Supercharger Pulley - can it reduce gas used?

[plenti42day]

I'm looking for ways to increase milleage on my new Mini so I can justify making it my commuter vehicle.
I have just added a cold air induction from Helix.
What else can I do, and would a new Supercharger Pulley that increase HP also increase MPG, or will I wind up blowing it by pushing the gas down harder?
Please advise.
thx.
bw

[BThayer23]

As I understand it, reducing the size of the pulley will decrease fuel economy, because smaller pulley = more revolutions = more friction = more drag on the engine. I don't think it's significant, though, something on the order of 1-2 mpg. Supercharger drag is the same reason that the Cooper S has worse gas mileage than the Cooper.

Adding a high flow intake - be it a hot air intake, cold air intake, or just a high flow air filter - will increase your mpg. Mine went up about 1 mpg with an Alta CAI.

I think an aftermarket exhaust will increase mileage, too. Also, anything that reduces weight will improve mileage, like a smaller battery or lighter (and smaller) wheels.

The downside of all these mods is that they increase the sound of the engine, which leads to excessive revving and, as you mentioned, pushing the go pedal down harder. =)

[plenti42day]

Yeah, that's what I thought... I added a high flow intake already - that was the most obvious improvement I could make. So far I see about a 1MPG difference, just as you mentioned. There's a nice low rumble coming out of the engine now, accompanied by an annoying little squeeking on occasion. I'll have to look into the squeeking. I like the rumble though.
I'll look into the exhaust system, but suspect I'll be getting into some $$$ there... may not be worth the money. Don't know.

Thanks for the quick reply.

[BlimeyCabrio]

The "squeeking" you're hearing is probably the (dreaded by me) throttle whistle (http://www.blimeycabrio.com/?p=138). Comes with the territory of freer breathing intakes and better MPG and more power... some intakes hide more of the whistle than others...

[BThayer23]

My Alta intake whistles on the highway, screams during acceleration, and wheezes when I start to press the gas pedal. It comes with the territory, I guess - the stock air intake is also an intake muffler. At first I thought I installed it wrong, but mine got quieter with age (10k miles), and I kind of got used to it, too. -Ben

[onefastmini]

BW, I would love to know what your mileage is when you have run through a few tanks. I know you didn't really get a chance to baseline it, but for comparison purposes anyway.
It was a pleasure meeting you and your family, and I hope to see you at some club gatherings.
--Dan

[minibugs]

All i can tell you is GAS IT! HA!