I believe there's a performance upgrade thread for non-S Cooper's in the 1st gen forum. Has anyone done something similar to their 2nd gen? Strictly horsepower increase mods.

 

I'm assuming the silence is because no one is willing to void the warranty with crazy mods?

 

You haven't heard anything because there isn't much out there right now for us non-S folk.

The main options out there right now are upgrades to the air filter (I have Alta's) and a lightened crank pulley (not worth the money or the effort from what I hear).

There aren't any true CAIs for the non-S yet, though several manufacturers have teased us about introducing one. (K&N might have one that fits. Anyone know?)

So basically there isn't much out there, but I'd love to be proved wrong. Anyone out there there know of anything else?

With all that said, I've found that my little non-S is more than capable of keeping up with the big boys on the curvy roads, so I've focused more on the suspension (as hp increase is not much of an option).

 

Well I'm not talking about the bolt on upgrades. Specifically different components switched out on the engine itself. I believe the first gen non-S owners did it this route(including exhaust upgrades) and got close to 140-150 bhp.

As for air intakes, VIP Customs is introducing one in the next 2-3 weeks(they're getting the parts powder coated, etc.) and DDM is working on one(it's on testers right now IIRC). I am unsure if the air intakes will be true cold air intakes though.

I'm rather interested in an upgrade in the exhaust as well as switches in the engine itself(although obviously this voids warranty).

 

Yeah, there's not a whole lot of parts like that other than standard stuff like bigger cams, throttle bodies, and injectors, getting the engine ported an polished, and getting a larger bore, etc. But all of these types of upgrades will A.) probably not do as much as forced air induction (maybe if done all together) B.) are very expensive and C.) will kill daily drive-ability (i.e., mileage, comfort, etc.) not to mention that it will ruin your warranty and replacing engine components gets really expensive.

 

My "strictly HP" performance mods in the next few months will be:
- New "custom" intake (IMO, VIPs is way expensive for what you get)
- Custom exhaust with wider piping and either a Magnaflow or Borla muffler
- Lightened Crank pulley (possibly)

I'm also going to get rid of the spare tire and rear seats.

After all that I should hopefully be in the high 130hp, maybe 140 range.

 

I’m rather curious: why would anyone want to bother with horsepower mods to a Just-a-Cooper?

And I’m assuming you’re already done other things to go faster (assuming going faster is the point).

 

I originally didn't have the money for an S. I'm 19 and paying for the car myself.

You're right that it doesn't really make sense to put HP mods into our cars, but it's still fun. But now that I've been looking at it, I'd rather just trade my car in for something faster instead of dropping all this money to get to a LITTLE extra power. Next spring I'm going to look at a Mazdaspeed 3 or a Cooper S.

 

Yeah, I agree it can be fun but frankly the best upgrade is improving you, the driver. For the price of some of these mods you could do a boatload of autox’s and even some trackdays, all of which would improve your speed way beyond what these mods would do for you. IMHO they are a lot more fun as well, and you take driver improvements from car to car, unlike car improvements.

My .02 anyway.

 

Because it's FUN!
There is always something bigger and faster out there.
I have Fun trying to make "just a cooper" the best it can be.

 

I can certainly see why driving is more fun, but I guess I don’t get why having more horsepower is more fun, especially since the MINI was designed as a low-power momentum car. And assuming fast=fun, you would certainly spend money on other mods to get more speed in a Just-a-Cooper before you’d spend it on the engine’s power.

I just ask this cuz I’m curious why I don’t see more Just-a-Coopers out there in autox and such, mostly S’s.

 

I don't mean to be a jerk, but if you want power you should have bough an S model in the first place.

People that haven't bought their Mini yet... it's a $2000 price difference... just get the S!

 

Yeah yeah yeah... rub it in..

I regret it everyday! Still love the MINI, but hate that I'm missing out on 50+ HP.

 

yeah. my only consolation is i like the looks of the MC better.

 

Anyways, I'm sure everyone is enjoying their Mini's regardless. Motor on.

 

Suspension is the way to go for Non-S.

 

After reading this I contacted VIP. They are not making anything new for the MC in the way of CAI. They said that you can use the open cone system on the MC, but it is way too loud for their liking and the closed box is the way to go. I got a change with the K&N filter and ordered the VIP2. Just by getting rid of the mufler in the intake line to open air flow one should see and feel better responce in the low rpm range (where I am most of the time) as well as the top (where I don't go often).

As was said here, in some thread or another, if you want speed and power get an "S". If you want good performance and mpg, then get an MC, but you can't have both.

For me and I note this is just me, my MC goes plenty fast, but if I can get a bit more responce, simply, then I will. I can cruise all day at 75 and I don't like to pay tickets just to prove my car can do 100+. On the other hand I can't remember when I was 19 years old.

Jim

Jim