Im currently in the market for a R56 MCS and being the mod/performance junky that I am Im curious to know why the power output for the MCS is so low. Comparing it to my current daily driver, that also has a 1.6L turbocharged engine at 11 PSI with a small GT-04 ball bearing turbo that puts out close to 230 HP and 190 Ft Lbs, the R56 seems quite inefficient. It seems to me like the engine should be able to push much more the the 172 Hp its rated at.

So riddle me this Batman...
What have you guys done to raise the efficiency of the engine and bring the potential power out? Do you see any places that seem like they could be redesigned for more power or problem area's that are robbing hp?

With the same specs as my current car it seems as though the R56 could definitely create more power so im guessing the problem might be with the restriction of the manifold, DP, exhaust and intercooler designed to raise MPG and keep down noise. Has anyone had results with larger, less restrictive piping?

Thanks and sorry for the Noob questions,
7

 

Since you are new, you don't know that th R56 is very under rated form the factory. Stock cars have been dynoed with 170-180 at the wheels. I dynoed 189Whp and 209 tq with just an intake and catback. The dual scroll turbo is very small, but very linear with no lag at all.

 

what kind of gas mileage does your daily driver get?

Im sure the MINI could put out more power at the cost of a weird powerband and less fuel mileage.

 

45MPG hwy and about 30 City....

 

Interesting; my Miata gets 25/30 mpg and it has only a catback exhaust. You must have a very light foot!

Also of note, you're claiming your 11psig 1.6L puts out 190Lb/Ft. In stock form, my R56 MCS put out 227Lb/Ft in overboost mode, which is 15psig. The big reason for peak power is that your Miata has a relatively large turbo made for high-RPM power, not low-end torque. The R56 only revs to 6500, and yet peaks it's power at only 5000 RPM. In anything resembling stock-ish form, it'll never be a high-revving high-power engine; it's meant to be a low-end torque monster.

Areas of efficiency improvement would be a lower-restriction intercooler, boost tubes that delete the factory "muffler", a cold-air intake, some head and turbo porting, and a turbo-back exhaust.

Have you driven an R56 yet? When you drive one you'll be impressed with its low-end torque and smooth power band. Just remember its front drive, so it'll roast the tires pretty easy!

 

Quite the contrary actually! It might have something to do with the deliverances in altitude on where we live and the tune I have my car set up as. I'm running very lean around idle and up till 4K RPM due to underpowered injectors.

I see what your saying in regard to torque numbers and peak power.

 

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...what were the numbers before the mods? there is a reason i'm asking....

 

That's because it DOES push much more than it's rated at =) Ask any of us who've been dynoed. With less than $2k in mods you'll be pushing ALOT more.

I've also been averaging well over 30mpg in mixed driving =)

 

How much does it cost to get dynoed ??
I've always been curious.. and I'm also getting the JCW Kit this weekend, so I'll be even MORE curious for a dyno... But won't pay a pretty penny for a dyno... CURIOUS !

 

the dinky turbo chokes the car at high RPM. You can feel it run out of lungs at red-line....

Matt

ps, small injectors won't do anything to lean the car at lower RPM. Unless you've tuned for different A/F ratios, the ECU will just tune the duty cycle to hit what it wants. If the engine has to compensate too much, it will throw lean codes cause it can't hit target A/F ratios.

 

The power from the mini comes from its light weight. Thats why it feels very quick.

 

the power comes from the engine. The performace is somewhat determined by the power to weight ratio. But even with that minor correction, the turbo was chosen for low RPM torque, not high RPM power. And it shows....

Matt