Contour Enthusiasts Group Archives Forums Modifications Duratec Performance Underdrive pullies for 2.5L Duratech.

I know this subject had been hugely debated on here in the past. But, I haven't visited CEG in several months. Last year, I was considering installing the SHO Shop U/D pullies. Several people warned me not to. Their reasoning was that the stock crank pulley acted as a harmonic balancer/damper. The U/D crank pulley was solid aluminum. It would eventually cause catastrophic engine failure. Since then, I called SVT and asked them about this. Their answer was interesting. They said that the stock crank pulley on the 2.5L Duratech was NOT a balancer/damper. They said the Duratech engine was internally balanced. However, they also said that they could not recommend changing pulley ratios from stock. This was due to liability reasons for possible overheating and low battery charging. I've decided to get the SHO Shop pulleys. They include an aluminum crank and power steering pulley w/shorter belt. I'm also going to get a stock size aluminum alt. pulley from ASP. The lighter rotational mass of the aluminum as well as the smaller crank pulley size is going to be good for at least 6 HP and 8-9 ft lbs torque at the wheels. I'll post dyno results before and after the pulley swap.

Whoever you talked to is full of rubbish ALL the Duratec engines have harmonic balancers/dampers,2.5, 3.0 etc..look at the Ford CD....look at your own damper...do you see a rubber ring bonded in?...Its a damper....trust me on this...There is NO internal balance shafts,extra weight ,contra rotating balance shafts,Lanchester Shafts etc etc...

A guy on NECO just blew his up because of the ASP pulley, DON'T DO IT! That amount of HP is so damn miniscule considering the risks I have no idea why you think its worth it?

Yet mine keeps running... SHO Shops pullies for over a year (the life of my 3 liter swap). I just barely miss bumping the rev limiter every day in hopes that my junk yard 3 liter will go South. I want me some special parts in there that require a little coaxing from my girlfriend... "Honey, it broke again. Now I have to rebuild it... O.K.????"

Actually, SHO shop used to have dynos for the pulleys on their webpage, gain was 4 HP & 4 lb/ft and most have not gained even that much..

You know, I called SVT with that same question about a yaer ago. the guy I talked to said "well, I'm not sure about the Contour but a Cobra they are not good". Since you have been away from CEG, we now have an improved damper, a dual mode damper (available from Terry Haines) that is better than the stck part at reducing crank bending at high RPM. It is believed that crank bending or whip was causing of contributing to early engine failures.

OK. I'm listening to what you're saying. Why then would companies like ASP, SHO shop, Unorthodox Racing, etc... manufacture, market and sell a product that is guaranteed to destroy your engine? The liability screams.

Scenario:

A guy drives his pristine V6 Contour to the SHO Shop. He has THEM install their U/D set on his car. He drives away. Two weeks later he has catastrophic engine failure (broken crank, or rod through block, or shattered pistons.) His local Ford Service Dept. says removal of stock crank pulley (damper/balancer) caused rotating assembly failure. He sues the sh*t out the SHO Shop for selling him and installing a part on his car that they knew would destroy his engine and didn't tell him. SHO Shop stops selling thier U/D pullies an recalls every set they've sold to avoid further liability. Other makers of U/D pullies such as ASP and Unorthodox Racing hear of the incident and resulting judgement against the SHO Shop. They quietly stop selling their pullies as well.

Why has this not happed? I'm not disagreeing with what you guys are saying. I'm just wondering how can these companies continue to sell the pullies if they know they will destroy your engine?

Disclaimers my friend, the term "offroad use" gets a lot of companies out of trouble. Another thing is improper research. On a inline engine the effects of a pulley can be taken advantage of with minial impacts on reliability, but companies often think that they can do that to any engine, and yes they will add some HP but at the expense of durability. Also sometimes depending on the particular crank in question it might be very well balanced from the factory and it might last longer then someone like the dude on NECO who's stock damper was apparently keeping him within the limits and when swapped she blew, luckily he is under warranty.

Think about snake oil like the tornado, etc companies are in business to make money and also by the Sho Shops track record with the BBB do you think they would give two sh*t's about you if your engine blows up? NO. Do what you like just use your head and balance the effects of what your modifying.

W3rd!

Ok someone help me out here, I see this a lot and have no idea what the heck is means

You agree.