Idler pulley placement
 

I don't want to turn this into Tweakit vs. Pineapple but I'm about to order an idler pulley and I've just noticed the difference in placement of these two idler pulleys. I am buying a Greddy pulley kit and will be doing a single turbo conversion (probably a-spec gt3574 kit) along with the idler pulley. I've searched and found these:

I'm not very technical so I don't know if they are the same diameter, if they need same size belt, difference in belt contact % etc. etc. but sounds to me like Tweakit is the safer bet? What do you guys think?

I have the Greddy kit. and it eliminated the air pump with out using a idle pulley. My cousin have the same pulley system and he is running a single turbo (GT42) with no problem.

The point of the idler pulley is to have more contact area with the water pump. The Greddy setup on it's own slips. I have the Tweakit kit with an RX7 store GT4088 kit with no fitment issues. It uses a decidedly...meh...manifold but even with other manifolds I can't really see it interfering. The pulley sits pretty tight in close to the engine.

Gotcha!! My cousin is running the greddy kit with a gt42 and he hasnt had any slips.

I had a Tweakit idler pulley for twins and when I went single I replaced it with the Pineapple idler pulley. I like both as I haven't had a problem with either. My reason for switching to the Pineapple was because I was able to get it faster at the time and wanted minimal down time. The Pineapple pulley, I think, gives the most contact area but is a tight fit. It only takes 1 bolt to take the pulley itself off for belt replacement and isn't hard at all. Honestly, I don't think you'll be dissatisfied either way. I personally like to support vendors on this forum. If using the Tweakit kit for singles or Pineaples pulley, you shouldn't run into fitment issues with most single set ups.

If you're getting an idler pulley why spend the money on the Greddy pulley kit?

Oh, nice choice on turbo :icon_tup:

Yes he has.

So far my experiences with the Tweak-it Kit have been good.
I had one from the 1st batch of kits for the Twins and Just got the single version since I changed my setup.
Tweak-It has great customer service and stand behind their product if you ever run into issues.

As stated before..I feel dealing with Pineapple would most likely be the same.


L8R

This.

Really, it's if you mind aesthetics. Pineapple makes a really beautiful unit with lil rotors etched into the pulley (i think), but I decided to go with Tweakit because it was more reasonable for me.

Also I don't know if you have to remove the water pump with the pineapple but i remember having to do so with mine.

Slipping is one thing, but...

https://www.rx7club.com/3rd-generation-specific-1993-2002-16/here-what-happens-when-you-remove-airpump-810990/

The increased surface area contact allows you to reduce tension on the main pulley.

Honestly I think this is the biggest difference. Both have good fitment (even with single turbo apps), both do the job well. Although I must admit I have no personal experience with either.

Have him pop the hood and see of you can rotate the pulley on the water pump. I bet you can. If this is possible, the pulley is slipping at higher rpm thus decreasing water pump functionality/effectiveness.

Yep usually what happens is people keep tightening the belt to put more tension on the water pump pulley. doing that is not a good idea because you will (best case) wear out your bearings (worse case) screw your engine.

I just got the tweakit one also. You can get the "single" version which also works with the twins according to Dan, I haven't had a chance to put mine on yet I just got it yesterday.

In the instructions he notes which belt you'll need for either stock pulleys or underdrive pulleys (in a couple different configurations). The instructions are really good, he even takes the time to remind you that you'll need to remove the air pump lol.

I'm sure the pineapple one is good also, I just like the aluminum and aesthetics of the Tweakit idler better.

94touringFD: Greddy pulley kit for performance and looks, idler pulley to minimise wear and increase contact patch. As for turbo choice, I haven't decided yet but GT3574R sounds like what I need.

Bumping this thread up as the pineapple idler kit does NOT work w/ the a-spec long runner single turbo manifolds. The turbo compressor housing is directly inline with the pulley and leaves no room for use. Anyone have info. purchasing a tweakit kit please pm me. Thanks G

Ditto!

My expereience is opposite. I'm using the Pineapple idler with A-spec long runner 500R and there are no clearance issues to the turbo. Not sure if Sean changed the design, my long runner manifold was made in the winter/spring 2007.

The idle is very close to the thermostat housing, so close I have to remove the pulley to install/remove the pulley but no rubbing.

Jack

I pm'd Chadwick but no reply. Any ideas where I can find a Tweak-it idler pulley? My turbo kit and manifold are A-spec so I won't want to buy the Pineapple idler pulley and risk fitment.

They have a regular and BT(big turbo version)....

Probably won't be able to get the Tweakit Pully.

I got the BT version from Pineapple and love it. Works great and it looks good too.

One of the following will happen as is:

* the engine will overheat due to lack of contact between WP pulley and belt
* bearings will be toast because the belt was the belt was adjusted as tight as possible

^^
Should have checked the date on that post before reply to it...

Since this thread has been bumped; I ended up buying the Pineapple Racing idler pulley and works perfectly fine with my A-spec GTX35R kit (with short runner manifold). I will post pics later in my build thread "mission impossible".