Cooper (non S) Modifications specific to the MINI Cooper (R50).

R50 JustaCooper plus a Jan Tune equals...

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Old 07-22-2008, 11:40 AM
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R50 JustaCooper plus a Jan Tune equals...

On July 12 2008 I hosted a Tune event with Jan of RMW in Chicago.

I was the only R50 that day.

Your results my vary.

The HP and TQ numbers did go up. The numbers are not really the real gain.

I drove in with a full tank of gas and drove that tank out HARD and still got 30 MPG best every on a hard driving tank of gas.

I don't understand what Jan does to the ECU but it works.

I have a K&N Typhoon, Megan Catback and TSW Damper and thats ALL.

1st impressions were easy to feel. Throttle response is NOW NO Lag at all and under speed the pedal begs for more. It's a great feeling.

I could always chirp 2nd gear, but now it barks like a BIG DOG

I also have torque steer when taking off hard from the line going STRAIGHT, I'm having so much fun

The R50 pulls harder then ever and seems more willing to go harder longer then every before even after 80,000 miles. The dyno showed it well, before tune, the power band looks like a rollercoaster, after the Tune it just climbs up flat to redline with no dip in power. It just works better.

I have not been to an AutoX with it yet, but was playing around Sat night and know I'll take 1 or 2 sec off my times on a 60 sec setup due to the Tune.

The 2nd tank of gas. I drove the 2nd tank post tune under very normal daily conditions. Going to the office, appts, shopping and running the AC for half the tank. Half the tank at highway speeds some with AC on and off.

Those of you with R50's know that the AC is a power killer and often needs to be turned off to make a pass or get out of the way of faster trucks

Not now. The AC stills takes power out of the motor but not like before. It also idles much better with the AC on.

I also find myself down shifting less when passing or trying to gain speed.

The best part I gained 3 MPG! I think this winter without the AC or the heat of summer I'll see 5 more MPG. That's right over time, my Tune pays for it's self in gas savings. Your results will vary.

Bottom line, the Tune made everything better for my R50, more power, better throttle response, smooth as silk and more MPG. There's not many things we can do to an R50 for more power like our R53 friends, but a Tune gives you a better R50 that is MORE fun to drive and just does everything better.

Once my motor needs rebuilt I'll do a Head and Cam too.

I'd do it again in a heart beat.
 
  #2  
Old 07-22-2008, 12:27 PM
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I second everything Dustin just said. Had mine tuned by Jan this past Friday..Much stronger from 2500-5500 then before.
I sold my uni-chip to help pay for my tune and don't regret it one bit!!
Was at VIR yesterday for the Phil Wicks driving class. Much improved power..
 

Last edited by N2MINI; 07-22-2008 at 12:32 PM. Reason: addition
  #3  
Old 07-22-2008, 12:49 PM
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I've been wondering, but haven't taken the time to ask jan, whether he can change the idle rpm. I've completely stiffened up my engine stabilizers with some "custom fabricated" parts and I get some insane vibration at idle around 800rpm. I wonder if it is possible to change that to 1k rpm as part of the tune.
 
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Old 07-22-2008, 02:51 PM
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Sounds like awesome stuff! I will need to look into this if the funds and time allow for it in the future.
 
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Old 07-22-2008, 09:10 PM
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I live in Canada is there a way I can get a Jan Tune?
 
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Old 07-22-2008, 09:44 PM
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we are working on some R50 race engines now and some of that development will work down to the street crowd

no one has made anything for the R50 people and we are ready to branch out to the community to offer some high performance parts for you guys that actually work like it's supposed to. We will be building some "shorty" headers for you too. We will be working on a cam/header solution too.
 
  #7  
Old 07-23-2008, 08:50 AM
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Originally Posted by Revolution Mini Works
We will be building some "shorty" headers for you too. We will be working on a cam/header solution too.
Can we get a catback that sounds as good as your other stuff does? Oh, and make sure those headers have a cat. Damn CARB-legal Pennsylvania.
 
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Old 07-23-2008, 08:54 AM
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Originally Posted by hemiheaded18
Can we get a catback that sounds as good as your other stuff does? Oh, and make sure those headers have a cat. Damn CARB-legal Pennsylvania.

all of them come with CARB cats
 
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Old 07-23-2008, 08:58 AM
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Originally Posted by Revolution Mini Works
all of them come with CARB cats
Good stuff! Now all I have to do is sit back and watch for updates. Think I may have a snack in the meantime.
 
  #10  
Old 07-23-2008, 10:07 AM
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Oh man... I can't wait to see what you do Jan! I love my '03 R50, but I just want a little more "oomf" out of the engine without going up to an S. I'm definitely looking forward to what's coming!

And HemiHeaded - good choice on the pedal workers (your Pumas)!
 
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Old 07-23-2008, 10:26 AM
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I'm definitely curious about this race engine, but I'm equally interested in what the jesus head will do to the NA engine. I'm wondering about lower end torque.
 
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Old 07-23-2008, 11:07 AM
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Originally Posted by Puma|Mini
And HemiHeaded - good choice on the pedal workers (your Pumas)!
Thanks. Nothing beats 'em for great feel.
 
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Old 07-23-2008, 12:18 PM
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Originally Posted by hemiheaded18
Thanks. Nothing beats 'em for great feel.

shhhh. don't egg him on.
 
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Old 07-23-2008, 12:32 PM
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Originally Posted by hollis3
shhhh. don't egg him on.
At first I thought "Huh?" until I saw the screen name. Now I get it.
 
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Old 07-23-2008, 03:58 PM
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Lol... I rock the limited edition Michael Schumacher mid-cut Future Cats for my serious driving, and almost any other Puma when I'm not in need of crazy intense feel and control. Now then, back to the topic at hand...

 
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Old 07-23-2008, 07:06 PM
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Good to hear. I'll have to keep an eye on this tune.
 
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Old 07-24-2008, 03:06 PM
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Looking forward to see what RMW can do to make the most out of a Cooper without spending a fortune... Especially making it pull hard up to 7000rpm, without losing low end...
 
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Old 07-24-2008, 03:08 PM
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Originally Posted by Puma|Mini
Lol... I rock the limited edition Michael Schumacher mid-cut Future Cats for my serious driving, and almost any other Puma when I'm not in need of crazy intense feel and control. Now then, back to the topic at hand...

So are you trying to be like Mike?
 
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Old 07-24-2008, 03:11 PM
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Man if Jan was in business 2 years ago with R50 go fast parts, I probably would have bought an R50 instead of an R53.

Gonna have to start looking out for R50 sleepers!
 
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Old 07-24-2008, 03:23 PM
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Originally Posted by nickbmw
Looking forward to see what RMW can do to make the most out of a Cooper without spending a fortune... Especially making it pull hard up to 7000rpm, without losing low end...
They Dyno showed there was no reason to raise the Redline on my R50. All the power is done at 5800. See dyno photo below.

I'm sure with a head and or cam that might change.
 
Attached Thumbnails R50 JustaCooper plus a Jan Tune equals...-axc-r50-run.jpg  
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Old 07-24-2008, 03:38 PM
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I really couldn't believe how well Dustin's car pulled. Made me rethink the whole R53 thing...just kidding. But for a 1.6 NA car I was really amazed!
 
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Old 07-24-2008, 05:25 PM
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Originally Posted by AutoXCooper.com
They Dyno showed there was no reason to raise the Redline on my R50. All the power is done at 5800. See dyno photo below.

I'm sure with a head and or cam that might change.
116WHP with the most basic of bolt-ons. Impressive! Plus improved drivability and better gas mileage? Hell yeah, I need this done. Now to see what Jan shorty headers could do on top of that.
 
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Old 07-24-2008, 07:33 PM
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Originally Posted by hemiheaded18
116WHP with the most basic of bolt-ons. Impressive! Plus improved drivability and better gas mileage? Hell yeah, I need this done. Now to see what Jan shorty headers could do on top of that.
yep, it's a win-win. I'm not sure what the K&N does for HP, I just love to make it SCREAM running 4-6K
 
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Old 07-25-2008, 07:18 AM
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I found that my K&N was drawing in 140deg air!! So I put the stock air box back with a hi-flo air filter and saw a noticable improvement in power and gas millage. I will be going with a CDA filter and cowl-indution CAI once the battery is relocated to further drop the air intake temps.

BTW I had Mini-Madness due a tune to my R50 with the same results! An ECU Ttune for the R50 is a must!!
 

Last edited by GOTCURVES; 07-25-2008 at 07:26 AM.
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Old 07-25-2008, 07:59 AM
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Originally Posted by GOTCURVES
I found that my K&N was drawing in 140deg air!! So I put the stock air box back with a hi-flo air filter and saw a noticable improvement in power and gas millage. I will be going with a CDA filter and cowl-indution CAI once the battery is relocated to further drop the air intake temps.

BTW I had Mini-Madness due a tune to my R50 with the same results! An ECU Ttune for the R50 is a must!!
good info

Do you have a before and after dyno sheet?
 


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