I'm sure these questions have been covered somewhere in the history of NAM, but there are a ton of threads to look through (even when doing a search).....

1) Is there really any difference in one pulley versus another? Is a 15% Alta pulley any different/better/worse than a 15% Mini Mania pulley? (Or should I go all out and get the Alta *Bling* pulley?!?! )

2) I'm debating between 15% and 17%... Pros and cons? Do I need a new belt if I go with the 17%?

Sorry for the newbie questions.... I guess we're all newbies at one point!

 

17% takes a smaller belt.

 

Here are a couple of links for you:

Webb Motorsports FAQ

Webb Motorsports Pulley info

Let me know if you have any other questions.

Hope that helps!
Randy

 

With most pullys, it comes down to cost, brand loyalty, and build quality.

Since most pullys are comprable (Alta, m7, webb, etc...) your choics should be based on price and brand loyalty. If you like alta, get the alta pully. Same goes for m7 and webb... One other thing, the m7 only comes in 16% reduction, so it kind of saves you the trouble of deciing whether you want the 15% or 17%...

 

ALTA version 2 has a better mounting system.

 

bdr127,

No questions are stupid. Pay particular attention to how the pulleys are positioned on the shaft. Some are self-centering or self-positioning. Others (fewer today than in years past) must be carefully positioned. The purpose for this positioning is to insure the pulley and belt are lined up. If they are not, then belt can slip, tear or break.

Also pay attention to how the pulley is bolted or clamps to the shaft. Look for a design that is not prone to slippage. For example, a single set screw will not suffice.

For what it is worth, I've got a 15% Webb pulley. A 17% pulley will have a little more giddy up, but is not as conservative engineering-wise as a 15%. I think the MINI factory offering is 14%. That tells you they know the engine will work good and long with this. The way I looked at it is that 15% is pretty close to 14% so it would be very safe to do. Which in my case was done with a new car having 300 miles on it. A 17% pulley is probably safe in terms of combustion, but you have to use a different belt, be concerned that the water pump is spinning a little too fast, and move a little bit farther from conservative engineering which provides some extra fun with little concern.

 

I went with the Alta V2 17%. My installer liked the way it looked and was machined. I have not tested this but it does look like once the mount it in place you could change pulley sizes with out jacking up the motor. All you would need would be the smaller-larger hub. IMO every install should need a new belt be it the same or smaller at 20 bucks it makes not sense not to unless it is brand new.

I have 3500 miles on mine and all is good! Be advised the Gator-back belt is much nosier then stock.

 

As everyone else has said - brand loyalty is king

other than that - you have aluminum vs. steel

I have the Mini Madness 15% pulley - I like it , no problems.

I did put a new belt on when I changed the pulley - I got the belt for the JCW MINI ( 14.7% pulley or something??? ). You can use the stock S belt with the 15% pulley -- but the JCW belt and the stock S belt were the same price--- so I got the JCW, just in case.

Good luck and have fun

 

JCW is a 14.2% pulley. Effectivley the same as a 15%. Steel or aluminum don;t really matter, as the rotational mass is tiny.

And if you feel like throwing money away, get the Palo Uber TITANIUM reduction pulley....

 

I've installed two Altas and a Helix (all 15%), and the quality/fit seems to be the same. As someone else mentioned, there used to be one-piece pullies that had to be heated and then pressed/tapped onto the shaft, but I think those have all been discontinued in favour of the two-piece self-aligning versions.

 

Thanks for your help, guys. I ordered a new Alta 15% pulley. Can't wait for it to arrive!!!

 

I think this is what I want to order as well. I'm curious if you plan on installing it yourself or if you have someone else doing it for you? I see a $200 pulley removal tool for sale. Is this 100% necessary? Or can one be rented?

 

man im having the same dsebate with myself if i want a smaller leap of power with a 15 % and maintain a safe ride or if i should get a 17 and risk a lil more than i would other wise....does anyone have there opinions of this ...is the 17 % worth the risk ? is there muchhh more of a gain from the 15 to the 17 in hp ?

 

get a 19 and pass the guy with the 15......

 

The webb is great .... Ohh ... I have one for sale

 

i have the mini madness 15% its good, and madness also has a nice pulley puller tool too, if you plan on doing it your self.

 

Okay, I'd like to correct myself. I found the pulley removal tool for much cheaper, and also for rent.

But from what I have read our cars our rich out of the box (safe factory tune for FI cars). And the pulley could even it out a bit...which would improve gas mileage. But w/o any other breather mods like a air filter kit or exhaust (or maybe with it) we would be coming across some rough spots in the rpm range? I don't want to deal with retuning the ECU or buying a Unichip, but I also don't want to deal with a rough powerband curve either.

Can anyone else chime in about rough spots at WOT after a pulley swap?

 

I did my pully, then intake and first version of exhaust ALL before the ECU flash.

Each time the mod itself helped performance and I am thinking Helped with the factory ECU being rich