Just got a 15% Pully for a MCSa and I must say...why did I wait soo long. Initially I was worried because my car was not running well stock.... Bypass valve problems...ECU reflash..etc. But now that I have been running well for the past 6k miles out of a total 12 so I decided to take the plunge.

Car just takes off...I know all you auto haters say what's the point. But I just love it...from 2.5k rpm on it just hits...before I did not feel it until 4.5k but now it's soo much earlier.

A definate recommend to all.

 

 

Congrats drew624 - I too took the plunge with the pulley reduction fairly early with 1K miles on my MCSa. Enjoying every minute of it.

 

I have 14,000 miles and I'm putting a 17% pulley on soon. Can't wait.

 

me either

 

I'm glad to see 15%'s being installed in MCSa's.

I'll have a few opportunities to have one installed this year, but I'm worried that it'll end up costing my warranty - with all the ECU problems, etc, we've seen out there.

I've been lucky and not had one single engine problem (knock on wood!) so perhaps the chances for my MCSa to run into problems with a 15% pulley are reduced. I figure by now (at 7000 miles) if a problem were to happen, it would have already.

Any one agree/disagree with my assessment? I take it everyone with an MCSa is happy with their pulley?

 

i'm on the verge as well - but with the potential for the jcw kit being near release i am holding back as long as possible to try and save the warranty...

anyone had any problems with the pulley upgrade?

 

The real issue is warranty coverage - go with a 15% reduction pulley, and you can pretty much say goodbye to warranty coverage. And it is not like you can re-install the factory pulley very easily. The latest round of software updates seem to have solved the teething problems that have been reported, but there may be something else around the corner.

 

Ahh fellow MCSa modders. We rejoice !!

I've had my 15% pulley on since 2500 miles and the car is now @ 10,500. So about 8k miles with the pulley. Only issue was a bad had gasket which seems to of been bad from the start. Had it replaced and everything is fine now. At about 6400 miles I had a 0% (stock size) lightweight crank pulley installed which just makes the engine revs like crazy.

Also if you want to know more about modding your car feel free to ask. Or check out my blog. I am almost done modding my engine to what I want. I have a Alta CAI hose, Unichip and Pilo coil pack going on later this month.

 

Did anyone do the 15% pulley install themselves? Are there any differences between the '05 automatic and manuals as far as installing the pulley? I've heard it is possible to only undo the passenger side engine mount on the manuals if you have the right pulley removal tool, but can it be done on an auto? The engine on the auto is closer to the passenger side, so I'm wondering if it is possible. I'm also looking for that deluxe pulley removal tool if anyone can help me out with a good deal.

 

bump.

anyone else with a 15% pulley in their mcsa? problems? good things to say? still on the fence about this one. my dealer is VERY cool and services cars with pulleys all the time, but wanred me that anything pulley related WILL cost me money.

anyone?

 

I have a 17% on my MCSa -- got it installed about a week ago. Was I shocked by the increase in power? No. But then again, I think I might have expected too much to begin with. Does it have more power? Heck yeah. My MCSa pulls stronger now through the gears, and feels particularly peppier in the high RPM range (5k+).

Bottom line: I do know that it feels stronger and with the CAI and Milltek exhaust, it's sounds awesome!!! I plan on adding MTH after I add a header and an intercooler, and I'm hoping that will really round things out.

BTW, the cars seems to be a little stronger now than after I got the pulley installed -- I guess the car is adapting a bit?

 

If I'm going to get a pulley installed, I'll probably wait till the JCW kit for the MCSa is released (if ever???)

 

ive been waiting for jcw as well...FOR A YEAR! its either very soon - or never - as per my sources close to the project at mini. so that's why i am polling the masses about the pulley mod... just want to be sure nobody has seriously damaged their car - and so far it sounds like its as safe an upgrade as it is for the manual mcs.

- drew

 

I guess I'm a pessimist... if I had a manual transmission, a 15% would be the first upgrade I'd do. But the transmission in this car is weird. I can't pin point it, I've just got a funny feeling. oh well.

 

Well guys I think my car is a odd case. MCSa w/ a 15% pulley installed @ 2500 miles. @ about 10k miles head gasket goes bad. Now @ 11,700 the car went in with what they said was a bad cylinder head. That it was warped. Well they called me yesterday to say the head is fine and that they are replacing the "long block". As in the head and the block. Basically a new engine!!

I still think my car was bad to start and that a 15% pulley is a safe mod.

 

initially when getting the car I was really into the idea of the JCW MCSa, but they've dragged their heals so long my enthusiasm has bottomed out - I don't think the JCW (available in UK) even includes any improved transmission software, which the car could use a lot more than increased bhp. so pulley/exhaust/intake probably makes more sense.

maybe a few rave reviews would peak my interest, but so far everything I've read has been lukewarm at best.

drew - sounds like your dealer is really cool. from what he says, it sounds like all you'd be into is the supercharger itself if that failed - which seems very unlikely if you've had no problems with it to this point.

 

sweet...

 

amen to all fo the above beekman...i have really begun to run ou of gas for the jcw kit - as much as i think i have been the most die-hard supporter of it around. my sources at mini told me that they are shooting for this month - but so far its dead quiet. i figure the car is already a ton of fun and has plenty of power, but as with all obessed mini-acs, i want more! the pulley may just be the ticket... although i hate to do anything non-oem to my car.....

 

I will be doing a pulley on my 06 manual (most likely a 19%, but still so on the fence...).

If my wife likes the gains that we get, I will add a pulley to her 05 MCSa. Most likely a 15% on hers, don't want to ever have to even think about an issue or anything. Plus, i won't be doing anything else to that car (intake, exhaust, etc.).

I read that the automatic install is a bit more of a PITA than the manual due to the fact that the auto transmission is larger & shifts the motor closer to the pass side of the car. I have yet to get out a tape measure & look at our two cars side by side, so for not it's all internet myth!

-jac

 

It is we unbolted the passenger side motor mount from the bottom of thacar also to get it completely out of the way.

 

If I had an automatic, i would consider at least 17%, so robert and Greg are on the right direction .

 

For what it's worth I have a 17% on my 2005 MCSa, along with MTH Tuner software, Alta intake and colder plugs. I love it - pulls strong even at low RPMs and the transmission handles the increased power just fine.

JCW injectors and a JCW exhaust will also be added as soon as the JCW exhaust arrives.

 

You know it.

 

Hey Gary, I'm gonna have to drive yours sometime, just to make sure mine is up to snuff. I don't have the MTH yet, but the plugs and VGS should be one this weekend or next. I'm quite curious...