Each MCS owner will have to decide whether or not to upgrade their pulley.
Is it a must have upgrade? I'd say yes. (edited)

If you are a safe and sane driver, using your MINI mostly for urban driving or lots of stop and go heavy traffic and rush hour commuting then the pulley upgrade is still usable (since it adds HP/torque in rpm ranges from the low 2000s up to redline-edited).

Is the pulley safe? I think so and the evidence from Helix13, Webbmotorsports, Cat and Dog racing and others have shown it to be reliable. Plus these MINI tuners have a vested interest in seeing that their products and installations do well and stand the test of time.

I agree that we need to examine each case of an upgraded pulley that is reported to have trouble-it might be that the dealership did not transmit the information correctly/completely about the MINI that had a malfunction. We need all the facts and we need to be complete in following up on each report.

_________________
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minihune wrote:

I disagree. Notice on this chart that the 15% pulley delivers more boost at 4500 rpm than the stock pulley does at 6700 rpm. Across the entire useable rev range, there is more boost and more torque.



When you are cruising on the highway in 6th gear and need to accelerate to get out of the way of a merging vehicle, the extra torque is much appreciated.

 

Minihune,

I would have to disagree with your statement about 4500 rpm. The pulley provides extra horsepower and torque across the entire rpm range. That is what makes it such an excellent upgrade. You can feel it from around 2,000-2,500 rpm all the way up.

 

Pulley. There is no question. As far as warranty is concerened, the JCW kit includes essentially a 15% pulley and maintains the warranty. So you know doing an pulley is not outside of the engineered capability. Just comes down to legal mumbo-jumbo.

 

I just had the 17% pulley installed over at Helix just after New Years on my otherwise stock MCS. Definitely the best bang for the buck! It definitely makes a big difference in everyday driving. The engine doesn't seem to bog down that much if you happen to take off at a relatively low rpm. especially useful when starting from a stop on a hill. Other that that it makes the car a LOT more fun to drive (If that even seems possible! )

 

I think jlm said it best above. The 19% really might be too much for some.

Wkndracer mentions that his S hardly bogs now with the 17%. Well the 19% has completely eliminated bogat all RPMs. Whatever you do, do some kind of pulley.

 

>>Minihune,
>>
>>I would have to disagree with your statement about 4500 rpm. The pulley provides extra horsepower and torque across the entire rpm range. That is what makes it such an excellent upgrade. You can feel it from around 2,000-2,500 rpm all the way up.

andy@ross-tech.com and dgszweda1,
I was thinking about what I wrote and it is true that some power is available early. The question is given this benefit in the low rpm range, is it enough to recommend the pulley upgrade? Well, more power is more power so I can't argue with that. I'll revise what I wrote- excuse me

 

IMO, with the MCS, this is the reason to mod! That's why I feel the smaller the pulley the better - it has more of an effect on daily driving than all of the "second level mods" (such as header, head, throttle body) combined!

 

minihune,

You provide SO MUCH good information, that we just feel the need to offer a differing viewpoint when the situation arises. :smile: Keep up the good work.

 

>>I just had the 17% pulley installed over at Helix just after New Years on my otherwise stock MCS.<<

Well, so much for G-Stock. Now you'all is runnin wit us guys!
:smile:

 

My Mini now has a 15% pulley from Helix...... :smile: :smile: :smile: :smile: :smile: :smile: :smile: :smile: :smile: :smile: :smile: :smile:
:smile: :smile: :smile:

 

Congrats Herby! Any feedback??? (Besides the smiles!)

 

Feedback? Yep. I could feel the additional power immediately even though the roads in Philly are pretty icy today and I couldn't really let 'er rip. Low rpm's felt a bit smoother and starting from a complete stop was more responsive, no lag, more control........I also liked the increased whine of the supercharger. When I got onto the Schuylkill Expressway the extra passing power was very evident. I really enjoyed chatting with Eric and I'll be going back to Helix when my service warranty expires.
I'm a happy camper.

 

>>>>I just had the 17% pulley installed over at Helix just after New Years on my otherwise stock MCS.<<
>>
>>Well, so much for G-Stock. Now you'all is runnin wit us guys!
>> :smile:

Well, maybe not all the time, I picked up a 91 Sentra SE-R (140 hp and stock LSD!)and am in the process of setting it up for STS. But I do plan on running the MINI at the non SCCA events. I have some 15" Hoosiers for that too, hope they fit!

 

Way to go herby. A little boost does not dissapoint.

 

In summary, it seems like there are three tyes of Mini'ers....

1) Ones who have gotten the pulley and just llluuurrrvvveeesss it....(you know who you are)..

2) Ones who have not gotten the pulley but drooling..(thats me)

3) Ones that would not get it and dont like the idea.

Have we anyone here (or in this world) who has gotten it and "dont like it"?????????????????????????????????????????? ????

Please explain???

 

OzMini gets the Helix 15% in 12 hours time (and counting...). I have had my MCS since October 2002 and have so far only done the Pilo ignition upgrade and the foam drop-in filter. Okay, plus a few dozen interior and visual mods...

Cheers everyone!

 

Now I have a full day of driving with the 15% pulley under my belt.......have to say
that the additional control I feel along with the Mini's inherent magical handling, instills me with a a greater sense of safety along with the extra measure of fun. Personally, I think the JCW might scare the headlights out of me. Any daily commuter who loves driving would appreciate this mod. I would have been way more than willing to have paid for what this machine is now.......right out of the show room. If you're thinking about it........do it!

 

OzMini agrees. The patient went in at 8:30 and was fully recovered and out by 1. Feeling much better than new!

The boost is great and well appreciated at all speeds and from a full stop. This is nice. The Dyno test confirmed the power increase. It also revealed the much talked about overly rich mixture towards the top end.

I also had the shop put in the Helix shifter. I hesistated because of the loss of the "dust cover" but it was confirmed by the shop that this area is very well protected already. The shifting action is now beautifully short and accurate without changing the height of the shifter in the car. And not much chance of selecting reverse by mistake anymore either. :smile:

First day out and I think these two mods have beaten expectations and at a modest cost! Thank you Helix and thanks to those who pioneered and encouraged us laggards!

Cheers

 

Glad to hear your operation was a complete success! How much hp did the dyno
indicate you had gained? Didn't have mine measured.

 

If you like the pulley, you'll love the 22mm alta or 25mm H-sport rear sway bar. Best $200 you can spend on the MINI

 

>>Glad to hear your operation was a complete success! How much hp did the dyno
>>indicate you had gained? Didn't have mine measured.

It looks like a gain of 13.5-15 HP. The true gain is felt in the earlier boost in my initial runs.

Cheers