I have decided to install a 15% pulley. I was wondering who make the best pulley-Both performance wise and price.

I have seen some kits with the pulley and belt. Do I need to get a belt with a 15% pulley or can I use the exsisting one?

I have seen many comments about pulleys here, but no one seems to be to difinitive on which is best.

Thanks so much for any help you could lend to a IB/W MINI Cooper S that needs a touch more SSSPPPEEEEEEEEEEED!

 

hi,
well to be honest a pulley is a pulley.... all 15%s will show you the same performance gains. It really comes down to which "looks" the best to you. The Helix pulleys are great b/c they have a switchable hub... which means you can keep the same hub and change pulley sizes yourself (15,17,19, etc....). The Alta looks the best IMO, it is a nice billet with Alta laser-etched into it. The Mini Mania ones are a simple black that would be hard to notice by the dealer....

You do not need a new belt for the 15%.... most people on here haven't gotten a new belt for the 15% (except for high-mileage cars). i've been running the 15% with stock belt for 10,000 miles now.

motor on!

 

I've went with the MINI Madness 15% pulley kit and I love it!

 

I had the Alta 15% pulley, it was nice, but had only 4 allen bolts to retain it (adequate I suppose). The Helix 19% pulley I have now has 6 bolts, even if it doesn't make a big difference I feel better about it... plus it was only $120.

 

All 15% pulley upgrades are the same. Only difference is some come with a taper bore that makes it easier to swap a different size outer diameter in case you ever want to quickly change from 15% to 17 or 19%. Just give Helix13.com a call and talk to Eric about the pros and cons of installing either type of pulley (interference vs taper bore). Most of us are going with taper bore from varios sources and different prices. The warranty on the part is about the same and the performance is the same for a given size. Easy of install is better with the taper bore.

Just because the pulley is black in color doesn't fool anybody who know what to look for. The stock pulley is very large with no allen keys. The reduced pulley no matter what the finish has 4 to 6 allen key bolts and is quite small.
Appearance wise the Alta has the Alta name on it and looks silver in finish. While nice it just draws attention to the dealer even more that the SC has been modded.

No new belt required for the 15%, optional for the 17% and smaller belt required for the 19%.

 

So who here did the install themselves and would they recommend it as a DIY job? That is the questions I'm wrestling with.

 

Thanks for all Your HELP!!!

I'll check out the Helix Pulley.

Let's MOTOR..

 

>>So who here did the install themselves and would they recommend it as a DIY job? That is the questions I'm wrestling with.

I just returned from a PP with Randy Webb. He installed only the ALTA part, and reports zero issues with it as long as it is installed properly.

One fellow at the party had bought an Alta pulley & had a local shop install it. It was put on incorrectly. To make a long story short, the fellow is looking at a serious repair bill to replace the SC.

Moral - whoever installs it MUST know what they're doing - this goes for all the different parts. I got al ALTA & I must admit I love the look of it.

Cheers,

David