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06-30-2012, 09:41 PM | #1 |
The MI LW Pulley "Not a Big 'Car Guy'" Review
Intro
This is my review of the new MicroImage Light Weight Crank Pulley, which is in the same vein as my previous review of the MI SSK. Long story short, I'm still a "noob" when it comes to cars and mods, but I'm learning. __________________________________________________ The InstallFor this install I decided to go over to my buddy's house and borrow both him and his more extensive selection of tools from his garage. It was also a big help having someone else there to lend a hand and to hold things in place when need be. I'm sure that I could have easily done this install by myself, and I'm far from mechanically inclined. __________________________________________________ The Ride BackI had read that that first rev you take after installing it will be awesome, and let me tell you it is. Personally, I think that you can definitely tell that some power has been freed up for the engine to transfer to the wheels instead of that heavy OEM pulley (on a side note, the difference in weight between the OEM pulley and the MI pulley is night and day!). __________________________________________________ OverallOverall, I'd have to say that this is one of the "must have" mods for anyone that's starting out with modding the Yaris, or is moving from cosmetic mods to ones under the hood. The install is relatively easy, and the payoff in performance (according to my posterior dynamometer) is pretty noticeable.
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my {(retired) ride} - {mi ssk: review, diy} - {mi lw cp: review, diy} - {foglight install} - {painted emblem: experiment, diy}
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06-30-2012, 10:55 PM | #2 |
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Drives: 07 Yaris Turbo Join Date: May 2007
Location: Canoga Park, CA
Posts: 14,859
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Thanks, wow 9/10 that's good.
We should post the torque spec for the crank pulley bolt, but I can't recall it off the top of my head. It's VERY tight, maybe 96 ft/lbs?
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Micro Image forums, online store and shop are now closed. It was a great eight year run, but it was time to focus on other things. I'm still selling parts on eBay under micro*image seller ID and customers can still make requests for anything specific. |
06-30-2012, 11:06 PM | #3 | |
Quote:
I'm 99% sure that it's 96 ft-lbs. Right now it's on "as tight as we could get the damn thing without breaking our arms" ft-lbs. Going to get my last "cover my ass" oil change at a shop this week as the 3 year warranty on the car is about to end, so I'll have them check it while it's on the lift.
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my {(retired) ride} - {mi ssk: review, diy} - {mi lw cp: review, diy} - {foglight install} - {painted emblem: experiment, diy}
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06-30-2012, 11:41 PM | #4 |
Takes corners too fast!
Drives: Absolute Red 2009 Yaris HB Join Date: Apr 2012
Location: Columbia, SC
Posts: 830
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I think when I was looking it up I found that the bolt was listed at 95ft-lbs. Mine seemed to be way lower than that when I took it off, but when I put it on I went somewhere just north of 90ft-lbs before the rope i had tied between the control arm and the pulley broke. but if you find something else that says the bolt should be something else please post it
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mods:15''Drag DR21 w/Nitto NeoGen 205/50R15, Tanabe DF210 lowering springs 1.6/1.8, TRD Rear Sway Bar, Tanabe Front Sway Bar, Micro Image Short Throw Shift Kit (both in and under), 8.64lbs flywheel, F1 Stage 4 Clutch, AEM Cold Air Intake (Red), Megan Racing Header, DC Sports Axle Back Exhaust, Micro Image Crank Pulley, NST lite Alternator Pulley, ARP Manifold Stud Kit,Tanabe Front Strut Tower Brace, ScanGuage II, Micro Image Silicone Radiator Hose Kit (Red), NRG Carbon Fiber Shift Knob (round), 2009-2011 Toyota Yaris Liftback Foglight kit, NRG Grounding Kit (Red), Hella Horns(Red),CF Hood |
06-30-2012, 11:59 PM | #5 |
^ Ha, we used 550 cord looped between the pulley and the control arm too! Mine also seemed like it was a lot less than what it should have been. One decent tug on the breaker bar and it broke free.
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my {(retired) ride} - {mi ssk: review, diy} - {mi lw cp: review, diy} - {foglight install} - {painted emblem: experiment, diy}
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07-01-2012, 02:04 PM | #6 |
Drives: 2008 HB, A/T, Power W/L/M Join Date: Oct 2008
Location: LI, New Yawk
Posts: 2,063
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Wow, I thought it was really hard to break that bolt free, interesting.....
How much is the pully and what's it made of?
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07-01-2012, 02:09 PM | #7 | |
Quote:
Right now it's on sale for $139 over on MicroImage. Don't know how long that price is good for... maybe Garm'll chime in and let you know. It's made out of aluminum and the OEM one is made of steel.
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my {(retired) ride} - {mi ssk: review, diy} - {mi lw cp: review, diy} - {foglight install} - {painted emblem: experiment, diy}
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07-02-2012, 09:52 AM | #8 |
Drives: it is kinda stock Join Date: Oct 2010
Location: united states
Posts: 1,258
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hey do you think this would be a good mod for a/t or does it make more of a difference on m/t ?
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07-02-2012, 11:41 AM | #9 | |
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Should be good on an auto as well.
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my {(retired) ride} - {mi ssk: review, diy} - {mi lw cp: review, diy} - {foglight install} - {painted emblem: experiment, diy}
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07-02-2012, 11:45 AM | #10 |
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Drives: 07 Yaris Turbo Join Date: May 2007
Location: Canoga Park, CA
Posts: 14,859
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We are currently still running the "introductory" price of $139 shipped:
http://shop.microimageonline.com/MI-...LWCP-Yaris.htm
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Micro Image forums, online store and shop are now closed. It was a great eight year run, but it was time to focus on other things. I'm still selling parts on eBay under micro*image seller ID and customers can still make requests for anything specific. |
07-02-2012, 05:35 PM | #11 |
Only Happy When it Rains
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it is a good mod for everyone. No reason for the stock one to be so bloated. Light weight one makes the car feel better.
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Colin Chapman disciple |
07-02-2012, 06:15 PM | #12 |
I've found out that it's really noticeable on those hills where you're going, "Ah, this hill sucks, it's lugging in 2nd gear, but I'm going to fast for 1st..."
Definitely a nice boost in power when you need it the most.
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my {(retired) ride} - {mi ssk: review, diy} - {mi lw cp: review, diy} - {foglight install} - {painted emblem: experiment, diy}
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07-05-2012, 06:57 AM | #13 |
Drives: Yaris 2008 Join Date: Jan 2012
Location: EmptyHell(mtl)
Posts: 43
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I cant wait to receive mine, im anxious to see what It'll do.
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07-12-2012, 03:02 AM | #14 |
Drives: 2010 Yaris 3D LB Join Date: Jun 2010
Location: Astoria, Oregon
Posts: 12
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My MI pulley installed
It took about 90 minutes to install, started at 10pm and was out for a test drive before midnight. The drive was 5 minutes (low fuel warning blinking ominously), mostly to see if anything was going to fall off.
According to my kitchen scale the MI pulley is 12 ounces and according to my bathroom scale the stock Toyota pulley is about 48 ounces. I will be driving 250 miles on Friday, hilly coastal roads. I will write another note on impressions when I get back. I think this is a good comparison test as I did the same drive last Sunday. I am still not used to working under a car that's not constantly filthy. My MGA gave itself continuous rust inhibiting undercoat treatments. Brian |
07-12-2012, 11:31 AM | #15 |
Takes corners too fast!
Drives: Absolute Red 2009 Yaris HB Join Date: Apr 2012
Location: Columbia, SC
Posts: 830
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did you torque it down to 95ft-lbs, that is the factory suggested torque for the pulley bolt
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mods:15''Drag DR21 w/Nitto NeoGen 205/50R15, Tanabe DF210 lowering springs 1.6/1.8, TRD Rear Sway Bar, Tanabe Front Sway Bar, Micro Image Short Throw Shift Kit (both in and under), 8.64lbs flywheel, F1 Stage 4 Clutch, AEM Cold Air Intake (Red), Megan Racing Header, DC Sports Axle Back Exhaust, Micro Image Crank Pulley, NST lite Alternator Pulley, ARP Manifold Stud Kit,Tanabe Front Strut Tower Brace, ScanGuage II, Micro Image Silicone Radiator Hose Kit (Red), NRG Carbon Fiber Shift Knob (round), 2009-2011 Toyota Yaris Liftback Foglight kit, NRG Grounding Kit (Red), Hella Horns(Red),CF Hood |
07-12-2012, 12:01 PM | #16 |
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Drives: 07 Yaris Turbo Join Date: May 2007
Location: Canoga Park, CA
Posts: 14,859
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thanks for the post, looking forward to your review. good point about the MGB, I have a Datsun Roadster that was like that until I fixed the "last" leak.
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Micro Image forums, online store and shop are now closed. It was a great eight year run, but it was time to focus on other things. I'm still selling parts on eBay under micro*image seller ID and customers can still make requests for anything specific. |
07-12-2012, 10:36 PM | #17 |
Drives: 2010 Yaris 3D LB Join Date: Jun 2010
Location: Astoria, Oregon
Posts: 12
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Torque
Yes. I have a 1/2 drive torque wrench.
I used the rope to the control arm trick mentioned earlier in this thread to break it loose. That did not work for taking it up to 95 ft-lbs for installation, the rope is too stretchy to get a reading on the wrench. To keep the engine from turning I stuck a socket extension through one of the holes in the pulley, braced it against the block and held it with the other hand. As other people mentioned, I don't think it was torqued up that high originally; I'd guess the factory installed it with about 50-60 ft-lbs. This is the first car I have owned with an automatic, I am used to simply putting it in gear and blocking the wheels to keep the engine from turning. It's a pretty part, too bad no one will ever see it. |
07-12-2012, 10:42 PM | #18 |
Drives: 2008 HB, A/T, Power W/L/M Join Date: Oct 2008
Location: LI, New Yawk
Posts: 2,063
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Can the MI pulley handle road salt like we see lots of in the NE?
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Tags |
crank pulley, diy, light weight, microimage, review |
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