So now that I'm graduated and have a real world job, I can finally afford some long thought about mods to my justacooper. I will be swapping my oem spark plugs with brisk silvers, I just crossed the 100k mile mark last week. Within the next month I will be getting the DDM cai + Megan exhaust combo from way motor works and installing them. After that I want to get some handling mods so a 19 mm sway bar and 5 mm spacers will be purchased. As far as weight, I'm rolling on runflats so I removed the spare tire, and will also be doing a rear seat delete soon. After these initial mods are done I will be getting a lightweight flywheel and stiffer engine mounts when my clutch wears out. Once my tires wear out I will get Koenig feathers with non run flats and add the spare back to my car. During my winter vacation I will get my ecu tuned by way motor works. I already purchased an edc brake kit with green stuff pads and dimpled/ slotted rotors; they will be installed within the next 15000 miles. And that's pretty much it, any thoughts or comments and suggestions would be greatly appreciated. Thanks!

 

Why not add a strut bar for better handling?

http://www.pelicanparts.com/techarti...stallation.htm

-Jorge

 

Never thought of that, thanks for the idea. How much would it cost? And where can I get one?

 

Good choice on the EBC brakes!

 

We offer the OMP bar shown in that article here: http://www.pelicanparts.com/catalog/...PRJ046_pg1.htm. These are also readily accessible used, check out the classifieds threads for a decent one.

-Jorge

 

Thanks Jorge, I will definately add that to my list! Seems like an easy install too! I just did the rear seat delete (which was outragously easy!) and need to make a template so I can make a carpeted flat insert to cover up the unsightly metal underneath the seats.

Should I forget the 5mm spacers and go for 15mm ones?

Also I was thinking of replacing the battery when it dies with a light weight one. I heard people using the pc680. How does it compare with the power of a larger battery? Any thoughts? It looks really small and I think I would have to make a custom bracket for it to secure it in the stock battery tray.

 

What wheels are you running? I have 15mm spacers on all 4 corners and I think they look just about right. Actually there is even room for 20 or 25mm spacers. I had 5mm spacers on all 4 corners before and they are barely noticable.

However in a perfect world, it's best to just buy wider wheels with the correct offset instead of running thick spacers, but i'm strangely in love with the 15 inch "holies".

 

I'm running stock 15's. The reason I want the spacers is to widen the trance an to lower the roll center. Do you notice better handling with the spacers or I it just the better appearance?

 

*stance

 

Not really, but I think it feels more stable, maybe it's all in my mind though haha. I did it for the look since the stock 15s are so tucked in the wheel wells that it looks silly.

 

Okay cool. Did you have to purchase longer lug bolts with the 15mm spacers? If so, where did you buy them from?

 

My two cents, don't waste your money on spacers unless you NEED them to make another component fit properly (wheels, coilovers, etc.) it's not going to make any appreciable handling difference.

I have an '06 R50 as well, with a few mods (see sig.) and I like pretty much everything I have done. My personal favourite is the Sprint Booster. It's a controversial topic, see one of the zillion threads on it if you're interested, but I think it's great. Right next to that is all the suspension stuff. Coilovers, sway bar, light wheels (I have the feathers.) and good summer rubber. The CAI is a nice sound, probably no actual power gain. Same can be said for the exhaust .

I wouldn't get a strut brace, seems like it's going to offer little to no real world handling benefit and will serve mostly as engine bay bling/wallet weight reduction.

Keep us up to date on your mod progress, we love those threads. '06 R50 is Best Cooper if you ask me!

\

 

Thanks dannyhavok! I will probably put spacers on the back burner then. I will look into the sprint booster also. As for my modifications, I will definitely keep Everyone posted! It's nice to see some R50 enthusiasts!

 

My two cents, don't waste your money:

http://bipesauto.com/sprintbooster/SprintBooster.pdf


The Sprint Booster is a simple amplifier that multiplies the accelerator pedal sensor signal, making the accelerator pedal more sensitive. It does not eliminate any significant delay in throttle response, nor does it greatly improve acceleration figures. It does not change the adaptive throttle control programming of electronic throttle control vehicles. It does change pedal “feel”. This change in feel is interpreted by some as improved throttle response, acceleration, and a change in adaptive throttle control programming. Considering what it actually does, it is expensive.

 

While on paper it seems like an expensive placebo, I cannot ****ing stand the way my car "feels" when I turn it off. I got it for $250 in a group buy, that isn't pocket change but it's not a huge chunk of money either. And hey, 30 day money back guarantee.

That said, OP I think you mentioned getting a tune? If you're getting tuned, skip the SB, the tuner can give you the same results.

 

I agree with this. For pretty much the same money you can get a tune and get better results. However, it's probably best to wait until after you do any planned engine bolts-ons first (intake, exhaust, header, etc) so you can tune for your mods.

 

Also, I have not seen a lightweight flywheel for the 5 speed Getrag transmission. You can probably get the OEM flywheel lightened some though.

You also mentioned engine mounts, so I will also add that the BSH engine mount is my favorite mod that I have done to my car. Makes the car much more enjoyable to drive.

 

Any cabin vibrations? What's the installation like, or if you had a shop do it, how much labour was involved?

 

When I first installed it you feel more vibrations, but it's really not much. I expected much more. After a couple weeks or so when it breaks in and/or you get more used to it you don't even notice anything different other than the engine isn't rocking back and forth excessively. I don't even feel the A/C anymore when it's on.

It's easy to install, took me like 20-25 minutes to install I guess.

 

I have had two R53's (one with a significant amount of mods), and now own an '06 R50, much like yourself. I would say out of all the mods, the top three would be supercharger pulley, rear sway bar, and a throttle booster. I opted for the D1 Spec throttle controller over the Sprint Booster (available here: http://www.ebay.com/itm/D1-Spec-7-Dr...06e5cf&vxp=mtr). Not only does it do the same thing as the Sprint Booster, but it costs a fraction and has far more functionality (multiple settings, speed warning, voltmeter, throttle opening percentage, etc.). Fairly easy to install, and the decreased lag in throttle response is great. Other than a rear sway bar and possibly a cold air intake, it is the only mod I plan to do to my R50.

I offered the ebay store $108, so it came out to $128 shipped. The D1 Spec throttle controller is a great product, I highly recommend it. Feels like going back to a mechanical throttle linkage. To fully appreciate how much these cars need a more responsive throttle, very briefly floor the throttle in neutral. See how low the revs go up?

 

Jvsenerth, just curious, but why do a rear seat delete?

 

Save weight/limited head or leg room...

 

Well I am in a transition period between school and starting my job and wanted to do something while i wait for cash flow to do the cai exhaust combo and other mods. I don't ever use the backseat and its about 40lbs of extra weight and it was literally one bolt to remove. Also I'm way past the warranty stage at 100 k + miles, so i wasn't worried about voiding it. I'm gonna make my own carpeted insert to cover the metal panels this weekend as they do not compliment the interior.

 

Seems like if you have an exhaust, the noise in the cabin will be really annoyingly loud with no seats. Anytime I have to fold my seats down to carry cargo in the back, I have to yell to talk to my passanger, and vise versa. Those seats suprisingly provide a huge amount of sound deadening from the exhaust noise.

 

I made my own rear seat delete insert last weekend out of plywood and put fabric on it. It doesnt look bad at all and I'm actually quite impressed with it. The only problem is a color match issue with the stock carpet but I don't mind. How do I post pictures within a post? I some some of my build process and completed end result for those who are interested.