Hello Mini friends - Just installed a 15% Pulley, a month after a CAI.

All mods were done my Mini Madness.

Did not feel as big of a "power" impact going from CAI to 15% as I did from Stock to CAI

It was explained to me that the DSC is the cause, limiting the "new found power". I should see the impact of this new mod if I turn the DSC off.

It sounds like a reasonable explanation to me.

Can I get your input on this?

Thanks.
2005 MCS

 

That doesn't make sense to me. You feel power loss (the system limits the power to the wheels so you they don't spin) when the DSC engages - like when your tires are about to spin on snow or gravel. You can also just turn the DSC off with the toggle on the center console.

How high are you revving your mini? From what I understand the 15% pulley is more noticeable at the higher end of the RPM spectrum. Try going 4000 plus and see if you notice the difference there.

Of course, make sure the belt is turning correctly and everything before you start to get on it too much.

Your CAI probably didn't actually give you that big a boost, so I am surprised you didn't get much from the 15% pulley...most people say a pulley gives the most by far.

 

Cenobia - I don't feel any power loss, just thought that I should feel MORE power than I do.

I interpreted the explanation as, the combination of the two mods pushing me past the point to where the DSC was engaging. In other words my power band was being cut off by the DSC. Turning the DSC off would allow the power band to continue rising.

I do feel the power kick in around 4000 rpm, just thought that it would be more dramatic.

Greatly appreciate your input.

 

If the DSC were engaging, you should have seen the flashing yellow DSC indicator on the dash.

Also, have you tried turning the DSC off to see if the car feels different?

 

It's EXTREMELY obvious when DSC is active. The car falls on its face. I personally have it off all the time as I find it to be rather hazardous. You could hook up a boost gauge to see if you are getting the correct amount of boost for a 15% pulley. Around 14-15psi. You may have a bypass valve that isn't closing all the way or something else. To be honest, I definitely noticed the difference when I went to a 15% pulley, but it was less than I thought it would be.

 

Are you sure your not just going by the sound of the CAI over stock. Everybody I know felt that the pulley made the big difference. I would have it checked it out.

 

You get more sound from the cai....power from the pulley as said before....and these cars DO LIKE RPM'S.....
Fuel quality, and general mechanical condition of the motor....along with the outside air temps can make a big differance in power output....

 

Turned off (light is on) the DSC. WOW what a difference. I wasn't ready for the amount of power coming on so quick, and had to hold on with two hands.

Switching the DSC on or off gives the Mini a Jeckyl and Hyde personality. Well behaved with the DSC on, and hyperactive ADD with it off.

Put a huge smile on my face.

I've got a 30+ mpg car when I want to be good, and a demon when I want to be bad.

I was going to install a catback and flash the ECU, but now I'm thinking I need to look in the direction of suspension upgrades. instead ie. rear stress bar.

 

The only time the DSC does anything is when you are spinning the wheels. IT HAS NOTHING to do with the power made or restricted. If there was that much of a difference with it turned off you were simply trying to spin the tires.

 

Yup....the big flashing yellow light is the first hint the dsc is active...

 

Actually, on my car:

Yellow light Off = DSC On
Yellow light On = DSC Off

Default is for DSC to be On (Lights Off)

Whatever the technical explanation is, the car is more fun to drive with the DSC off. Someone else may be able to explain this better. My observation is by the seat of my pants.

As for sound, the CAI and Supercharger whine is more noticeable when the DSC is off. Again, I have no technical answer, just an observation.

 

As for sound, the CAI/Supercharger whine is more noticeable when the DSC is ON. Previous post mistakenly said "off"

 

Sorry to burst your bubble, but the DSC has absolutely nothing to do with the power made by the car. All it does is give you a very twitchy traction control and the ability for the car to assist you in correcting an over/under steer condition.

 

DSC limits wheel spin. Getting on a highway if I have it on, the car will shut off a couple times when the wheels want to spin. With it off, there isn't much wheelspin, but it most definitely makes a difference as you start to push the wheelspin envelope.

Mini33342, it may be true for your car, but that is just because it isn't trying to spin the tires at 5K rpm. Try a fast launch on a wet road and you will feel the car bog down as it engages.

 

Ummm....I said the exact same thing. That is what traction control is all about.

 

Let it be known to all then. "I am pushing the Wheel Spin Envelope"

 

Well, if you call "it has nothing to do with power" the same as "the car bogs when it engages" then yes, it is the same thing.

DSC limits the power to the wheels which isn't what I read with your comment, so you have less power to the wheels under certain conditions than you would if it is turned off.

I do understand that you are saying DSC has to do with cornering, but cars equiped with it also have traction control and they share a light and a switch to turn them off. So, it is the traction control aspect that we are talking about which is also disabled by turning on the DSC light with the DSC switch, so they are hard to differentiate for everyone.

 

Check this video:

 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ncE-Vk7egRo

 

from the responses by the OP it seems he was saying that for some reason the car had more power with the DSC turned off.......this can't be the case. All it would do is engage the traction control and I can't believe the OP had never experienced this as it is very intrusive on the S.