How do you go about finding out about bay area pulley party/and or start one?
Also which shops in the bay area do a good job with a/m mods installation and non warranty work? I want to do some mods but don't really know if there are places that specialize in mINI or if anyone has someone they trust.
I've searched for a thread on this but can't seem to find any list

 

Try edgemotoworks in dublin, or bay bridge motors in oakland.

 

I highly recommend Bay Bridge Motors in Oakland they are very trust worthy and excellent MINI work.

(510) 208-3273

 

For all work on my car that were beyond my technical abilities, I've used Bay Bridge Motors. They did my 15% pulley, OBX header, tire mounting/balancing, and even body repair and painting. I highly recommend them, though I just looked at my pulley for the first time a few days ago and realized that it wasn't an Alta like I thought it was. So far, I haven't found any manufacturers' photograph that resembles it, but it's held by four bolts that are starting to show signs of rust. I've been meaning to call Jacque about it, but I've been too busy. I was under the impression it was going to be an Alta, and so far it's worked great, but I just want to avoid any potential issues down the road.

But if it's a Randy Webb pulley party you're thinking of, count me in! I'd get the M7/Alta pulley and a 2% crank pulley reduction installed, as well as hear the new Webb exhaust firsthand. Anyone know how many expected attendees Mr. Webb requests before he'll travel out to the SF Bay Area?

BTW, this thread may be better suited for the NorCal region forum instead of performance.

 

For all those who went Bay Bridge for pulley installs, what were the prices?

 

Saw your car there yesterday. Looked like you were in for some major surgery. Front bumper off and not much remaining on the left front. Wha' happen?

I'm going to try these guys for some suspension work next week. Jacque seemed pretty cool.

 

The short story is that my front left side met a hard surface. The front axle broke, and at this point replacing the entire front subframe and front left suspension components is in order. They're pretty certain they can save the wheel, since the SSR GT1's aren't available anymore, so that's a relief. She didn't look too bad off, did she? I haven't seen her since she was towed off on Sunday. I'm quite impressed that you were able to recognize her as mine, sir!

Jacque and Co. are upstanding guys - my insurance company wanted to replace the broken components with parts from a salvaged Mini, but Jacque is taking a stand against them to use new parts. I'm actually a little indifferent in this case, since my car had 7,000 mi, and the parts are coming from a Mini with 15,000 mi, but it means a lot to me that Jacque is willing to help out his customers in unexpected ways.

 

$400 and 1/2 a day in the shop, including a rental vehicle if you need it, and a complimentary wash. Very reasonable, IMHO.

 

Thanks for the info It does sound good.

 

Insurance companies push for used or salvage to save money. but you can require new. The only time you wouldn't want to do that is if you have a favorite car, and you're working WITH the insurance co to keep it from being totalled.

FWIW.

Matt

 

Thanks for the FYI!

 

I'd be happy to come out again! Bay Bridge Motors is our authorized installation center, and where we hold the Pulley Parties.

I usually need 7 cars to pay for the trip - the more the better!

Hope to see you soon,
Randy

 

OT....but I just got back from about 4 days playing in he Bay area....what a wonderful place to own a Mini.

 

And why didn't you tell me?! Seriuosly, it would have been nice to have met you...

 

Word 2 tha *****.

 

My pulley came from Mini Mania some time ago and it has no identification and the 4 screws that you spoke about.
Don't quote me but I think those were early ALTA parts...

 

I would have loved that...... XAlfa as well....... I thought I had posted that I would be in LA and then the Bay area..... I was there all week at the NAMM show..... rented a Sebring conv and me and the new GF had an amazing time driving up the PCH...... stayed with my nephew in Santa Cruz and then on to the Bay ..... I was disappointed that no one contacted me and then I found out that for some reason it never posted...... I'm sure it was pilot error.

Oh well....... thanks for "nice to have met you".....likewise

 

Is that just the Labor? how much should i be looking for including parts?

also is the 2% over driven pully worth to do together? how much more labor should i be looking for?

 

so are we going to have a pulley install party anytime soon?

 

I am in the throes of trying to decide whether to continue to wait for MINI to release the JCW package for the MCSa, or take the plunge and go for a WMS Stage 3 performance package. Has Bay Bridge Motors done any Stage 3 installs on an MCSa? Also, what are the fuel requirements for the Stage 3 package? Does it require 93+ octane fuel? Or, can it willingly run on the 91 octane pisswater that passes for Premium in California? Emphasis is on willingly - I have a highly modded C5 Corvette that requires 93+ octane; if you run 91 octane in it, you get a middle-fingered salute and the driveability is analogous to trying to walk in wet concrete.

 

I guess I have the equivalent of the Stage 3 package - except for the JCW intake and injectors. It runs the JCW DME with the Unichip "6" ramp.

While BBM did not do the install, I can say that it will run happily on 91 octane.

It will also vibrate your whole house when you start it up in the morning.............

 

Presumably by "vibrate your whole house" you are referring to the exhaust sound? I thought that the Miltek exhaust (which WMS lists as being the cat-back exhaust in the Package) was supposed to be restrained in its sound? I have the Corsa Touring cat-back (among many other mods) on my C5; what is nice about the Corsa is that during normal driving the sound is only slightly elevated. But punch the go pedal, and a screaming monster is unleashed.

P.S.: Not to hijack this thread, but what did you decide to do with your MCS? Keep it or unload it (after your M-M iteration)? You were going to take your MCS for a 3 hour run this past Monday to see if you could re-connect if memory serves....

 

The WMS head, milltek header and milltek catback make wonderful noises. Restrained, unfortunately, is relative.

The catback by itself is not so loud......add the header, it gets louder........do the head and it screams when you step on it. I think the car sounds great, however, my wife and kids complain that when I fire it up on Saturday mornings it shakes the house......







........we reconnected...............

 

It would have been a shame to unload a well-sorted out car just because MINI/BMW chose to be jerks.

 

It is $400 including, including labour and parts. I'm not aware of anyone in the SF area doing it for any cheaper.

I love the 2% overdriven crank pulley - I had the M7 one put in while my supercharger reduction pulley was replaced, and it definitely increased performance, according to my butt-dyno. Spool-up is faster, and better throttle response across the entire RPM range. I expect that if you have both done at the same time, it wouldn't cost more than 1/2 hour labour extra for the crank pulley. Even if you don't do both together, the crank pulley is not as challenging to access as the supercharger pulley - it's a simple removal of your front passenger wheel, but you'll need a pulley puller and belt tensioner tools for the job. If you get both done at the same time, prepare to spend the drive home relearning your Mini's driving behavior - it'll be a different beast altogether.

Interesting enough, I started getting preignition pinging after the crank pulley was installed, but only at above 3K RPM and with aggressive acceleration. It occurs in all gears, but predominately 2nd and 3rd in order to respect speed limits within bounds. Some octane booster cured it temporarily, and I've requested a new MTH file to account for the extra boost that the crank pulley generates, so hopefully that'll go away once I load the new MTH file. Anyone else experience something similar? How did you make the preignition pinging disappear?