[BlueMax]

I hope this review will help all of those that are still contemplating installing a lightweight crank pulley and remove fears or concerns you may have. Mini is a MCS 04 210JCW pre-facelift. The Works conversion was done after I had the car for 2 years and made a significant difference especially in the mid-high rpm ranges, making even 6th gear much very useable and overtaking a pleasure. Satisfying smoothness and sound effects and well integrated. It however still left me two main issues:
1) a the reluctance to pick up revs = speed from standing starts and from low speeds. Much better with the JCW but still too much influenced by the tall pre-facelift gear ratios.
2) It also had as somebody put it ‘a slight dip in the proceedings at around 3000 rpm’. It was as if the car was being held back between 3000 – 4000 rpm where after it accelerates fantastically, aided by the CAI flap opening at 4500 rpm. A stock facelift MCS feels much more eager from standing start /low speeds but obviously falls behind a JCW as speed builds.

After much contemplation, searching posts on Mini2 and NAM, pestering Roland with questions and obtaining valuable input from this forum I finally decided to order the GTT 3% lightened crank pulley (CP). GTT CP chosen because of the correct design of using an interference fit steel sleeve on the crank onto which the aluminium pulley is bolted – cannot work loose and thereby cause damage to crankshaft and/or pulley. Main concerns were possible idle roughness, long term effects of removing the damped CP and anything that could influence the car negatively.

Managed to install it last Saturday (did job together with an ex-BMW service tech who organized the belt removal tool and very importantly the CP puller tool). Job took an hour, was nice to be able to have car on a proper lift and loosen the CP bolt with an impact wrench etc. Was a bit concerned about the heating of the steel GTT pulley sleeve (200 deg C) but it went quite easy. Belt is tracking straight and true. Did an ECU reset later the day. I have kept the JCW map.

So what is it like? First of all concern number one was immediately gone – idling is not affected, if anything it is even smoother than before, tribute to the excellent GTT quality. In terms of what I wanted:

1) Pickup is now extremely quick, even with the airconditioning on. Engine revs freely. I have tried a few pull aways on level areas in 2nd gear without any problems. Similar to pulling away in 2nd with a post facelift MCS.
2) The way it now zips through the rev range is nothing short of amazing. The dip / flat spot / hesitation is totally gone! I still cannot get used to looking down at the revcounter and seeing the needle sweep effortlessly upward. No fuss, no drama. I even got into the habit of trying not to look at the revcounter but just listen to when the increased SC whine starts at 4500, doing this one can fully appreciate how seamless power delivery is now. I got so used to the hold back that it feels weird but wonderful that it is now a thing of the past.

This mod has given me exactly what I wanted – it has made the car much more driveable throughout the rev range. As I spend quite a bit of time in peak hour traffic the low rev range is where I wanted the improvement. The taller gear ratios are now actually a bit of an advantage as you do not need to shift to a next gear so quickly. If you drive a JCW – do not wait – fit the pulley!! Other benefit is that you do not need to wring the engine out to get performance. Maybe the fuel consumption may also be better, too soon to tell.

Before I fitted the pulley I also installed the GTT hybrid air filter. I did this mainly because of the ridiculous cost of the JCW paper filter and would rather spend a similar amount once and have a re-usable filter with the additional bonus of better flow. Installation is simple. Seat of the pants result a bit subjective. Somehow the SC whine increase at 4500 rpm sounds less intense, as I said subjective.

I also fitted the belt tensioner limit stop. This has been less successful as it is rattling quite a bit and distracts from the joy of the pulley. I will sort it out and have a few ideas but the way it is designed and made it will rattle, should not be this way on a product that has been on the market for quite a while. Luckily it is not a performance part. It is however very clear that Roland knows his stuff when it comes to performance parts.

This concludes my review. Totally satisfied with the CP and the hybrid filter. Would have liked to fit the GTT manifold but it will be too costly to import. Never say never though….

[roland2003]

Hi Jan, glad your liking it so much I did answer your emails each time, but Im guessing you didnt receive them. If still the case use Mini2 'pm's.
The tensioner stop must have sufficient correct type silicon to ensure no rattle. It has to have end float to ensure it never sticks. Where its now operating in a different position than before its worth applying fresh silicon.The GTT crank pulley was originally designed for competition use,but 30,000miles on our own car and another 500 or so sold for road use and no problems... its definatly for everyday road use aswell.
Thanks for the nice reveiw.
Best Regards Roland GTT

[BlueMax]

Hi Roland, I will check with our IT department, I do get many external emails but it seems that some are getting blocked. Will send PM's for now if required. In terms of the tensioner stop the rattling will not impact in any way on its functionality, just a bit of a nuisance. Will work on it this weekend and try new silicone application or one of my ideas, I know I can sort it out. Built my own aircraft which had lots of challenges Thanks again for your great products which show the correct engineering integrity!

[s33gav]

Nice one. I have a 210 works and also had the crank pulley and manifold fitted - the car is absolutely awesome now, and the sound of the manifold is fantastic - you must try and get that, it's awesome

The great thing about the car is the pull in every gear, like you said you dont have to change gear as much, it's great.

[roland2003]

Hi ,yes it gives more low & mid grunt so you dont have to rev so hard for the same amount of go.
We fit alot of these (stock size or +1% ) with GTT 220's etc
Best Regards Roland GTT

[Aberdeen Al]

Quote: Originally Posted by roland2003 (original)

Hi ,yes it gives more low & mid grunt so you dont have to rev so hard for the same amount of go.
We fit alot of these (stock size or +1% ) with GTT 220's etc
Best Regards Roland GTT

Is there any benefit from changing to a +3% from +1%??