Greetings my non-S compatriots. I see (in the throttle body thread) the "why won't you build stuff for the Cooper" conversation growing again. If you're interested in going as far as cylinder head work, you might want to visit this thread in the Marketplace forum. I don't have one of his heads but I've spoken to him a few times now and he seems like the real deal. It's also obvious he will work a cylinder head for YOUR car without looking down his nose because you drive justacooper.

 

If I can help...

Just me...........................

Thumper

 

Cooper heads? Looking down noise? I just put a Wegner Stage 1 on a customer’s car last week. With the stock valve train the price is currently $1000 and it comes with the Wegner performance guarantee.

 

Greetings Don - I didn't know you were doing Wegner heads for Coopers. Excellent price as well by the way!

 

Why should the price be higher? They are CNCed just as the NASCAR engines are on a 7-axis machine. The price starts to climb when you upgrade the valvetrain.

 

The head is exactly the same between the two cars, too. I mean, literally everything but the material the valves are made of is the same (including the cam).

What works on a head for the S also works on the Cooper... (The only exception is that oversize valves are a bit of a tossup on the N/A Cooper, IMHO).

 

Yep.. almost the same. but the engine perimiters are totally different.

just me............................

Thumper

PS: I just spec'd out the camshafts... they are the SAME also!! But that was already said!!
Tpr

 

Wish I knew about this thread earlier. I try to avoid NAM now-a-days... Too many fights.

Anyways, onto the news: I just recently did this mod together with a Schrick camshaft - I think I'm the only NON S with the Thumper Performance Head as of right now... and I have to admit the hardest thing about it was coming back home (I drove about 3 hours to a friend's house for the install - he's known as one of the best for this, so I trust him and was willing to do the drive.) Anyways, coming back home (another 3 hours on the highway) I was told NOT to go over 4K RPMs, just so that the engine/camshaft/head "settled" better with each other and, in other words, did another break-in period... That was tough, 'cause at 2K RPMs the car seemed MUCH lighter and wanted to keep going... But I had to let off all the time... lol

Anyways, 2 days later I was tired of the 4K max, so I went all out on it... I was shocked/impressed/scared all at once. As I said earlier, the car feels much lighter (but it's just more power) and it picks up speed like nothing else. This experience is based on a 4-year-old MINI with STOCK ECU, after I change the ECU it should feel much better, as all my other mods would finally start to work together in harmony.

The new top speed is 130mph, but again, with a different ECU it might go higher. The thing that amazed me the most was the acceleration. The car just picks up and wants to go. Next thing I know it's 5K RPMs and I have to be alert to shift. And then it's the same thing again. The power doesn't die until I get to 6K RPMs in 5th, when it's going 130mph...

My mods as of now are (in order of installation).

1. aFe Air Intake.
2. MyMINI Touring Exhaust.
3. Megan Racing Exhaust Header.
4. Magnaflow CAT.
5. Schrick Camshaft.
6. Thumper Performance Cylinder Head.

After a reprogrammed ECU, I'm hoping for even more power. I'm not a power-crazed guy, but I like what I have. I'll have it dyno'd soon, and afterwards I'll post my results.

I had it dyno'd before with the air intake and exhaust only, and it was at 108hp at the wheels. About 125BHP (10hp gain over stock numbers). Which seems about right. I'm hoping for 130 at the wheels this time. And hopefully a little more after the ECU upgrade.

I'll keep everybody posted as I find time to post... As I said before, I've been working a lot more lately, and barely find time for anything anymore... It'll be better when school starts again. lol.

And just as a note, Thumper was more than helpful when it came to this. He knows that I'm very picky about my car and I value every $$ I make. With that in mind, this mod was more than worth it, and even without a dyno sheet in front of me, I can tell the car is a complete different (but tamed) beast, and I would do it again if given the chance.

Take care,
Leo.

 

Do you know some one that MIGHT want to evaluate a camshaft I am having designed for the MC?? I know you have the Schrick....( camshaft eta approx end of Jan or Feb ) and YES you are the ONLY MC with my head on at this time!! 130 MPH rocks in a MC , huh?? Just dont get into any tight turns... lol!!

Have fun and we are all looking to the Dyno sheet!!

Just me........................................

Thumper

 

What kind of profile are you shooting for? And, powerband?

My only complaint with the Schrick cam is that the power really pours on above 4K and seems a bit flat lower in the RPM range. On cars with stock heads, we've noted the same issue.

We've got a Cooper test mule with a head that we ported/polished by hand... It would probably be considered about as aggressive as you can get and maintain the integrity of the head. Valvetrain is stock Cooper S stuff, including the Inconel valves...

It's possible to see north of 140 in a Cooper - our test mule's done it. The caveat is the tranny is the weak link and will soon be replaced... heh.

 

I am looking at the whole rpm range.. true you will USUALLY lose a little lowend for the top.. I havent dyno'd the present camshaft from Germany... but it seems to me being an OLD gearhead.. it could be better... and that is where I am at at this time. Holidays are great for everyone !! "cept for someone needing something, yes?? LOL I hope to have two cam grinds for the MCS and the MC. we'll see what ends up ...

Just me...................................

Thumper

PS: IF anyone is unhappy with their performance with the German camshaft, either thru the "SOP" meter or less than expected.. let me know, I really dont want a performance envelope that is all ready there... cool??
Tks
Tpr

 

Midlands or Getrag? How do you plan to improve the tranny?

 

Midlands - upgraded internals, better synchros, a little doweling and welding... parts are available at MINIMania UK!

 

I emailed them several weeks back on availability and price, but haven't gotten that information, have you? Thanks!

 

Last I heard, they were making up some gears for my 'box... I don't think they stock them from what I can tell. Adam @ MINIManiaUK is who you'll want to talk to - email response can be slow if you send it to their general mailbox, which is the only address I have...

 

Would I feel a difference just doing P&P without changing the camshaft? I already have MTH tuner, I just want a little more power/torgue throughout the RPM range.

retroom

 

We made over 240 BHP ( 211 WHP SAE) with a Stock camshaft... Stock I/C and Stock exhaust Header!! When you add more mods and the tunability MTH the Head will allow MORE power!! The power is thru out the entire range.. no Flat spots, and killer street light to light power !! And still strong power to the limiter!! SOOOoooo..... dont think all the bells and whistles are need to be there to make power !! It only gets better with the Head!! cool??

Just me...........................................

Thumper

 

How many subsequent cars have you done this on? Also what is the baseline of the stock car before you put on the head?

Bill

 

OOPS!! I am sorry... that was on an MCS!! The MC wont have results till the mid of this month as that is his dyno!! He does have a befor dyno and then he added my head ( ported for MC) and the Schrick... SOOOooo.... till then the MC power gains are on hold till he runs the dyno..!! He has posted here on NAM.. as a NON S Cooper and Thumper Heads.. shoot me an email at Thumper460@hotmail and I will share what I have at this point!! cool??

Again... my bad on the MCS power numbers... cool??

Just me..........................

Thumper

 

Did you ever get MC dyno numbers?

 

I have a set-up date for May 26th to get a dyno done, I'm trying my best to get a custom ECU upgraded before then... in other words, working double-time to get that paid. lol.

Hopefully I'll get something soon and if all goes well, I might even get a dyno before May, we'll see..

Sorry for the hold, but PM me with additional questions and I'll be happy to help you out to the best of my abilities.

Take care,
Leo.

 

Right now I'm just toying with the idea of a normally asprirated car "for fun". Might be a little different, a little simpler. For some reason it's sounding interesting...

So right now it's just curiousity on my part...

 

This does sound interesting...


art

 

I wanna see the dyno numbers.....I'ma watch......

 

There are some videos on youtube of a MINI One in England w/125HP that looks really fun.