2008 Honda Civic Si - Power Pages

NonStopTuning (NST) Lightweight Pulley Set
Pros:
Reducing rotational mass is always a reliable way to gain a few ponies on nearly any engine. NST's lightweight pulleys saved 4.2 pounds compared to the OEM ones, and do not under drive the alternator-meaning no dead batteries or dimming lights from an under-active alternator. The NST pulleys are CNC-machined from 6061 T6 aluminum billets, balanced to tighter-than-OE tolerances, and available in anodized red or black finishes.

Cons:
Installation isn't fun.

Parts:Pulley set

Tools:12mm, 7/8 and 3/4 socket and open-end wrench, drive ratchet, extensions, swivel, impact wrench or breaker bar, serpentine belt tool, Loc-Tite

Installation Time:
Two Hours

Notes
One of the great debates raging on inside Internet forums and debated over bench racing bouts, is whether or not lightened pulleys can harm an engine. The theory goes that lightweight pulleys aren't balanced to specific engines' harmonics the way their OEM counterparts are, and using them can increase torsional vibration that causes premature bearing failure. But, Honda K-series engines are balanced internally, and do not use balanced pulleys from the factory. And today's newer engines are constructed with tighter tolerances than those that were around back when this rumor got started. Bottom line is: If your engine has been properly maintained, using high-quality, balanced, lightweight pulleys like NST's will not harm it

Dyno 4: NonStopTuning (Nst) Lightweight Pulley Set
Peak HP: 190.6 / Peak TQ: 143.6

Horsepower Gain
* 2,000 to 3,500 HP range: 0.6 to 2.1
* 3,500 to 5,500 HP range: 0.7 to 2.9
* 5,500 to redline HP range: 2.1 to 4.5

Torque Gain
* 2,000 to 3,500 TQ range: 0.7 to 3.1
* 3,500 to 5,500 TQ range: 1 to 2.6
* 5,500 to redline TQ range: 2.6 to 6.1

Conclusion
After two installments of Power Pages and the addition of six basic bolt-on parts, our Civic Si has become a rolling billboard for the ways in which aftermarket modification can improve upon OE engineering. Bolt-on aspiration parts added in the previous installment allowed our Si's K20Z3 to breathe easier, increasing efficiency and making more power, while maintaining street legality. Hondata's ECU reflash optimized those power adders, along with Honda's own VTEC system, to eliminate the serious mid-range power lag K-series engines suffer from the factory. Adding Pulstar Pulse Plugs maximized the process of combustion already present in our K20, while even more free power was found by replacing the K20's heavy cast pulleys with lightweight billet aluminum NST replacements. Also impressive is that as power grew, demand for additional fuel didn't. Modifications completed to this point only served to increase our K20Z3's efficiency-meaning we'll see increased reliability and fuel efficiency from our new Si, alongside more power. ...As long as we can keep from driving it with a lead foot!

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