Most of you have done this already (several times) and are probably rolling your eyes at this thread, but there's about 1000 threads over at the other board and it's tough to sort through the BS, speculation, etc. Also there's a good chance I'm over thinking it. Anyway, what's the "right" way to do a simple 15% pulley mod? Probably the only motor mod I'll do, maybe I'll get an intake or even a tune someday. Goal is just a little more oomph, I'm not a big power guy and the car may eventually see the track. I also don't want to sacrifice gas mileage at all. From what I can tell that's not an issue with pulley mods. Must haves: 15% Pulley (duh) Belt? Nice to haves: Tensioner stop? Colder spark plugs? Frankly I'm not a believer that an extra psi or 2 of boost would make my car run crappy if i didn't switch to colder plugs, but i'm not much of an motor guy. Thanks for the help! - Andrew
Belt - Gates K060535 Tensioner Stop - Good to have pulley or no pulley IMHO. Detroit Tuned is the one I use. Plugs - One range colder is what the factory went with for the JCW, my thought is that if MINI went through all the trouble to spec these and carry a second plug line for the cars then there is some merit. I do not have first hand knowledge as I did many changes at the same time as the pulley and actually run 2 ranges colder.
Are you asking for a DYI how-to and how to optimally perform the task? Is the pulley size set in stone? Are you limiting input to only three topics, belt, stop, and plugs?
Not really looking for install instructions, not quite there yet and I've seen what look like good posts for that. Just a parts list I suppose. Not limited to what I posted, those were just what came to mind. Pulley size is fairly set in stone, just based on my research. I don't care about getting a little more power from a 17 or 19, and I will probably be tracking the car, so that's why i'm thinking 15% (although I asked about JCW sized pulleys in another thread). - Andrew
**ears perked** One more reason I like this site. More wise men (and women), less trashy bickering and uninformed opinions. I told myself I wouldn't do a pulley till I needed one to keep up on the track. Keeping up with the Lotus in the curves and watching it walk away on the straights convinced me it's getting about time.
I'd say the colder plugs are more of a must have, I drove my car for a short time with the 15% and stock plugs and it ran OK but the colder plugs did seem to give it a bit more oomph and smoother overall characteristics, some of this could be attributed to the factory plugs having 10K miles on them though. I also use the Detroit Tuned Tensioner stop and while it wasn't bad to install after-the fact, I'm sure it's that much easier when you're already doing the pulley to do it and it's cheap insurance. As for fuel economy, lately I've been driving like a little old lady (part of dealing with an anger/road rage issue) and have been seeing tank averages between 30 and 33mpg. I don't know that a stock R53 could do any better as I'm not seeing too much boost in my daily commute.
Awesome, thanks for the replies everyone. I guess the plugs are worth it. I barely see 28mpg, but i do have 1000 lb s-lites with runflats still. And my driving doesn't have much highway in it. - Andrew
go with the 15% pulley with a smaller belt as well as the colder plugs. i have seen to many motors that need rebuilding becasue of not having them. for 36 dollars, it's an easy thing to do to save the motor. also adding a pulley will not make your MPG go down unless you drive it that way. Chad Detroit Tuned
I agree with Chad. 15% and a belt is the best setup you can get. Go ahead get the plugs and a DT tensioner stop too. It will be alot better for the engine.