New to the Mini and the forum.

I tried searching and come up with tons of stuff but not answering what I was looking for directly. maybe some of you can help.

I just bought a 2003 Mini cooper S with 118K miles

I got a decent deal and knew it was leaking a little oil but that turned to be a pretty expensive fix.

Its in the garage now getting worked on.

But my biggest question is should I go ahead and get new Spark plugs installed, If so whats best.

Ive also been reading tons and tons about the 15% pully kit seems to be the best HP mod there is. Whats the best and is there in cons to this mod?

Thanks guys. again im new and trying to learn as i go!

 

15% pulley kit is awsome.... pros, more torque, hp, whine. cons.... youll use more fuel? only because youll be stepping on it more. 17% is also a common pulley size, if you dont live at the redline, this gives you more low end torque. but produces more heat at the top of the revs.

where was it leaking oil? at the oil pan?

also if you do plugs, wait till you put in your pulley, cause youll need to go 1 step colder, if you do the pulley soon, if you dont plan on doing your pulley for a little while, go ahead and change em out

 

Make sure that the shop or you don't use just any pulley puller to do the job, not all shops know this and will create a mess out of the original pulley.

 

IMO NGK plugs....but stock are good for about 100,000 for an s, 30,000 on a JCW..but you might want to wait...when a pulley is done, the s plugs are usually replaced with the JCW heat range plugs by most folks....
If the shop is doing an oil pan gasket....have them look at the crank position sensor...the o-ring can leak...and drip down on the oil pan....making the oil pan look bad ..so best to change it...it is a ¢15 part....

 

So no real Cons. I put a pulley kit on my Acura RSX a long time ago and it was a huge mistake limited gains heater didn't work and ect.

Leaking oil from the pan. sensors in the front up top. supercharger oil cooler? and something about the crank sensor on the side as well.

 

I like NGK's Go ahead and do it. Can't hurt to have fresh plugs. Make sure the spark wires are good too while you're at it.

 

some reason my last post didn't show up.

So there is no significant cons to the pulley. ( i had an acura rsx type s back in the day and had limited power increase and was just a joke screwed up my heater also)

The car is leaking from the pan, the two sensors on the front, and crack on the side?

What brand for the pulley kit? I just talked to the garage they said they were about to start on it and could it for me as well.

 

Posts with new users sometimes need a moderators approval to limit spam...
Pulleys are pretty common...not night and day...but NICE 20-30 HP on a dyno for most folks...but will varry with the condition of the motor...and fuel you have...better if you live in an area that has 93 (us...typically east coast, west coast is often limited to 91)....
Your shop knows mini's?
Most pullies are pretty similar....
I like the waymotorworks.com kit...pulley, plugs and a new shorter belt for one price...one shipping charge..so a decent discount...I have a cravenspeed, but others are helix and Alta...all functionly comparable.
Common is 15%, 16%, 17%....
15% if you like to rev IMO....17% for a daily driver/commuter....the higher the %, the lower the boost comes on, but at higher rpms, more heat is made...so counter productive for a track junkie that bumps redline....

 

this is for my daily driver with some active driving from time to time.

So 15% better if you not going to redline or staying in higher rpm.

17% better for twisties were i will be in higher rpm more often and daily driver?

 

15% if you see lots of redline or substained higher rpm near redline...like auto-x
17% for typical driving....sure you might get to redline sometimes..maybe a fun start from a redlight, but not LOTS....
The SC looses efficiency at higher boost levels..making a much hotter output...also the waterpump is running faster(the waterpump runs off a PTO that is on the bottom of the SC in the MINI..a unique design)...this setup is fine...but SUBSTAINED high rpm running can cause cavatuion (tiny vacume bubbles due to viscosity vs speed)around the water pump vanes...auto-x folks see this as a spike in oil temp (there is an oil cooler with a coolant line) when they are doing an event at redline for a time..
the other factor is fuel...17% LOVE 93 octane...but the Cali folks seem to do better with a 15% since they are limited to 91...octane is one of the MAIN things that prevent ping and detonation...the engine can retard timing...but also this results in less power...

 

I am on my second MCS I have used the Alta 15% on both and very happy. I used the CravenSpeed Pulley Puller, way easier than the Alta one and with Craven you do not need to remove the Belt tensioner. Along with the 15% puller I purchased the speed package at Outmoting, which came with JCW NGK plugs, Plug Cables, CAI, Cat back exhaust. Also if you are changing the plugs and cables check the Ignition where u might have some corrosion on terminal 3 if not mistaken, also replaced with Screaming deamon, good luck and enjoy you MINI

 

ok looking into the Way motor Kit that seems to come with everything i need.

they are offering a 16% why not cut it in the middle and grab that guy?

tons of reading and many different reviews but you guys are helping a ton! great info here...

 

Great will definately enjoy the mods, you will then get addicted to more HP and want more. All worth it, great little car.

 

Off topic How do I go from Neutral to 1st Gear and so forth???? Is it by the amount of activity or posts ???

 

Yes,at least that's what I've seen, as you participate it will change

 

Thanks BX

 

Off topic.. Okay, so i bought my r53 only i can see the M7 pulley. Q. How do i know/ determine which one i have 15 or 17%?.

 

its ussually inscribed on the pulley of what % reduction, if it isnt, you cant tell unless you have some diagnostic software

 

M7 is a 16%....
The only one they made I think....
Have many different variations on the end for the logo...
Also sold tons of eBay ones that were kinda nasy looking (they sold good looking ones retail)...
But all were 16%....allegedly.... Other vendors found variations in the diameter of the m7 pullies that were pretty big....so the 16% more of m7's choice to describe them....
Early on, they made some nice, higher end stuff...slid awfully low...and were sold to a company that knows less than nothing about mini's about a years ago....

 

I went ahead and ordered the Way Kit 15% after talking to one of the guys there on the phone. Nice people.

Cant wait!

 

Wow! So that's make sense now, just because the previous owner had few mods on the mini only to find out those parts aren't likable to many. Like the cai installed is unknown..n is rust/leaking. Need to replace it soon. Any good ones to go?? But i like the fact that i have the miltek catback vwroowhm!

 

Waymotorworks lives and breaths mini....
They are pretty good at suggesting the "best" part and steering folks away from overhyped junk! I have always had great luck with them...the website is less than ideal...but they are mechanics, not computer geeks, so I give them a free pass....if you can't find something...call them...and they DO adjust the shipping charges if you get multiple small items...

 

M7 made some KILLER stuff early on....was always priced at the upper end, but parts were beautiful.
As for the CAI, sounds like you have an Alta/Alta clone-copycat or even a diy....
You might try painting the shield....CAI's are one of the few items that rarely turn up used...