So, my friend just bought a Mini and wants to make it quicker but has never tuned a car before, I have tuned the crap out of my Z33 but am not too familiar with turbocharged engines. What would be a good set of mods to start with and what are the best Co.s that make them. Like I keep hearing about not to get an aftermarket BOV, but to go with CAI, but which one? And who makes a good reliable exhaust system with noticeable power gains, and what should i buy first? If anyone can help me out with these questions that'd be great. He wants to keep it as a daily with the occasional weekend canyon carver and late night wangan.

 

Alta... excellent quality, outstanding customer service, perhaps the currently the largest selection of aftermarket parts.

 

I don`t own a Mini yet.. but I saw the thread about a homemade `cool` air intake where you take out the airbox and add your own filter while opening up the hood scoop to allow some air in. Takes around 15 minutes to do and it`s a cheap mod, that`s what I`ll probably be doing if not purchasing an aftermarket intake. After that I`d add an intercooler and boost tubes? not sure what those do yet but still need more research and definitely an ecu. Then lower (springs) the car and that should be all. Hopefully all costs well under $2,000.

 

ok, but in which order exactly, wouldn't it be smart to after the cai and boost tubes to probably add an exhaust system in order to facilitate release of all that air coming in, and then the intercooler afterwards? and is the Front mount intercooler "better" than the top mount, and if it is, how much more of a hassle it it and is it really worth it? and does Alta make all these parts for the mini

 

The best bang for your buck would be ECU tuning, but if you plan on doing any bolt-ons those should be done first. Most people seem to do intake/ exhaust/ maybe??? intercooler/ ECU. Things like boost tubes seem to be more engine dress-up at that point (not to say they don't make some power; just at a certain point it doesn't matter)

Overall people are pretty happy with Alta, but there's also DDMWorks, M7, Forge, and a few other vendors pumping out parts for these cars. Just make sure you're searching for R56 parts.

The R56 comes stock with a front mount intercooler, the Alta one is just significantly larger.
Here's the R56 parts from Alta

 

honestly, if you wanted to do things the "right" way, I'd say Intercooler first, followed by either Intake or Exhaust, then ECU. I doubt boost tubes would register on the butt-dyno, so I wouldnt bother with those, and as far as a BOV, I'd skip the Forge piece and wait to see what Alta has to offer

are you worried about keeping your warrantee intact? If so I'd stick to the easy bolt ons like Intake and Ecu

 

check out their line of products for the Mini, I haven't read about a top mount intercooler, makes just perfect sense that a newer bigger one replaces the stock right in the front. Not sure about the exhaust since I haven't thought about it, I guess having an exhaust isn't a big of a deal to me yet as it may not be a large concern..? I don't know much but I thought an intercooler can come in any time but before an ecu upgrade. I'm still speculating and reading..

 

I read a little on this thread, sounds like some suggest intake, intercooler and unichip (ecu) to see measurable gains.

https://www.northamericanmotoring.co...highlight=mods

 

thanks guys. last question, what ECU tune should i go with?

 

those are my exact mods. huge power gains.

 

You can do things in any order you wish, or spend an afternoon doing everything at once. One could pose logic for any stepwise install pattern. What you do depends upon what you are looking for. As for ECU tune, there appears to be some murmerings about GIAC, this JuiceBox may come around soon. Of course there is the UniChip. The UniChip is sold by Alta, they have very specific maps based upon mods, fuel, location, etc. They will build a tune specific to your application, you can also have it remapped once you change things. Check with Alta, Adam and the crew there is a pretty good resource. I never got a warm feeling about the other options. GIAC requires an ECU reflash ( not a good move in my book, leaves traces, requires removing the ECU and sending it out, how do I drive? ) The JuiceBox thing, well read, that company doesn't appear to making very good progress.

 

I went: turbo back exhaust, intake, intercooler, and then ecu tune....worked out great.....great power and my car sounds friggin amazing, I get nothing but compliments all the time.......and of course all parts are from Alta.

 

OK
I don't race, I don't speed (well maybe just a little when called for ) but for the daily grind and personal satisfaction with my MINI S Cabrio and weekend drives in the country with the ragtop down, What would be ANYONEs suggestions that will not push her out of warranty? (Besides give her up 'cause I don't drive like a boy racer rice rocket)
As you can see 1st gear looking to learn.

 

If you don't care about adding power then don't spend any money there. Go for looks type items such as wheels, stripes/graphics, body kits. Or leave a nice package the way it already is!

 

very helpful guys, really do appreciate it. I come from a JDM type tuner world and it can get pretty nasty and trash talking in the forums and so far I see nothing but maturity. I might get me one of these bad boys given the community. Actually, one last question, a little off topic, I live in the San Fernando Valley area and I always see a dark grey Mini with black top and a wing. His car seemed pretty heavily modified and he was on the Chasing the Touge DVD. His name is Stanley I believe. Anyone here know him? I only ask cause I used to see him all the time on Sunday morning cyn runs and Meets, but not lately. I think he used to or still does work for m7 tuning.

 

I do care about adding performance. I was reading in another forum about a plug in module below the accelerator that increases response time of the accelerator. More like having the old cable to the carb.
Your thoughts?

 

Madison Ms MINI: The problem is that you have a R52 with a Tritech Supercharged engine. You are asking people who have R56 with Prince Turbo charged engines for help. The cabrio does not get the engine "Up" grade untill 2009. True ALTA has goodies and works its magic on the Tritech engines just as they do on the Prince engines.

I would suggest the following for your R52 MCSc: If you want to keep it under warranty, go to a dealer and ask for a JCW kit to be installed. Provided they have have any of them left! If you can't find a JCW kit... go after market...

15% pulley on the Super Chager. Light weight pulley on the crank. Intake: M7 or ALTA. Exhaust: Miltek, Super Sprint, Borla, Alta. Then maybe a piggy back ECU chip. Add in a set of JCW brakes and pads, and a rear sway bar swap and you would have one VERY formidable R52! You will probably want to add a Schroth Harness to both front seats at this point!

But the first mod for any MINI Cooper should be to go and pick up a compact "donut" spare tire and rim from a honda in a bone yard (same bolt spacing and patern) and throw on a set of GOOD STICKY NON RUN FLAT TIRES! Non run flats are lighter and saving rotating weight is like adding horse power. Better yet add a set of light weight FORGED aluminum wheels to those non runflats and see even more improvement.

 

That's what I'm lookin' for! Thanks!
Any advise about Carbon Fiber body parts? Good, Bad, Chips easily, etc.?

 

The only body panel I would want to see on a MINI (R55/R56) in Carbon Fiber is the Roof panel. Would help to save a ton of weight, Especially if you don't have he HEAVY dual sun roof!

There was a CHROME roof panel for the R50/R53, $7999.99 if I remember. No welding required! Quite a bit of work to swap out the factory part and replace all the seals.

I have seen Carbon Fiber Bonnets for the R50/R52/R53... Not my style. But to each their own.

On keeping CF from chipping, the key is a few good layers of Clear Coat to seal them up. Then you negate the weight savings of not painting the CF.

 

OK that sounds like thats out! No CF unless it's drastic entire body.

Ever researched this one from MINImania:

"Improve throttle response with SPRINTBOOSTER, a Plug-n-Play Performance Upgrade for your 2002 - 2008 MINI Cooper and Cooper S including the Hardtop, Convertible, and CLUBMAN. This is an upgrade that you can feel with normal everyday driving, not just on the track at redline! $399.99"

 

Hey guys! Happy to help with either the R52/53 cars and the R56 of course.

I appreciate everyone who had nice things to say about the ALTA items.

Do the OP and others, PLEASE feel free to e-mail me directly with any questions or concerns. It is RARE that I wouldn't get back to you in 24 hours.

Thanks again!