One week old Mini owner with Supercharger issues...

Save your money and keep your stock coil and wires. They will more than handle your your planned mods.

 

87 octane won't kill a sc....but it does make the valves run hot...then because they have been overtemped, they are soft, and wear... result, is the car starts to have a misfire....and worsens rapidly as the valves wear, and they sometimes can break....in a 1000 miles or so, the car is underivable, and the head needs to be removed for a valve job....one tank is likely ok...some folks do it LONGER....but many of us carried a bottle of octane boost if we needed fuel in a location that only had mid or low grade....
If your pulley has Allen head bolt holes, it's aftermarket.
So you likly have a 15, 16, or 17% reduction....it usually has the % engraved on it, and a brand name.
You can save the old pulley you have and put it on the new SC....
You MAY need to use some heat to remove the bolts...they are usually installed with a bit of lock-tite, and the heat will soften it...the Allen headed bolts will be VERY tight if done right...tighter than the size of the bolts indicate.
+1 on the stick coil and wires...they are fine for most...just check the plugs on the coil...it has nickle plated iron plugs...and corrode quickly...a bit of sandpaper and some dielectric grease will fix the issue if the coil is good....the wires are very short...so can last a long time if good, but you can get decent replacements pretty cheap.

 

Bone stock '03 MCS stick that is need of some tlc. I have some pieces parts on hand and like you I'm going to need a supercharger.

 

I have an 05 JCW and it puts down over 250 hp at the wheels and I only use OEM coil and wires.

I also know race MINI's that make over 400 hp and they still use the OEM coil and wires.

 

A panel filter will help you a bit...the CAI does add some NICE sc whine....enough you might not need the exaust (was too much $$ for the gain per hp in my case, so I waited 10 years for the stock unit to rust out....the sold the car, stocker still in good shape)....just pick you cai based a bit on usage...
The typical unboxed cone filter, an alta clone is OK...but can be slightly loud at some rpms on a long highway trip...used jcw and Dinian ones a a bit more sedate...good for some, not others. There are some other nice options....but $$ goes up rapidly....but imo the 3 mods every r53 should have are a cai, a pulley, and a bigger rear sway bar....

 

Do what you feel us right...the same seller has multiple mini sc listed at different prices and warrentys....some say one year, premium parts, etc...so lots of variability....seems to be a rebuilder based in Florida...
The year on the post is wrong...should be 02-08 to cover the cabrio....my experience opinion with eBay...bay cheap junk...big items can be a big issue imo, but do what you feel is right for your $ situation .

 

MSD Coil is a waste of money, anecdotal reports are out that that MSD coils have messed with the ECU. The coil from MSD is for the Neon version of the engine, the hardware doesn't fit. Why bother...

As to that ebay SC. Who's lifetime? Who rebuilt it? Is the savings of a few bucks worth all the potential issues of a hastily rebuilt SC? What is known about that entity selling it?

The joy of low price is quickly dashed to nightmares by the pain of poor service and quality.

 

Looks like crap to me as the rotors are not even coated.

You do not want to go cheap on this part. Call Chad at Detroit Tuned and get quality parts the first time.

I always hear people say I can't afford that part but in the end you will buy the right part and pay for the labor twice.

 

^^^^ Very sound advice.

 

Good luck trying to deal with an ebay internet business in vaporland....

Detroit Tuned has a real brick and mortar building.... He can't hide...

Chad and his people are great to deal with...

Chad is an active member on White Roof Radio...

DT is a forum supporter...

Chad has a reputation to maintain...

Don't buy stuff from Florida.... That place is just plain weird...

 

That's good to know that Delirium Tremens is a MA supporter.:biggrin5: