opinion on systems

[basshead8569]

Ok. so I had a work meeting with JL Audio. Now they are saying any system in a car lowers horse power and lowers gas mileage. Now horse power idk mine stayed the same. Gas mileage also stayed the same. And I am running a Rockford Fosgate t2500bd. At 2 ohms its rated at 2,850 watts continuous. And before that I had around 3000 rms. And I never seen a difference in gas mileage. I have a 03 focus with the 4 cyl sohc 122cid engine. I get on a full tank average of 335.25 miles on a full tank. So, what's everyone's opinion on this? JL audio blowing smoke or is it for those who have high power equipment or bad electrical/crappy engines?

[TheNewbie]

The weight of the box, sub, amp, wires is what lowers the gas mileage

[chronic2001]

The only thing I can think of is when you add 4-500lbs of equipment. Then I can see your gas milage being affected and of course your car will be slower from added weight.

[basshead8569]

I can see that with the heavier equipment. But, the way they was saying it, it is with all systems. Any time ya put an amp in a vehicle it is a noticeable change. I have had my system since day one of me buying my focus. So, I do not know the gas mileage with out the system. SO I could be getting better gas milleage if I take out the system. But, I mean thats something that should not get out there. Cause that will cause noobs to come in and cause drama over it. I can only imagine that.

[aN-i-No]

Those with Alternators making a LOT of power will lose horsepower. The power has to come from somewhere.

That's why hardcore performance guys put under drive pulleys on their alternators. It reduces the power that the alt steals from the motor. If you have a big V8 or Diesel then you probably won't notice the drop in HP but those with a smaller engine might.

[basshead8569]

Those with Alternators making a LOT of power will lose horsepower. The power has to come from somewhere.

That's why hardcore performance guys put under drive pulleys on their alternators. It reduces the power that the alt steals from the motor. If you have a big V8 or Diesel then you probably won't notice the drop in HP but those with a smaller engine might.

Yea what I was thinking. I have an pully like that. Mechman guy I talked to told me about it. But, he called it something else I believe. Now, putting in a bigger alt I can see. But, they said with all stock electrical. Weight is the only cause to me on stock. And not really loosing horsepower as it is more/to much weight ya car has to try to move. Like I said I have a 122cid 4cyl sohc and Since day 1 I have had my system in it. SO, now I am curious what it will do if I took everything out.

[Jessica]

in drag racing the theory is every 100lbs you can get rid of is the same as adding 10hp. It works the other way too. Do the math. It doesn't actually take away hp, Just that the HP is wasted moving the extra weight.

[aN-i-No]

Those with Alternators making a LOT of power will lose horsepower. The power has to come from somewhere.

That's why hardcore performance guys put under drive pulleys on their alternators. It reduces the power that the alt steals from the motor. If you have a big V8 or Diesel then you probably won't notice the drop in HP but those with a smaller engine might.

Yea what I was thinking. I have an pully like that. Mechman guy I talked to told me about it. But, he called it something else I believe. Now, putting in a bigger alt I can see. But, they said with all stock electrical. Weight is the only cause to me on stock. And not really loosing horsepower as it is more/to much weight ya car has to try to move. Like I said I have a 122cid 4cyl sohc and Since day 1 I have had my system in it. SO, now I am curious what it will do if I took everything out.

No no, what you have is an OVER-drive pulley. Its smaller than the stock one (so it spins faster) so that when your engine is at idle the alt may be spinning at 1500rpm still. An UNDER-drive pulley is BIGGER than the stock one so it barely spins and hardly sucks any juice from the engine turning.

The alternators take the turning of the engine and turn that motion into electricity so naturally the more alternators you have the more power (horsepower) they take to turn. Remember, NOTHING is free on a car. You add something to the belt system, it's gonna take power to turn it.

EDIT: to the reply above, is that standing weight or rotating weight? Rotating weight is what you want to get rid of first.

Edited May 14, 2012 by aN-i-No

[Jessica]

Standing weight, it's cheapest to get rid of, then you buy all the aluminum goodies.

[basshead8569]

Those with Alternators making a LOT of power will lose horsepower. The power has to come from somewhere.

That's why hardcore performance guys put under drive pulleys on their alternators. It reduces the power that the alt steals from the motor. If you have a big V8 or Diesel then you probably won't notice the drop in HP but those with a smaller engine might.

Yea what I was thinking. I have an pully like that. Mechman guy I talked to told me about it. But, he called it something else I believe. Now, putting in a bigger alt I can see. But, they said with all stock electrical. Weight is the only cause to me on stock. And not really loosing horsepower as it is more/to much weight ya car has to try to move. Like I said I have a 122cid 4cyl sohc and Since day 1 I have had my system in it. SO, now I am curious what it will do if I took everything out.

No no, what you have is an OVER-drive pulley. Its smaller than the stock one (so it spins faster) so that when your engine is at idle the alt may be spinning at 1500rpm still. An UNDER-drive pulley is BIGGER than the stock one so it barely spins and hardly sucks any juice from the engine turning.

The alternators take the turning of the engine and turn that motion into electricity so naturally the more alternators you have the more power (horsepower) they take to turn. Remember, NOTHING is free on a car. You add something to the belt system, it's gonna take power to turn it.

EDIT: to the reply above, is that standing weight or rotating weight? Rotating weight is what you want to get rid of first.

Idle rpms are 1000. But, it is bigger then the stock one. Im good when it comes to working on stock. But when it comes to all these add ons, I am still learning these things. I am not afraid to admit I am still a noob on a lot of the big system builds. I got a lot of help from here. Great group of people here. And mechman 220 amp focus svt alt with the bigger pully under it. Sorry I dont know to much about that. Im trained in a lot of areas on vehicles. Just now learning what needs to be done for the big systems.