i was reading something a while ago about someone taking apart their mini engine and finding that it could be aligned (maybe not the right word) better and would be more efficient. ahh here it is


quote from diamini

This is something i am very interested in. I have not done a single mod yet (6000 miles) I want my MCS to run at its best, so i can feel better about doing pulley, ecu, exhaust, throttle body etc. Am i being ****? I want 200 hp no more than 215 though because this is my everyday car. Any info would be appreciated.

 

The proper term is 'porting' and consists of matching the intake and exhaust manifolds to the openings in the head. While you're in there, might as well do some polishing as well, or even a multi angle valve grind. Definitely not a cost effective process - relatively big $ for small power gains, but you'd know it was pretty on the inside...

 

yes but will it run better? won't this help the car run better overall? 30% is a pretty large number. so i guess your saying that its not worth it? i dont have a lot of money but i like the idea of the car running as efficient as possible so that i am getting the most out of my mods. thanks

 

"Increase flow by 30%" sure, how much does that cost?
And what affect does that increase flow have on the general performance of the car. Can you tell the difference or is it measurable. If it is measurable where is the evidence? Only by seeing the evidence can we say that the work was worth the effort.
Try PM to Diamini to ask for more details. The checking for this mismatch is labor plus work if needed. See how much the labor alone is and then get an estimate for the work. Probably several $100 or more. Then ask what is the evidence of the difference it makes. If you cannot tell the difference in your daily street driving (assuming you don't race) then it doesn't make as much sense to go through the steps. If you race then that is a different case.

 

Y'all should follow a NASCAR thread for this sort o' thang. First you will want to port and polish y'all's head (makes for smoother airflow), then a balance and blueprinting of the whole shebang (disassembly of the engine, weighing and balancing the weight of connecting rods, pistons, etc.) A good speed shop should be able to do all for under $3k. Y'alls engine will run more smoothly and you should find some extra hp, how much depends upon the quality of the work done by MINI as well as that done by Goober and Bubba.

 

any other comments, i was hoping for a few more opinions, thanks

 

Why don't you PM RandyBMC and Eric or Chris at Helix13 for an opinion and estimate of cost.
Sounds expensive to me. Bottom line is for a street daily driver does it make any difference. On the track it would.