Engine Drivetrain 1st Gen Cooper S Most liked posts in thread: 15% Pulley Mod: How to do it right?

  1. Nathan

    Nathan Founder

    Mar 30, 2009
    25,144
    10,052
    113
    Writer
    Short North
    Ratings:
    +10,069 / 0 / -0
    #2 Nathan, Oct 7, 2009
    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.
     
  2. k-huevo

    k-huevo Club Coordinator

    May 6, 2009
    683
    159
    0
    Pipe Creek, Texas
    Ratings:
    +159 / 0 / -0
    #3 k-huevo, Oct 7, 2009
    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?
     
  3. andyroo

    andyroo New Member
    Motoring Alliance Sponsor

    Sep 8, 2009
    227
    6
    0
    water science and mapping, and suspesnion and brak
    Columbia, MD
    Ratings:
    +6 / 0 / -0
    #4 andyroo, Oct 7, 2009
    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
     
  4. BThayer23

    BThayer23 Well-Known Member

    Jun 12, 2009
    1,315
    154
    63
    Civil Engineer
    Durham, NC
    Ratings:
    +155 / 0 / -0
    #5 BThayer23, Oct 7, 2009
    **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.
     
  5. Deviant

    Deviant Banned

    Apr 23, 2009
    578
    2
    0
    Student
    Southern IL
    Ratings:
    +2 / 0 / -0
    #6 Deviant, Oct 7, 2009
    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.
     
  6. BlimeyCabrio

    BlimeyCabrio Oscar Goldman of MINIs
    Lifetime Supporter

    May 4, 2009
    3,532
    2,896
    113
    Professional Facilitator and Alignment Consultant
    Holly Springs, NC
    Ratings:
    +2,896 / 0 / -0
    #7 BlimeyCabrio, Oct 7, 2009
    Blimey will get 33mpg when I'm dead. :cool:
     
  7. andyroo

    andyroo New Member
    Motoring Alliance Sponsor

    Sep 8, 2009
    227
    6
    0
    water science and mapping, and suspesnion and brak
    Columbia, MD
    Ratings:
    +6 / 0 / -0
    #8 andyroo, Oct 8, 2009
    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
     
  8. Detroit Tuned

    Detroit Tuned Well-Known Member
    Motoring Alliance Founding Sponsor

    May 5, 2009
    301
    319
    63
    evertyhing
    Metro Detroit
    Ratings:
    +319 / 0 / -0
    #9 Detroit Tuned, Oct 8, 2009
    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
     
  9. Way Motor Works

    Way Motor Works New Member

    May 4, 2009
    1,169
    206
    0
    MINI Tuner
    Atlanta
    Ratings:
    +206 / 0 / -0
    #10 Way Motor Works, Oct 8, 2009
    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.