So I finally decided to put in a SC pulley at 15%, " but would like to hear from you which one did you use and why? I have there are far too many options and every company tells you theirs is the best.... So what is experience with yours?

Just to name e a few, there is Alta, MWM, Craven, and few others I can't recall to of my head.

Thanks for the input.

 

The mounting methond on all of them but the altav2 is the same....alta then reintroduced the alta classic to mirror the others....
Imo buy onr that is stainless steel...so the expansion will as closely match tyat of the shaft...weight on such a small item is not really an issue.
Quality counts...it is a cnc machined piece of metal. I have a cravenspeed one (was the one they had in stock at the shop), but many folks have been very happy with wmw (i have bought items from them, great products and great support). Good luck, you will love the pulley, the thing that makes wmw very convient is they sell a kit...
Pulley, tensioner stop, belt, and plugs at a bit of a discount as a package...so save on shipping...one stop shopping!!

 

WMW 15% pulley kit

 

Thanks Guys....I'm planning on changing the spark plus as well....maybe, but I am undecided between NGK (MWM package) or the Brisk plugs. Should I change the plugs?

Few other thoughts....Crank pulley is off the table....far too much negative press for me. CAI is still in the works...debating between craven and DDM...they seem identical though.

Is there any merit in changing the coil and/or the wires? Mixed reviews on this one...what would be the benefits?

 

I have to recommend our of course.
http://www.waymotorworks.com/wmw-pulley-package.html
We've used about every brand you can think of, then made our own from the experiences to make the best.
But out of all of them I don't recommend any that are aluminum/steel.

For plugs NGK all the way, seen too many problems with Brisk

 

WMW Thanks for the prompt feedback....quick question...I'm getting into the mods bcs of very sluggish launch below 3K rpm. I'm pretty sure the pulley will do the trick...what are you thoughts on the bypass valve? When do it really come into play?

Thanks

BTW ( I was already leaning your way!) DO you rent the pulley?

 

Yes the pulley will help through the entire rpm range.

I wouldn't worry about the bypass valve unless yours is bad.

 

Thanks Way...

One more question....a CAI...basically I understand that it takes effect in high RPM 4.5K+ range....and not really that much in low range. There are some discussions on whether or not it add anything other than tuned noise.

I was wondering what are the effects of power on say a K&N or Foam air filters utilizing the stock air box? If the theory that the only thing you are doing with a CAI is removing restrictions, would a foam or better paper filter do that as well? In other words, is a CAI needed at all?

 

I have the M7 15% or 16%. I think it's the 15%. I bought the car in June '11, and all the mods were already done. I've had lots of major problems, but they were all unrelated to the pulley. I have never driven a stock S, but I can say I am so impressed with my car now that she's in tip top shape. Plenty of power anytime I need it.
I love the sound it makes, too!!

 

Crey23,

I think you should rethink the crank pulley question. The most negative info. I have heard is with the stock 05-06 pulley! I have a '03 MCS that I am planning on keeping long term. I am replacing my crank with a ATI 2%, its dampened, lighter than the original and won't break in two and will go nicely with my Helix 15%. If the 2% worries you, a stock size is available or you can go with a fluid crack damper also available in the stock size.
Cheers Ed

 

Thanks Ed for the feedback.

Yeah...ATI is the way to go...but way too expensive right now. I've looked into it, and decided that I will address that pulley in the next year or so. I have read that the light weight ones add more problems long term to the other items connected to the belt, i guess by over spinning maybe.

For right now I'm sticking to the 15%. I am still debating the benefits of the CAI. If it's all for less restrictions would a foam or K&N paper filter not address this?

If I can get a good deal on a CAI I just might do it, but still on the fence.

 

More air, more power. I did the pulley kit from way and the intake at the same time , made sense. You would at least want a better flowing drop in filter when you do the pulley. I love the new found power. The sucking sound from the intake is half the fun.
Next up , exhaust. If it breathes better it works better, right.
You can't really go wrong with any of the intakes. I went with JCW for looks but would go DDM if I was wanting best bang for the dollar.
Get it all from WMW, good products and tons of experience with our cars.

 

I'm thinking a foam filter....I'm not sure I can get the $250 benefit out of a CAI...

 

If you are not planning to keep your Mini too long then don't waste your time on the CAI. On the other hand, if you are thinking of keeping your Mini, the CAI is one of the cheapest "BEST BANG FOR THE BUCK" mods you can do.

Real hp improvement, better gas mileage (true, as long as you keep a clean filter) and last but not least...... the supercharger whine !!!!!!!!
Ask anyone on here, that whine that starts at around 3000 rpm and increases up to red-line really is a plus. Gets those little hairs on the back of the neck standing erect! Worth about $250 yearly IMHO.

I have the DDM, its staying put!

 

Just a short add, with the CAI the key letter is the C as in cold. The DDM, for example as that is my experience, sucks air from outside the engine bay, cowl area below the windshield. Colder air intake, denser air/fuel charge, equals bigger bang! Bigger bang more HP!
While replacing the OEM filter with a K&N paper or a oil foam filter may help the engine breathe it will not produce the benefits of a CAI.
What did Mini do to produce more power in the JCW, installed a CAI, now that one is or was expensive.

 

Sure thing, if you can quit at the pulley, all the power to you. You might find you get bit by the mod bug, like many of us and then the foam would be a waist of money. Best of luck

 

Ed you are absolutely right....That is why I've been looking at the DDM and I think Craven are the same style. I like the fact that they also pull from the cowl....I just might have to modify that cowl with a directional flap for additional air....

Have you been talking to my wife???? LOL That is precisely my thought process...I'm not sure I want to drop $40 or $50 on a filter that at best I can put a fancy sticker of my car...at worst nothing changes.

But $250 is $250. That would bring my "repair/maintenance" cost upward of $500....I can spend $300/350 without much issue. I have to put about $700 on my wife's car so I'm not looking to spend too much....for now.

I once spent over $2k on upgrades to a $200 R/C car....it was the fastest on the track for about 2 weeks...(54 mph actual, not at scale).

 

When should u change the belt and the pullie? I'm around 49xxx, stock r52