What is needed for turbo charging a 02' R50. I am looking for a detailed list as well as what is usable from other MINIs. Thanks.

 

Here we go again!
R50 engine has 10.3:1 compression ratio, to high for turbochargeing.
R50 engine does not have many performance parts for internal mods, rods, pistons, etc
Most hp out of R50 engine is 150-165.
JCW head, ported, performance cam, header, exhaust, etc, etc
R50 5 speed transmission is very weak.
Would go to the 6 speed conversion.
It can be done but it is very expensive.

 

pistons, potentially rods, head studs, head work (if you want it to run well) cams, turbo header, new exhaust, new intake, piggyback ecu or aftermarket ecu, injectors, possibly a fuel pump, lots of time and patience and probably more parts than i just listed
in the end it may be cheaper just to go buy a used r56...

 

PM Sent

 

Thanks for the info. As far as buying a MCS I would rather turbo the R50 and be different. I like the "unpossible". Seriously I already have the R50 and most of the parts laying around to turbo a car just wanted to know what would it take for the R50. I have tracked it at a couple SCCA events and want a little more in the straits. Anymore info would be great thanks.

 

Here are some ideas that will help a R50 gain some power without the complete rebuilding needed for a turbo.
1. JCW Head, this adds about 12hp.
2. Stage 1 Port on head.
3. Performance cam
4. Larger Fuel Injectors
5. LW Crankshaft Damper
6. Tune!
This should give you around 140-160hp
That is about the limit that the 5 speed Midlands can handle.
If you plan to do turbo you would have to replace clutch, transmission as well as all the other engine mods.
Turboing would cost you $5,000 + easy if you do it the right way.

 

Something to keep in mind when I'm out of warranty! Thanks for the list. What would you ballpark the expense of this stuff at?

 

Used JCW head - $600.00
Camshaft - $350
Porting - $1,200.00
Fuel Injectors - $300.00
Damper - $350.00
Header - $750.00
Exhaust - $600.00
Tune - $500.00

NOTE: A turbo header & downpipe will probally run around $1,200.00 alone.

 

Is that a JCW head from a Cooper S JCW or a Cooper JCW? Or are they the same head?

 

One and the same.
If you want a JCW head, I have 1 that I will let go.
It has 9K and is ready to bolt on.
This head alone will give 12-16hp.

 

Thread necromancy: this topic intrigues me.

I find my R50 to sometimes not be as fast as I would like it to be. "Buy an S," you might say. That would be the rational and cost-effective thing to do, no dispute there. But there's something more fascinating about taking an R50 to its limits. You've got this seemingly straightforward R50 that's got this oomph concealed within. Still not as fast as an S, but not to be underestimated either.

I'm not saying I'm going to do this, or at best it's a far-future mod, but I do want to know more about it.

I'm a little fuzzy on the terminology, though. What is "porting", and is it necessary to use the JCW head? Adding about 12HP sounds like a worthwhile mod.

 

for me the (cost effective ) way to start my build was to buy a jetta wtih a 1.8 T for my swap.

 

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cylinder_head_porting
Google is your friend...

 

What? You can do that?

 

Go to the R50/R53 Hatch Talk section, look at the thread: Think Mini's VAG 1.8t conversion...