1st Gen R53 Cooper S Another pulley question

Discussion in '1st Generation: 2002–06 R50, R53 & 2004–08 R52' started by narvarr, Nov 21, 2014.

  1. narvarr

    narvarr Active Member

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    Ok, at this point I've seen reduction pullys from 15% to 19% and oversized crank pullys from 2% to 4%. 15% seems to be stated as the best for reliability and 17% pushing it on the M45. If I was to go with a 15% SC pully and a +2% crank pully, how would I determine the overall gain and what reliability issues would come into play?
     
  2. Dave.0

    Dave.0 Helix & RMW Powered
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    #2 Dave.0, Nov 21, 2014
    Last edited: Nov 21, 2014
    Stay with a 15% pulley on the OEM Eaton M45 for reliability.
    17 & 19s spin the blower to fast and can cause pre mature blower failure.
    Yes a 17 or 19 will make more power but for how long.....

    As for a crank damper just stick with the OEM size and get the STI Super Damper or the PRW Fluid Damper. You do not need oversized damper you just need to get rid of the OEM cheap rubber one that will fail.

    While you are doing the above you may as well change your idler pulley and OEM tensioner. (Hint) You can buy the exact same tensioner part that the dealer sells for over $100 less then the dealership parts counter.

    15% Helix pulley: Helix MINI Cooper Supercharger Pulley

    Tensioner: http://www.amazon.com/dp/B001KSDZOY/ref=wl_it_dp_o_pC_S_ttl?_encoding=UTF8&colid=1JEWSSABUMWXR&coliid=I3JTHYYA18GZ33

    Idler pulley: Amazon.com: Gates 36168 Idler Pulley: Automotive

    15% pulley belt: Amazon.com: Gates 36168 Idler Pulley: Automotive
     
  3. mrntd

    mrntd Well-Known Member
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    From what I've read stock to a 15% pulley is 4psi. As you know the more pressure the more power. But you will also stress the motor more.

    Keep in mine more boost is more air and past about 15% you will want to consider more fuel. (bigger injectors) Also the higher pressure generates more heat.

    So it's not as simple as bolting on the biggest or smallest pulley it's considering the the package and what you want to achieve.
     
  4. MCS02

    MCS02 Moderator
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    Dave is spot on. I have a 17% pully but if I were to do it agin I would do a 15. Some day I plan on adding a GP Intercooler, bigger injectors , meth and a ECU tune. I belive then I will get more from having a 17% pulley. As it is I belive I am generating to much heat and leaning out at red line.
    If yo get a 15% pully and a 2% crank pully your back to 17% total.
     
  5. narvarr

    narvarr Active Member

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    Thanks guys for the info. My plan is to go with a 15% since this is my daily driver. I also have plans to upgrade everything Dave mentioned earlier, hence the question about the crank pully. I'll be placing an order for an ATI unit in the next couple of weeks and wanted to make sure I got the correct size for my application. My primary goal right now is to replace know high failure items before adding power.
     
  6. ZippyNH

    ZippyNH Well-Known Member

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    A 17% can be safe...depends on driving style and mods...
    I ran a 17% untuned, no injectors for a bit...did make me nervous at higher rpms...
    But with a tune, it is great if you don't rev the snot out if your car....
    So a 17% CAN be a great size on a daily for the right person....
    100% get a dampened crank pulley of some type...IMO, stay with stock size....
     
  7. Crashton

    Crashton Club Coordinator

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    I've never thought those under-drive crank pulleys were good for an engine. Since the designers of the engine spec'd a damper going with an ATI crank damper is a good move.

    If your MINI is your daily driver don't make the mistake of modding it to the point of not being reliable. Once you get past that sweet spot it can become a problem. Lots of good advice given in this thread.

    No mater what you do a good tune will pay dividends.

    My .02, if you are going to track your MINI the sustained high RPM & 17% may not be a good choice.
     
  8. Dave.0

    Dave.0 Helix & RMW Powered
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    If I had a 17% on my car I would always run the snot out of it just because I had it and I would have destroyed my blower or more by now. :lol::lol:

    My theory was why install something if I cant hammer to the floor every time I want to. :ihih:

    With a 15% and my mods, tune and my red line now set about 8K I can safely beat the snot out of my car anytime I want without any worries.

    Well one worry, I need to make sure I have a full tank of Meth. :Thumbsup:
     
  9. MCS02

    MCS02 Moderator
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    Amen brother Dave!:lol::lol:
     
  10. narvarr

    narvarr Active Member

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    I definitely want it to be reliable. The last thing I want to be worried about is if it's gonna blow up on me every time I go for a spin... cause we all know, you gotta put your foot in it as least once while you're driving it. :D
     
  11. ZippyNH

    ZippyNH Well-Known Member

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    Watch out for cops!! Then add the tire bill.....good thing you work from home and don't commute!!
     
  12. Dave.0

    Dave.0 Helix & RMW Powered
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    I have dunlop star specs and a V1. When I did Drive to work I drove the same way.

    I miss driving everyday sometimes.
     
  13. narvarr

    narvarr Active Member

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    I noticed ATI offers a lightweight titanium bolt kit, is it worth the extra $50 to get it?
     
  14. RussWK

    RussWK Active Member

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    I also say Dave is correct. I went through all this in stages. After the 15% pulley and RMW Dyno Tune, I replaced the Harmonic Balancer with the ATI SuperDamper from Way Motors. He said the ATI Damper stock size is 0.8% larger than OEM, and gives another 1/2 lb or so of boost, which would translate into a few more HP, and result in about 16% increased spin including the pulley.

    Maybe it's my imagination, but the motor does seem smoother and more rev-happy with the superdamper. Anyway, I'm sold and the car seems happy as well.

    Reliability is a big deal to me, and lack of it seriously detracts from the joy of the Mini experience, as I want to be able to jump in any time and drive 1,000 miles with no issues. I've put almost 50K miles on it since 2010, and except for the MDX fiasco, and iridium spark plug issues, the car has had no issues.
    And I don't like doing much more than adding more layers of carnauba wax, steam-cleaning the motor, and shampooing the interior.
     
  15. Dave.0

    Dave.0 Helix & RMW Powered
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    Not really, but a nice new bolt came with mine. (Not Lightweight Titanium)

    I just think $50 for 1 bolt is a little much. :nonod:
     
  16. narvarr

    narvarr Active Member

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    It's actually 9 bolts. The ones used to hold the assembly together...
    http://www.detroittuned.com/ati-super-damper-titanium-bolt-kit/
    Not sure how much of a weight savings it would be though. I'll probably pass on that option.
     
  17. Dave.0

    Dave.0 Helix & RMW Powered
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    Yeah the bolts are not worth the extra cash.
     
  18. Crashton

    Crashton Club Coordinator

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    Sure those titanium bolts would be nice, but at that cost it's crazy money for such a small gain or maybe no gain at all.

    While you are there changing the damper it might be a good time to replace the belt tensioner & idler. After doing those my MINI engine seems smoother.
     
  19. narvarr

    narvarr Active Member

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    Got the new tensioner by way of brown truck yesterday and idler pulley and tensioner tool should get here today. I'll order my ATI crank pulley, poly bushings to rebuild the tensioner and 15% SC pulley kit after the dust has settled for this month. Between my youngest sons birthday on the 17th, Christmas and my 18th wedding anniversary on the 28th, my wallet is about ready to tap out. Lol
    [​IMG]
     
  20. narvarr

    narvarr Active Member

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    #20 narvarr, Dec 23, 2014
    Last edited: Dec 23, 2014
    Oh, and I had to put new shoes on Astro last week as well....very expensive month.
    [​IMG]
     

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