i bought an Alta adjustable rear swaybar from outmotoring.com a few weeks ago.
It's yet to be installed....maybe tomorrow night.

Pulley......have had a 15% since January........there is NO chance you'll end up sorry
you didn't choose something else first.

extended cup holder, gotta be the cup holder.
steer, shift, and drink a slurpee at the same time.

Using that cupholder sounds dangerous.

Andy- I like your cup holder idea much better... keeps the hands free for something else. I may have to change my tone for the best mod... the hat is starting to grow on me.

Just got my glovebox organizer and cubby... I like them so far. Fits like a glove... no pun intended....

My choice for the top three were

- Lighter weight wheels with better rubber. I went from 17"
Rung Phlats to 16" Rota wheels with Falkens (~$800-900)

- Intake -- I chose the Alta (~$200, easy to install)

- Pulley -- I put on a conservative 15% Alta ($300-400 installed)

Hope that helped -- Tom

May I please ask a clarifying question? I think I know, but just want to make sure.

I am presuming a 15% pulley is 15% smaller in diameter so that the blower spins 15% faster

And that the same is true for 19%.

That's why a 15% is more conservative than a 19%.

Is that right?

Yes that is correct.

Yes that is correct.

While I'm posting I'll add my opinion...19% P&D pulley. Or any size pulley actually. But since you asked bang for the buck...obviously the smaller the bigger the bang b/c they all cost the same!

That's right. The stock pulley spins the supercharger and water pump at a speed 2.06 times the engine speed, so at the 6900 RPM redline, the supercharger is cranking at 14,200 RPM. With a 15% pulley, it is running at 14200/0.85= 16,720, while a 19% pulley spins at 17,550 RPM.

One concern some have expressed is whether the water pump will start cavitation at higher speeds. I've heard of no one having any troubles with any of the 15/17/19% versions. One of the nice things about several of the pulley designs is that it's pretty easy (compared with the initial installation) to swap pulleys even in the driveway.

I opted for the 15% version and I can tell you that it makes an impressive difference. What I see happen is that it makes a big difference in low-end torque, making the car incredibly more responsive. Combine that with a new air intake to supply more air and an MCS takes on a new personality!

One neat thing I noticed on installing an Alta intake -- you can really hear the supercharger at work. As you are reving the engine under load in the 3-6000 RPM range, it almost sounds like you are driving thru a flock of bees -- which of course is the supercharger drawing air. Great adrenaline booter!

Regards, Tom

Now I'm confused!
I thought a reduction pulley was on the supercharger. How would putting a smaller pulley on the supercharger change how fast the water pump spins? The crankshaft turns at the same speed, any thing it is driving (i.e. waterpump, a/c compressor) shouldn't be affected unless you change the pulleys on those. Right? Or do I have the configuration wrong? Someone help me, it has been a long week at the office!

Dave
2003 DS/B MCS...stock for now, but eyeing my moves!

You have the configuration wrong. On most cars this isn't the case but with the S supercharger, the water pump is driven off of the supercharger belt. So spin that faster, and you spin the water pump faster. Cavitation is no longer a concern with the 15-19% pulleys though.

Greatgro,

Thanks for enlightening me on the belt configuration!

Dave

Can you guys clarify, would your advice be the same for a JCW? I.e. would a 15% pulley provide any significant increase?

And, noone's said to stay away from a lighter flywheel, presuming this thread is accurate https://www.northamericanmotoring.co...c=25787&11 ??

thanks.

>>Can you guys clarify, would your advice be the same for a JCW? I.e. would a 15% pulley provide any significant increase?
>>
>>thanks.

NO. JCW already has a 15% reduction supercharger pulley.

Doesnt the JCW kit replace the supercharger as well? If so, this makes me nervous about replacing the pulley on my stock supercharger....

I understand that its a must have mod though.

Random question, kinda- What is the boost on the stock MCS supercharger vs 15%,17%,19%??? I heard something like 12-14psi for stock supercharger, doesnt this seem high to anyone?

The pully, worth every penny. Made a huge difference

intake, not impressed, not enough HP increase, just alot of noise.

exhaust, not impressed, not enough HP increase for the money.

The best mod was getting rid of the run flats. The run flats gave the worse ride. Every small bump was bone jarring.

>>Doesnt the JCW kit replace the supercharger as well? If so, this makes me nervous about replacing the pulley on my stock supercharger....
>>
>>I understand that its a must have mod though.
>>
>>Random question, kinda- What is the boost on the stock MCS supercharger vs 15%,17%,19%??? I heard something like 12-14psi for stock supercharger, doesnt this seem high to anyone?

Replacement of the supercharger with the JCW kit has nothing to do with their being anything better about the new JCW supercharger. The Supercharger is an assembly supplied by Eaton and they press the SC pulley on during SC assembly. The only way MINI (or better yet JCW) can get a 15% Reduction SC pulley on and not upset anyone or the warranty is to go back to Eaton and tell them to supply a SC with a smaller pulley. It's the exact same SC you get with any new MINI just a smaller pulley.


_________________

Thanks for the info. I still want to do the 17% pulley, but I am going to wait until the summer time to see how the car responds to heat. As for pulley, I understand the 19% reduces the supercharger life by a thrid. So that boils it down to 15% or 17%.

Any opinions on the difference? Do you still need to replace the belt for th 15%? Now doesnt the JCW kit come with the 13% reduction?

You're better off getting the 15% pulley and then getting a chip upgrade down the line. The gains you can make with a 15% pulley and a chip are much better overall than with a 17% or 19% pulley.

Thats what I was thinking... I know that I dont want to jump to 19% reduction, but 17% seems safe. What are the HP gains roughly between the two?

Does anyone know what the PSI for the stock pulley is? I heard something like 8-10 psi for stock? Is this accurarte?

Wow Guys,

I test drove my first MCS yesterday and was thoroughly impressed. I will be buying one before the end of the month. I came accross this message thread and was extremely helpful.

I will only be driving the MCS to and from work, in and out of New York City. Any extra perk in acceleration is what I want to get. From what I read here, going for a 15% pulley seems like the thing to do to achieve this.

Since I am a newbie at modifications and the like, can anyone advice me into where and who I should look into installing the pulley, and the possibly the Shark programming thingy (is it worth it?).

I am not into racing, so cornering and stability are not of paramount importance, other what the stock car showed me.

Many thanks again to all.

Nando

As for installation... check the how to's section found here

Thats the best place as far as installation yourself. If you are looking for a shop near by, I couldnt help you, but I know there is a great place in PA. Its called Helix. A guy named Eric is fantastic. Here is their website - Helix 13

As for the Shark code... I have no clue. Do a search and read some threads... doing the 15% install will help as well as intake and exhuast!! Mangaflow for the exhaust and the Alta, which is nosy.... I have the minimania/K&N cold air intake.... Thats your best bet for acceleration.

I am actually going to vacation in NYC... I will be there next week!!! I fly in on Tuesday early morning....

Thanks for the feedback. My wife is actually from Philly, and it wouldn't be too hard to make a triip and eat a couple cheesesteaks while the work is being done.

Any idea what the installation for the pulley would cost (parts and labor)?

Thanks,

Hernando

I am not sure what Eric charges for labor... give him a call... pulley on the site is listed about $120... you would need to probably buy a new blet-- about $20.... labor is a bit hard, but check with Eric what he would charge. Send him an email and he can quote you the price. Good Luck... Enjoy the cheesesteaks