So I'm tossing around the idea of dropping in a 15% or 17% pulley in the Mini and was curious at how much it'll effect my mpg. Right now I'm averaging about 340 miles/tank and with gas prices climbing every f***ing day, I'm not sure if it'd be s smart move. I'm also unsure whether the previous owner might've already done the upgrade as it came with PIAA Lights, Oil Temp and Pressure Gauges, and an Alta inter cooler. There any quick and easy way to find out?

Any advice is much appreciated.

 

I checked my used MINI after a couple of weeks or so after I knew what I was looking for and indeed it did already have a Webb Motorsports pulley. It is down low on the left side of the motor and while not right out in the open you can see it well enough to identify it if it is as distinctively marked as the Webb is.

When I was test driving MINIs in my hunt I hadn't yet dug into this site deeply enough to even know much about pulleys but I sure did notice the difference in this MINI.

As for gas mileage, I have nothing to compare it to but I get mid thirties BUT I drive a lot of rural roads with infrequent stop lights and don't hammer it except when there's time and room to play (which is still pretty frequently). The point is I think how much it effects your mileage depends on what you do with that right foot ... and it is so much fun to use it heavily.

 

I found my mileage to be about the same.....when driven the same 15% here....

 

Most people find the mileage to be about the same, but some real conservative people actually gained with a pulley.

 

I don't know if mine has been changed or not either. I figure it has because mine has a MSD ignition, underdrive pulley mod, chip, cold air intake and filter, plug wires, flywheel mod, short throw shifter, koni suspension, catback exhaust, 380 injectors, etc. Just can't see why P.O. didn't do a pulley job. Also for some reason I have a red pulley on my alternator. My charger pulley is kind-of purple and has 3 allen wrench screws in it. And it appears small. The car pulls very hard and runs very well. And gets up to mid 30's if you drive it right. But I average in the lower 30's.

 

That's not a stock pulley. Take a closer look and see if it has any markings that can tell you how much reduction from stock you have now.

 

I wouldn't expect a huge mileage drop with a pulley unless you regularly are pushing it hard. Maybe 0.5 mpg overall, down in the noise level.

- Mark

 

Actually about the same. If driven very conservatively (equivalent to normal driving if you were in any other car), I found a slight increase in gas mileage.

 

Well, I took a quick peak today and it doesn't look like anything special and there's not markings or anything on it. Sooooo I'm gonna guess it's stock and therefore going to look into an upgrade! :D Thanks for all the info people!

*edit* Any tips on brand?

 

I got the WMW pulley package. They will also loan you the pulley removal tool. Got a 15% pulley to replace my JCW pulley (had to use my own pulley removal tool) and definitely noticed the difference.

 

Your mileage will be worse, because you'll be stepping on the gas more, to hear that newly freed-up supercharger whine!

 

Just to be clear, this IS in fact my pulley, and it IS in fact a STOCK pulley right?

God I hate being a n00b...

 

Not stock...

 

NO that is not a stock pulley. Looks like it may be a Minimania pulley, but your car already has a pulley so you are modded.

 

Ok tell me about this one. Stock or not? My supercharger whines loud. And also whats up with the red pulley on my alt?

 

Sweeeeeet.... I was actually looking at your pulley packages earlier yesterday thinking I'd be needing it. Guess i can save the money for Xenons :P

Thanks again for everyones help. I've gone from debating, to researching, to realizing I already have this upgrade done! hahahhaa

 

That is NOT stock. Looks like the old 3 bolt craven, but it almost looks backward if it is a craven. Otherwise it's an off brand.

 

Yeah I'm getting about 320 a tank or about 340 a tank with Shell gasoline, so it shouldn't really affect your gas mileage too much.

 

Ok this is what I saw today. It may be a craven pulley and it may also be on backwards. It has a lip toward the inside. So with that like that will it make any difference and also what % would it be. Also for whatever reason, would I gain anything for upgrading to a newer one. I also noticed today that my crank pulley says ALTA on it and its real shiny black. So I figured its also been changed. It was told to me the car is pushing around 245 hp. I guess my question is without spending alot of money am I at the end of my rope with tweeking this to make it faster? Also the fuel thing that adds throttle response that has 4 levels looks appealing. Just curious on my options. Also thanks everyone for your replies. I just love this site!!!

 

245 may be a bit over zealous. If your pulley is on backwards, and the lip is on the inside, there could be a chance of your belt slipping off. I would get it re installed or get a new pulley. Couple hundred bucks for peace in mind. In terms of other mods to go faster, it depends on how much money you want to spend. You can always do a port and polished head, new cam, bigger injectors, a tune, a turbo kit, a bigger supercharger and etc. You might want to consider stopping faster or turning faster as well. A SprintBooster (the item you described) will only change the drivability of the car and gives no extra HP.

 

Ok thanks alot, My car has had head work and it has bigger injectors, The supercharger whines really loud and the car pulls very hard. It will spin 3 or 4 tire rotations in 3rd gear. I purchased the car from the 2nd owner and both him and the previous owner had done several mods to the car. The 1st being a BMW mechanic. As far as being drag raced it hasn't that I know of. It was told to me that it will hang with the best of them, Though that could have just been a sales pitch too. I did test drive a 2006 JCW supercharged that had some mods done to it prior to driving this one and mine would eat that ones lunch in all 6 gears and also on top end. I don't know about the true horse power but it runs very strong. And thanks for explaining the sprintbooster, I just read comments like WOW after people installed them on their cars. I've always been a old car gear head, this import thing surprises the crap out of me. The way these things run just brings a smile to my face that couldn't be smacked off.