If I'm putting a 15% pulley into my MCSa, is it almost essential to get other mods done in order to help the engine with the extra power...? Like CAI, or whatever else? Or will the car be just fine with everything else stock?

 

You don't need anything else.

 

Nope! Pulley+3hrs later=instant power!

Best thing ever for $130.

 

But several items are optional. A CAI will help, pulley or not. Some go to a cooler range plug, but it's not required, and some tuners don't do it.

FWIW, the Mini uses Speed/Density fuel injection. So it looks at the manifold pressure, the engine RPM and the driver demand to figure out how to run the motor. You can change almost anything before the head (Except fuel injectors) and the car will run fine. Really large throttle bodies won't screw with the Speed/Density control, but may mess with the drive-by-wire....

Hope this helps....

Matt

 

go for it man - you'll love it!

 

Question: If I were to do a 16% or 17% pulley would I need to do anything else? Like remap, new injecter's, etc?

 

If you don't NEED anything other than a belt for a 19%....

 

It seems to me that my stock/not modified mcs' sweet spot for boost/torque occurs between 3500 and 4500rpm in 3rd,4th, and 5th gear. My question:

Will a 15% pulley and no other mods extend the boost past 4500 or will it occur below 3500?

 

no

 

Correct me if im wrong....But it seems as if I do not need a reflash of any sort or any tuning software for a 15% pulley. But.....if i would like to squezze out a last bit of performance and have the car run smoother it would be helpfull. Is that correct?

Here is a complete set-up from mini madness that includes software, pulley and plugs: http://new.minimania.com/web/Item/NMK1048/InvDetail.cfm
What is your opinion on this kit, other than the fact it uses an aluminum pulley?

Thanks


Mike

 

The Unichip seems a bit of overkill if you're only going to get a 15% pulley and some plugs. You could get a much cheaper ECU like the GIAC or MTH if you're just doing simple bolt-ons. Unless you're going to go deeper into the motor, I wouldn't recommend the Unichip.

[edit] of course, you could pick up a used unichip on the marketplace, but I've heard that some people have had questionable results with the unichip. Although, the same has been said by some people about the GIAC, just not me...

 

typically, 15% pushes the begining of the power band down a little. think: the supercharger spins faster, sooner = more air, sooner.

the bigger difference will be the power gain overall. the car should feel a bit different after a new, smaller pulley.

cai is more for the sound of it than performance; in my experience, anyhow.

dan

 

That doesn't seem to be what he's asking. I can definitely say that the power comes on earlier, but the peak seems to be the same. My dyno seems to show the same thing.

 

Do you recommend anything other full kit or any other combination of products thats works well for a car daily driven in downtown LA? Looking for the most performance with the least headaches. I have read several posts on this subject but for some reason I still have no clear stance as to where i stand. Whats your opinion?


Thanks


Mike

 

A 15% pulley, intake, and ECU mod are probably the best bang for the buck items with little headaches.

I went the 19%/injectors/ECU route because I drive mostly city with little track or autox if any. It all depends on how much money you want to spend. If you want to spend $1k on power modifications, I would do what I did.

Everything said though, I do worry abit more about the 19% compared to my old 15%, but that could just be because everybody is always talking about shredding their belts and it's become ingrained in my brain. It's not bad. I grab a flashlight, pop my hood, and take a look.

 

To MINIotaple and minibeel:

Thanks for your replys...both of you answered my question. If I understand you correctly, I'll notice an improvement in low end torque, which is exactly what I'd want. No track or autocross for me, I'm just a freeway driver that likes to get up to highway speed (and maybe A LITTLE over ) a little quicker.

Does the CAI play into this at all? Last month I test drove an '05 JCW and found the whine to be quite annoying, so I'd most likely just go down to Helix and get e 15% pulley.

Thanks again!!

 

I've heard colder spark plugs are reccomended....like Denso IK-22's.....more for the safety of the engine as opposed to any performance increase...

not essential, but consider it in the same category as frequent oil changes....

 

x2

 

Actually it's the other way round, OEM plugs offer the widest safety margin.
Remember that knock sensor is there to backup the ECU.
Ask self, why would I want to put colder plugs in an engine that runs pig rich anyway.
Reasons?
A:
B:
C:
If you want boost earlier do the VGS mod to your bypass valve (cost about $5 bucks) and install a vacuum/Boost gauge while you’re at it, for just a few more bucks. Think of it as an economy enhancement, just keep the needle on the vacuum side.

https://www.northamericanmotoring.co...&highlight=vgs

 

interesting diagram, the lines with mods are nowhere as smooth as the original one, does it mean the computer or engine has to struggle a bit more to compensate for something?

 

It's just timing retard.

 

what is timing retard?

 

I've run 15% with no other mod for 40 000km and didn't have any single problem!

It was running good, but adding other mods to the 15% just makes it better!!

MTH Tuner, Alta intake, Detroit Tuned bypass valve and VGS improves the whole MINI experience and worth every single penny!