I own a 04' and I'm trying to squeeze out as much horsepower as i can. I currently have a K&N CAI and a Catback exhaust. Any suggestions?? Oh and by the way I'm trying to stay on the conservative side for now . College tuition is brutal. So the cheaper the better. Thanks

I added a UniChip to mine. You can get them on NAM, used, too, and have them remapped for your Cooper [with a CAI and a catback]. For my Cooper, those 3 things have made all the difference in the world, and without tearing a hole in my wallet. The UniChip added HP as well as more torque, and my mileage has also improved. I really like the extra "pop" [small as it might be when compared to that of the MCS] now when changing gears, too.

What wheels and tires are your running? How much tread left?
What is your weather like? How many miles do you drive per year?

Unichip or MTH ECU flash would be possible.

Not that much more you can do cheaply to increase power. You can do some lightening. You can add suspension upgrades (used stuff) and do the labor yourself or get friends to help.

Lighter wheels make a big difference. Sticky tires are good. In your case some 16" or even 15" wheels are good and good Ultra High Performance All Season tires (so they last and are comfortable for daily use).

For ECU reflash I also found GIAC

see
https://www.northamericanmotoring.co...ad.php?t=74169
From post #35
Quote: Professor Dave wrote-
Eric at Helix did a pre-flash dyno, installed the new software, then a post dyno. I will post the actual dyno graph later (probably tomorrow - no access to a scanner right now). Keep in mind my exhaust/intake mods probably gained me 5-6 HP over stock already. So here are the numbers:

Pre HP: 116
Post GIAC: 123
Pre torque: 108
Post torque: 111

In terms of my own impressions, the car has noticably more zip. The powerband kicks in much sooner...around 2500 rpms, with another bump at 4500 (where I could always feel it). This makes acceleration smoother...much less bog in the engine. I can accelerate nicely in 5th now. Driveability is very much improved. The rev limiter is raised to 7200 rpms, but I doubt I will push it there anytime soon.

I will continue to post my impressions as I spend more time behind the wheel across a greater variety of driving conditions. But for $325, this is cheap horsepower for the NA Cooper.
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From post #66
Greg67 wrote:
Got GIAC!
Firstly, I'd like to thank ProfessorDave for stepping up and going for it (being the first to get this done)! Thanks also to Garrett for developing this software for the NA Cooper and Helix for getting the word out and the dyno runs.

If I'm only the second person in the U.S. to get this upgrade for the non-S Cooper, I can't believe it. Everything Dave has said is true: the car has noticeably more zip, the powerband kicks in sooner, acceleration is smoother, less bog in the engine, driveability is much improved and it's just more fun! I don't think that there is much that I can add to what Dave has already said. I got it done yesterday and I could tell a difference just pulling out of the shop from a stop. It's almost like a different car. It pulls harder in every gear.

I have a 2002 Cooper (August build) with an intake and exhaust. I got the intake first and although it sounded great when I got on the throttle, I didn't notice much of a performance increase, maybe a slightly better response, maybe more top end power--it certainly sounded faster. The exhaust also didn't seem to add any real power to my car, but I was very pleased with its presence. Since I did those mods one at a time, with a fairly big chunk of time in between, maybe that's why I couldn't tell much of a difference. But the GIAC software really pulls the car together. It's complete now. Well, I eventually want some more suspension mods. And I hope my Midlands tranny holds up.
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From Post #75
Professor Dave wrote:
I've gotten several PMs from fellow MC owners who are considering this mod, so I thought I would post another update, as I am coming up on 6 months with this mod.

I am still very pleased, and would recommend this as the first performance mod to any Cooper owner. While an intake is cheaper, you don't get the performance boost. And an exhaust is nice, but you might pay double for half (or less) the HP gains. Of course, I bought those things before the GIAC remap, so that's a little hypocritical.

My MC has more power throughout the rpm range, but is most noticable at 3000 rpms and then again around 4500. At 3000 you might wonder if someone else is pressing an invisible accelerator somewhere, because all of a sudden you are going faster. At 4500 you get pushed back into the seat a bit. The increase in the rev limiter is a nice feature, too.
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Overall this ECU flash seems solid and dyno has been done to confirm the improvements. (see above).

My Cooper has a CVT. When I first got my UniChip, Ryephile [then of Detroit Tuned] dynoed it at a 7 HP gain and 7 more ft. lbs. of torque. I could tell the "oomph factor" difference as soon as the unit was installed in my car and I started driving it[my MC CVT was the DT guinea pig, being the first MC CVT to receive the UniChip].

So the Unichip would probably be the way to go then huh?, I'm currently running stock 16" wheels w/run flats. The weather is well Michigan, we get everything here. I do drive a hell of alot of miles a year too.

I've never had any of the other chips. I got the Unichip because it can be easily removed, if necessary, and because it was highly recommended. I was so satisfied with it in my Cooper that when I bought my MCS, I bought another UniChip for it, too. I'm STILL one satisfied customer.

You're lucky to live in MI. Chad [of DT] is over 250 miles from me, one way. However, he is the one I would contact if I was on the fence about the UniChip, since he sells them and was one of the first to sell them in this part of the country.

I have MTH software, and got better throttle response and smoother, earlier power delivery. ECU tuning, whether with MTH, GIAC, or Unichip is probably the easiest way to squeeze out a bit of extra power. Honestly though, you can only get small incremental gains out of a Cooper unless you spend the big bucks for a cylinder head. You might consider going faster through improving handling. Some options are larger rear sway, grippier tires, and lighter wheels.

He might also consider taking an HPDE or two. I know a lot of stock Cooper owners whose driving skills allow them and their cars to match up well with Coopers with far more mods under the hood, all because of the driver/owner having taken some instructive courses on a track. Personally, I feel it's the best mod of all.

How and where can I get this unichip, as I would love to boost my cooper's performance.

Hey man,
From what a lot of people have told me, the reduced size pulley for the supercharger, and some slightly bigger injectors should get you some more boost, and power. If you go with that, you could help out a little more by going with a nice h.o. coil, some bigger wires, and colder plugs. I've got that stuff already, now, I'm just waiting on the injectors. They should be here soon.

Uh, no supercharger to put a pully on, Bill. This is the NON-S forum.

Also, HO coil, plugs and wires really don't make much of a difference. More of a placebo effect. $ is better spent elsewhere.

For the Unichip
see Minimania but get sure to get the right one for the MC.
or
https://www.northamericanmotoring.co....php?p=1602482

Some other ideas-
Lighter wheels 15, 16 or 17" is possible
http://www.outmotoring.com/mini-coop...r_wheels_misc/
Check out the Team Dynamic Pro wheels, various types and finishes.
Or
Tirerack.com has quite a few, see Alex for more info.

Stock wheels are OK but heavy, runflats are good for safety but not so good for comfort and weight. You can make a big improvement with lighter rims and good non runflat tires- maybe 205/55-16 Ultra High Performance All Season tires and 16x7 rims about 16 pounds each. It's a good setup for improved handling and good for daily street use.

Cat back exhaust is nice if you want- a little more power and nice exhaust note- get something you can live with. If you like it quiet then leave it alone.
Common choices are Miltek or Borla for the MC. Many others are possible.

If you do consider Unichip then it makes sense to think about upgraded Intake and cat back exhaust.

Performance tuning with the Cooper centers around 2 items the cylinder head and the header , the major gains are to be found here, having done plenty of Coopers/ones we have found around 16bhp gains from a ported polished head with larger valves,slightly skimmed to up the compression ratio,and a few more hp by adding a cam .
The header (4-2-1 )is a must have and gains 10bhp
more importantly for performance both these increase the torque with over 35% more airflow without these you will struggle to get the benefits of larger throttles better exhaust flow, or even intakes.
Exhaust diameter is also critical, too large and you will lose power!! A Cooper S system will lose power for example and gain weight!
No matter how much you map the ECU or twiddle with the intakes they will not move more air through the engine as long as the restrictive head and header remain.
Once all items are matched and fitted expect around 160 bhp good torque across the rev range to redline. with a car lighter than the Cooper S with the 5 speed box, light wheels and tyres, lightweight flywheel/clutch, a delight to drive, cost being the main issue!!! To really perform the next step is to lose weight -850kg is possible but now you are looking at a track car!!

I have a question being that you mentioned the suspension upgrades (used stuff)...

I have a frind that has a 2005 R50. I have an 03 R53 with the Sport Package. I was going to give my stock springs to my friend. Is there a noticeable difference (performance, lowered stance, etc) between the R50 and R53 springs? How about in the rear sway bar?

The R53 has a stiffer suspension than the R50. While there might be a slight difference in ride height it's probably minimal.

Both MC and MCS have fairly large wheel gaps in stock form. Variances occur with different weights and options along with various sized tires.

Would it be noticable to change the springs from R53 to R50? Yes it would ride stiffer and be less comfortable given the same set of tires. It would not look much different. The R53 rear swaybar is stiffer than the R50 rear sway bar and this helps in cornering with a little less understeer. If you drive on the street at speed limit only then the R53 springs and rear swaybar would be only of modest benefit. If the 2005 MC had worn out shocks, adding the MCS springs might worsen the ride quality.

If your friend installed Koni FSD shocks only he'd get a much bigger performance upgrade most likely.