I wanna do a 19% pulley and have been doing some reading. Here's what I have found:

-15% is more reliable than 19%
-15% and 19% have the same amount of power in higher RPMs.
-19% usually requires new belt, new injectors and a remapped ECU.

My question is, I know it will need a new belt, but do I really need all that other stuff? It's a couple hundred bucks... Wondering if anyone else has done this and not gotten the stuff (besides a new belt) and how it has worked out. I will not be going to constantly high RPMs, I just want this for casual street driving, and rarely ever do I go above 5K RPMs when shifting. All help is appreciated, thanks,

 

I thought i saw one person try it, and the car was Detonating and running like crap because it didnt have the extra fuel.

 

But really, I hope you don't take this wrong, but you're talking about a motor that's already making over 100 HP per liter. Do you really want to just bolt crap on and hope it works?

If you don't want to take the time to really understand the system that you're hoping to change, why don't you call some of the tuner shops and see what they say. Then you'll get the benefit of their experience, without having to read about the whole system, and the additional demands of a 19% pulley.

If you've already read a bunch of posts that say "go with this combo of stuff" and you don't want to, don't let me stop you!

Matt

 

I once ran across a good article written on what and in what order to mod up the Cooper S. Unfortunately, I can't find it now. Try more research in the MotoringFile or at MiniMania, ProMINI, etc. Perhaps you'll find the article.

Somewhere in there was the issues surrounding the 19% pulley and why it requires other mods.

Like the Doc said, talk to some of those who know. I hear Detroit Tuned would be a good source.

 

I think maybe I will go with a 15% to start, see how I like it, and then perhaps upgrade to the 19% when I can do all the other mods with it to work it to the fullest. No use in putting just the 19% and risking destroying my supercharger.

Whats the horsepower difference between a 15% and 19%, does anyone know???

 

wise desicion

 

I am currently running a 19% with no other mechanical mods, and the only significant issue I have noted thus far is that the belt chirps (slips) a little bit on launch when it's cold outside (below freezing), but this clears up after a few minutes of running. It doesn't bother me, as I know I shouldn't be pushing the car until it's warmed up anyway. I just keep things limited to 3000 rpm until the temp gauge needle starts to creep away from cold- my morning commute route allows me plenty of surface street driving to do this before merging onto the highway.

I have run the engine up to redline on occasion since installing the pulley, but quite honestly, as others in the community have observed, I have found that I simply don't need to wrap it up that tight any more. 6k is about all the higher I usually go anymore, and the engine spends most of its time living happily between 3k and 5k.

The only extra precaution I take since installing the pulley is to keep the belt tensioner tool and a spare belt in the boot when departing for longer trips, just in case. They sit right next to the tire sealant and compressor kit.

19% and no runflats- living on the edge!

 

I think my next mod should be tires and wheels....Run Flats+S Heavies*Driving hard=

P.S. Are there any like numerical gains for a 15% pulley?? I've heard 16hp.... thats it though. Any other input for more 15 HP #s and 19 #s too, thanks

 

CAI and 15%= app. 20 hp

 

Chris,

Let me drive your car to test out the 15% pulley when you do it. Thanks.

Oh yea, you should get the 15% pulley because that's the one I'm interested in testing. Simple enough, right?

Seriously, look for the link in this forum about the 19% pulley - there are people that have much success with it, but that is because it was the best option for them and their personal purposes. All I can offer is interpretation of people's written experiences: spirited driving, no track or extended high rpm runs - 19% with the other mods to keep it effective and efficient. Higher rpm runs, less concern about belts slipping/breaking and excessive amounts of heat with comperable power and proven (how many hundred is randy up to?) reliability - 15%.

mb

 

16" wheels and non-runflats were my second mod. I also put a set of non-runflat winter tires on the S-heavies when the runflats wore down enough to allow me to do so without feeling guilty for wasting rubber.

The difference the lighter wheel/tire combo made was dramatic- both in terms of improved acceleration and braking performance, and handling/steering feel.

The 15% should put a plenty big smile on your face- enjoy!

 

I have a 16% on mine which isnt much difference between a 15%. The pully makes a big difference. Matching a intake with the pully, plus exhuast, you will be happy. Then once u get use to the power just add more.

 

Well, if you wanna wait, i'll have my 17% pulley and my +3% crank on soon!

I'll be sure to let ya know how that goes.

 

For sure, lemme know how that goes.... I am going to maybe take a trip down to Helix in Phili next weekend... the pulley is a bday gift from my parents. Ahhhh the perks of having a bday RIGHT in the beginning of spring. I'm March 6th

Hey Scuderia, how about a K&N HAI and a 15%...

 

I had my 19 on for 6 months before going with giac and injectors and never had a hiccup. I check the belt tentioner for extra slack and to see if the belt is shiney (is that how you spell it?). I love the extra torque lower on the rev range, and usually dont need to wring it out to get nice accelaration. I try to keep it under 6500 rpms as thats the redline for the supercharger with the 19 percent on. However i dont feel too bad reving it up to 7200 once and a while as the car only has 17000 miles and will be twincharged when i get back from AU.
Chris, you need to feel good about what your doing, if you dont feel safe putting on the 19, dont; however, remember i will still be waving bye bye when i roll past you (cough cough, the last rally we went on)

 

whoa whoa whoa...twincharged is definite!?!?!?! then it doesn't really matter what size pulley I get... I could get a 3000000000000000000000000% and you'd still be waving bye bye... just when I thought I could kick your *** ;-). dammit

 

i think you could only got to like a 99.9% pulley, anything less and you would be going into negative space!

 

well its definite, in the sense that it will be on within a year, but other than that, im not sure, i need to get the job, then accumulate the appropriate funds. However, until then, you and i will be duking it out, on the back roads of b'ville mountain.

 

Chris, Eric at Helix installed my intake (for the sound) and 19% (for the power) 10k miles ago and its been nothing but fun. Talk to Eric, then decide. Also, get a set of 15" holies!

 

Lots of people ran the 19% back before the "other crap" was available. No it didn't make more top-end power than a 15% but the powerband was moved down to make street driving much more pleasant. Starts pulling hard from 2500rpm! The software and injectors give more power up top and smoother drivability, and you could always add them later.

The 19% is ideal for street driving and auto-x, but belt durability is limiting for high speed road-racing. Helix won't steer you wrong!

 

please read this thread - i posed this question a while back myself:

Are 19% pullies still the red-headed Step Child?

I plan to go with a 19% pulley (most likely helix), a shorter belt & colder range plugs.

 

Lol my bday is on march 6th Happy Coming Bday to You!!!!!

 

Hey.. what a great coincidence, My b-day is March 5th and my girlfriend is getting me a 15 pulley in celebration.. I am not only adding years to my count but hp to my car.. i am trying to find candidates to give me the CAI ..It's going to be fun ... Happy b-day!

 

Happy Bday to you as well. May you all get what you want for your car.

 

Helix is a smart move.
I just spoke to eric today and got alot of good information from extensive experience.