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I’m doing some major preventative work on my 06. Considering a SC pulley upgrade…I’ve looked at Cravenspeed and Alta 15% pulley’s, but I’m open to get some opinions from others here. In the process of cleaning things up a bit, and working on some other upgrades as needed. Thx!
All SC reduction pulley's mentioned are good choices.
I have a 15% WayMotorWorks pulley currently on my daily R53 and a 17% CravenSpeed on my refurbished spare.
You will need to get an SC pulley puller to remove the factory pulley off your current SC. You should be able to find a new one for about $65.
I documented refurbishing and replacing the factory pulley on my back-up unit; "Viable SC or SCrap...?" - if you scroll down to post#12 ; There maybe some useful tips on how I made the pulley swap on a bench.
You'll also have to get/run a smaller diameter belt to match the % of the pulley you decide on. You'll also need to change out your plugs with colder sparkplug's (e.g: NGK BKR7EIX) was recommended when running a smaller SC pulley. New(NGK) plug wires would be a good thing to add as well....
All of this info was gleened from those smarter than me
All SC reduction pulley's mentioned are good choices.
I have a 15% WayMotorWorks pulley currently on my daily R53 and a 17% CravenSpeed on my refurbished spare.
You will need to get an SC pulley puller to remove the factory pulley off your current SC. You should be able to find a new one for about $65.
I documented refurbishing and replacing the factory pulley on my back-up unit; "Viable SC or SCrap...?" - if you scroll down to post#12 ; There maybe some useful tips on how I made the pulley swap on a bench.
You'll also have to get/run a smaller diameter belt to match the % of the pulley you decide on. You'll also need to change out your plugs with colder sparkplug's (e.g: NGK BKR7EIX) was recommended when running a smaller SC pulley. New(NGK) plug wires would be a good thing to add as well....
All of this info was gleened from those smarter than me
Good to know! The smaller belt and the plugs I did read about, Cravenspeed has a complete kit (including puller), but new plug wires I wasn’t aware of. The car came with a different coil pack too; it’s red. I think MSD? Should I leave that or is there something better to complement the new upgrades? Thx!
I agree with @cooper48 's comment above.
I think I'd mentioned the spark plug wires while reflecting back on my supercharger pulley upgrade with the addition of larger 380cc injectors. I still run the original stock coilpack. The NGK wire "upgrade" for me was just added flavor.
Do you know if you're still running on the stock 340cc injectors?
I've had a 15% Alta on my 2003 for more than 20 years and it's been bombproof. I liked that it was designed so you just put it on the supercharger shaft until it bottomed out, rather than some pulleys that were open on both sides and had to be centered properly to ensure alignment with the belt. Maybe that has been the case for some other manufacturers since. I did use one step colder plugs and a shorter belt but did not change plug wires or coils- still haven't! The original coils are better than aftermarket in my (and others') opinions. I think you will be pleasantly surprised by the performance and sound the new pulley makes when you hit it in second gear!
I agree with @cooper48 's comment above.
I think I'd mentioned the spark plug wires while reflecting back on my supercharger pulley upgrade with the addition of larger 380cc injectors. I still run the original stock coilpack. The NGK wire "upgrade" for me was just added flavor.
Do you know if you're still running on the stock 340cc injectors?
I would suspect the injectors are factory. Not having any history on the car, I couldn’t say with complete certainty. Is there a way to check WITHOUT removing them? I’m not planning on “getting into” the fuel system right now. HaHa!
I would suspect the injectors are factory. Not having any history on the car, I couldn’t say with complete certainty. Is there a way to check WITHOUT removing them? I’m not planning on “getting into” the fuel system right now. HaHa!
Yes - since you're in service mode with the SC currently removed; you'll be able to see the color of the injectors.
The stock 340cc injectors on an R53 are "soft butter" yellow in color. The JCW 380cc injectors will be "baby" blue in color. Other upgraded options that I've seen (e.g: Bosche) were typically black in color...
That's just from my novice experience/observation.
I've had a 15% Alta on my 2003 for more than 20 years and it's been bombproof. I liked that it was designed so you just put it on the supercharger shaft until it bottomed out, rather than some pulleys that were open on both sides and had to be centered properly to ensure alignment with the belt. Maybe that has been the case for some other manufacturers since. I did use one step colder plugs and a shorter belt but did not change plug wires or coils- still haven't! The original coils are better than aftermarket in my (and others') opinions. I think you will be pleasantly surprised by the performance and sound the new pulley makes when you hit it in second gear!
The Alta pulley seems to be very popular. I had a Cravenspeed crank pulley installed when the stock pulley crapped out. A friend, who’s a MINI Tech in Daytona, installed that pulley; but labor rates (even for the independent guys) have increased. I’ve been taking more of an interest in my car instead of giving money to someone else.
NAM has been a great source of information!
Yes - since you're in service mode with the SC currently removed; you'll be able to see the color of the injectors.
The stock 340cc injectors on an R53 are "soft butter" yellow in color. The JCW 380cc injectors will be "baby" blue in color. Other upgraded options that I've seen (e.g: Bosche) were typically black in color...
That's just from my novice experience/observation.
YES! The injectors have that “yellowish” color. If I went to a larger injector, is that something the ECM “needs to know about”, cause that is WAY ABOVE my pay grade!
We offer a great kit with our WMW pulley we have been selling for over 20yrs. It's all stainless and proven. We do not recommend or use the Alta pulley as we don't like that it isn't ballanced with the C clamp style it is. And as they get older we are starting to see wear on the aluminum grooves of the pulleys themselves now. Even if you don't use ours you will want an all stainless version.
Also want to get a kit with the proper belt and plugs to do the job right. https://waymotorworks.com/wmw-pulley-package/
We love to sell parts and would love to tell you that you need more like injectors and other stuff that has been recommended. But that just isn't the case. You can install the pulley, belt and plugs and go. No tune or injectors needed. We can work with you later if you so desire more power on options for tuning, injectors and other mods, but don't fall for the you have to do all these other things with it. Been working on these cars for over 22yrs and personally installed about 700 pulleys so we have tried it all and know what you do and don't need.
That's true - From what Ive learned, You don't really need larger injectors at this time (or at all for that matter).
Not being a pro mechanic - I can really offer nothing but anecdotes (and a little experience).
When I was set to install the 15% pulley - A total fluke; I happened upon a set of genuine JCW 380cc injectors while I was scrounging around an R53 at a salvage yard.
I had no idea what they were but I knew they were different (color) than my stock ones. Cash & carry = $30.
After consulting the good folks here on NAM as to what I had scored, it was only then that I knew that I'd scored big time. Refurbished all four; flushing, testing spray pattern, new screens and O-rings. I figured I'd drop them in and go for a tune.
notwithstanding the above -
The 15% pulley alone was one of the best upgrades I've done on my car. That increased audible supercharger whine and added boost is sheer intoxication.
Your gonna love it!
Edit:
BTW, a boost gauge is also a "fun" little addition - It's awesome to hear that SC whine and watch that needle sweep across the dial.
I can also help indicate a vacuum leak...
We offer a great kit with our WMW pulley we have been selling for over 20yrs. It's all stainless and proven. We do not recommend or use the Alta pulley as we don't like that it isn't ballanced with the C clamp style it is. And as they get older we are starting to see wear on the aluminum grooves of the pulleys themselves now. Even if you don't use ours you will want an all stainless version.
Also want to get a kit with the proper belt and plugs to do the job right. https://waymotorworks.com/wmw-pulley-package/
We love to sell parts and would love to tell you that you need more like injectors and other stuff that has been recommended. But that just isn't the case. You can install the pulley, belt and plugs and go. No tune or injectors needed. We can work with you later if you so desire more power on options for tuning, injectors and other mods, but don't fall for the you have to do all these other things with it. Been working on these cars for over 22yrs and personally installed about 700 pulleys so we have tried it all and know what you do and don't need.
Hey, I really appreciate the insight! And I would love to get deep into some upgrades, but I’m not a track guy, and this is simply my daily driver. I’m just doing most of this as preventive, and I really want to clean it up a bit. The interior is in good shape, but the Florida sun wreaks havoc on the exterior! Ha Ha!
I will check out what WMW has. I’ve ordered from you guys before, I just haven’t gotten down to you yet…Thx!
We offer a great kit with our WMW pulley we have been selling for over 20yrs. It's all stainless and proven. We do not recommend or use the Alta pulley as we don't like that it isn't ballanced with the C clamp style it is. And as they get older we are starting to see wear on the aluminum grooves of the pulleys themselves now. Even if you don't use ours you will want an all stainless version.
Also want to get a kit with the proper belt and plugs to do the job right. https://waymotorworks.com/wmw-pulley-package/
We love to sell parts and would love to tell you that you need more like injectors and other stuff that has been recommended. But that just isn't the case. You can install the pulley, belt and plugs and go. No tune or injectors needed. We can work with you later if you so desire more power on options for tuning, injectors and other mods, but don't fall for the you have to do all these other things with it. Been working on these cars for over 22yrs and personally installed about 700 pulleys so we have tried it all and know what you do and don't need.
Hey, I really appreciate the insight! And I would love to get deep into some upgrades, but I’m not a track guy, and this is simply my daily driver. I’m just doing most of this as preventive, and I really want to clean it up a bit. The interior is in good shape, but the Florida sun wreaks havoc on the exterior! Ha Ha!
I will check out what WMW has. I’ve ordered from you guys before, I just haven’t gotten down to you yet…Thx!
That's true - From what Ive learned, You don't really need larger injectors at this time (or at all for that matter).
Not being a pro mechanic - I can really offer nothing but anecdotes (and a little experience).
When I was set to install the 15% pulley - A total fluke; I happened upon a set of genuine JCW 380cc injectors while I was scrounging around an R53 at a salvage yard.
I had no idea what they were but I knew they were different (color) than my stock ones. Cash & carry = $30.
After consulting the good folks here on NAM as to what I had scored, it was only then that I knew that I'd scored big time. Refurbished all four; flushing, testing spray pattern, new screens and O-rings. I figured I'd drop them in and go for a tune.
notwithstanding the above -
The 15% pulley alone was one of the best upgrades I've done on my car. That increased audible supercharger whine and added boost is sheer intoxication.
Your gonna love it!
Edit:
BTW, a boost gauge is also a "fun" little addition - It's awesome to hear that SC whine and watch that needle sweep across the dial.
I can also help indicate a vacuum leak...
I’ve heard the “sound” of the SC with the new pulley is crazy! The boost gauge would be kinda cool too!
