Today I went to Concord Motor Sport in Chichester NH. They are a BMW and a Dinan Dealer here in NH. I asked about a reduction pully for my Mini S. The owner of the company (Mike) spent 2 hrs with me and at one point had me on the phone with Dave Dinan, explaining to me why you put your Mini engine at risk by just adding a reduction pully to gain HP and torque. They say that because of more air you also need to install bigger injectors, fuel regulator for the fuel pump, flow through exhaust and different software for the computer. They said that just adding the reduction pully would add some HP by pulling more air but without the other things listed, over time could cause damage to the engine by wrong fuel air mixture, not getting enough fuel at diff RPMs or getting rid of the exhaust quick enough.


I have built a 12 second quarter mile car that had a carburator and did not have a computer or a supercharger to deal with, so this is all new to me.

I understand that perhaps they are just trying to sell me stage kit, so I am asking if there is anyone here that really knows.

Please respond if you really know something about this topic.

P.S. They let me take a Dinan 205HP demo Mini for a ride. WOW even the very noticable diff whine of the supercharger not to mention squaking tires at 7000 rpms through 3 gears had me wanting the same for my Mini.

Thanks

Thanks

 

They are trying to sell you the package. Do a search, literally hundreds if not thousands 15% and other reduction pulleys have accumulated millions of miles without issue. CHeck out Webb motorsports website to learn more about the reduction pulleys. I have an '05 with an ALTA 15% and have loved every minute of it. The car already runs rich and the computer will adapt to the "increase" in air. Best upgrade for the money.

AW

 

This is from Randy Webbs site. He is our expert.

http://store.webbmotorsports.com/ind...in_page=page_3

 

Depends on the size of the reduction... with a 19% reduction those things mentioned are very very highly recommended as you might start to run into lean conditions at high RPM. The reason this isn't necessarily true with a 15% or even a 17% is because MINIs come from the factory running very rich. With a different exhaust, intake, injectors, and software however, it really opens the car up and takes it to its optimal running condition (thus making the more HP).

 

You should pass this on to BMW - looks like Dinan knows something they don't, seeing as the 02 to 04 JCW had no fueling modifications and the current JCW has only slightly uprated injectors.

Next time you talk to them, ask them to post their extensive research regarding FPRs, crank pulleys and all things Mini here so they can better inform the community as to their findings.

 

Over time in various conditions is there a chance, yes.

Is it likely, no.

The Webb article does one of the best jobs going into detail about the risk, also be sure to go back and check out some of the previous WRR Webb interviews.

Another thing to mention though, is look up the Dr's review of the Dinian car last week, you will understand that Dinian knows exactly what they are doing, and whole picture wise, you may find yourself much more pleased with followign the advise of Mr. Dinian vs the few mod quick gain menthod.

 

Im over in Keene, I have a 16% pulley, Milltek exhaust and Alta intake.
Your welcome to come over and try my car out. I also have all the tools to install a pulley if you decide to go that way...

 

From what I understand, these mods are generally ala carte items. You can add one thing at a time and still enjoy more power without adding other upgrades. With that said, you will find added benefits from combining mods since in the long run they do work together. I'm sure with all the things they suggested, the car would run very well as opposed to just doing the pulley. As stated before the car does run rich and the stock computer will adapt to the increased psi produced by reducing the pulley.

 

I run CAI, Magnaflow CBE, 15% and 2% Alta pulleys. If you want you can see my dyno with AFR's showing no lean conditions and the only limiting factor being some timing retard above 6000 rpms due to the crappy 91 octane we get here in AZ.

Dinan makes great stuff, but the general concensus is that you do not need to do anything in addition to the SC pulley.

 

Thanks everyone for your quick response. You have set my mind at ease and I am going to add the 15% reduction pully.

I have admit that this is the best thread I have read with 100% saying ya

 

I can't believe Dinan are continuing with that rubbish, that they need a different FPR. Didn't someone prove that the dinan FPRs caused problems etc?

 

The fact that they thought it needed a revised FPR was based on one tuner's experience with his moderately modded MCS. He owns a well-known and respected shop here that does business with Dinan and told the story to a group of us about 2 years ago at a dinner.

Basically, they studied his car and based on his admittedly faulty factory FPR figured we all need them.

Seriously, in his story there was no extensive testing. As with the lightened crank pulley issue, they have made claims that apparently do not hold up to scrutiny.

If it makes you feel any better, some dealerships have been adding and warranteeing aftermarket reduction pulleys without any miracle FPR or larger injectors. As I said earlier, the 02 through 04 JCW packages also had no such modifications.

 

Seriously - check out the bimmer forums on Dinan - it might make you think twice about recommending their products.

There have been several well-known incidents inside the BMW community with regards to a couple of their packages.

I learned this firsthand a number of years ago. It was perhaps my worst experience owning a car........

 

I am going to toss my two cents in.....The webb guys are great and very intelligent and really know there stuff but to reinforce what they (WMS) have to say and get further into the weeds from someone who engineers and fabricates his own MINI performance parts then give John a call over at Lucky Dog Garage. Talking to John is like to talking to master Yoda in the ways of the MINI FORCE. www.luckydoggarage.com

 

I wasn't reccomending their product, but I was stating that the concept of a package for smoother performance may be preffered. JCW, M7, Cosworth, MINI Maddness, WMS all offer packages for this reason. For Dinian to say one may be more pleased with a package over a single mod, esp. in the long run is not unfounded.

I do know that Dr. Obnxs was quite pleased with the refinement of the Dinian car, but he drove it not me, so I merel reffered the original poster to investigate his review to 1) Make my point about packages working well/ more refined and 2) Any questions pertaining to the Dinian car could be answered by the man who actually drove it.

My apologies if I came across as suggesting more.

 

I know you weren't and you did not come across that way.

I should not have accused you of plugging their product.

My apologies

 

I know we all come across differently in writing, and not always how we may want to seem, so adding the clarification was probably a good thing.

Ethier way I think we can agree Rang is on the right track by doing the research before moodibg his MINI.

 

The only limitation to those wanting to go the Dinan mods route is that the Dinan mods are available for cars built before 11/04.

 

Measure twice (or three times if there is a variance between what was measured the first and second times) before cutting....