Under the theme of increased performance and cooling the intercooler. I was wondering .....

How many of you have noticed a change in performance or your MINI S, where there are great variances in ambient temperture over the seasons?

Furthermore, if it is raining, does any water go into the hood scoop, which could aide in decreasing the temperature of the intercooler by evaporative cooling? Anyone notice changes in performance when its raining?


His, Chile RED over
Hers, Electric Blue / Union Jack on top

 

I notice mostly sluggish performance after the car sits with a hot engine in traffic or parked for a short time; the entire intake tract ends up suffering from heat soak. Once underway for a while, things more or less return to normal. Cool, misty rain does tend to increase the power a bit as well, whereas a downpour ends up negating the power increase with hydroplane losses at the tires.

I don't notice too much of a change in performance in higher altitudes, being that the MCS is supercharged it tends to lose power a a lesser rate as altitude increases versus a normally aspirated car.

 

I notice it when the weather out here gets really hot. We have had a couple over 100 days, and the power does go down a little. As soon as the thermometer drops, the performance goes back up. It is not a great difference, but noticable if you are looking for it.

 

Cooler air = horsepower. Less humidity is better, too. Being closer to sea level is better as well.

That's why the drag racers love certain tracks and don't like others quite as well... and why most records fall when the ambient temps/humidity and feet above sea level are optimum.

I've noticed my MC feels more spirited on a 70 degree day than on a 100 degree day. Or, like driving it to work in the morning when it's 80, and home when it's 100+ here in Dallas... it still loves it above 4000 RPM's in either case... heh.