I know M7 used to have a turbo kit for the MC, but it dissappeared from thier website. What happened to it? What other manufacturers have this and what kind of gains would someone with a standard MC get?

 

From what I have heard, M7 discontinued it due to problems. This is what I heard and it could be untrue. But from what I understand, there are currently no turbo kits widely available for the Cooper. See recent related discussion here:

http://www.mini2.com/forum/showthread.php?t=92286

 

http://www.turbo-kits.com/mini_turbo_kits.html

'nuff said:smile:

 

Anybody seriously thinking about doing this may well just sell their car and order a MCS. It will end up being cheaper in the long run, way more efficient, and factory warranty backed. I mean, you can put $1k down and sell your car when it comes in! There's no down time.
Or you could pay someone a few grand, blow your car up and call it even.

We all have a choice, I suppose.

 

Kit includes "Generic Install Instructions"

Did I miss the post providing feedback by someone who has installed this kit

 

I think that's the thing that keeps people from trading up to an "S". Why suck up that depreciation when you can take potentially less money to have a half-assed boosted version that makes you happy and already has your *** fitted to the seat? But seriously, that's why I don't trade up for an "S". But my next Mini (in addition to my Cooper, when I trade my Bimmer) will be an "S". Not bashing the "S" at all but before someone suggests I trade up, I hope they'll offer to cover the difference between the wholesale and retail value of my Cooper.

That said, I think if there was enough demand, somebody could make an inexpensive 150hp turbo kit for the standard cooper that wouldn't be ungodly unreliable.

 

Stay tuned.....we're getting closer.


The one advantage (amongst several disadvantages) to turbocharging a MC versus selling it and buying an MCS is that the Cooper handles better and is lighter than the S. You won't beat a well-modded MCS, but you'll have fun trying.

 

Believe me...I'll stay tuned. 45 minutes from philly, I'll be at your doorstep to pick it up the day it's ready!

 

That's what I did. err, sell the MC and buy an MCS, not the blow up the car thing

Actually, if you want a real sob story about putting a turbo on an MC check this out http://www.cardomain.com/ride/756649/3 This crap is still in my garage... the company I purchased it from will not respond to my requests to return the kit.

EDIT: Holy crap!! That kit CarbonChrome mentioned is the same one I got suckered with. Stay far, far away!!!!

 

thats certainly my reasoning....lightness always rules in the corners


I look forward to this...keep us posted :smile:

 

Now, I would trust a kit from Helix! I know that R & D and testing will be tight (toyt, like tyger ) and it'll have to pass thru many skeptical MINI experts before hitting the market.

As far as trading up- The MINI is one of the top vehicles for holding it's value. You may lose a grand or so off retail (I would right now for my 2005 with 3k on it) but thats nothing compared to any other car that loses 20% right off the lot. People are willing to buy used, paying a bit more, rather than waiting the 4-to-who-knows-how-long it takes ordering. Just look at the ones on Ebay! Outrageous! Even 2002 coopers are going for over $16k! and they're almost 4 years old! Plus, we would all trade to a stripped speed machine "S"- Mayde the LSD and that's it. And the Xenons are cool, too. Sunroof is hardly even optional, right? Metallic paint is a must...

This may be harder than it seems!!!!! hahahaha......

 

all i was saying was that one does in fact exist, not that it was good

sorry to hear it didnt work out for you tho pir8

 

I guess just to clarify things, they didnt run into problems as much as they started to realize that it wouldnt bring in any profit due to the low demand for a turbo versus the price of all the work and parts put into developing. I know the people testing the M7 turbo, and they loved it.

 

Actually, Peter posted a list of problems associated with this conversion. This post (#439810) was deleted for some reason

 

yah, he had a few but they were things that he thought could be overcome if someone were to really set their heart to it. I was just trying to say IT IS possible to those who want to attempt it

 

can I be the first on the waiting list?

 

let me know how yours is and then i will be second

I love the sound of a good turbo

 

I sell BMW and Mercedes cars for a living...to say you'd only lose $1000 trying to sell privately or to trade is not 100% true. Yes, the Minis hold their value very well compared to most other cars but that alone doesn't justify "trading up".

It's like saying trade in your old 318i to buy an old 325i...the price difference isn't that horrible but there are a LOT of Downing Atlanta powered 318's out there and a 325 is still quieter, smoother, and just as powerful for potentially the same or less money. But if you've owned your 318 since new and...blah blah blah...I could go on. Anyway, there are many other cars with the same type of scenario and people keep the base model and improve it. It's hot-rodding 101! I just read about a naturally aspirated Grand Prix 3.8 liter that ran a 12.9 second 1/4 mile. Why not trade up for a supercharged GTP? You get the picture...

 

I see your point, but if I wanted power (and could have afforded it with all the options I wanted) I would have gotten an "S". If anyone wants to strap on a turbo, I say go for it. You'd be trailblazing in the name of innovation! This is my only car and I can't have anything happen to it, so I'll play safe with standard, popular mods. Maybe when I have a project car on the side in the next few years, I'll try bolting on some crazy stuff, but for now it's limited risk taking. 2 cents.


-Steve

 

Devil's advocate, ya' know? That's me...

I'm not saying I'm doing any of this stuff...just brainstorming and trying to motivate others to push the envelope. I would have bought an S, too, if it was on the lot when i arrived and had the specs I wanted. But getting a standard cooper at a discount was too good to pass up! I'll wait until it's hitting 100k miles before I do any serious wrenching unless something proven and reasonably priced pops up between now and then.
Like i said before, the next Mini will be an "S".

 

What about all the weight and lesser handling that you would gain by getting an MCS though?

 

Yeah, those "S"s are real crap!

My butt-dyno-slash-performance-meter is not calibrated that finely, so I probably couldn't tell anyway!

But it is good to hear SOME positive things about getting an MC over an "S".

 

haha just yankin your chain....i can tell the difference between weight, but its not big or anything :smile:

 

we all know everyone like MC's better than MCS's..........after all, the MC is much cuter than an MCS!!!!!

 

To Helix13:

Can you go into specifics about the turbo kit? Also, I am wondering if it would be compatable with the CVT trans.

TIA