This is very much a "you should've searched for this cuz it's already been covered 2 years ago" situation, but nevertheless:

The R56 MCS uses a Borg Warner K03 w/twin-scroll turbine side. It's rated for just a bit over 200HP worth of air-flow, however as we've seen much more can be squeezed from it at the expense of more heat. A K16 is two sizes bigger, and is rated for ~300HP worth of air-flow. This would be a fun adaptation, however there would be much more turbo-lag and a higher-RPM boost-threshold with this turbo. The K16 is also not listed as being a twin-scroll turbine so it'll spool up even slower, and have a much different exhaust note. I would imagine the flange footprints are different because of this; and the physical size is larger too; making it fit in the R56 MCS tougher than stock, of course. If you're really interested in this adaptation, get the welder out and prepare to fab things up!

Cheers,
Ryan

 

i see...my apologies for overlooking the original thread - my head is elsewhere as i have lots of tests this week in school. but i appreciate you explaining this to me. it sounds like it wouldnt do anything too good for me except break my bank and give off some turbo lag which im not interested in doing. although i may still consider it. do you personally think it is worth it to do a mod like this? i have no welder or welding experience so i would have to find someone to do this for me.

 

If you're interested in doing a bigger turbo [whatever the reasons], consider ALTA's bolt-on GT2560R kit. You'll need an ALTA tweaked UNIchip to go along with it so it'll have good air/fuel ratios, but it's otherwise plug-n-play [at a price of course].

If you're just looking for some more power, I recommend an ALTA tuned UNIchip and a turbo-back exhaust. Just those two items will get your grin firmly glued in place!

 

i really like ALTAs products and i cant lie when i say that i have a grin every time the windows are down and i hear that BOV go off. i love their products and the people that work there are great. the only reason im seriously considering getting this turbo from my friend is because hes selling it pretty cheap (about 300 he said) and thats right in my price range - but after that 300 is spent i would still need to go to a machine shop or body shop and have them install it. the CAI was a breeze to install but a turbo is a whole different story for a novice engine tweaker.

i have to see - i dont know if i even want to go through with this only because of the price tag that goes along with it. dont get me wrong - i love my mini - but when the bank is already broken, no need to go further and break it more...i have to get more money before any serious mods can take place. my friend was also suggesting setting up a twin turbo setup with his two K16s......doubtful but well see.

 

I think a lot more would need to be done than just changing the turbo. you would definitely need a way to monitor the engine after the change. for all we know the ECU could go crazy and hurt performance.... I believe that is why you need the ECU upgrade when you purchase Alta's larger turbo

 

The amount of fabrication and tuning that it would end up costing at least double the price of an already established kit and most likely yield a smaller performance gain.

 

i think it wont be too long before there are some monster turbos out there! alta already has a little uprade and its not going to be long befroe people start wanting MORE power. fireballed ahs already done a 400+bhp car. alta has the new ECu out so tuning isn't going to be a problem.

just give it a year or two and thing will be totaly differant!

Chris.

 

Thanks guys for the compliments and such. The ALTA upgraded turbo (discussed elsewhere in detail) will be available soon. Honestly the kits are done and been running on mules for a bit now. Kind of waiting until the supporting mods are heavily stocked and backorders cleared. Otherwise folks won't be able to get what they need to go with it (ECU's and such)

Look for a March/April release on the upgraded kit!

thanks again folks. Let me know how I can help further!

 

this is music to my ears!!! now all i gotta do is get my mcs!