Pulley install QUESTION for you pros! - MINI Cooper Forum

WENZOR007 · #1 (**permalink**) Oct 17th, 2003, 09:32 PM

I have a 2003 MCS (April build I believe) and I am planning to have a Alta Pulley and Alta Intake installed. I have heard of a few MCS's, that as a result of the pulley have started to ping. Does anyone have any idea how I can find out if my car will ping with the install of a pulley? (before having to install it and then pinging my engine to death?)

any help would be great.

Also, is the alta intake bad for the engine cause the filter is foam? i have read about particles from foam filters getting into the engine and ruining engine life.

thepilo · #2 (**permalink**) Oct 17th, 2003, 10:37 PM

The only cars that have had those problems have alot more modifications then you will have by just running those 2 mods. I have the Alta Pulley, and the Pilo Racing MCS Cold Air Intake, as well as the UUC Exhaust, Pilo Racing ignition System (Coil, Wires, Plugs) and have no problem when running Super Gas (93 Octane)

Let me know if you have any other Questions.

Thanks
Dan
Pilo Racing

WENZOR007 · #3 (**permalink**) Oct 17th, 2003, 10:41 PM

I am in CA and 91 octane is the most common high grade. Do you think that will be a problem?

obehave · #4 (**permalink**) Oct 17th, 2003, 10:51 PM

There was a big pulley party in CA a few months back. Headed by TonyB.
Most had a remap done but not all. I can't recall any of them having a problem.
If Tony doesn't post here soon give him a PM. He's a good guy.

lvmyhtrd · #5 (**permalink**) Oct 17th, 2003, 11:14 PM

There are a couple of guys who are experiencing detonation, I have met them. They have the same mods as everyone else, pulley, intake, ecu, etc.. There is no way to tell if your car will ping until after you install the pulley. However, the odds are in your favor as I can count on one hand the number of people that have this problem. For a relatively inexpensive modification (the pulley) it is worth it to find out, as the gains are incredible. Think of it as drawing the short straw out of a handful of hundreds of straws!
P.S. Don't worry Wen!

TonyB · #6 (**permalink**) Oct 17th, 2003, 11:22 PM

Hey, thanks obe!

Yes, Motor on did have such an issue, and here is his thread. I too have only heard of a handful of such issues, but they have all been ecu-related, apparently, not the pulley per se...

Check-out this thread, if you haven't already:

http://www.mini2.com/forum/showthrea...highlight=ping

WENZOR007 · #7 (**permalink**) Oct 17th, 2003, 11:23 PM

thanks Dave, I am a just college kid with limited funds.

just want to cover the base's! I can't wait!!

WENZOR007 · #8 (**permalink**) Oct 17th, 2003, 11:24 PM

Also thanks TonyB, you were at the clear armor party yeah?

TonyB · #9 (**permalink**) Oct 17th, 2003, 11:29 PM

No, too many battle scars to consider such a thing

A good weekend to everyone. I'm out of here!

blackdogmini · #10 (**permalink**) Oct 18th, 2003, 12:10 AM

Try calling Helix13. They have done a ton of pulleys. They're at www.helix13.com. Peace, Charlie.

Kiwiracer · #11 (**permalink**) Oct 18th, 2003, 02:58 PM

Was a little concerned before my Pulley install too......the car was already fun ,so why mess with it ya know? Because there is WAY more fun to be had after the mods

Relax & enjoy !!! (Alta Reduction Pulley / Alta Intake / EvoTech ECU / 22 ml rear sway bar )

SteveS · #12 (**permalink**) Oct 21st, 2003, 05:46 PM

I am very conservative by nature, and had similar concerns. At about 4000 mi. Randy put in pulley in San Diego at a Pulley Party. I could not believe the jump in performance for only $400.00 there has been no downside. I put in Alta Intake and this brightened the upper rev band, but I don't really get there that often. If you don't worry about classification in autocross (it pitches you into Street Mod I think, where you will never be competitive), It is a terriffic mod.

WENZOR007 · #13 (**permalink**) Nov 1st, 2003, 12:26 PM

My Alta Pulley and Alta CAI was installed today (10/31/03) care of Dave (lvmyhtrd)

MY CAR IS SUPER FAST! but not just that. Dave's professionalism for the install was very re-assuring. I was a bit nervous about getting the Pulley done but after seeing Dave's car I knew he knew what he was doing.

The charge was $250.00 for installation (bring cash, exact change! )
The total install (pulley and CAI) took about 3 hours

For all you budget concious - the best price for the Alta Pulley and Alta CAI was at http://www.jscspeed.com/ , if you call them ask for John and he will get you a good price on everything.

OK...now back to my car! my stumble (March Build 2003) at initial take off...........GONE!
The Alta intake gives a throttle "phst" sound that is like a blow off valve......neat to say the least!
The supercharger noise is quite noticable. Sounds nice, I hope my MCS will last forever and extra boost doesnt blow my engine. but they say 'go big or go home' (kinda funny BIG and MINI!). But my car is wicked fast now. Exhaust next? Dave?

If you are in the northern california area, buy your Alta Pulley and Alta CAI, call Dave up, and get it installed! You will not be sorry. This guy truly knows what hes doing.

good morning to all and to all a good night.

ALSO... check out www.clubMCS.com in a few weeks. MY MCS exclusive club!