could be slipping on either belt.
-hype

 

Ok well I guess I will take it back to my mechanic. Is there any specs to tightening the belts ie: 55 lbs of torque? I heard that the crank bolt needs to be at 140 lbs of torque. I think the 2 are unrelated. Thanks again!!

 

Grease, oil, power steering fluid could be on one of the pulleys.

The crankshaft pulley may not be fully seated causing improper belt angle.

The adjuster pulley for the alternator and AC belt may not have been installed correctly. There's a bolt on the back of the adjuster pulley bracket that has to fit inside the channel for it. When you loosen the nut that secures the adjuster pulley it's possible for this bolt to come out of the channel. Or if you are me you loosen it to much and the adjuster pully falls off. Again this would affect belt placement on the pulley.

 

So what do you think I should do wait a couple of days and see if the noise goes away or take it back for this adjustment? Thanks guys!!

Oh how is the VI workin' for ya? Still waiting for mine.

 

Take it back, it will only get worse as the belts seat themselves in.

 

Sh**! You dont think that it is possible that some oil from removing the crank pulley could be on the belts?
Thanks again.

 

I would go back and get the belst properly adjusted. It should take a mechanic 5-10 minutes to get the tension right.

The VIM is working fine. I am trying different rpm switch points at the track to see what the best rpm is. I am starting to think that a modified ecu with a higher redline may be important to extracting the full potential of the VIM.

 

Ok I guess I will have to do that. Glad to hear everything is working good with the VI cant wait untill I get mine

Does anything have a dyno of a stock or modded 5 speed 4th gen before and after the UDP? Do you think you loose top end power because it is a lighter pulley? IE: you roll a large boulder down a hill it starts off slower but ends up getting to the bottom of the hill faster than a small boulder would? Stupid analogy but I guess you know what I am geting at. Thanks

 

I think that Sir Isaac Newton would argue that with you.

 

Yeah I would hope so. It was a very stupid analogy but am I wrong? Any dyno's out there?
Thanks

 

No dynos that I know of; that's why the debates on the UDP's effectiveness continue.

 

Does anyone know what the gain if for an auto or is there any notice or change in power at all?

 

I know someone with an auto who said it made a difference. Regardless of whether you drive a 5spd or auto, the physics stays the same. Icm=MR^2
I should have a dyno soon to compare to my baseline, but my new mods are Ypipe, VI, and UDP.
-hype

 

had mine for a year. no squeals. Make SURE YOU USE THE RIGHT BELTS and you will have to TIGHTEN them occasionally.