Pulleys etc.

Ok so im new to the forum so hello to all! In the next month or so i will be purchasing a 1996 Riviera from my aunt. I've been thinking bout what mods i should put on it and i have read much about the smaller pulleys. I was wondering what the smallest pulley i can put on is, without having to worry about much knock retard. I'm also wondering how bad/if any the effect is on fuel mileage. I'm sure these questions have probably been answered a million times, but im new so give me a break! Thanks.

Welcome to the board. You've come to the right place for questions about pulleys and the like. The smallest SC pulley you can run without KR depends on a lot of things: other mods to the car, fuel octane, driving style, even the weather. The good news is, if you can keep your foot out of the pedal, fuel mileage will not change from its current state.

These threads should help answer your questions:

Will swapping the SC pulley make a difference?

Do I need a scanner?

How do I make more power?

For other questions, have a read through our Series II FAQ. And remember you can always ask questions here in the forums; hopefully someone will have an answer!

It is a 10 year old car, I would drive it for a few months and see what might need replacing.

Chances are the fuel filter was never replaced. So that might be a nice place to start.

yeah my dad and i are going to give it new plugs and a tune up. We just replaced the S/C belt on it a few weeks ago so its good. I'll check out the fuel filter too, any other tips would be appreciated.

L67 wrote:

yeah my dad and i are going to give it new plugs and a tune up. We just replaced the S/C belt on it a few weeks ago so its good. I'll check out the fuel filter too, any other tips would be appreciated.

Take it slow and grab yourself a scanner if your going to be doing some mods. Better to have a scanner and be safe than blow the motor.

I would pick up a scanner but they are a little costly so i was hoping to maybe get the 3.6" pulley and not have to worry about any serious KR. Should i not make this assumption?

3.6" pulley is safer than going to a 3.4 but you never know if your getting any KR just being stock.

Every car is different but if it was me I would grab a scanner before dropping a pulley.

Try ls1m.com I got mine their pretty cheap. I think it was like $150-200.

if i can get the cash ill definately pick one up then, but until that happens is their anything i need to look out for before installing the 180 T-stat?

SpaceBar wrote:

3.6" pulley is safer than going to a 3.4 but you never know if your getting any KR just being stock.

Every car is different but if it was me I would grab a scanner before dropping a pulley.

Try ls1m.com I got mine their pretty cheap. I think it was like $150-200.

Uh, LS1M is no longer active. Brad is trying to sell the business, and I'm pretty sure he's out of complete scanner kits, but might have a PDA or 2 still. I got mine over the winter on sale, still need to play with it and get it sorted out. I should save up for an HPT next year.

L67, keep an eye out for used ones for sale, they come up now and then on Regalgs.org, probably clubgp, Ebay, etc.

L67 wrote:

if i can get the cash ill definately pick one up then, but until that happens is their anything i need to look out for before installing the 180 T-stat?

Don't need to worry about the 180* t-stat thats only going to help.

i mean is there anything i need to do before installing the t-stat?

Nope, go ahead and put it in. A 180 T-stat should be in any supercharged Riviera that will see WOT.

alright then that'll definitely be my first mod, anyone know where to get a cheap CAI? I know it may seem like im getting in a little bit over my head but i just need stuff to think about while im waiting for the car

L67 wrote:

alright then that'll definitely be my first mod, anyone know where to get a cheap CAI? I know it may seem like im getting in a little bit over my head but i just need stuff to think about while im waiting for the car

Can't buy a bolt on kit. But many have made their own FWI out of parts you can pick up at your local Home Depot or hardware store. Check out the writeups in the FAQ section. Parts can be had for $30-$40, or a lot more if you want to be picky about appearance. Add to that a cone filter for around $40-$50. What you don't want to do is put a short intake pipe on with a cone filter that just sticks out into the engine compartment. All you accomplish is to add more warm air, instead of cooler air from outside the eng comp.