I had the following done:
17% reduction pulley (from stock pulley)
B&M Short Shifter
H&R Rear Lower Control Arms

In short, the pulley is phenomenal. The sheer violence when you punch the accelerator is amazing. on my face. It's a new experience now.
The B&M short shift kit is also IMO a great mod. The shifting is much more precise. The lower height of the shifter takes a little getting used to but is by no means uncomfortable. When you're used to having it in one place for over a year and all of a sudden it's in a different place it will naturally require getting used to. The positioning is fine, though, so I do not see this as a problem. It is well withn reach. The real odd feeling that also requires getting used to is the shortness of the throw. It almost feels as though you haven't gone far enough to be in gear (but you are) and you want to push it a little further. This is also just a matter of getting accustomed to it. It's only been two days. The feeling of the quick and precise shifting is great. The only drawback, which is not really all that bad, is an increase in vibration and some mechanical tranny noises coming through the shifter. As Eric explained to me before the install, this is due to the use of the metal bushings that come with B&M as opposed to the stock rubber ones. Personally I enjoy it. It's just another one of those things you get attuned to.
The lower control arms are a delight to see. They are wonderful pieces. As soon a I switch over to my summer tires, I'll be getting an alignment done to adjust the camber in the rear from the H&R spirngs.
All in all, it was a great day. Eric, as usual, was a great host and you can't beat his quality work for the price.

What I was not able to do was get the GIAC software (not ready yet) or get some dyno runs. Before and after would have been nice.
I'll be patiently waiting for the call from Eric to get the GIAC software, the new RDR intercooler, and the RDR CF intake.

 

Morales,

Good to hear you got your upgrades in fine.
To complement your B&M short shifter do you have an aftermarket shift ****? A whalen shift machine is a great option if you are thinking of one.

The 17% reduction pulley is nice. I assume you also got the smaller belt. Remember to change the belt every 30,000 miles. For street driving in urban areas you will find that you have more than enough power. You can't really see the full potential of the pulley upgrade until you turn your MINI loose on a backroad or a long stretch of freeway.

You can stay in 3rd or 4th gear longer up to redline just because it's fun to hear the SC working not to mention it's the fastest way to pick up speed and avoid a mis-shift.

The GIAC for the 17% should be really good and tuned specifically for that size pulley which is great. Certainly worth the wait. The RDR intercooler should be much less expensive than the current $1000 alta IC so that will be a welcome addition so I'm waiting on that one too.

Any driving school for you in the future? Get some sticky tires and lightweight rims for even more fun. If it is snowing in your area then maybe lots more fun for you in the spring.

Aloha and stay safe.

 

Minihune,
I do have the Whalen. This is one of the primary reasons I got the B&M. I agree that the Whalen is a fantastic litlle device.
As for the pulley, Eric did take care of installing the new belt and he did recommend the 30K mile change.
I'm actually driving down to Maryland tonight so I'll be enjoying the ride with the new toys.
And yes I am also chomping at the bit for the GIAC and intercooler.
I am a BMWCCA member so I may be heaidng to some of their events this spring/summer.

 

Well good 4U :smile:
Glad you too the plunge...!!!!
All good things my friend.
The pulley is the silver bullet...no doubt.
I agree w/ your 17% reduction choice as I'm personally ...more comfortable w/ that after hearing ...in great detail.... all sides of that...choice :smile: ...as it just feels..."right" :smile:

Hope to CU soon.

Peace,
D

 

Way to go, Morales! Since I had a B&M shifter and a 15% pulley done, I LOVE
to read the giddy remarks of others after they've done the same. I can sense how
much more you enjoy your Mini. Have fun, but be SAFE.

 

>>All in all, it was a great day. Eric, as usual, was a great host and you can't beat his quality work for the price.<<

I'm sure you mean "at any price!"

 

No, Blue,

I did the work for free

 

Yea, where is Helix's back door anyway?

 

Just got back form a 500 mile jaunt in the MINI over the last few days. Down to the Washington, DC area and back. All I can say is WOW! I can't wipe this sh*t eatin' grin off my face.

For those of you out there on the fence about this. Just do it. I personally waited a year for the car to break in and to get over the voiding the warranty fear. But this is a definite must-do modification.

And Eric is the MAN! Thanks again. Don't forget to call me when the other goodies are ready.


_________________
'03 MCS - LY/W "Fried Egg"

 

So, on the subject of the rear control arms. Did they do anything to affect the ride quality? I would expect maybe a little increase in NVH? I guess an alignment is in order to see if they make any sort of handling difference. I've got bits for end links on the way, and my wife said 'So, you want to make the ride STIFFER?' :smile:

Steve

 

When I replaced the rear control arms with a set of RDR's the ride quality felt pretty much the same. No noticeable increase in noise or vibration. After an alignment the ride was noticeably better, especially in the twisties. Seemed to be a better link between wheels and ground, much more secure in a hard corner.

Now springs do tend to stiffen ride... a lot...

 

Steve,
As 2cool has so eloquently stated. The rear control arms will make a difference once I get an alignment. And yes, the springs will make the ride much stiffer.

 

 

In the words of Mr. Burns...'Excellent'. Most of what I do is 'spirited' road driving, not a lot of track work, I really want to just build up a set to satisfy the engineer inside the desk jockey's body. I have an adjustable aluminum/Titanium setup brewing in my head...now I just have to figure out the details and make it a reality. Thanks very much for the input guys!

Steve