[MINI-LOVER]

Hi,

Since I'm really a newbie regarding tuning, I'm actually very unsure about doing it, so I'm trying to analyze every aspect of it before making my mind up...

I'm thinking about installing an Alta CAI and a 15% pulley reduction (also an Alta pulley). Now I know thanks to some reading and previous help that those mods won't affect the reliability and actually the car performs a lot better and also, those are 2 of the "safest" mods available.

My questions are:
1.- If I decide to go through with it, will it have a big impact on engine temperature and emissions?? (by big impact I mean having to do anything else to prevent heat and emissions from rising...)
2.- How about the MPG I'll be getting, lower or higher?
3.- Is it necessary to change the belt or the stock one is fine?

Might be some silly questions but again, I'm a newbie so please help me out!!

Thanks a lot!

PS. Sorry if this has already been posted, I couldn't find anything...

[Gr1zzLy]

Stock belt is fine, but always a good thing to change the belt as a precaution.

Temps are as normal if driving is the same. Have a 15% and haven't noticed a difference in temp readings. Fuel-wise, not much difference. If you're flooring it alot, then it's fair to say you'll get higher temps faster (it's well within tolerance), and an increase in fuel consumption (marginal).

[Richard Crofts]

The CAi is a nil reply as it does nothing to effect running temp or emmissions. might make a change to your fuel use though....mine did.

The pulley is again fairly safe at 15%. You should avoid running to the redline or running above 6000 rpm for sustained periods if you can avoid it as the charger will get very hot. Won't matter if you bump against the redline once or twice though as it won't/shouldn't explode You can use a stock belt on the 15% pulley but Alta seem to advise a reduced belt if you can get one as the stock one has to strech less before it will slip on the new set-up than a smaller one. Change the belt more frequently than the 50k miles that the stock one is meant to be done at. Most tuners recomemnd changing to a colder spark plug. The JCWs run a different (colder) plug to the normal S but the JCW ones are very very expensive. Speak to Lohen.co.uk or GTT etc on advice as to what sparks you need. You can run the 15% on stock plugs but don't get too vigorous and change to colder ones ASAP as you run more risk of a melting internals on the head otherwise.

[Richard Crofts]

PS. MPG will almost defo drop. Expect to loose about 2-3mpg per gallon at least

[futureal33]

My CAI made the biggest difference to MPG of any of my mods. Pulley made no difference, exhaust + manifold no difference but the CAI lost me about 4-5 mpg.

[MINI-LOVER]

That solves just about everything I wanted to know... Thanks to everybody!!

[gramirez]

Quote: Originally Posted by Richard Crofts (original)

Most tuners recomemnd changing to a colder spark plug. The JCWs run a different (colder) plug to the normal S but the JCW ones are very very expensive. Speak to Lohen.co.uk or GTT etc on advice as to what sparks you need. You can run the 15% on stock plugs but don't get too vigorous and change to colder ones ASAP as you run more risk of a melting internals on the head otherwise.

When changing the sparks, is it necessary to change the wires?, can you run colder spark plugs like iridium (Denso) on stock wires?

Which will be the most recomendable plugs for stock wires???

Thanks and regards.

Memo

[Gr1zzLy]

Quote: Originally Posted by gramirez (original)

When changing the sparks, is it necessary to change the wires?, can you run colder spark plugs like iridium (Denso) on stock wires?

Which will be the most recomendable plugs for stock wires???

Thanks and regards.

Memo

I have heard that running the stock wires are fine when running 1 step colder plugs. I prefer NGK over Denso, but that's just personal preference and not much reasoning behind that to be honest.

[gramirez]

Quote: Originally Posted by Gr1zzLy (original)

I have heard that running the stock wires are fine when running 1 step colder plugs. I prefer NGK over Denso, but that's just personal preference and not much reasoning behind that to be honest.

Thanks, what NGK model do you refer when you say "1 step colder plug"?,
I found at NGK website all these for the MCS:

V-Power (ZFR6F-11)
G-Power Platinum (ZFR6FGP)
Laser Platinum (PZFR6F-11)
Iridium IX (ZFR6FIX-11)

Regards.

Memo

[Gr1zzLy]

I'm using the Iridium IX, but instead of ZFR6FIX-11, I think it's ZFR7FIX-11. Can't be sure to be honest, but there's a difference between the 6 and the 7 (i.e. the 1 step colder). If running a smaller pulley then the colder (higher in number), the better as you are generating more heat, but 1 step colder is enough.

[meenieme]

Out of curiosity what are the stock spark plugs used on the mini cooper s ?

[MINI-LOVER]

Another quick question, while living in a warm climate, is it ok to fit the CAI??

I'm asking because someone just told me it does force more air into the engine, but this air hasn't been cooled, so it might end up hurting it. Is this true???

If so, would you reckon that the 20-30° C (68-86° F) in Mexico City will hurt the engine?

Thanks again!!

[MINI-LOVER]

Somebody?? please help me as I'm really close to buying it... Thanks

[Gr1zzLy]

Fitting the CAI is fine. I live in Sydney and temps in Summer hit around mid-late 30 degree celcius. I'm running the JCW CAI without any issues.