http://www.northamericanmotoring.com/forums Modifications specific to the MINI Cooper (R50). en Sat, 21 Nov 2009 19:40:51 GMT vBulletin 60 http://www.northamericanmotoring.com/forums//forums/images/misc/rss.jpg http://www.northamericanmotoring.com/forums http://www.northamericanmotoring.com/forums/cooper-non-s/178702-race-motor-builder-needed-new-post.html Thu, 19 Nov 2009 21:17:57 GMT I am evaluating road racing a 2002-2005 Cooper (no supercharger). I am looking for an engine builder with experience building this motor. I would appreciate any leads you could provide. I am evaluating road racing a 2002-2005 Cooper (no supercharger). I am looking for an engine builder with experience building this motor. I would appreciate any leads you could provide. ]]> Cooper (non S) mbrakke http://www.northamericanmotoring.com/forums/cooper-non-s/178702-race-motor-builder-needed.html http://www.northamericanmotoring.com/forums/cooper-non-s/178528-house-of-kolor-kandy-pagan-gold-r50-w-ice-gold-roof-new-post.html Sun, 15 Nov 2009 04:24:13 GMT Hi guys, Im a little new to this forum. My wife purchased our 05 Solid Gold R50 about a year ago. She has decided to move on to a MBZ SLK. Since the payments on the R50 is so low and I wanted another toy to play with. Decided to keep it and start modding.

I've been modding since the late 80s, have had over 80 cars since then. Most of them modded, mag cover cars, mag featured, show winners etc. Ive done everything from EVO 8s to MBZ to VW to Lexus. My last few projects have included a Lambo Orion Yellow 08 VW R32 that took 3 1sts at shows, an e90 3 series that was all carboned out, an 08 Scion xB that was featured in Scion commercials etc.

2005 MC solid gold, auto, two tone black and gold interior, factory nav, heated seats

I started on the Mini about a month ago. This is what I have so far.
17" Tenzo Cuzco (black with polished lip)
205/45 Michelin Pilot Exalto tires
H&R Sport springs
Remus dual out cat-back exhaust
Racing Dynamics Fr & Rr CF strut tower bars
H&R rear sway bar
Craven Speed strut tower reinforcer
HID 6K headlights
LED turn signals, parking lights, reverse, & interior
HID 6K Foglights
JCW CF interior kit
CF rear view mirror cover
Euro armrest, Billet pedals, Knee pad, sunroof shade
Powerflex bushings, engine mounts, etc
MB Quart 5.25 separates and 4" co-axial
JL 10W3 sub & Arc Audio 5ch amp
Roadster Sound 10" sub box

I just got confirmation from a body shop sponsor to have the car painted House of Kolor Kandy pagan gold and the roof, grill, wheels, mirrors painted HOK Ice Gold which is basically a pearl black base with gold flakes.

I will post pics in about 3 weeks once everything is done. ]]> Cooper (non S) BigPDub http://www.northamericanmotoring.com/forums/cooper-non-s/178528-house-of-kolor-kandy-pagan-gold-r50-w-ice-gold-roof.html http://www.northamericanmotoring.com/forums/cooper-non-s/178485-modified-magnaflow-turbo-xl-muffler-installed-done-pictures-and-video-new-post.html Fri, 13 Nov 2009 11:41:29 GMT Hi guys like I've post some times ago I've tried to fit a chambered muffler on my Mini R52, and the result has been surprising. I've just installed OBX header and an high-flow magnaflow sports cat, an itg air panel filter with a modified airbox (it sucks the air from the front scoop with a 70mm tube and the resonator has been cut out), so next step will be re-tune it with software. But for now, rather than the stock car, the increase of power is evident. Before tried to put on the Turbo Xl I had a straight through silencer, an UK one Blueflame, well too loud for my ears....now there's a nice deep tone that screams when you pull the gas throttle...
I suggest this mod for those who like to "experiment" and who has some experience on diy, and due to the low cost of the exhaust and for the material required, it can give much more satisfaction than install another very expensive cat-back.

Price is 40 euro for the cat back, 15 euro (its a rape!!) for perforated tube, some rockwool (I reused an almost new rockwool from a stok cooper silencer) then there's only manual works (cutting principally) and welding operations (thanks to my friend Antonio)...
dremel will help a lot..
The muffler I took had the inlet of 2.25 but I wrong, its better to take the 2" type, so I had to put inside the inlet and outlet a tube that reduce the diameter and weld it until the end of the first chamber (so do it on the 2 side of the muffler that is totally reversable). Gases have to follow a path and noise will be break. I've tried to modify the Turbo XL like the Dynomax Turbo that has a sort of S inside, and its packed with absorption material, so it would be interesting to see how this one could run. The magnaflow is an empty can but the dimension are perfect to fit in the same place of the old stock silencer. Save in weight and the small dimension of the muffler should reduce also backpressure...
But I repeat, its just an experiment and I should see the results at the dyno...a fine remap would help a lot!

Here's a little guide of sequential pictures I made on how I've modified the muffler, and a video (but the sound doesn't seems good recorder so I'll try with another camera!), hope you enjoy!!!:thumbsup:

Step by step pictures:

http://img697.imageshack.us/g/cimg3293.jpg/

Video:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bbtFxPvbjno



Take all this like pure fun, I don't want to teach nothing to anyone!!!
sorry for my english guys!!:lol:
greetings from Italy! ]]> Cooper (non S) il principe fiorentino http://www.northamericanmotoring.com/forums/cooper-non-s/178485-modified-magnaflow-turbo-xl-muffler-installed-done-pictures-and-video.html http://www.northamericanmotoring.com/forums/cooper-non-s/178100-my-modded-2003-non-s-new-post.html Tue, 03 Nov 2009 21:35:56 GMT So, After a year of not taking pictures, I finally found some time to post them. :D Mod List: *I will be forgetting many things* OBX cat back exhaust Alta Short Shifter Florida Custom red 8-Ball Shift knob 5% Limo tint 3M Complete clear auto bra Clear Taillights Clear 3rd Brake Light OEM So, After a year of not taking pictures, I finally found some time to post them. :D

Mod List: *I will be forgetting many things*
OBX cat back exhaust
Alta Short Shifter
Florida Custom red 8-Ball Shift knob
5% Limo tint
3M Complete clear auto bra
Clear Taillights
Clear 3rd Brake Light OEM
36 LED brake lights
Upgrades to all lights on the car
M-TECH 100watt 3000k running lights
Rear Type S spoiler painted Pure Silver
18" O.Z. records (discontinued)
Alta style front light bar mounted with 4 Hella Comet 500, two tinted 40% black (On with headlights)
Dension ICE link


Im almost at 80k!
The pics on the bottom are the alta SSK :D














]]> Cooper (non S) friday9x http://www.northamericanmotoring.com/forums/cooper-non-s/178100-my-modded-2003-non-s.html http://www.northamericanmotoring.com/forums/cooper-non-s/177940-videos-of-our-r50-accelerating-new-post.html Fri, 30 Oct 2009 17:09:52 GMT Hello guys, thought starting this thread to show our acceleration vids of our R50, tuned or stock. For entertainment and comparison reasons :thumbsup:

So i am taking the first step :lol:

It would be good to mention our mod list, and the conditions, like interior parts removed etc.

If you don't have one, you can take :D

Μy mods list is in my signature, nothing removed from the car except for the spare wheel.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hwsx9HB-qTA ]]> Cooper (non S) nickbmw http://www.northamericanmotoring.com/forums/cooper-non-s/177940-videos-of-our-r50-accelerating.html http://www.northamericanmotoring.com/forums/cooper-non-s/177815-whatever-comes-first-new-post.html Wed, 28 Oct 2009 05:57:21 GMT Hi to all.
I am new here and not too familiar with your abbreviations so be patient please.
I am German, live in China and bought a R52 convertible, automatic new at BMW in Dong Guan, China in 2008.
I changed too 19x10 inch wheels, 255/35 back (hit the fender on big bumps), 235/35 front, some Taiwan racing shocks (good), adjustable "swingarms" at the back (sorry i dont know the english word), K&N Filter-replacement, some tuning chip (no good), Taiwanees center Muffler (no good). Body-Kit.
However, i would like to go for about 180HP or so.
What should i do first, cylinder heads, cam etc or turbo????
I am not aiming for speed but for lots of torque and acceleration.
Whatever way you recommend, it seems getting a complet KIT seems difficult.
Thanks for your help
Frank ]]> Cooper (non S) chinafrank http://www.northamericanmotoring.com/forums/cooper-non-s/177815-whatever-comes-first.html