Hey I just picked up a MCS, basically for a daily track car, if that makes sense to you then you are who I want info from. My last two cars were bmw e36s, before that I was a mustang guy. The car already has a alta 15% and an BMP air intake. What are some other decent cheap mods, removing seats?, plugs going to help me any, intercooler, is software worth it. First I plan on doing a full "inspection", oil, plugs wires, coil filters, stuff like that. I will be auto crossing it, but mostly I just like having a sweet daily driver. And whats the perfered mods website, I used turner and bav auto alot before, but there not huge on minis. Any help would be awesome as I'm sure I will be able to return it later.

 

pic of the beast,

 

also those wheels feel heavy, i'm asuming changing those out produces some sort of gains

 

Yep, those wheels weigh a lot ( I believe 22 lbs. each) and are jokingly referred to as "S-heavies" by a lot of us. As for other mods, it really doesn't take much to get good numbers.

A lot of folks are discovering that the JCW ECU Flash works just fine with a pullied car. If you want a more "refined" tuning, LuckyDog Garage has gained a strong reputation for good ECU tunes and good power numbers without breaking the bank.

There are also "kits" such as JCW, Dinan, Madness, and so on... I think they're all fairly similar. They all provide increased boost, opened up intake and exhaust, and then various small items such as injectors, plugs.

That's a nice looking MINI you got there too!

 

Looks like mine without the stripes. Indi Blue, Pana Roof, White Roof, S-Lites.

 

Loose the Wheels and tires. They are heavy and you will notice a huge difference there in acceleration, braking and cornering.

Software is a great Idea. I choose GIac from Helix. My cars runs like it came from the factory. Though LuckyDog has produced Numbers people have begun to question how they obtian those numbers. Plus the guy bashes every vendor on here. Many people are satisfied with Unichip and MTH. I have no experience with them though.

Intercoolers are a waste of money. Stick with the stock one They are the most efficient. Everything else looks shiny and ligthens your wallet. True they show decreased intake temps, but with the loss in pressure, and loss in your wallet you are right back where you started.

Injecors help but only when using software.

Get yourself an exhuast. Pullied cars need more air flow than a stock car and exhuast helps out. JCW factory exhuast is quiet but is not as free flowing as others (Alta, Borla, Milltek, Invidia). I run an Alta 2.5 and Love it. Not the best fitting exhuast and I had to mod my center hanger but it sounds great and it does not drone at highway speeds. Plus you will notice it pulls a little stronger on the top end.

The rear seat backs are fairly easy to remove (just be patient). They way about 40lbs total. and if no one ever sits back there. Just get rid of them and store them in your garage/attic. Plus you will have more room for accross state line beer runs. or in my case trips to Home Depot for bags of dirt and Plants for my veggie garden. Antoer plus is you don't have to cart drunk people home from the bar.

As for tuner websites I prefer www.helix13.com and http://store.webbmotorsports.com/

P.s. Scan the classifieds for good deals on used parts. I have saved at least $1000 bucks buying slighty used parts over new when modifying my mini.

 

For handling a lot of people have success with camber plates up front, adjustable rear arms, and a 19mm rear sway bar. And as you said, certainly going to lighter wheel/tire combinations yields nice results.

Nobody has seen a gain with plug wires or coil packs. I could be wrong on that.

ECU upgrades is an interesting topic, but it seems that the best way to do it is to get your car on a dyno with someone who knows how to make a tune for your specific car. I know LDG does it. I have the Dinan S1 kit, and I like it. If I ever get a 15% pulley, I'll take a trip down to LDG to get the appropriate tune.

Intercooler discussions get heated (ha) here. I could be a cheapo but it sorta seems like 600 or so bucks you don't need to spend.

And as vdub said above, many invest in exhaust systems that are free flowing and weigh less. There's an exhaust thread sticky in this forum. If you like sound, the favorite seems to be the miltek (best sounding exhaust for the MINI I've heard), and for performance, well, I don't know which is best.

Good luck with the car!

mb

 

you would have to spend significant money to get more hp out of your current setup. the stock ecu is more than capable of handling the pulley and air intake, but since you're going to track it, it may be wise to invest in some upsize injectors and new plugs. I don't think a jcw flash will get you any more noticable power but it may smooth out the delivery. at this point your money is best spent on some light wheels, non-run flat tires and suspension upgrades. that's where you'll see the most difference.

enjoy!

 

I'd like to see what that looks like, debating pulling the stripes, but also debating paint roof and mirrors black then getting black wheels with a polished lip.

Well two things about that, one I was going to do it just cause its a new car to me and I wanted to do the tune-up stuff to it, plus when you increase the boost shouldn't you get better plugs, I'm not looking for a gain as much as a just very reliable mod.

What about the air devirters, I'm not looking for gain again, but more keeping everything running well, along with maybe an oil canister?

thats kind of sad to hear, I mean the car is quick but Its not that quick in comparison to my e36 thats sitting in the garage, but my e36 has race springs and that mini could whip its *** in auto cross from the feel of it.

how much is the jcw flash, does anyone believe in TMS, I love there stuff, but maybe there not huge in the mini area, I want to be in the JCW car area of power, is it possible to find that blower anywhere.

and for everybody, thanks for all the info, its a huge help, i was kinda worried everyone was going to be like, bla we talked about this 10,000 forums ago, do a search. later

 

With your current mods, lighter wheels, and a ne exhuast you should be able to run wth or beat a jcw car. Injectors and Software will get you past them.

My run run in with the guys from Turner Motorsport was back in the day when iIwas the first guy on the east coast (i lived in NY) to run a 17% pulley. They disagreed and fealt I would blow up my charger. I never did and one the same 17% helix pulley on my present 05 cooper S. But Turner has a good Rep in the Racing and BMW world. SO don't judge just based on my Opinion.

 

"I want to be in the JCW car area of power."

Your pretty much there already. My guess would be that you are laying down somewher in the high 170 to mid 180's whp, which is JCW territory. As far as making this car as fast as your BMW's, you are talking some serious cash! Remember, you've only got a 1.6 litre engine!

As far as a tune goes, I think you are more likely to smooth out your power delivery and get more consitant air/fuel ratio. You may gain a few HP, but it probably wouldn't be noticable. What might be noticable though is better throttle response and more linear power delivery.

 

It is hard to beat the BMW. I have an '04 330i (E46) auto & bone stock and can't beat it on my current mods.

 

meh my mini was pretty close to a modded 328 today