Is and underdrive pulley even worth the money or add any noticeable horsepower to put on a TPI?

 

I think underdrive pulleys are for when you want to start squeezin' every last bit of power out of your motor. Yes, they do free up horsepower. Are you gonna have yourself a rocket ship because of them? -No.

On a bone stock motor/car, first thing to do is a tune up. Plugs, wires, filters, fluids, grease, lube, brakes, etc. etc. You'd be amazed what that'll do beleive or not. If nothing else you'll learn about your car and you'll have piece of mind.

Then, get into things like a catback system or even headers if you can afford it. After that, maybe a shift kit or torque converter. Those things alone will do more than anything else you can do without actually getting into the motor.

 

Pulleys will net you some horsepower, and if you have the extra cash, then go for it. They aren't that expensive. But again, you will see more from exhaust mods or mods that arent related to motor. I did a transgo shift kit, and it is singlehandedly the best dollar for dollar mod I have done to my car.

 

I consider it like the air foil, it helps sometimes, but I wouldn't buy the really expensive ones, I have a simple underdrive crank pulley from ebay. The only things running are my powersteering pump and waterpump/alternator (only 2 belts)....

 

how big of a torque converter should i go with and what about a shift kit, who makes a good inexpensive one?

 

I got both of mine at dacco they have quaility parts that dont cost to much,as for the stall on a stock motor i would go with a 2200-2500 you dont want to lose to much of the tpi's small powerband by going to big plus without gears it starts to become pointless and all your doing is overheating your tranny for nothing