Well I got my exhaust and CAI now (MyMini) what next I'm thinking hardware before ECU upgrade. I plan on a slow complete build up. More then likely in this order put still looking for suggestions if you think there's a better route.I know some of you will say do handling upgrades first but I want to do that after motor
1. M7 throttle body
2. coil,sparkplug wire and spark plug upgrade
3.Cam
4.head port and polish
5ECU upgrade (might do header if I go mth stage 1) but could go unichip would really like opinions here.

 

I would say header, then throttle body. Do all of the hardware you want to do before you add the software, that way it can be tuned to maximize your hardware. Just my opinion.

 

I agree on the header. I know you plan on suspension upgrades later but consider that you can spend a lot of money on your engine and the returns in performance will be limited.

Putting some energy and funds into your suspension will bringer greater performance gain dollar for dollar. Good luck and have fun

Great color choice

 

yes I do like the red and black. Sorry about your car man. Are you having separation anxiety

 

I've heard that you lose low end torque with a header but it is offset with a good ECU tune such as MTH so that's why I thought i might do them at the same time.But I'm just learning here so keep up with the good suggestions. Thanks

 

I have been doing OK but I went and drove an 03 S this morning and now I am experiencing it. I am asking for my car to be totalled and I have thought about giving an S a try. I had never driven one before this morning. After three years of hanging out on this board and reading about everyone's experiences I was pretty excited about driving an S. A friend of mine is a buyer at a local car dealer and He had an 03 CR/B S on his lot. Great chance to compare same year cars with same color and same mileage.

Perhaps I was unrealistic in my expectations but my first impression of the S was underwhelming. My Cooper was livelier and more nimble than the S. It wasn't until about 3500 rpm in third that I felt more engine coming on.

My coop had intake, exhaust, plugs, wires, MTH, and I realize the S was bone stock with DSC on. I had never experienced DSC, and after I switched it off the S perked up quite a bit. I know that my coop was near the top of his game and the S at the bottom, but my experience was interesting.

The upgrade potential of the S is quite alluring to me and I think I'll give one a shot. I hope my cooper friends won't think me a traitor, but I've got to give it a shot.

Sorry to wander off topic, but the therapy is good for me.

 

Good luck with the S. I can understand ones interest in one,but I drive 500miles a week which is why I might skip the cam on my upgrades. I like the mileage. Could you tell me about your MTH experience. I here that MyMini is going to be a dealer soon so customer service should be a lot better then some of the stories I've heard. How much difference did you feel in performance.

 

My MTH experience has been great. No problems at all. I got if from Volker at MTH Germany. I have the sensolutions usb cable. If you want I can loan it to you because I won't need it for a few months I have a Sony Vaio laptop that is less than a year old, and turn off everythig before flashing. No problems at all.

As far as performance is concerned MTH has been great. My exhaust and intake make most of their power above 4000 rpm. The MTH helps below the 4k kick. It also moved the redline up from 6800 to 7200. That has been great on the track. MTH also gave me a bit of a bump in mileage.

I think it's a great upgrade and I will do it again on whatever I end up with.