Driveabbility - 15%, 17% or 19% reduction

[MAFFA]

Been doing a bit of reading since I got my 2002 Cooper S & have found three types of supercharger pulley. The 19% reduction for obvious reasons requires an intercooler upgrade but I just wanted to know from a driveability point of view which is best?

Has anyone had experience of each of these?

Cheers

MAFFA

[DaFlake]

Depends on how you are driving. If you are at WOT for a long period of time the heat from the 17+ will be hard to deal with. However, if you are only hitting the pedal only a little at a time, many have gone with the 17% (recommend plugs and uprated IC even for 17). However, for stability and still good fun factor the 15% is probably the best as you don't have to do a lot.

Now, if you go with the Alta V2, you can swap the pulley without changing the collar making the swap a lot easier if you do decided to go down to a 17% at a later date.

[GARY GP]

get the 15% the rest can be a pain in the ass

[Keano]

In terms of torque the larger reduction gives higher torque so you get better low/mid range grunt which is what Im after as that is best for realworld driving. However, the higher temp problems with the larger reduction pulley has put me off a 19%...

I too would go with a 15% as it is the best compromise IMO

[Richard Crofts]

If you do lots of high revs high speed then 15%, if you rarely go over 70 (eg your law abiding and english) then 17% is ok, if your a every now and then user with fewer motorway miles than most, or are prepared to be careful and watch the temps a little more while motorwaying then a 19% is fine.

[JerzyBondov]

I have a 17% on mine as I prefer the drivability that the extra torque gives you rather than having to redline it the whole time like in a Civic Type R

[JerzyBondov]

Lots of thoughts on this thread:
What are the differences between a 15, 16, 17 & 19% pulley..? - Mini Torque

[MAFFA]

Cheers guys. Thinking the 15% would be more suited to my needs & the gains v's pains for a 17 or 19 seem to small for my liking.

I'm going to start looking into intercoolers & at the moment i'm edging towards the "bolt on" GRS. I think if I change that & then go for something like the Lohen LCS1 for £500 then this will be a good building block. Would prefer an Alta induction with it though but i'm sure they could sort something out

MAFFA

[MAFFA]

Another question I just thought of. How does this affect your MPG for normal day-to-day driving?

Cheers

MAFFA

[DaFlake]

My MPG actually went up a little. I think that the car ran a little better but that was after the pulley and tune.

As for the IC, GRS s good stuff and will probably be all you need to be honest.

[MAFFA]

Cheers fella. I'll get hunting for an Intercooler

[Hugo]

Quote: Originally Posted by DaFlake (original)

My MPG actually went up a little. I think that the car ran a little better but that was after the pulley and tune.

As for the IC, GRS s good stuff and will probably be all you need to be honest.

I'm hopefully getting mine done in the next couple of months and someone else had mentioned that it helped Mpg!!!

[DaFlake]

Quote: Originally Posted by Hugo (original)

I'm hopefully getting mine done in the next couple of months and someone else had mentioned that it helped Mpg!!!

It does provided you keep your foot off the throttle.

[Rigsey]

Quote: Originally Posted by MAFFA (original)

Cheers guys. Thinking the 15% would be more suited to my needs & the gains v's pains for a 17 or 19 seem to small for my liking.

I'm going to start looking into intercoolers & at the moment i'm edging towards the "bolt on" GRS. I think if I change that & then go for something like the Lohen LCS1 for £500 then this will be a good building block. Would prefer an Alta induction with it though but i'm sure they could sort something out

MAFFA

I've had no pains with a 17% just more torque lower down the rev range

[uncle albert]

Quote: Originally Posted by Rigsey (original)

I've had no pains with a 17% just more torque lower down the rev range

Aye, it's worth pointing out that Roland @ GTT uses 17% pullies (or at least used to) in his conversions.