Hi all, even I love my current 06MCS performance I am planning some upgrade. I came across one used JCW exhaust (I still have not pick it up yet), and thinking to get the M7 16% pulley to go with it. the total cost for this upgrade is about $1000, I wonder if this is worth the money. I sold my 350z for my MINI, it is kind of funny that I am try to get more power from it. So far I done the TSW springs and change out the run flat to Neogen 215/45/17. besides I am also consider to get the JCW body kit at almost the same money. I've been thinking about this for few days and need some advices from other owners. thank you.

 

Are you doing the work yourself? The pulley is the most cost-effective upgrade, and although you may gain some power with the JCW exhaust, I'd suggest a miltek if you're looking for a "not-far-from-stock" sound with a greater power-gain.

 

The pulley will get you where u want to be, its alot of power. The exhaust is good if ur getting a good deal. If not id swing for something else. Get an intake as well.

 

$450 installed for JCW exhaust and my friend who own a shop will put the pulley in for me, so $600 for the package. I might add the K&N replacement filter instead of CAI. I have them in my ex-cars but never work better than the stock one with K&N. that is just my opinion.
I wonder if I should try to ride in a mini with the pulley in to see if that is huge difference. Anyone in pasadena CA area?
thanks again

 

but the pulley is really a good mod for the SCed cars. No need for a test drive, get it installed pronto! You won't regret it.

Matt

 

I have done few other mod. to my ex-cars(350z,m3,eclipse gsx) but a little bit hesitate with MINI, and there are so many different companies offer the performance upgrade, no really sure which one to choose even I know I would like to begin with sc pulley. I pick M7 since I have talk to the guy last year at MINI meet the state, and they are local - I can go pick up instead shipping. Anyone has M7 pulley? and advise.

 

You can drive my mini but I got a bit more stuff then a pulley. LOL

Anyway, give Danny at MiniCorsa a call and he will help you out and give you great prices both for parts and install. He isn't far from Pasadena.

11316 Burbank Blvd Unit B, North Hollywood CA 91601
(818) 505 - 8240

-Arthur

 

I have the M7 16% pulley, and love it! (not that I'd say its any better than any other 15% pulley)
The pulley mod REALLY REALLY is the best "bang for the buck" mod. The difference is night and day, with no real drawbacks. In fact, from my numbers my MPG's improved after having it installed. In all fairness I have it combined with a DDM CAI, which I also love, if for nothing else the sound!

DO NOT hesitate about the pulley!

and think about an air intake, not a huge gain mod, but I feel they work very well with the MINI (IMO).

 

You guys are great! that is why I love so much about this site, everyone is so helpful no matter how silly my questions are.
Is any advantage of M7 16% pulley compare to all other 15%?

thank you all for the infor.

 

Well its 1% smaller so you will get a little more power, not sure if you would feel the difference between a 16 and a 15, but it should show on a dyno.

 

Just get a 15% you'll be fine. I sell them all but most of the ones I install are 15%'s. Heres a great selection for you to ponder PULLEYS

 

The general thumb of rule for pulleys is:

-The pulley is the BEST bang for buck mod and you can totally feel the difference right away.
-The smaller the pulley the more power/torque on the lower end of RPM
-The smaller the pulley the less torque you will generate at higher RPM
-The smaller the pulley the more heat will be generated at higher RPM
-15% is the most popular pulley choice
-There is no proven facts that a 16% 17% or 19% does any harm to your SuperCharger
-With any pulley upgrade, you should always get colder spark plugs
-It is recommended that a 15% be chosen for heavy track use
-It is recommended that a 17% be chosen for daily driving and light track/auto-x use
-It is recommended that a 18% be chose for only daily driving
-Most pulleys are the same so it doesn't matter what brand the pulley is.

Of course there are exceptions to every case. If I'm wrong, others please chime in.

 

Yeah I just went to Lakewood for the 16% pulley, and bonus is he'd lower the online price once in a while.

 

MrCooperS, is it not also true that the 15% uses the same belt as OEM and others require different belts?

 

Yes, totally forgot that part. Thank you cigarman.

 

The 15% can use the same belt but I believe most people use a shorter belt for 15% pulley. Even Mini uses a shorter belt for the JCW pulley which is only a 12% pulley. Stock belt is 1388mm long and JCW (12%) belt is 1374mm long. Thus you might want to think about using a shorter belt to eliminate any concerns of the belt slipping at high RPM.

 

I am going to get the 16% M7 pulley + JCW belts on tomorrow. Do I really need the JCW exhaust to go with it? since I am not too crazy about the loud exhaust note.

 

The JCW exhaust will not make much difference. Vendors claim all kinds of HP increase numbers for exhausts but I would guess the JCW is in the 3-5 HP increase range. Since you think the JCW exhaust is loud there probably are not many other exhaust options for you since the JCW exhaust is pretty quite compared to most other aftermarket exhausts. Even my Milltek is louder than the JCW. The Borla Street might be an option if you decide to get an exhaust.

 

Agree with all except the requirement for colder plugs. Was told when we did our 15% pulley that the stock plugs were just fine with this pulley, but to definitely go with the shorter belt.

 

Good choice No exhaust is really needed. I love the sound of my Alta though, purrs at idle, nice tone regular driving, screams at WOT

 

Finally, got my pulley installed + the JCW exhaust (cannot resist the temptation). It is a blast to drive now, so much power going to the front wheels, NOW, my next steps will be the sway bar and my new suspension. thinking about the H&R touring kit + front and rear sway bar. Thank you guys for all your adivces on pulley.

 

The pulley for sure. Although most 15% installs have used the OEM belt size, Danny at MiniCorsa uses a slightly smaller one. He demonstrated for me the reason, and it is that the belt tensioner and pulley arrangement works better with the smaller size. If you take it there, he will want to put a smaller belt in. I agreed with him after he showed me how the setup works (the tensioner and stuff.)

I have a Milltek and I love it. Got that nice "burble" thing going on. I don't know how the JCW is, but it sounds like a good price. I think the Milltek makes a little more HP, but it's not a huge difference.

The 16% might be a really good size, but I don't know anyone personally who has it.

 

I end up did not use the M7 pulley but the Alta 15% instead. they have the father's day sale last week and i did get a very good price for both pulley and the shorter belt. I am happy with combination so far, the JCW has very nice deep sound and it does not increase any noise level when the windows are up. The car act lot more aggressive after 4000rpm, it really feel like the pulley and exhaust add some good HP juice to it.

 

"Let the Downward Spiral begin"

Now that you began the mod path, you'll soon realize you want a 260whp MINI. And have to open a whole new credit line just for the MINI.

 

The problem with the Mini suspension is the front camber. Fix that, go with a slightly stiffer rear bar or take off one of the end links on the front bar and you will have very neutral handling.

The reason I say this is that while you can make the car neutral without fixing the front camber, the front tire contact patch isn't well managed and you will end up with a lower adhesion limit. The car will start to slide at lower g-forces.

Just to bust your baalls a bit, if you had started with some books, you'd have learned that it's going to get you a better result if you do what you can to improve the suspensions geometry before you tune it with spring rates and sway bars.

Matt