My mcs is a daily driver which does about 140 miles a day. I have had the 15% pulley on for about 30k now and am now looking to upgrade more. I was worried originally about going to a 19% (pre install of my 15%), but after 30k with the 15%, and lots of reading and listening to whats going on out there it sounds like it should be fine. From what I've learned a 19% on a track car might be alittle much, but I rarely reach 6k on the tack with the type of driving I do. Now that I'm convinced that the 19% would be ok, new products have came out that makes me confused again.

So here are some questions I need help with

1) since the car already had 36,000 mile on it, is it going to be ok to continue modding, or should I leave it alone and be happy with it. It will continue to get around 30 to 35k per year. It needs to be reliable.

2)If I go to 19% which way should I go about getting there?
- straight 19% pulley + alta crank pulley
- leave my 15% and get the pilo `5% crank pulley
-17% pulley with altas 2% crank pulley?

Which is best?????? Help!!


Nik

 

Seems like the car is nicely set-up. why change the pulley?

what is not satisfying you about your current set-up or is it you just have the bug to do something to the car?

 

Seems to me that the best next mod you could do would be to get your ECU reprogrammed or "chipped".

 

Thanks, it is set up nice. Yes true some of it is just the dreaded mod bug.

But I would really like to get rid of the dreaded first gear bog. The low end of the 19% and crank pulley, along with GAIC (or other software) seems like it might make it smoother. Andy's VGS has been the best help so far............but (of course) I want more.

Nik

 

Forgot to mention, thats planned too.

Nik

 

I would think at this point do the ECU upgrade then go with an exhaust. The basic performance package most of the after market companies offer now-a-days. Once that's all done you'll know if you need a pully upgrade or if your 15% works just fine for you.

 

The bigger the crank pulley the better. It will create a bigger contact patch with the belt reducing slip and increasing boost. Go big on the bottom.

 

To get rid of the bog, I changed my spark plugs to Denso IK22 (I have a 15% pulley). I also installed Livewire wires and changed the coil pack to a Screaming Demon. Along with my K&N Typhoon and UUC exhaust, I find that the 1st gear bog is now GONE. Software updates helped a bit but I'm 99% convinced that it was the colder plugs that did it. The car is an absolute joy now to drive - read NO BOG.

 

I'm at 63,000 miles on a '03. A 15% went on at 35K and it was changed to a 19% about 5 months later. The 15% is now a paperweight and will never go back on the car.

Use is about 90 miles a day on the street and autocrossing about 30 events a season. No problems with the 19 or belt.

Scott

 

Care to elaborate on why? Would love to lose the bog, but can't see how a colder plug would contribute to it's elimination.

TIA

 

I'll put it to you like this:

All the things I'd read on the plugs said that you don't get more hp, but more of a smoother feel to acceleration and a smoother idle.

Both of these were true for me. I felt the car was simply *burning* smooth and hence acceleration was smoother. The initial stumble for a standstill is sort of like a newbie stickshift driver - like you're not adding enough gas - but after a hard core racer guy friend of mine drove my car and had the same thing happen to him, I knew it wasn't my fault! (Not that I ever had any doubts of my abilities). It's almost like the car is choking. By changing the plugs you get a smoother burn and thus eliminate the choking effect.

I don't think it was the combo of plugs, wires, and coil either. With the increased capacity on the coil, I read that it allows for you to increase the gap on the plugs so you get a fatter spark. I left the gap the way they came (not sure of the numbers off the top of my head right now). I could be wrong, though.

For $45 or so, you can't go wrong by ordering just a set of plugs. Since you won't be changing the wire or the plugs, it will be a good test to see if the stumble goes away or not!

What say you?

 

I'd also say that the stock plug was all black and stuff when I pulled it out...and after only 14000 miles or so! The stock plug is also a 4 prong (I think) plug as opposed to one - all I know is they are different.

 

I'd recommend a good cat-back exhaust and then a UNIchip to round out the package. Leave the 15% until you're trying to squeeze the last HP out; you're not at that point....yet

 

Oh yeah, I agree. I think you should stick with the 15% and spend your money elsewhere - lighter wheels, catback, better speakers/HU....

 

Thanks for the suggestions guys I've been thinking about doing different things, other than 19%, like catback, wheels etc. But for now my money budget is alittle tighter than expected, so I'm gonna hold off for now. But the more I read, and study, the more I want it all . Oh, well moderation is good right????


Thanks again for the suggestions,

Nik

 

You should do the plugs man. Only $45! And very easy to install.......

 

Thats now moved up to first. I can afford that Where do you get them? Part #?

Nik

 

I got them here:

http://store.yahoo.com/ltbmotorsport/densoik165303.html

It's the Denso IK22 plugs.

 

Thanks


Nik

 

I'd definitely go with some springs and lightweight rims at this point. It is springtime afterall. Then I'd do exhaust. When it came time to revisit the pulley, I'd leave the 15% and go with the one of the new crank pulleys coming out (Alta or Pilo), and a properly tuned chip. But that's me completely ignoring your money-situation. Rims and exhausts can be pricey, and I know you want to do something now. I guess I just can't see putting all of one's money into the engine. With some suspension tweaks and a new rumble from the exhaust you'd have a more complete package, and that always makes for the most fun.

 

Hey Lord of the Flies,

How did you determine the Denso IK 22 was the one to use?

 

For the exhaust on a budget, check this out:



https://www.northamericanmotoring.co...ad.php?t=41137

 

Lots of reading on mini2.com. Here's a thread for you on this site:

https://www.northamericanmotoring.co...ad.php?t=37188

 

Do a search on this site for "IK22" and you'll find lots of reading material....

 

Hey Nik -

I'd probably go with the larger crank pulley... other than that, why not do some suspension mods to allow increased levels of joy when enjoying the improved power? Rear sways, springs and control arms aren't too expensive...

- - Michael