>>If you want the last little bit though, it costs. The big costs are the intercooler and the header.

I am going to be interested in reading more on the intercooler. It sounds like it might help the overall reliability of our tweaked engines. (Is that a correct read?) If it means more power, then I'll just have to put up with it, I guess.

And I certainly hope this didn't come off as disrespect. It started as a cost analysis between JCW and the 230, and then morphed into a stream of conciousness treatise about when is enough enough. I agree with Randy. It did veer too quickly into off-topic territory. Afterall, following tangents is just the mind motoring.

 

I don't think an intercooler will improve reliability, but it should improve consistency by reducing power loss from heat soak.

 

Teldon and Jim, I agree with both of you on what you are saying. I for one am focusing on having an intake/exhaust/pulley/ecu and that should keep me happy (and be enough money spent considering it's for pure speed). At that point, upgrading the rear sway bar, springs, brakes, wheels will make me more content than speed upgrades. Plus, you need that balance unless you are simply drag racing. After, if there is still an urge for more speed for some reason, there are many ways to go for that. I don't know if I will get to the 230hp level, so it's best for me to go for 200hp and focus on other fun things. Besides, the car will be an explosive machine with upgrades touched on every part of the car (braking,suspension, etc).

 

>>A stock Cooper S will run with a 1984 Corvette. Subaru and Mitsubishi packing 300 hp cars to sell to teenagers might be a positive step forward in terms of social darwinism and zero-population growth, but it has massively disturbed perceptions of power.
>>
TELDON I see your point, but why did you compare to the 1984 corvette? Could it be that the 1984 vette was the slowest ever made pulling 205 hp and as such being the only vette the stock mcs would stand a remote chance of hanging with? Please...Lets build bigger roads for teens in fast cars. Lets mod out our MC/S. Lets race the slowest vette ever. LETS MOTOR

 

Teldon,

Nice tap, I didn't know there was a MAN out there that could say....
"TOO MUCH POWER". Sorry crew, just couldn't sit on this one...

Kevin

 

>>Teldon,
>>
>> Nice tap, I didn't know there was a MAN out there that could say....
>>"TOO MUCH POWER". Sorry crew, just couldn't sit on this one...
>>
>>Kevin


It's simply a matter of having a balanced car. Cars can be overpowered when the other systems of a car don't control that power as good as they should anymore (brakes, suspension, etc). Having 230hp on a 2550lb car is just ballistic, but you better have some nicer brakes and the brains to control it all well.

 

can i order a throttle body from overseas???

 

Randy -

I am really glad to finally find this thread! Thanks for all the thoughtful comments and well thought out components!

Best regards,

 

Sounds like with all that extra power, you might need to reconsider weight placement over the front wheels, spinning wheels = wasted power.

Good Luck

 

An LSD becomes even more necessary... while in there, one can go hog-wild and get a performance clutch and lightened flywheel.

Also, some wider & sticker tires, if not already done of course... Don't know if the H-Sport camber plates would help in this regard though...

>>Sounds like with all that extra power, you might need to reconsider weight placement over the front wheels, spinning wheels = wasted power.
>>
>>Good Luck