would like to install a 15% pulley, pros & cons ?????????

 

It's an all pros no cons kind of upgrade. Do it.

 

+1

The only real "con" ever, is if you have a JCW car, the pulleys are a Major PITA to ger off.

No JCW, go for it, just do yourself a favor & rent the proper tool.

Best Bang For The Buck is Way's "Pulley Package".

 

Thanks, any rec on brands, size, web sites

 

Just grab the pulley kit from Way Motor Works.

 

The cheapest hp you will ever get...
look at your pulley....about 50% of folks that ask this question on a used mini have one...oem is hot pressed, no boltholes....aftermatket is cnc machinced, with boltholes.
The sc will make boost at a lower rpm, so more power down low....you may loose a bit of mpg IF you use the hp...but driven gently when you do not need the extra hp, the difference is pretty minior.
just make sure the car is running good, no codes, knocks, ping BEFORE you add the pulleyas it will magnify any existing issues. That and aaalways use the best pump gas octane you can get...it is EVEN MORE IMPORTANT with a pulley.
Many threads on your exact question....do a quick serch...tons of info!!

 

Simple answer: kit from WMW
Complex answer: search on 'pulley'

 

thanks everyone, great HELP. Way motor it is, he is a nice guy to talk with lots of info

 

Pros: Big huge grin

Con: possible speeding ticket

 

I know there are lots of threads on this, but definitive answers are scarce. Any issues with SoCal gas (91 octane max, on a good day)? Also, any particular reason to choose 15% instead of 16% or 17% for brisk daily driving?

 

Sp4rtan, there is nothing definitive on anything. Every %age increase involves slightly more risk. There are *many* variables. There aren't huge numbers of 17%ers seeing things blow up. On the track, 19% seemed to have a larger risk of the belt giving up the ghost. Some say 17% is a good middle ground. I'm good with my 15%. I might be happier with a 17%, but for *me* it's not worth the trouble to find out. YMMV

 

10 years and 80,000 miles of Northridge Ca 91 gas with a 16% , all smiles no problems

Randy
M7 Tuning

 

You basiclly just have to break it down by intended use.
At it's basic you're talking about S/C rpm, so this is where use comes in:

Sustained high engine rpms = sustained higher S/C rpm's = more sustained heat = higher Intake Air Temps, and excessive combustion chamber heat kills engines.

Track use:
15% - stock or better I/c min.
17% - better I/C or W/M min.
19% - W/M at the least but still not recomended.

Street Use:
15% - stock I/C
17% - stock I/C or better
19% - better I/C min., W/M recomended

Again, with sustained rpm being the biggest issue, there is also the issue of rpm limits & over reving the S/C beyond it's useful range, basiclly your not getting enough extra boost to override the loss of power from the extra heat. So which ever you would decide to use, it would probably also benefit you to stay within these rpm limits:

15% - 7500
17% - 7200
19% - 6900

And yes, 15 or 17% will work fine on 91 pump gas, but it would be better to make a point of getting a custom tune with the 17% / 91 octane combo, even completely disregarding the other benefits of the tune.

 

If you haven't been convinced to do this yet, DO IT!

I have a 15% on my 05 MCS. Wow! is all I can say.

Yeah, I lost 1MPG, but I do not consider that a loss, since the usable power has increased so much.

The car is more fun than my old Corvette now.

Be warned, it may be worth the $350 to get the Stealership to install it for you, let them go through the pain of doing it, rather than dismantling the car (like I did) and needing special tools for the tensioner and pulling the pulley.

 

i agree! perfect example: my dealer tech didnt seat the pulley just right. it was off by a mm? caused the belt to not sit right, and eventually start shredding. brought it back, full adjustment and new belt for free. and, really, anything else that goes wrong with it is technically "their" problem. oh, and they broke their pulley tool :P

 

I currently have an Alta 15% that is uninstalled. I said screw the dealer since they were trying to charge $600+ and all I'm waiting on is to get the pulley removal tool. Are there any installation videos or pictures that you guys know of? They would be of much help

Thanks

 

Alta has a guide on their site...with pics..used by many.
Just make sure you buy a torque wrench, and rent/buy/borrow a MINI specific SC pulley puller!!
If I remember right, My install was SUPER cheap...lol..a good shop know a pulley is like the GATEWAY DRUG TO MODDING<<<YOU WILL BE BACK!!!:thumbsup :
When a mechanic knows how to do it, and has a low profile puller, it is about a 30 minutes job on a lift...max! Heck, my mini guy was, at one point selling USED 15% INSTALLED for about 180$ a couple years back when he had a few spares from folks switching to 17%
The install of a pulley should not be a $$ item, but to do it DIY, it does have a few steps...but many have been installed at Pulley parties "back in the day" when one person with some experience helped 4 or 5 folks do theirs...a few of the helpers are posters here!!

 

Thanks guy. I have not came across a pulley puller yet but a few friends have stated that a gear puller would work. However, I'm not a big fan of ruining my stock pulley so I'm reluctant to resort to that just yet. I do have a buddy that has a lift and also should have a pulley puller (or so he says).

Can't believe homeboy was doing used pulley swaps for $180...thats a steal if ya ask me!

Thanks again!

 

Don't try it...it DOES NOT WORK! The gear puller will break off big chunks...and you will have to use an angle grinder to cut it off...

EVEN WITH A CORRECT PULLER, YOU WILL DESTROY THE STOCK HEAT SET PULLEY......THIS IS 100% a ONE WAY MOD.
A removed stock, heat set pulley LOOKS kinda ok...but will be bent slightly...try to spin it at hi-speed....and I bet a belt would be destroyed pretty fast.
the entire SC would have to be removed to reinstall a heat-set pulley (like stock) anyway....like back in the first year or so when aftermarket was heat set!! Not many were done this way....but a few were..pretty quickly, other mounting methods came out for use!!

 

Thanks for the advice regarding the correct pulley to use. And I guess the news about saving my stock pulley isn't too bad considering I was just going to keep it for a backup anyway.

 

Any issues passing smog test in Calif with the pulley?

 

Smog test? Glad we dont pester with that BS in Iowa. AMERICA

 

Many mini's in ca have pullies....
Just keep stuff looking stock under the hood so they don't look deeper seems to be the main advise i have seen!!