The fact that this link was not in Nitro's original post is comedy gold!

To the OP, give Jan a call and he will give you an honest and informed opinion on what you need, for any price point.

Also, you're right, there should be a sticky, as you described. Hell, some sites even have voting buttons and a results graph. Now that would be hot.

 

15-16% pulley, intake, tune will get you close; add exhaust and you should be there. Personally though, I'm not sure if I want an exhaust...so I may choose an RMW cam in its place

cam/header/exhaust pick one and combine it with pulley and intake and you will meet your goal. Pick more and you will crush it

Of course you will need an RMW tune with any of this...that is the final ingrediant

 

Nice that nittro and jeffc took the time to contribute some info as opposed to just beeing in agreement with another post for newbs to search, and look at sigs. Even worse that someone searches and finds something for OP and you take the time to actually type critisize it. Why didn't you just simply reply to OP about what good mods? Instead you reply what bad mods in response to other posters or whats not good in peoples sigs. All jyou've said is, don't get this, , don't get that, there is other options, but did not suggest a single thing.

There are tunes better than Jans, which ones??
I have not dealt with them.
I did do searches, btw and have not found them.

 

I am sorry but please read my original post I do not think that rmw was around then? I also clearly said that it was dated information and to only use as a guide.

"This information came out in 2004 few years old but it may serve as a starting point to get a rough idea of what you can get. "

"Information based on theoretical calculation and independent dyno information from mostly these sources below."


ALTA
http://www.altaminiperformance.com/

DMH Motorsports
http://www.dmhmotorsports.net/

Dinan
http://www.dinancars.com/

HELIX
http://www.helix13.com/mini/products

K&N Filters
http://www.knfilters.com/

Mini Madness
http://www.mini-madness.com/

M7
http://www.m7tuning.com/home.html

Mini Mania
http://new.minimania.com/

MSD
http://www.msdignition.com/

Web Motorsports
http://www.webbmotorsports.com/


It also may serve as information to you that HELIX is a dealer for that vendor you mentioned. http://www.helix13.com/mini/products

 

You are right about dated material, but if you are going to use your last sentence as an argument you should be fair. MSD is a manufacturer and has many dealers, as does K&N. Hell, for Dinan, you could just list the MINI dealers.
You should either list manufacturers or vendors to avoid confusion.

 

Fine line. Many are both ?

MSD is both a retailer, wholesaler and manufacture. Look at MVP maximum value program.
K& N although not as much a vendor they are the ONLY one currently that includes a R & D information pack and a DYNO sheet representative of there kits.

In fact who is not both anymore?

Sorry Not sure your point?

 

But to exclude one because it is offered by another vendor could eliminate the whole bunch. Fair is fair both ways.
My assessment would be to list manufacturers(who may well be vendors) and let the OP seek out the best installer/vendor/dealer in their area or preference.

 

This is good...

 

Ok I understand what you are getting at.

 

Whats a mod to do? This thread is the most reported thread in quite a while. Shut it down? Nah, won't do any good. Cut out any and all references to vendors? Nah..to much work.

Run around like a crazed fool and beat everyone over the head? Nah, to hot here in Dallas, 102 again today, I'm melting.

So here is the deal, someone is going volunteer to create a Stage 1, Stage 2 etc listing and then we'll all discuss it and come up with what we can agree is a viable upgrade path that for the most part the majority of us would recommend. We'll make it nice and pretty looking and then sticky it.

So who's got the ***** to try this?

 

Great suggestion on focusing the group of us NAMers reading this thread Gnatster!

Jeremy

 

I think the reason this has never been done is different "groups", if you will, have different ideas on what works and what doesn't. I see it as a cage fight to the death to see who is deemed their mod paths are correct. No one can even agree how much power each mod makes. I don't think I've ever seen an SAE corrected dyno for a part test on this board. At least they haven't been advertised that way.

 

Stage 1=Your choice of reduction pulley, that's it!

Jeremy

 

We are all going to do this as a group dammit...and love it. Even if we have to beat each other senseless in the process!!

 

OK, OK, Give me a few minutes to write my backwards view of this.

 

Here's the way in which I see it. I come from the old school(it's all relative) of modding. In the old days, one of the standards we used for mods was the cost limit of $100 per horsepower. If it was over this, blah. Under, you were in good shape. Now I know the rule gets broken for parts that work as a system, yada, yada, but it's a good gauge. So here we go. (install costs are not usually included, as everyone has different aptitudes)

Pulley - Approx 15hp about $115. So $7.60 per HP. Great.

Cam - Lately seen at 10hp About $400 $40 per hp. Good.

You get to CAI's you're at 2-3hp at $200-$300. At the limit.

Header - Probably 10hp+ depending on brand. $200-$1000. Could be great to good.

Injectors - needed to make power, no payback.

Head - 15-30+ depending on brand. Could be $66/good to crap.

So you see where I'm going. I could fine tune a list like this if everyone agrees what mods make what power etc. It's hard to make the list accurate when someone claims 25ft.lbs. for an intake.

 

First off, read my other posts to get MY FULL POINT instead of saying that I didn't input anything useful. The point of a STICKY like this is that it should not be an ad...I'm just repeating myself here, so go back and read the rest

Second, I don't think I said there were better tunes than the RMW solution. If you're not near the west coast, there are other options...that's all. Have a good night

Custom tunes:
West Coast:
RMW - If I were in CA, I would use this option...
Vitesse Pro
East Coast:
Behe/DMH
Arizona:
Mynes Performance - where I got mine done

 

Fun & games!

Power (makes it go faster in a straight line)

Stage 1:
Reduction Pulley - obvious 1st choice
CAI - I'll put this here because it's fairly inexpensive and because most new drivers like the sound. Also, it's an easy DIY.
Catback - See CAI
Colder range plugs

Stage 2:
Header
Tune (canned?) - unless your getting a new cylinder head in the next few months
Injectors - see tune (380 if no new head, 440 if new head)

Stage 3:
Cylinder head
Port matched intake manifold
Custom tune

Stage 4:
Add turbo to M45 (TC)
Remove M45 and replace with (insert your favorite ) Rotrex/Turbo
FMIC


These are suggestions. Feel free to flog away, cuz I know you will

 

Power Stage Upgrades


Stage I - 180-185whp ~$1500

15%-17% Supercharger reduction pulley
Cold Air Intake
Cat-Back Exhaust

Stage II - 200-210whp ~ $2700

15%-17% Supercharger reduction pulley
Cold Air Intake
Cat-Back Exhaust
Header
380cc Injectors
ECU Tune

Stage III - 235-240whp ~$5800
15%-17% Supercharger reduction pulley
Cold Air Intake
Cat-Back Exhaust
Header
Cam
1-Step colder spark plugs
400-440cc Injectors
Ported Cylinder Head
ECU Tune
Upgraded Clutch
Lightweight Flywheel
LSD *optional add $1000


Stage IV - 270-300whp ~ $8000-11,000

Turbo kit or Rotrex kit or Stroker kit
Cat-Back Exhaust
Header
Cam
Ported Cylinder Head
440-550cc Injectors
1 or 2 Step colder spark plugs
Front Mount Intercooler
ECU Tune
Upgraded Clutch
Lightweight Flywheel
LSD *optional add $1000


Like other posts above, these are suggestions...but from what I've seen, these seem like the best route to go depending on your eventual power goals.

 

One thing...my list was presuming that you'd add on to the prior list.

I like the addition of a cam and clutch at around stage 3
How about a flywheel too?

Maybe stage 5 belongs to RWM - stroker kit - or maybe it should be a different option on a stage four kit instead of turbo/rotrex?


The 550's are a good one for the last stage too

 

I'm not sure if the CAI is giving much of anything(Flame away)

I think the stage 4 is closer to stage 3. The M45 cars are up over 250 now, and higher. I think you'll see closer to 300 for the M45 in the not too distant future.

 

While I'm at it...here is something for suspension, again this is my opinion but here goes nothing

*Keep in mind, if you intend to compete in Autocross events that different classes have very strict rules on what you can or can not modify.


Stage I - For the daily driver who wants a little more edge to their go-kart ~ $500

Lowering Springs (TSW, Hotchkis, Eibach, H&R, M7...)
19mm or 22mm rear sway bar


Stage II - For the occasional Autocrosser or track day enthusiast ~ $1600

Lowering Springs (TSW, Hotchkis, Eibach, H&R, M7...)
19mm or 22mm rear sway bar
Adjustable front camber plates (fixed plate option to reduce ~$250)
Rear lower control arms
Front shock plates or Front strut bar
High performance brake pads
High-temp brake fluid


Stage III - For the frequent autocrosser and track day enthusiast ~$3000

Lowering Springs (TSW, Hotchkis, Eibach, H&R, M7...)
Adjustable Shocks
19mm or 22mm rear sway bar
Adjustable front camber plates (fixed plate option to reduce ~$250)
Rear lower control arms
Front shock plates or Front strut bar
Front under chasis brace
Polyurethane rear trailing arm bushings
Positive steering response system
High performance brake pads
High-temp brake fluid


Stage IV - For the Hardcore racer $6000-7000

Coilovers
19mm rear sway bar
Adjustable front camber plates
Rear upper and lower rear control arms
Positive steering response system
Polyurethane rear trailing arm bushings
Big Brake Kit
High-temp brake fluid
Roll-Cage



* Wheels and Tires are a BIG aspect of suspension and a "requirement" of any of these stages. However do realize wheels are typically chosen on a basis on looks and performance, so light weight wont be for everybody. Tires...not everybody wants to be replacing tires every 15-20k miles. These in my opinion will offer a bigger change the almost any of the suspension upgrades, but a persons wants in these categories can/do/will vary greatly.

 

Lol I think a lot of it belongs to RMW, but I wont put that in an official list a stage V though with stroker was something I forgot about but yes I would agree with you, or like you mentioned could also be a different option to rotrex/turbo in stage IV...I think it would honestly belong in both places.

As for flywheel...sure while your in there I would even suggest an LSD but many don't want to spend the extra 1000

CAI's don't give too much, no, but many people want the sound. The extra 4-5hp from them does help a little...I mean, even if its only 3hp gained they do help slightly. Mini even raised their numbers for JCW in 2005 from 200bhp to 210bhp with the introduction of the JCW intake. Its a person's choice to do any of these mods, but for the ~300 I think many people like the CAI's

As for stage 4 closer to stage 3...I'm not sure I understand? I just made the stages based on (A) Typical power goals and (B) The mods the should get you there without much problem, if not slightly surpass the goal EDIT* ok I get what you're saying now...saying the M45 can get you to near 300 with the mentioned mods...well once it happens but everyone knows who we can edit it EDIT again* keep in mind...this list is NOT assuming that everybody gets parts and tuning by everyone knows who ...so while 300 on M45 could be possible, one would have to go through a certain specific vendor

 

New Mad Modder Thread High Jack!!!

 

Agreed on the CAI, hence the comment about it being cool for new users...comments from the rest of the gallery?

On the stage 3/4 thing:
My stage three suggestion gets you to around what?...230-260?

If stage four doesn't get you to 300 (500 if you're really trying), then something has gone wrong.