I just got an old 2008 mini hatchback N12 and have been doing some internet reading. Just curious, besides header, exhaust, CAI, pedal box to make response quicker, and ecu tunning, is there anything else for performance for the N12? Can you get those Koala spacers to fit? Is there any performance cams or heads for the N12? I haven't found any so far. Is it just crazy custom engine and head work left on the table? Last part, is it possible to swap an S engine in and/or S manual trans? I think I read the mounts are different. Thanks guys!

 

I was about to ask about this but I found this unanswered thread instead so, im jumping on this bandwagon before I ask on my own thread. And to assist the guy above me, the problem I've found with the N12 is that unlike its N16 counterpart the engine block has no oil squirters under the pistons to keep them cool on the N12 where they are needed on the N16 to help with the turbo heat pressure. Also with cams, there aren't any because of the dual vanos in the N12 motor. Because of these discrepancies, the N16 internals won't work with the N12. That's my 2 cents but im curious as to how much power I could make and what I could do if anything other than ECU tuning and Pedal Booster stuff, and intake box and exhaust system/headers. I can't find anything at all and I just want the maximum power I can get out of the N12 because of its benefits over the N16. (If I want a Cooper S I could get one but the -30hp I might have after tuning the N12 doesn't compensate for the loss of reliability imo)

Thanks, guys

 

.
N12 up to 2.2010, N16 from 3.2010 up, both NA, no DI, no turbo.
N14 and N18 are DI and turbo.
Both N12 and N16 don't come with oil jets to cool the pistons as
they don't have high power. Piston jets are plain unnessessary.

Most important: Sadly, there is no single chance to elevate power
to speak from. NONE! Pedal Booster, headers and air filters? Just
placebo. You certainly won't accept "some loss of reliability". It's a
Mini and it comes with "loss of reliability" as a feature from factory.

Apparently your Cooper is 16 years old. I'd honestly suggest invest
in maintainence instead.
.

 

1st I meant N16 not N14. It was late and I was tired lol.

2. Ive seen an increase in power with an exhaust and intake but not by much. Assuming there isn't any other parts at all available to build an N12 an actual ECU tune wouldn’t make a difference? Not by any amount? Id think even a10hp increase in a light car with 118hp factory would be pretty significant.