R50/R53 :: Hatch Talk (2002-2006) Cooper (R50) and Cooper S (R53) hatchback discussion.

R50/53 Just got 15% pulley -- can't immediately tell the difference!

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Old Apr 16, 2013 | 05:38 PM
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Just got 15% pulley -- can't immediately tell the difference!

I noticed the difference in sound immediately (love it). But the first couple times I gunned it, it actually didn't feel faster at all. As I kept driving it, it *seemed* to get faster. There was quite a bit of traffic, so I only got to really open it up a a few times. Is this normal? Do I need to reset the ECU or something? I'm going to go out and try out out in a little bit again now that traffic has died down.

I guess I expected a bigger difference. I've had the car for a year, and I feel that I can tell the difference when the air is on and when it's not, so I thought this would make an even bigger difference. Like I said, it *seemed* to get faster as I kept driving it, but I'm wondering if this is normal.

Input appreciated!
 

Last edited by christianmc; Apr 16, 2013 at 06:10 PM.
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Old Apr 16, 2013 | 05:46 PM
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ECU does need to pick up on the change.
 
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Old Apr 16, 2013 | 05:56 PM
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Part of it too is that the reduction pulley makes the SC spin faster and produce some more power but you won't see a huge difference with just the pulley. You're not putting rockets on the back of it :-)

I don't know what else you have done to your car but if you get the pulley, intake, larger injectors, exhaust and a tune to make the car know what it has - then you will see the bigger difference.
 
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Old Apr 16, 2013 | 06:03 PM
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I've heard 15-20 hp just from the Pulley (at least that's what Way claims, and my mechanic orders the 15% from Way). I suppose I don't know what that is supposed to feel like, but like I said, I could tell the difference when the air is on and when the air is off -- how much hp difference is that supposed to make in comparison?

But I'm going to reset the ECU and take it out again.
 
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Old Apr 16, 2013 | 06:05 PM
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Our ECUs adapt to changes so that may help.

When you say air for you me the air conditioning or just the fan on?
 
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Old Apr 16, 2013 | 06:07 PM
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yeah the air conditioning.
 
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Old Apr 16, 2013 | 06:11 PM
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When the AC is on, the compressor is on, so the engine will lose a little power do to resistance.
 
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Old Apr 16, 2013 | 06:24 PM
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Yeah, what I was saying was I can tell the slight difference in power between the A/C being on or off, which indicates to me that I CAN tell of a slight difference in power (although I'm not sure how much difference that makes). So I thought I would be able to definitely tell the difference with a Pulley even more. Kind of a stretch, I know.

Well, Going to give it try again now...
 
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Old Apr 16, 2013 | 07:23 PM
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Ok folks, just reset the ecu and took it out for a spirited little drive, and . . . YAY. I am completely satisfied. Im sure the ecu could have adapted on its own, but I was impatient.

Gizmo, you are right, it's not like putting rockets on or anything. But it really takes on a more aggressive and bonkers attitude. 2nd gear is wild. Definitely notice a stronger pull in 3rd.
 
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Old Apr 16, 2013 | 07:24 PM
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Glad to hear you noticed a difference.
 
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Old Apr 16, 2013 | 07:37 PM
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Originally Posted by christianmc
Ok folks, just reset the ecu and took it out for a spirited little drive, and . . . YAY. I am completely satisfied. Im sure the ecu could have adapted on its own, but I was impatient.

Gizmo, you are right, it's not like putting rockets on or anything. But it really takes on a more aggressive and bonkers attitude. 2nd gear is wild. Definitely notice a stronger pull in 3rd.
Remember, GOOD FUEL (octane wise)is even more important with a pulley due to the extra heat! So get the hi-test!!
One other thing...How many miles on the car?
Sometimes a sticky bypass valve...an pretty easy fix, can make the car feel sluggish. When it shuts, you will feel TONS of power, but when open, have less power than a just-a-cooper! Functioning properly, the valve closes based upon Vacuum/engine load, and rpms...so at low/idle rpms, when power is not needed, the supercharger is not working so hard, saving fuel, and wear and tear.
 
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Old Apr 16, 2013 | 08:39 PM
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How'd you reset the ecu ? Does reseting it improve throttle response?
 
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Old Apr 16, 2013 | 08:48 PM
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People have mixed results, I see pretty much no change in my car when I reset the ECU.

https://www.northamericanmotoring.co...ni-viagra.html
 
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Old Apr 16, 2013 | 09:02 PM
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Originally Posted by ZippyNH
Remember, GOOD FUEL (octane wise)is even more important with a pulley due to the extra heat! So get the hi-test!!&lt;br /&gt;<br />
One other thing...How many miles on the car?&lt;br /&gt;<br />
Sometimes a sticky bypass valve...an pretty easy fix, can make the car feel sluggish. When it shuts, you will feel TONS of power, but when open, have less power than a just-a-cooper! Functioning properly, the valve closes based upon Vacuum/engine load, and rpms...so at low/idle rpms, when power is not needed, the supercharger is not working so hard, saving fuel, and wear and tear.
Yes, I always use 93 octane here in Florida. I have about 77,000 miles on it.I've had no cause to think I have a faulty bypass valve, although I've been tempted to take it apart and check if mine shuts all the way. I will look into it at some point, but I'm happy with the performance for now. Thanks for the tip!
 

Last edited by christianmc; Apr 16, 2013 at 09:37 PM.
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Old Apr 16, 2013 | 09:08 PM
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Originally Posted by Boosty
How'd you reset the ecu ? Does reseting it improve throttle response?
You can find instructions here:

m.northamericanmotoring.com/forums/showthread.php?t=163963&

But I agree with Gizmo, I tried resetting my ecu in the past and it really made no difference. The difference this time was the pulley, and I'm pretty sure the ecu would have adapted itself soon anyway without my resetting it.
 
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Old Apr 17, 2013 | 01:51 PM
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The main thing I noticed with the 15% pulley was the car started making real power lower in the RPM range.
 
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Old Apr 18, 2013 | 05:36 AM
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I feel kind of stupid, just looked at my receipt, and saw that what my mechanic installed was a 16%, not a 15%. I realize now I didn't exactly make it clear on the phone I wanted the 15. Oh we'll, I have no complaints about the way it feels.

But one of the reasons I wanted the 15% was because at some point I would like to track my car. I've heard plenty about 17% giving heat problems at the track, but what about the 16%? Will it still be appropriate for tracking?
 
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Old Apr 18, 2013 | 07:23 AM
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Resetting the ECU will not make a difference in how fast the car feels. Did your mechanic put a new, shorter belt on the car with the pulley? You'll be fine with a 16% on the track, just use good gas. Also, I'm pretty sure that the AC cycles off under wide open throttle, so it shouldn't slow you down.
 
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Old Apr 18, 2013 | 10:44 AM
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Originally Posted by Helix13mini
Resetting the ECU will not make a difference in how fast the car feels. Did your mechanic put a new, shorter belt on the car with the pulley? You'll be fine with a 16% on the track, just use good gas. Also, I'm pretty sure that the AC cycles off under wide open throttle, so it shouldn't slow you down.
Yes, he did put a new sized belt. I'm pretty satisfied with the power now. I think it was just the initial half hour where it had not adjusted yet, by the end of the trip it was feeling a little faster. I think Resetting the ECU just helped it adapt quicker. I do know that resetting the ecu in itself does nothing.

I think I was just confusing everyone by mentioning the A/C, I was just using that as an example of being able to note a difference in power (and comparing that to the difference in power with and without a pulley).

That's good to hear about using the 16% on the track. Obviously I heard a lot about 17% and 15%, but if that's the case I'm not sure why 16% pulleys aren't more common.
 
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