Hey guys.. I just bought a 2010 mini Cooper and I love it. I'm just wondering what can I do to make it have some more kick to the acceleration? I'm a total nube when it comes to this stuff.. What's the best thing for me to do? Should I take it to a shop and she what they would do?

 

How much are you willing to spend?

If you really want to make it go faster, you'll need some $$.

Some simple bolt-ons would be your best bet if on a budget.
I would begin with an air intake. You'll get some nice noise, a mild torque/hp gain, and maybe 1-2 extra MPGs.

From there, open up the exhaust. Get a full cat-back to start. Pick up some more torque/hp and possible fuel economy as well.

Between the air intake & exhaust, you should gain some throttle response which will make you feel quicker as well.

If you don't wanna mess with the engine/drive-train too much (i.e., Ported&Polished head, larger valves, camshaft, etc) then get your ECU tuned.

However, take everything I just said with a grain of salt as I'm not an R56 owner. I am a former R50 owner and now a current R53 owner.

 

woa

 

I am finally getting an intake system after reading about them and realizing that the added benefit of being able to clean it at will is nice. The aFe is the system I will be buying because of the R&D they put into their products (DDM is good too) but the aFe folks also have a dry filter that works well with dry and dusty environments, such as Denver,CO. I will post some pics and some opinions once I finish it up!

 

Although this car will never be fast, there are a few things you can do to it for sure.

I have the NGK Iridium Spark Plugs, which have allowed the car to run smoother and the response has crisped back up again. So, change spark plugs if your car has some miles. I would do it even if the miles are low too. That is a $25 investment on a nice little upgrade. I would also look at a cat-back exhaust, if you don't mind the sound. I actually had a cat-back made with my Apexi N-1 muffler finishing it off. Love the sound and the pull at high RPM is great!

You might also look at a short throw shifter like the one from Alta or B&M. The B&M for you is cheap ($50 give or take) and will make shifts feel more solid.

Other than those few things, suspension is your best mod alternative my friend.

Good luck and keep us posted!

 

I know non S drivers are limited and hesitant to get too much HP because they don't want to shred the midlands. But the 2005+ have gatrags, so no more limits right? Also the engines are different, so we are still behind in hp, but what about that monstrosity a few pages back?
I think its a throttle body.
First question:
With all the parts to get the throttle body optimized, will a modded non S ever be faster than a modded S?
Second question :
Is there any kind of monstrosity that can be put on an S?

 

a modded S will always be faster unless you use some form of forced induction on the R50. Period.

 

Granted that the Getrag is more survivable, but I suspect you'd merely increase the failure probability of the clutch and other components in the drive train. It'd only be as good as the weakest link in the chain.

 

And the getrag is only rated to something like 250hp so its not like it's "indestructible"

I'm telling you, I've seen turbo r50's with THOUSANDS of dollars under the hood loose to an S with bolt-ons.

Something like the throttle bodies a few pages back will boost you up to the point of a stock S (for a very high price) and then where do you go from there? Forced induction? Add another 5k at least and I can call up 3 people right now with an S that can MURDER it.

 

Past intake, exhaust, and a few other small bolt-on this and thats, the R50 will never be a speed demon. However, those mods will add response, MPG, and fun to your car! From there, focus on the suspension characteristics of the ride. My R50 with minimal performance upgrade and moderate suspension upgrade is great through the twisties of Colorado, which are usually more twisty than most!

Point being, you will have fun with the car if you just allow yourself to do so. So I would do this:

1. Intake
2. Cat-back exhaust
3. Short Throw Shifter
4. 19mm rear sway bar
5. A good set of performance oriented tires

Start there and see what you like! I went as far as adding:

1. M7 Under Strut System
2. TSW Springs
3. OEM Cabrio Braces
4. NGK Iridium Spark Plugs

Have fun and motor on!

 

^^Exactly, modding an R50 will make it more fun.

I <3 my R50 and I've done the performance mods, but most of the stuff I've done (even my performance stuff like the exhaust and the coils,) I did for the visual improvement. The way I see it, my car will never be fast, but at least I look good

 

I know a lot of people suggest taking a driving course at your local track or from your local SCCA chapter. Having tons of power does you no good unless you have the ability to put it on the track in an orderly fashion.

 

Have fun with your R50, it can be fast but you'l have to spend a large ammount of cash :P

I now have a stock engine and ECU map, yet i measured with my pbox system 0-60mph in 7.86 secs and 1/4 mile in 16.23 secs with VERY bad tyres :D

I am waiting for my Cosworth cylinder head to arrive, i already have received Cosworth valve springs, and then i am installing the camshaft i already have, larger injectors and then a new remap. I am looking forward to the result, and i hope it will be good

 

Love that exhaust note Nick

 

Thanks mate!

 

Was that with or without the exhaust hooked up? I remember you posting the car sans exhaust earlier...

 

This is with the complete exhaust! Janspeed decat header, Supersprint center cat back with resonator delete! I only run the car with the header for one day only a long time ago :D

 

nick,which injectors will you put on your super cooper?

 

Bosch injectors that match the OEMs but larger, once they are installed and work ok i'll give away their part number

 

Hello people with non-S mini's

I have a non S mini and may I say.. I'm soo happy with it.. I have an 08 R56. I just got an Akimoto RS CAI. I love it... My car sounds better with out the stock intake... Thanks to Tchezem for letting me purchase his intake
I am proud to b a Non-S member

 

Welcome to the club! Enjoy the R56 and remember on that car in particular, suspension mods are your best friend

 

Just added some 5mm H&R spacers to my list of mods. I have to say, for the minimal investment that these were, they added a lot of grip and the car feels more planted on the road. Fro anyone looking to make their Cooper a more "road course worthy" adversary, these spacers are a must for those of us running OEM wheels!

 

I'm going to feel like a noob for asking this. but what do spacers do?!

 

They go over your hubs...



...and widen the wheel base...

 

Widening the stance provides a wider track, which in turn gave my car more grip. On the highway, it feels much more controlled. Also rotates well through the twisties. Overall, the 5mm spacers upgrade all around the car was well worth the $100 it cost for parts.