Please bare with me...

I am gearing up to swap my pulley on my second MINI I've owned. The first time I had a 17%, never tracked the car but loved the power of the 17% on the street.

I now have a JCW car and am looking to do another pulley. I have been back and forth and back and forth on if I should get a 15% or 17% pulley. From what I understand is that the general consensus is that 15% is what you want for the track, 17% gets too hot. So here's my predicament...

I don't do much on track driving. And by not much I'll do 2-3 track events a year. Typically these are done at our local track where you do one 'hot lap' or fast lap at a time and then you're off. I'm never on track for more than 3-4 minutes MAX. I won't bring up names but I was told by a few vendors/racers that doing that I should be fine with a 17%, I just won't be on track that long. Well now I get to thinking and what if I want to do a 15 min track session? I don't foresee myself doing such but what if? Am I going to blow up the engine running a 17%? I won't have meth but will have upgrade IC (GP or GRS).

Basically I just want to know if there is anyone else in my same shoes. Does ANYONE use a 17% on track with no problems? I already have a track toy but can't help taking the MINI out a few times. If it is going to be that big of an issue I may just have to understand the MINI won't be a track car but still would LOVE to take it out a few times a year. Being the car is 99% street car it seems dumb to skip out on a little extra power on the streets for what may or may not be some minimum track time.

Advise please.

 

My gut feeling is you will be fine....we have a few guys who run 17% in auto-x, and bmw driving skills days. (So slower speeds, but still some high rpm opperation) Need to ask if they have ever done track time.
Considering that you are a bit higher in elevation, I think you will be fine (less psi=less heat thanks to the elevation, and the slightly better flowing jcw head/exaust), just keep an eye on the oil temp/water temps....we did have one of the folks with the 17% see some pretty high temps..(bet a bit of water pump cavation )....but heck, change the oil when done, and remember to maybe slightly less agressive on the redline rideing.
That, and carry a spare belt, and have a tensioner stop....
good luck and have fun!
Your times might be slightly slower with the 17% on track day, but the other 99% of the time, like you said, you will have more fun.

 

Most I run with on the track seem to run 15% pulleys. All I can say is give it a try. As your speed increases, you can make some decisions later.

Track sessions are typically 20 minutes and some are 30 minutes.

 

Adding methanol should help negate any heat the extra 2% gives you. I'm not sure how that effects class and it isn't very cheap, but one function of it is heat removal.

 

Op, I am assuming when you say track, you mean HPDE. If it is HPDE, you are classified into run groups based on experience from Novice to advanced. If you have not been on the track too much, I assume you are going to be novice.

If that is the case, just got out and have some fun and enjoy the car. Keep an eye out for tire temps/psi, brake temps etc.

 

I'm running a 17% and a 2% on the crank and haven't had any problems. At least not yet. I've done 6 or 7 track days at 20 mins a round and 6 rounds per day with out any problems. Hope at helps.

 

I've had methanol on my previous turbo R32 and it wasn't bad but I'd prefer to not do that just yet. I don't mind running meth but with the R32 the meth tank was able to fit in the engine bay. It was a big washer tank and it worked great. It was annoying to make sure to pack meth for road trips but it worked. With the MINI it's hard as I don't want to sacrifice the space. There won't be room under then bonnet and don't want to take up my trunk. So to make a long story short, I don't think I'm ready for that right now. Maybe when its a full race car.

I don't think it's considered HPDE but they are track events hosted by the track completely for fun. I believe they have it classified MPRA and is track exclusive...

Hmmm. Interesting. That's a pretty aggresive set up for track. Thanks for the info.

 

The previous owner of our car ran 17% and 2%crank pulleys. Racing in the North american cooper challenge He melted the cat in the original mversion miltek header. Stock S cams and injectors. JCW injectors may have run cooler.

As long as your doing HPDE or track day you should be fine.

The car will go into a lean mode if things get to hot, and you should back off, and give things a chance to cool down.

One thing to watch is the Powersteering pump fan; it is on the switch with the radiator fan and only comes on when the coolant get hot. the powersteering will get hot if you have a lot of steering input. Consider putting a direct fused line to the PS Fan. the PS going out mid corner is very upsetting.

 

HPDE is for also fun only. No medals but perhaps some bragging rights. It is organized by clubs. Sounds like what you are describing.

 

Very possibly. Either way I just want to make sure if I go out in whatever event that I will be okay with a 17%. I may have to get some gauges.

 

What ever you do get gauges. It could save you a problem later on.

 

I use scangauge because it is cheap and simple to install. It has most of the functions I want in a gauge.

 

Do you have time to look at all these going at 130 mph on the track with tons of people around you trying to pass you or you pass them?

 

I don't have to take my eyes off the track. That's why I put the gauges where they are. Besides I have never been on a track that I could go that fast. The best I never done was 105. And as for passing the groups I run in you can only pass on the straights.

 

105...sorry to hear that. Utah? you can go to MotorsportReg.com to see if there are any HPDE track events near by. Doubt the salt flats are any fun (sorry for the thread hijack)...Actually they seem to cover most of the US.

Do like the gages those or scangage a must if engine modding.

 

105mph...sorry to hear that! :-))

 

I echo the surprise at 105 mph max speed.

Come over to the NE and we will have a fine time with late dive byes and perhaps 125 mph + with your setup.

 

I guess you guys don't under stand, but the track I was talking about is Thunderhill in Willows Ca. The straights are a little short. I'm not that good of a driver, but I seem to stay with everyone else in what ever class I run in ( Intermediate some advanced ). I pass some and get passed some. Oh I'm running an automatic tranny.

 

Hey, what's wrong with Utah? We actually have a fantastic track. We are constantly told when we host events that we have some of the nicest facilities in the country! We just had World Super Bike not too long ago!

 

Sorry, we were just having a little fun with you. There is no problem with the speed. I get passed all the time by my good friend Porsche Bob with his 2008 997 Porsche 911 GT3.

On the other hand, s-driver does not like to be passed...

 

Now eddie just went and insulted a whole state. Where is this place again?

 

That and our straight has been said to be too long!

 

Don't go starting sh%t......

In case you left coasters (sort of) haven't realized it yet.....us Northeast guys are used to having this thread to ourselves for the most part. We typically bust each others nuts over here so don't take anything personal.... we're just playing!

 

S-driver, Mr right coaster ...

This is not THE thread... That one is SCDA ...

Tell me you like to be passed! I will have that framed on my wall.

 

No I mean the NAM "Racing & Competition" thread as a whole!

I don't mind getting passed at all - seriously! So long as that person is faster....

What's more cool than being passed going up the back straight at WG by a 962? Being passed by a second one half a lap later at a Kojote event!! Gbuff knows all about that also..