Hey Guys,

My MINI Cooper S is going to be 1 year old on December 28th and thought of done a couple performance mods to it. I've been talking to a mechanic at my local MINI dealership and currently considering the Alta supercharger pulley and air intake. I would like to know your thoughts on these to upgrades and how they work. How do these upgrades improve the car performance? Also, any other ideas when it comes to staying within a budget of $500.00? Thank you again!

 

>>My MINI Cooper S is going to be 1 year old on December 28th and thought of done a couple performance mods to it. I've been talking to a mechanic at my local MINI dealership and currently considering the Alta supercharger pulley and air intake. I would like to know your thoughts on these to upgrades and how they work. How do these upgrades improve the car performance? Also, any other ideas when it comes to staying within a budget of $500.00? Thank you again!

If your budget is $500 then you might have some trouble.
$150 for the pilo intake kit-easy to install.
$100 for the alta pulley part from Helix13.com but 3-4 hours labor to install it so $400-500 total.
An experienced mechanic can do the pulley install in an hour at fastest but if you have not done it before then it might take about $300 in labor.

These two upgrades will increase performance about 20+ HP. Later on if you like you can add the Milltek cat-back exhaust for $695 plus labor. That will add HP and torque.

 

If you don't want to effect Warrenty, there is the pilo Intake, the Pilo Ignition system that can both be had for under 300 (Total) and will give you an 8-10 hp increase, then you could get a sway bar. That will increase non linear driving performance.

Thanks
Dan
Pilo Racing

 

For staying under $500, I'd go with a pulley nad maybe an intake like the Pilo. I know Helix is a real bargain for the pulley but I don't know where you are in relation to Philadelphia. Whatever you do, have the pulley done by someone very experienced in doing the supercharger pulley install on MINIs! There's not much else you can do for $500. Maybe a pulley and rear swar bar would probably be best with a smaller budget. But with installation, you'll probably be over the $500 by a bit.

 

You'll love the Alta pulley for what it does for performance. It's like an extra pair of cylinders, really! I agree for about $500 the pulley and intake are a good way to go. I think it might be a little closer to $600 when you're done though.

 

Without a doubt the pulley is the biggest bang for the buck(I have the Alta), but it may void your warranty.

_________________
Chili red & white S.
Alta Intake & Pulley. GIAC software coming soon..

 

I THINK that the Helix P&D pulley and intake would be under $500 installed at Helix. He's got the best prices on pulleys and I know he only charges an hour labor to install a bolt-on pulley. Don't know what it costs now for a first time pulley. In other words, going from a 15% to 19% pulley is a bargain. That would be my recommendation. 19% pulley and intake. Under $500 and TONS of torque. That alone will probably beat a JCW.

 

WOW! Thanks for the quick feedback guys! So the NEXT BIG QUESTION is Pilo or Alta's pulley and intake? The mechanic at BMW is very experienced with the Alta stuff, which he stands behind 100%. So I'm guessing install won't be a big issue but want company equipment to use? Thanks again guys!

 

>>WOW! Thanks for the quick feedback guys! So the NEXT BIG QUESTION is Pilo or Alta's pulley and intake? The mechanic at BMW is very experienced with the Alta stuff, which he stands behind 100%. So I'm guessing install won't be a big issue but want company equipment to use? Thanks again guys!

Both intake choices are good. The Pilo is basic, costs $147 or so and you can do the install yourself in no time flat.
The Alta without hose is about $190 and a little more complicated to install but not too bad. If your mechanic is doing the install then just a little longer to do the alta intake. If that same mechanic is doing the pulley install then the intake box has to come off anyway to do the pulley.
Find Alta intake at
http://www.terrysaytherauto.com/MINIcentral.htm
and at other NAM sponsors like outmotoring.com and Webbmotorsports.com (price matching available)

You get a little more performance (HP) with the alta intake and a little more supercharger noise/whine.
You can't really go wrong either way.


_________________
Mele Kalikimaka & Hau'oli Makahiki Hou!

 

MiniHune, you seem to post a lot, most of it is good information, are you a MINI service Tech, sell Mods or what? Or a true enthusiast?

Thanks for your input!

-WCC

 

I'm just a MINI nut. (nutcase)

 

I think you would have to be with your kind of posting record...almost 4000...holy smokes...

 

>>I think you would have to be with your kind of posting record...almost 4000...holy smokes...
I'd have to agree. And all that on no coffee today. Maybe I ate too many home made cookies?
Maybe I am a Minicadamia Nut.

 

 

>>MiniHune, you seem to post a lot, most of it is good information, are you a MINI service Tech, sell Mods or what? Or a true enthusiast?

===>He's a medical doctor, a true enthusiast, and has nothing but the aloha spirit running through his veins

 

AH! I need some sweet Macadamian Aloha Spirit!


and a couple of cute hula dancers to share my Aloha Spirit with!


- WCC