I watch this forum closely and have gotten some great ideas. I find that I have to do a lot of additional digging to get the complete story about this mod or that, but in the end it proves to be a good thing to do. My point is that "digging" and "teeth pulling" should not be needed. I realize that the "S" is the biggest market for mods, but I believe there is just as large a market for the "justa". I would like to get a "GP Wing" and a "splitter", just to get a little more stick for roads like the Dragon. A good intake, exhaust, header, to get just a bit more torque and HP. I know I will never make my car an "S", but then I don't want to. If I did I would have bought an "S". I simply want to get all I can get, which is all I want. I wish vendors would start taking us seriously and make parts for us too.

Jim

 

If you look hard enough and want to spend the money, you can find all those parts.

 

That is exactly my point. They should be looking for us and it should not cost "a lot of money" because we are there.

Jim

 

We were kinda alone on the Dragon in a Justa.

But I still loved it.

And I came home needing all sorts of stuff.

I needed better lights -- fixed that thanks to Aaron at Outmotoring, good guy, unpaid announcement.

I need a rear sway bar, and NM engineering has what I want.

I need better tires -- I'm reading everything posted in Alex's section above and have talked with him about a couple of ideas. May have a set of RE-11s in my future (or maybe some Envigor Avids -- haven't decided).

I need lighter wheels -- waiting for the folks in Sterling at Fastmini.net to get their hands on more gun metal RBs in 17 inch (17lbs each).

I need better brakes. I have new carriers from an "S" model to add to my Justa along with the larger "S" rotors, stainless lines, and synthetic brake fluid. Wish I knew where to get the little JCW decal for the calipers given that just a few years ago, our R56 calipers WERE JCW calipers.

I may have to have a DDM CAI -- still thinking about it.

I may need a Vip exhaust system or something similar -- still thinking about it.

I need better motor mounts -- spent a lot of time looking at the products at Way Motor Works at the Dragon. They'll probably be sending me a box soon.

I am ordering the little FES device to allow the Mini to start up in "Sport" mode as soon as I get done here (Considered the one that gave you four separate modes, but decided I didn't understand it well enough.

Before fall, I'll also get a set of Koni FSD shocks, and perhaps some JCW springs (I like them because they are red -- dumb reason, but....).

I realize that I'll never see the kind of horsepower that I would get from a garden variety "S", but I'll be able to handle as well as they do I hope) and I'll probably still have a machine that will have more capability than its driver.

And I'm having a ball doing it all.

The point in all of this is that there ARE many enhancments for the Justa readily available from good solid folks who have a proven track record. By the time I get the underpinnings all set, there will be somebody who will come along with cams, and F/I upgrades, and perhaps even a proper chip that will put us up to maybe a hundred and a half HP.

Keep looking, you'll find lots of ways to make the Justa better.

Really.

 

^ +1, except I don't think a chip is likely for the Justa. You'll love your Justa with the Koni FSD's. Just changed mine after 80k and now realize I shouldn't have waited that long. I have an upgraded intake, exhaust, rear sway and control arms, lighter wheels and the runflats are long gone. The car is set up perfectly for spirited street driving. It will never compare to my S, which is used mostly on the track, but I consider them two members of the family, each with their own personality and style.

 

Me too... that's why I'm in the planning/design stages of an aerodynamically functional wing for my Cooper (the Carbon Fiber, foam core, etc, is waiting to take shape in my garage). The plan is for it to be a stand-alone wing that can be bolted on in place of the removed stock spoiler. That way, I can go back to the factory look, if desired.


We were out there, too... and there were quite a few S's that pulled over to let us pass over the course of the weekend.

Nice meeting you there, btw. (We were talking with Joel from G4autosport about Cooper vs. Cooper S hoods)


I agree...

When we bought the Cooper, I knew from the outset it was never going to go like an S in a straight line, but that's part of the reason I *chose* a Cooper... I didn't want to be tempted to do a bunch of engine mods to our daily driver MINI. I've got a couple Mustangs for that kind of stuff.

That said, the Cooper is just as capable a platform for handling as the S or JCW. If anything, it might handle BETTER with the same mods due to lower weight.

I personally am looking forward to surprising "more capable" and much more powerful cars at Auto-X and Open Track days. My first Auto-X was a success in that way, even stock, so even better things are to come with mods.

Where's one of those "Team Justa-Cooper Racing" badges when you need one?

 

Perhaps we can put togeather a "justa" run next year at the Dragon.

Jim

 

Good points all. Regarding the motor mounts, I was told by WMW to go with the torque arm only, as the new motor mounts can cause a lot of dash rattles and such. As for the DDM, it seems that the back of the box is open and not closed, so you get max air flow as well as some cold air from the factory intake line. I think that G4 might come up with a GP for us, but time will tell. The above, a spliter and a short shifter are next in the line up for me.

I agree that a "justa" should be able to hold its own with an "S" on the right road and with the right set up. After all, that is what the Mini did way back when it all started. If the road will not allow the supercharger to come into play, then they are the same car, so to speak.

Jim

 

I can't imagine a justa wouldn't be able to hold its own with the S or the JCW on a lot of roads - Don't they come with the same shocks and springs? On public roads there's really no place to use the power (well... legally).

Also remember - with most of these minis the car is far far better than the driver so bravery (or stupidity, whichever) comes in to play too!

 

So has tuning the Non-S been done and if so was it eay or just as difficult as the S? Because if it is easier to tune the Non-S what would stop someone from f/i a Non-S and getting a sweet tune on it?

 

I am not certain on this, but I would guess some type of tune could be done, however there would be limts and it would never be an "S". Not that I want mine to be.

Jim

 

Not saying that it's right, but I think when you turn to vendors tuning for a relatively small automotive market, there's better economics toward offering products for the S crowd than the non S crowd.

The good thing is so many of the parts are inter changeable, while engine parts may be hard to come by it should not be too difficult to bring out the most of the suspension and breaking and make it just as if not faster in the corners. I've found that if I had a Cooper I'd be driving it a 4-5k PRMs everywhere not 2-3k, which would likely be more fun but also kill the mpg.

Here's the link with the badge for Team JustaCooper https://www.northamericanmotoring.co...stacooper.html

 

I'm not sure that the market for the "justa's" is that small. I know people who bought the "S" merely because it was the top of the line, so to speak, and they do nothing with it but drive between 2-3K, but others want the upgrades. I beleive the same is true with the justa. We know what we bought and want to improve handeling as much as the next person. If vendors would build it, we would come.

Thanks for the link.

Jim

 

There are 3 tunes I have heard of. I remember RMW saying they could do one but they probably couldn't get a whole lot out of it. I remember OXYBLUECOOP and another NAM member having separate tunes, but I can't remember what the companies were.

But, right now I'm just sticking with suspension upgrades. IMO, it's pointless to drop a whole bunch of money to barely make your engine faster when you could have just bought a faster car in the first place, for less than what you'd pay to buy all these aftermarket parts.

 

Well when you talk about aftermarket support what parts do you want for a Justa Cooper. Because bolt ons are not really going to do anything from you that is why the S community is starting to stall. It is the same motor as the S minus the turbo and tune. So you theoretically could add the same flywheel, the same lsd, cams, internals, and things of that nature but, intake and exhaust are differnet.

 

How about a GP Wing and new exhaust for starters.

Jim

 

We need to keep things in perspective here. The Justa is NOT the same motor as the "S" (well, perhaps the latest ones are similar). Remember that until just recently, the Justa had the variable valve technology and did not have direct port fuel injection. Those two things make for a very different motor. It may well be the same block and the same basic head, and same basic cooling pump, but literally everything else is different. If one were to remove the turbo from an R56 (assuming that were possible, which, of course it isn't), you may well find that an unpressurized "S" motor would produce significanly less power than the Justa.

Put another way, the Justa motor is already pretty well optimized for a naturally aspirated motor.

Short of being able to recurve everything in the engine mapping, there is probably little to be gained from messing with the Justa motor. Accordingly, as most of us have concluded, it is better to use one's money upgrading its handling and braking to reduce its time from point A to point B.

 

Well said and I agree. The engines are different breeds and other then an intake and torque arm, I do not wish to tinker further with it. Handling improvement is what I'm after and that is very possibe,because the "S" and the "justa" are the same car in that regard.

Jim

 

We bought our MC specifically as a daily commuter for me. Average speed over my commute route is typically around 23-27mph. Turbo wouldn't have made it any more fun.

Plus, I kinda like the fact that my MC actually carries a spare tire. I couldn't wait to get out of the stock Goodyear Excellence Run-Flats. I just switched to Bridgestone Potenza RE960AS Pole Position and am loving the ride improvement.

 

I picked the MC for the mpg and the handling. I can cruise all day at 75 with shots to 85 if needed (OK, I have been to 95, but only once) and that is as fast as I need to go. Don't need the tickets and nothing to prove anymore. For me the turbo would have been waisted at this point in my life. Now with that said, going a bit fast on a twisty road in another thing completely and no turbo is required for that. I love my choice and have no regrets.

Jim

 

You are more then correct. If you were to pull the turbo off an S it probably wouldn't even run for the simple fact that it is tuned to run with a turbo and also the compression would be to low. Now as far as the engine it self the real major difference would be in the tuning, the compression, and fuel injection.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Prince_engine
But I know you guys with Justa Coopers either didn't want or could afford and S but, have any of you thought of adding an aftermarket turbo to your MINI? I think that it would be interesting. On your question about the GP wing they only made those for the R53 and R50 but, if you wanted a replica MINI Challenge wing or the real deal whats stopping you? The body of your car is no different then mine. I have also seen that it is an underground thing with R50s to have a center R53 exhaust. Maybe to do a conversion and see if you can mount a JCW center exhaust to your Cooper. I previously owned a Japanese prior to my MINI and I was into the look of a fart can and I would love to have a side exit exhaust like the Cooper but I have would have to get under one to see how much different it is to an S. The other reason it is stopping me is I don't know if it will effect performance a lot or not. The sound probably won't be horrid because the turbo would take a lot of the sound out of the exhaust. Also if the mod bug has bit you like I think it has why not go to some of your local shops or if you are by one of the major MINI performance shops see if they can do some custom work for you? Maybe even call them (WMW, RMW, Helix, Detroit Tuned, etc) and see if they might be willing to work so parts for you. Like I said bolt ons will only take you a small step in the performance realm. I hate to say but I4 motors that are N/A just suck for hp F/I will get you big numbers. I agree with on engine performance but everything else should be know problem. Oh and thank you for stepping up and trying to take our community farther with performance related issues.

 

Its funny how things work.

I am 6X years old, and have little in common with most of the younger folks in the area. In many instances, they would just look at me, and I at them. Sometimes the looks were pure disdain -- from both of us.

Since the Mini came to live with us, I've had kids that have grown up around me wander down while I'm washing it (or wrenching something -- I always take its wheels off to wash their insides -- yeah, I know....). We've sat around talking about cars for hours, and they are waving at me as I go by. One even offered to buy me a Mini tatoo (not on yer life, buddy).

I bought a little car and found a whole new life. My wife thinks I'm getting younger (well, all right she actually said something about a second childhood, but...).

I'm having fun, and the "mods" are just beginning.

I've got a bunch of Embrey Riddle folks that live around me, and they have access to lots of neat stuff. Don't be too surprised if we find a custom stainless exhaust system popping out the back (if they can fabricate a system for an RV-4, why not an R56?).

The Mini has brought so much to our lives -- and its only been here since November.

 

Heck your right down the road from me I would love to see that

 

You can swap bumpers and exhausts between the Cooper and the S. The only thing you would really need to add is a hanger mount for the muffler. And you'd lose the spare tire.

 

"You can swap bumpers and exhausts between the Cooper and the S."

Hmmmmm. That opens a whole host of possibilities (I don't need a spare anyway). I wonder what the possibility if finding a BRG "S" rear bumper is???

But then, I wonder, does the Justa need the small single exhaust pipe to maintain torque? Would the motor find itself leaning out the fuels mixture if it suddenly were able to breathe better? Can the ECU adjust for those differences?

Hmmmmm......