So I just picked up a 2003 MCS in British Racing Green w/ 16k and I already have the mod bug. I am not looking to do anything extreme, but will most likely be upgrading SC Pulley (either Alta or M7), Crankshaft pulley, intake, and exhaust. I am trying to keep this as Stock as possible, but would like to get some more ooph off the line. My main goal with this car is to achieve 1G in Lateral Grip W/O changing the suspension out entirely. I have researched a few brands and have determined that ALTA and M7 lead the pack for parts but seeing as I am kinda new to this would like any advice about how I might be able to achieve this! Also feel free to chime in with any other comments regarding parts, shops, and dealers. Thanks in advance!

 

i cant wait to see how you do on this project.. this will probably be the thread i look to to buy parts. cause i would also love to throw my mini around with ease.. that is when i get my mini

 

Welcome to NAM
I love the 2003 BRG MCS...I had one before.
I would go with a pulley with plugs and belt, CAI, exhaust and a RMW Dyno Tune. Wait til the oem harmonic balancer (crank pulley) goes bad and then get either a 05-06 oem (lighter) harmonic balancer or one of those nifty 2% ATI Super Damper Harmonic Dampers. If you seek more power after that maybe headers, cam and injectors.

As for the Holy Grail 1G, that is an easier feet for a MINI Cooper. Although, I would suggest an HPDE first, drivers' school will help you push your driving limits in safer (road race course) enviroment and teach you to be faster where it counts...in the corners. Previous, MCS did 1G with KONI Sports, H-Sport (Hotchkis) camber plates, H-Sport Comp front/rear sway bars, H-Sport upper/lower control arms, with Falken Azenis RT-615 (the tire in 2006) on a GTech meter. The GP did it with a H-Sport Comp rear sway bar, K-Mac camber plates (trying to save for the Hotchkis plates) with Goodyear GS-D3s on the Dynolicious iPhone app. I think with just a rear sway bar and either Dunlop Star Spec, Kumho Ecsta XS or Hankook R-S3 type tire you will be close to the 1G marker, if not a quality (not cheap) set of coil-overs will do the trick. Check out places like Way Motor Works or Helix Motorsports for the go fast goodies and advice.

 

oh my, another lateral G junkie... welcome to the disease!

the G-Tech data below is from June of '08 - that year I was running 195/55-15 Dunlop Star Specs. The H&R coil overs, Webb camber plates, Hotchkis lower control arms and rear sway bar complete the setup...

I'm sure however that there are folks out there that are over 1G without coil overs.

Cheers,

Charlie