greatgro,

Thanks for the review and comparison.
The 19% pulley upgrade with smaller belt sounds sweet. As long as you don't press it on the track alot I think it would hold up for daily driving. 50% more power is pretty darn good. Will be interesting to see what effect the software changes in GIAC for different pulley sizes will make in terms of power. It's good that they are working on matching pulley to ECU version. Smart.

 

Remember though, that's just from the ol' butt-dyno. But I feel like it's an entirely different car now. I can't imagine how RACECARDRIVER feels after going from just a Pilo intake to the 19% pulley and Borla Race. That's REALLY got to be some increase! But just changing pulleys, the results are amazing. I'm keeping my RPMs a lot lower and I'm hardly able to floor it. It just has that much low power that I almost don't need it. This is where I wanted to get my MINI to - the point where I have more power than I need, most of the time.

 

Greatgro,
More power than you really needs means-
scratching out with your tires if you apply too much power?

Right now I never have wheel spin (not to mention it is just a measure of loss of traction).
I guess if you do have that kind of power available then learning how to ease the throttle will be of importance to allow maximal traction to all the wheels most of the time. Also some really nice sticky tires would be a nice addition.

One of the results of such a power gain that the 19% pulley provides might be that many of the other power upgrades that we would also consider are less important (unless high performance track use is planned):
Polished cylinder heads/ports
rebored throttlebody
Schrick cam
Exhaust header
Larger intercooler

 

Actually, more power than I really need means I'm not flooring it all the time any more because I don't need to. I can accelerate fast enough many times at 2/3 or 3/4 throttle.
That's a real shame. You Hawaiians really need pulleys! But yes, I can't floor it in first or second WITHOUT wheel spin!!! I have learned to keep DSC on and control the throttle as to not trigger it or at least only trigger it mildly. But you can't just slam the pedal down with DSC activating or wheel spin.
I totally agree. I think many of the other mods are not important or even a waste of money. So far, there hasn't been much to gain from a polished head and that's quite expensive - certainly not cost-effective in my book. And as far as headers go - according to the testing I've heard about, NONE of them show any real gains. Apparently there should be power to be gained there, just no one has gotten it right yet. Throttle bodies have been shown to just about 2HP and that's with a pulley and other mods that might take advantage of it. So unless you're on thr track and need every last ounce of power, that one's a waste also. The intercooler could be a potential mod with the 19% pulley but the ones out now are awfully expensive. RDR is currently working on a air-air intercooler that is projected to cost half what the Alta does. I hope this is true. Then I think it would be a good buy.

Can't speak for the cam but basically, with an intake, higher torque exhaust and 19% pulley, you should be around 200HP at the crank. Add a high torque ECU (like hopefully the GIAC) and you should be more than set. With my UUC and 19% pulley, I have added as much torque as I have horsepower - maybe even more. I'm pretty confident I already have a JCW killer. The GIAC chip will just be icing on the cake at this point. But I certainly don't see the need for other types of engine mods such as head, header, etc...I just don't think they're necessary for the street.

 

there is always a lot of blab about "polished" heads, but so far that is all it is. A true head mod is a lot more and really needs to be done by an expert. I've got my spare head at Endyn and if you go to his site, read about his history and development skills, you will be humbled. There are a couple of mini threads in the "Technical...ask TOO" forum of his BBS. For an education, read his sticky on how to build a 2 liter engine.

http://www.theoldone.com

 

So what is the boost level up to with the 19% pulley? Also, do you run spark plugs that are a heat range colder since you don't have the software for it?

 

So has anyone actually put a 17% or 19% modded MINI on a dyno?

I would think that you would need to do the same car with the various pulleys (i.e. 0%, 15% 17% and 19% & 22%?) one after another. I also think that this would be to the vendors advantage if the numbers kicked A$$, but could hurt if the #s were less than expected. Time will tell.

Not that I don't trust your butts, that is..."butt O-Meters" but some actual #s would make a more convincing arguement.

Show me the numbers!!

 

>>Not that I don't trust your butts, that is..."butt O-Meters" but some actual #s would make a more convincing arguement.
>>
>>Show me the numbers!!
>>

Well here it finally is.



Here are my Numbers:

Air Intake Temp: 81 degrees
Coolant temp: 181 degrees
Peak Air Intake Temp: 161.6 degrees
Air temp: 57 degrees
My mods: 17% helix pulley, JCW exhuast, K&N typhoon intake

Fuel /Air Ratio graph

Sorry I do not have a better picture

The purple line is my Air fuel ratio during the run. The flat Orange line is 11 to 1 AFR. You can see during the run that my AFR is at 11to1 and even dips below it. It curves upwards at the end when we let of the gas and put the car in neutral. The Wideband O2 sensor was placed at the tailpipe. It would read about .5 richer if it was placed before the catalytic converter.
Air Fuel Ratio: 11 parts Air to 1 part fuel CAN WE SAY RICH!!!!!!!!

Air temp: 57 degrees

 

Whose 02? Love the pastellblau... '74, '75, or '76? I have a '73 malaga with waaaaaay too many mods. Maybe Eric could dyno it sometime...hmmm...

M

 

That is Eric's bmw 2002 "Shop Car"

 

How's that for numbers!

I know you guys want numbers and graphs and all, and I don't blame you. But believe me - AT LEAST IN THIS COLD WEATHER, the difference between the 15% and 19% is night and day with regards to driveability. NIGHT AND DAY. The 19% makes the MCS a whole new species. I floored it in 2nd for the first time this morning and it was up a steep hill and I still got slammed back into my seat!

 

>>I might consider a heartier wheel and tire package before you put the 22% on. Those wreaths will break up at launch with that much torque. <<

No way, Jose. I have coated them with the "secret sauce" and flame anodized them.

 

I`m going to Helix tomorrow to do my pulley upgrade. As of now, I only have the Madness air intake. I am not sure if I should do 17% or 19% reduction. This is my "hobby" car, only got 1800 miles on it, in one year of ownership. I`ll see what Eric recommends, right now I`m leaning towards the 19%.

Should be fun, I`ll let you guys know how it went.

Paul.

 

>>Show me the numbers!! <<

Hey TwoMini's - I posted mine a couple of months ago...do a search. 189.5WHP but the torque curve is the fun part. Sorry, but this is not a case of questionable butt-o-meters, if this doesn't knock your socks off then you are dead. It's fun feeling Gro's enthusiasm as it was exactly how I felt after I got mine. And that was in warmer weather. Now, I have to be careful in 1st, 2nd and 3rd cause if I push down too hard the wheels will break loose, and I'm not talking about off the line, I'm talking about coming on boost in second or third at 40+mph (DSC off). Some of that should pass when the roses bloom.

Put one on the wife's car first.

Eric: What ever will you do with all of those old Alta pulleys? Here's a suggestion:

 

That is one awesome tree :smile:

 

One the first day of Christmas my true love gave to me...a Pulley in a Pear Tree!

 

Since it's your hobby car, you definitely should go for the 19%. Mine is my daily driver, same for RaceCarDriver, and we went for the 19%. There may be a problem, though. My brother and I took the last 19% pulleys!!!! He may not have any more yet!! :smile:

 

>>>>Since it's your hobby car, you definitely should go for the 19%. Mine is my daily driver, same for RaceCarDriver, and we went for the 19%. There may be a problem, though. My brother and I took the last 19% pulleys!!!! He may not have any more yet!! :smile:

OMG! I just emailed Eric, hope he has 19% in stock! Don`t want to waste a trip to Philly

Paul.

 

So I guess nobody knows the boost level with the 19% pulley?

 

>>So I guess nobody knows the boost level with the 19% pulley?<<
My mechanical boost gauge says about 18 psi. I was getting 15 psi with the 15 pulley. The ODB software says lower but you have to convert and I don't have a lot of experience with it yet.

What R U getting with the 17 Doug?

 

[quote] OMG! I just emailed Eric, hope he has 19% in stock! Don`t want to waste a trip to Philly

 

My Lazy But still does not have a boost guage in the Mini.

 

mine seams to be right around 20lbs, most of the time im to busy holding on.... I have had the guage and datalogger hit 25 both at the same time but(peak function on guage), im not sure on all the variable to cause that to happen, but consitantly im around 20lbs.....

 

Do we have anyone out there from a warm/hot climate location with the 19-22% pulley that is willing to provide some feed back on performance in a warmer environment. Anyone fron S. Cal., S. Florida or Mexico want jump in here.

 

Got the 17% pulley installed at Helix yesterday. Went from stock to 17%, my only other mod is the Madness intake. I can report that everything I read about the upgrade is true. Car starts making good power about 500-800 rpms earlier :smile:

Paul.