DIY ** NST Civic SI underdrive pulleys

[MADDOGSI]

OK I finally got my pulleys from NST. So here it goes.

These are the Pulleys both the Crank and Alt. I have the water pump on order as well. That will take more work.The pump will need to be removed.The pulley is a press on.




First off need to start with lifting the car and setting it on jack stands.



Then you will need the tools. I used a 1/2 impact,3/8 air ratchet,3/8 and 1/2 wobble extension,3 inch 1/2 extension,3/8 swivel head ratchet,12mm socket,12mm wrench,small flat screw driver,1/2 drive 7/8 & 3/4 socket,air gun,serpentine belt tool bar and blue loc-tite.


Now remove the belt as shown.Use the serpentine belt tool to release the spring tensioner idle pulley.



Once the belt is removed, remove the right side front wheel to get to the crank pulley.You will need to remove the splash cover that is held on with push clips.The cover runs along the front bottom to the other wheel well.you will only need to remove the clips shown and the clips along the bottom and leave the clips in the other side and just let the cover hang back out of the way.



once cover is removed,remove the crank pulley.Use the 1/2 impact and 3/4 socket.The crank bolt is very tight. should look like this when removed.



Make sure you keep track of the key way as shown below.this will need to be reused. and goes where indicated above.^^



here is what the difference is from NST to stock.



Next make sure the front crank seal and the seal sleeve is cleaned and not damaged during install.



Should look like this when installed.Torque to 180 ft lbs.



Now on to the Alt. This is the Hard part.You will need to get to the bolts.One on top and 2 on the bottom as pointed in pic.loosen the top bolt only.take it out last.



to get to the bottom Alt. bolt you will have to come up from the bottom.



Or if you have an Air ratchet you can use 2 wobble extensions,12mm socket and come from the top. As shown. If not use the 12mm wrench from the bottom.




Once all bolts are removed.slide the Alt. at an angle like this.



Then use the 1/2 impact,wobble extension,3" extension and a 7/8 socket to get the nut loose.wrenches will not due the trick here.Must use impact if at all possible.



Remove the stock pulley and install the NST pulley.




Now reinstall the Alt. back in place.Apply a small bit of loc-tite blue to threads to help keep tight.Install the top bolt first hand tight.follow with the bottom 2 and tighten bolts.
Now your ready for the belt.You will need a shorter belt. about 20 mm short. Gates # K070640 which is 1625 mm long.stock belt is 1646 mm long.
Feed the belt in place.Go from the fender well to help slip the belt in place.



Your all done. reinstall the splash cover and wheel.Then remove jack stand and set on ground.

My take on this upgrade.After some drive time.The best way to describe it.The car feels more snappy.More noticeable in 1st and 2nd.Quicker responce.Which is a plus for the DBW. So if you wanted something that could give you better responce in throttle.I would say this is a cheap upgrade.
I like it.

NEW UPDATED IDLER PULLEY TO KEEP THE STOCK BELT


OK boys and girls here is the latest from the guys at NST and some cooperation from myself for the FG2.This is the new Idler pulley to go with the crank and Alt to be able to keep the stock belt.

First and very needed to do this is a serpentine belt tool.this is needed to give the clearance between the tool and the pulley during the install of the new idler pulley.



Next remove the belt.With a 14mm socket, loosen and remove the idler pulley.



Now for the new pulley.See the size difference from stock to NST.





Next with the belt in place, position the NST pulley with the belt over it so it can be installed back in place as shown.you will need to move the tensioner and install the pulley/belt together.there is not enough room between the engine mount and pulley to put the belt on after the idler pulley is in place.Install the pulley over the stub shaft.Install the bolt and torque the bolt to 28 ftlbs +/- 2 ftlb.DO NOT reuse the black washer it will not fit this pulley and is not needed.



after that it should look like this.Now dont worry about the clearance. there is a 2mm gap between the mount and pulley.since these are two stationary points the gap will never change.but the belt is 3mm thick, which just doesn't quite squeeze in.



If a guy wanted too he could grind and polish a bit off the mount to be able to take the belt off with pulley still on and for a bit more clearance,but again there is no need too.after that you have one sexy looking pulley set and that uses the stock belt.so no need to try to go and find a shorter belt now.

[BATANG CITY JAIL]

great write up...+1

[MADDOGSI]

Thanks ^^. I would also like to say the engine idles smoother as well.

[Nomar06]

great job

[skittleslegend]

Very nice write up

[Toxis]

You must spread some Reputation around before giving it to MADDOGSI again.

Great write up! How's the car pull now?

[MADDOGSI]

Originally Posted by Toxis

You must spread some Reputation around before giving it to MADDOGSI again.

Great write up! How's the car pull now?

well I can't say its like a NOS pull or anything.The car feels very snappy in the bottom gears with good throttle response. Idles better now IMO. I would say I feel this upgrade more then an exhaust upgrade.The exhaust just sounds better.

[Sion0x]

SWEET write up, this looks like an awesome upgrade for the Si.

Too bad I have a freaking LX.

Any word on pulleys for the LX?

Great job again on the write up.

[MADDOGSI]

Originally Posted by Sion0x

SWEET write up, this looks like an awesome upgrade for the Si.

Too bad I have a freaking LX.

Any word on pulleys for the LX?

Great job again on the write up.

Thanks. NST makes complete pulleys for your car too. Here's the link.
http://www.nonstoptuning.com/pKitHonCiv.htm

[Sion0x]

THANK YOU for the link.

Do they inclue instructions?

EDIT: tried ordering them, how do you choose the color?

[MADDOGSI]

Originally Posted by Sion0x

THANK YOU for the link.

Do they inclue instructions?

EDIT: tried ordering them, how do you choose the color?

When you go to pay,put what color in the notes for special instructions.Or just email support. They are quick to respond.

[Si-aficionado]

Nice!

Any cons on the AC or anything else after having this done to the car?

[MADDOGSI]

Originally Posted by Si-aficionado

Nice!

Any cons on the AC or anything else after having this done to the car?

Nothing at this point.Everything works just as stock.A/c works fine.Engine idles smoother IMO.Use to get dimming at times with the high beam headlights when the engine was at idle.I dont have that dimming anymore.I would say this was a positive upgrade across the board.

[Si-aficionado]

Sounds good then, keep us updated

[8civic]

Badass! NST FTW

They have kits for both the K20 and R18 models. I have been using the R18 stuff and I love it. www.NonStopTuning.com

[Sion0x]

I'm probably ordering the package for the R18 tomorrow...

I just need to see if the shop I go to will do it.

I don't have the tools to do this myself =(

[Shark Tek]

I cant wait to get mine to do a before and after dyno.

[MADDOGSI]

Just for everyone to know. A little birdy told me in the near future RED may be added to the color options. So stay tuned I will try to keep all updated.
Also NST keeps the pulleys for the R18 FG in stock,so there is only the wait for shipping.The R18 has the bolt on water pump pulley so a three pulley change can be done.This is a better power adder then an Exhaust for the money,plus they look awesome.

[sf-si-02]

Yeah, there is a debate about whether removing the harmonic balancer (the elastomer in the oem pulley) is good or bad for the motor (main bearings). I read that the feel of these lighted pulleys is awesome, and I believe it. Bit I prefer lighteded fly... just an opinion. Glad you like it

[8civic]

Originally Posted by sf-si-02

Yeah, there is a debate about whether removing the harmonic balancer (the elastomer in the oem pulley) is good or bad for the motor (main bearings). I read that the feel of these lighted pulleys is awesome, and I believe it. Bit I prefer lighteded fly... just an opinion. Glad you like it

This magical harmonic piece in the stock pulley is nothing more than a little rubber band that's about 2mm thick! If anything your belt on your car is thicker than this piece and is more capable of absorbing vibrations than this tiny piece, which actually becomes brittle and has no effect after a few years. Think about your belts, what would happen to your belts if you didn't change them for several years? They would probably become very ineffective right?

Solid pulleys are just fine for daily driven cars, I have used NST pulleys for years and years with no problems of any kind. I would never switch back to stock!