Hi!

My name is Randy Flowers. I am new to these boards and new to Minis. I have owned a TR4, Healey, Miata, and currently a Caterham (Lotus) Super 7! I have decided to sell the Lotus 7 for the time being and focus on having only one vehicle, as i am a single dad with two pre-teen daughters (one of them autistic) and i dont have the time or money for owning 2 vehicles plus a Lotus 7 at the moment.

Instead, i decided on purchasing an MCS and set out to find the 'sweet spot' for mods that 1) fell within a 5k (or so) budget 2) worked well as a system together and 3) turned my docile little MCS into something closer to my the handling and pickup of my Lotus 7, as i will really miss having the 7!

So, i turned to these forums and did alot of lurking type research over the past few weeks. I quickly realized that Jan was the guy to talk to, so i called him and told him my situation, what i was looking for (great handling and something near a 10:1 power to weight ratio and not to hurt my mpg if at all possible in the process), and how i would use the car (as a daily driver with occasional auto-x), gave him a budget of about 5k, and asked what would he recommend putting together.

Jan was as helpful as yall have alluded to and here is what he came up with! I am planning on keeping a running thread (or series of threads) looking for yall's feedback, as i build up my RMW $5K Project 'Sweet Spot' Mods MCS!!!

Jan's suggestions:

*** Start with an 05 or 06 MCS.

I might not be able to find one in my $15K purchase price budget thats an 05 or 06. Jan said that the 05/06s have stronger engines to start from. Either way, i will purchase an Electric Blue MCS with 30k or so on it that has been babied and NOT Modded. Note that i have not found the right mini yet.

*** Get the CROSS Coilovers.

Jan says i can get them for $2200 (plus $200 install), and that by getting them, not only do i get Lotus 7 level roadholding, but also dont need anything else (i.e. dont need a rear sway bar, etc). The Cross Coilovers are a one-mod suspension fix!

*** Get the RMW cam.

Jan says i can get them for $400 (plus $150 install).

*** Get the RMW header (shorty?) plus full RMW exhaust/catback.

Jan says i can get the full RMW exhaust (header plus catback) for $2000 (will prolly install myself).

*** Get a 15% pulley (not sure which he recommends, but he said he can get the one he likes for me).

Cost = $150 plus install?

*** Get a RMW tune (of course!)

Cost = $350 plus dyno time

*** Get normal performance tires.

Will get these in due time, will prolly stick with the OEM wheels, i like them

*** Get a Whalen shift ****

Cost = $150 (he recommends this over a short shifter kit)

Thats it! The total brings me to around 5k and should take the car to around 215whp plus awesome handling and a nice lowered look without harming handling!!!

Jan does NOT recommend getting the following for my purposes (remember this is NOT a track car, but a daily driver that will see lots of miles and that i dont want to hurt mpg on if possible):

Bigger injectors
Upgraded intercooler
CAI
Lighter wheels
Jesus head
Further suspension mods (the Cross Coilovers are a one stop suspension fix!)

A couple of questions:

*** I want to have a loud-ish deep rumbly bumbly (NOT resonant or raspy, no rice boys!) exhaust sound. Remember i have been driving a 1970s crossflow engine (twin webers) powered (read = LOUD) Lotus 7 everyday! However, i do want to be able to listen to music OK and to not attract police.
Will the RMW cam + header + exhaust/catback fit this bill ok? Low deep rumbly and loud but not so loud i cant stand it or hear music?

*** Do i really not need 380 injectors for this system? Jan thought not needed. Concerned that this may be something i need for safety, but if i added them i would hurt mpg.

*** What will be the seat of the pants feel of this system?

*** How well will the car corner with the Cross Coilovers? By all accounts, its not too rough as a daily driver.

*** If i needed to sell a few years from now, will i be able to find someone from a list like this to get most of my mod-expenses back, or will that be difficult to find?

*** Any of yall in the Dallas area? Good garage mechanics that can help me install this stuff in the area?


So, i want all the feedback possible on what yall think of the system as a whole, etc!

I was kinda down about feeling like i needed to sell the Lotus 7 (my dream car), but now am getting really excited about having such a 'pocket rocket' mini to drive to work, etc everyday! I plan on getting another 7 one day soon, but this time with a green high mpg engine inserted! This mini will serve now and then as my 'family car'.

I will be coming back with continuing questions as i build the car up and get it tuned, etc.

Jan is in Dallas (where i live) in September. Hoping to have found the perfect starter MCS by then and have the mods installed and ready for him to tune by then. I am not going to bite though until the perfect car shows up, so i might be waiting on the car for a few months.

Thanks yall from Texhas! I wouldnt have been able to figure this out without the help of this forum!
Randy

 

Since you are in Dallas check out MetroplexMINI.org

While I am a good RMW customer, being I have lot of RMW bits...when it comes to suspension and living in the metromess check out Texas Speedwerks. Darn good at the suspension stuff too and installs at TSW World HQ (Plano) come with a keg of Shiner at the "shop".

 

Welcome! Sounds like you are heading in the right directions Jan would never steer anyone wrong and I would trust any advise that he gives you. No matter what it is going to be unbiased and professional.
There are plenty of Minis running around your area so I hope that you can find one soon. Gnatster is in the area and so is TexasSpeedwerks(another vendor) soon enough you will meet plenty of people from your area and will be all set with as much help as you would need

***edit gnatster beet me to the welcome and suggesting to get ahold of him

 

I am surprised that he did not recommend a CAI---such an inexpensive mod that can't hurt (?) Many talk about how it "helps the car breath" and all that ???

 

You can ask Jan that one, but he feels that the stock one is engineered quite well...look up his responses in other threads

 

Thanks; will do.

 

Yes, jan said the stock is even better than most aftermarkets.

Also, the stuff he recommended i NOT get doesnt mean that they have no benefit, just was not worth the extra $$ given the other system components and given my needs (daily driver)

Randy

 

I was more surprised on the not needing lighter wheels recommendation. Any input on this?A set of Rotas or Enkei's wouldn't harm a car's streetability in my eyes.

 

I should be approaching 250 flywheel hp, plus a fantastic suspension...pretty good! It wont be the coolest car ever made (Lotus 7) but it will be a hell of a family car!

Randy

 

The CAI is the first thing that jumped out at me as well -- interesting -- will also have to search for those other threads.

as to:
You pretty much described the one-ball exhaust mod -- do a search and you'll see this is very inexpensive (won't affect your $5k ceiling)

This also surprised me but I can only assume that it's due to cost over benefit for daily driver -- plus lighter wheels tend to lead to harsher drive for a daily, pot-hole enduring driver.
I would nonetheless add non-runflats to the list.

 

Pretty high $$$ for the need/benefit I would guess (?)

 

Do a DIY intake, the sound is WELL worth it my friend. So far you apear to be heading in the right direction!!!


Javk

 

Welcome to NAM and MOD Madness.

Jan's got you on the right track and since you two have spoken on the phone I'm not going to 2nd guess Jan.

Since you are in TX think about visiting TSW and working with Dr. Mike and Team for the handling issues. Cross is nice, but not the only game in MINI Land.

Might also want to think about upgrading the OEM pads and rotors to stop all the extra HP you will have with Carbotech pads and TSW Rotors and if you start to play hard in the corners think about an IE Swaybar . As far as the short shifter goes the Craven adjustable unit is great and can be adjusted in sec's from the drivers seat at a light from stock to super short.

If you would like to order any of the above parts and have them drop shipped to an installer let me know with a PM and ask about your new NAM member discount.

 

The one-ball isn't that great sounding compared to most aftermarket systems...

But rainman, figure something more like 12% drivetrain losses here. You won't be at 250 flywheel without the head / etc. And the suspension will still be hampered by a huge lack of front camber (+, if you lower much, too much rear camber)... I would do things a little differently with $5k, but then I don't have the money so it's a moot point, huh?

 

Yeah, I realize that now. With half of your budget going to coilovers alone, why spend another 1k on wheels and tires when tires alone will do 85% of new wheels would do.

 

Nice suggestions. but about the suspension, I think it is very expensive.

 

Good list you put together there.

Can't recall off the top of my head, but wasn't EB's last model year 04? I don't think EB was around for 05 and pretty definitely sure not for 06, so that might change your MINI selection.

PS I think coilovers are overkill if you are not trying to track it or slam it. Sway bar and TSW springs will be like ~$700 installed and give noticeable improvement. My 2c

 

You are correct---no '05 Electric Blues.

On another note, was there a change for the better on the engine in 05? The gearing was changed, but I did not know about any change in the engine (i.e., making it 'stronger')???

 

Can't argue with that -- but cost is in the double figures instead of triple

 

Appreciate all the immediate responses...

Keep the saving $$ suggestions coming...want the 'sweet spot' for drivetrain/suspension mods for a daily driver, meaning i want to reach the tip of that curve where you start spending lots more $$ but getting diminishing returns...give me yalls suggestions and i will then do more research on those ideas (like the 1 ball exhaust for example).

Again, on the stuff that Jan did not recommend, that doesnt mean that they are no value, we were just looking at cost/benefit of a system put together and some things made it in his mind, others didnt...

Randy

 

Ah-ha...ok, will not have an 05+ then...

Jan just said that the engines starting in 05 were generally stronger and better built, thats all...

Randy

 

No you aren't correct the Electric Blue's were made until Sept. of '05.

 

Having just put $1200+ or so into the suspension changing a lot of bits, I'd be inclined to try the Cross/Coilover solution. The Mini actually handled pretty neutrally and was fun stock, with a good set of tires. It leaned a little, but was neutral and predictable. I changed the springs, rear swaybar, added camber plates, end links all around and rear control arms. I can say that the biggest difference is probably from the change in camber at both ends more than anything else.
If I had to do it over again, I'd probably spend a little more and go the coilover route(I think the fronts come with camber plates). The Mini is way over dampened with the stock struts, and I think the combination of camber and proper springs and dampers would be the best change.
Again, just my take on it. Coming from the cars you've been driving, you are probably going to want handling first, power second. Do the suspension right, and use what's left with Jan to get power that you want.

P.S. You don't need the CAI, or intercooler on your budget. Hell, I don't have them with my budget. If Jan can tune the stock injectors right, there's no need for more. Lighter wheels are always nice, but on your budget the cost/performance ratio probably isn't there.

 

I can appreciate the stock box is thermo efficient but CAIs have been around a long time and testing has demonstrated that they add on avg 5 HP over stock. A generally accepted concept of increase inbound air mated up to a cat back increases exhale.

ITG makes a replacement filter for the stock CAI.

 

Ooops, let's try that again.

YOU, sir, are correct. EB was deleted in Sep. 2005. Thanks for the correction.