We are a performance shop and are trying to test the waters, we need to know if anyone would be interested in affordable turbo kits for both the Mini and Mini S? As a leader in turbocharged imports we are more than capable of the work, and are trying to see if there is a market for our product. This is not meant to be an advertisment, just a poll or gathering of opinions. Please view our website, http://www.adfxracing.com , we do not have a Mini Section, and are not sure if we will, only your feedback will help us decide if there is a market, please give us your creative comments and ideas.

Thanks,

 

From what I recall of prior similar discussions, the market for a turbo for the MC is most likely there. Since the MCS already has a supercharger, most owners have trouble seeing the value of adding a turbo.
And welcome to MCO.

 

I see where your coming from, but the advantages of turbocharging are far greater than supercharging (as I leave myself open for a large discussion). Also the Mini owners that aren't running superchargers would have an option to make power greater than the S at a marginal cost, and the S owners will be able to swap the baby supercharger and go up to 200-400 hp depending on the goals and pocket books of the owners. I can easily see a kit for the Mini making 200hp, and the S model 300hp with very little work.

 

I'd say ..YES!!!!!!

I'm listen'n :smile:


Peace,
D

 

You might want to do a search or two on the word "Turbo" in this very forum. The overall consensus is that a baby turbocharger *might* be OK for the Cooper, but there are worries that the engine and transmission might not be able to stand up to the added torque. A conclusion was also reached that the MCS is the more immediately turbo-charge-able unit, BUT could we convince folks to scrap a supercharger that they paid good money for?

So go ahead, start rocking on this thing! There's definitely interest on both models!

 

At last!!!

Please come out with a kit for the MCS...PLEASE!!!

 

I would be interested, depending on the definition of "affordable". Most turbo kits for Civics and such are in the $2000 to $3000 range (I noticed your Miata kit is $2295, that's affordable in my opinion.)

I've got a Cooper. My wife was suppose to get an S (which is why I didn't buy one) but there were troubles at the dealer (some our fault, some thier's), so she got a Civic Si instead.

As a result, I am now looking to get more power out of my Cooper.

My concern, as would most, would be reliability and price. Sounds like with your other kits, pricing would be fine. The Cooper has a 10 to 1 compression ratio, that's where the reliabilty concern would come in.

I am curious, have you researched/built/tested a turbo yet for the Cooper or are you still in the design phase?

I think there would be an interest. Granted, you probably wouldn't sell as many as your Miata kits initially. There's just not that many MINI's out yet.

-Rob

 

YES! YES! YES!!! HELP US!!!!!!!!!! ahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh hhhhhhhhhhhh

 

I'd be very interested. there was a shop( Minimania i think) that had built one and noone ever heard about it again. I would like to see some hard testing with wear analysis of the engine after a period of time. If the engines will handle it without exploding I'd be interested.

 

Rob, we are still in the R&D phase, we do intend to price the kit in the $2-3000 range, the kit would include all lines, fittings, turbo, header, and misc parts to make it happen, options for more power would include intercoolers, bigger turbos, injectors, fuel controllers, etc....

We know that the compression is 10 to 1 that is not an issue, either we can go with lower boost or possibly a thicker head gasket (very common among imports), but I am not familiar with the internals on this motor yet. Does anyone know whether internals are forged or cast parts, on the regular Mini, of course the S is.

These are all questions we will figure out and make an affordable kit for the cars and also we need to try for the easiest installation possible as alot of you may want to tackle this yourselves.

Thanks

PS Keep the replies coming.

 

Build a turbo, post some specs, they will come.

MCS

_________________
-goin440
IB/IB MC on 17" Volks

 

>>We know that the compression is 10 to 1 that is not an issue, either we can go with lower boost or possibly a thicker head gasket (very common among imports), but I am not familiar with the internals on this motor yet. Does anyone know whether internals are forged or cast parts, on the regular Mini, of course the S is.
>>


According to the http://www.mini2.com site, the engines are the same:
http://www.mini2.com/forum/faq.php?f...q_tech_details
(BTW, you should probably post there, too. Sorry, Mark)

>>These are all questions we will figure out and make an affordable kit for the cars and also we need to try for the easiest installation possible as alot of you may want to tackle this yourselves.
>>

Yes, I would plan on doing the conversion myself. I would assume most users would too, since there aren't a lot of shops around yet use to dealing with MINI's.

 

The MC crank is cast, not forged. The connecting rods are sintered and the pistons are different too. The block is the same with the excepotion of additional oil galleries and nozzels that spray on the backs of the piston crowns.

 

So, there is a difference. Learn something new every day.

Let me add that several owners have had troubles with the ECU (stubling, rough idle, yo-yo, etc) including myself. BMW is "working" on a fix. Personally, I would probably wait until those problems are sorted before slapping on a turbo that would either fix (or mask) the problem or make it worse.

-Rob

 

I assume that a turbo in an S is a trickier fit...
And in a Cooper, plenty of room.
Designing would not be as much of an issue as testing.
turbos are bolt ins... no design brainpower there... just know how .

Routing an intake... in an S , seems like a feat in itself... good luck

Turbos are expensive.
If someone could make one for the right price I'm sure it would sell

When would you expect to show results? 1st, 2nd, or 3rd quarter 2004 ?

 

A turbo for the mcs sounds very nice. i know bmp is building one right now but it is taking a very long time. I know a few that would be interested.

mcs

 

You build a Supercharger for the Mini Cooper CVT and I'll be there with bells on....
-Chris

 

With a Supercharger you "Lose power to gain power".

 

The information provided definetly is helpful, with the major differneces being S has a forged crank, forged rods, and additional oil sprayers. These will definetley help in allowing more power, as well as the cam timing on those motors, this is why we are looking to make 200hp out of the Mini and 300 our of the Mini S, although we also want to do an all out car and see what we can acheive with them.

As far as kits taking a while, we can probably fit a car within 2-3weeks (once we get a volunteer) with a full setup, after that if there is a demand we can do the next one in a matter of a few days. Also there is alot of design that goes into a turbo kit, at least for a proper kit, and yes it also involves know how. We must try to keep emmisions and accesories intact, and make it fit with no interferences, and ease of installation.

Also again price would be under $3k, that is the ultimate goal.

Thanks

 

If you have at least 300hp, that is reliable...you will have lots of people interested...

 

>>If you have at least 300hp, that is reliable...you will have lots of people interested...

Yes, and it can probably be done for less than a JCW kit. WHoOO, HoOOO.

 

Well I have a few volunteers lining up (no one in writing yet), and I think it may happen soon, I am still looking for people interested in doing this and other mods to the car, one being an Intercooler for the S model, we are a IC manufacturer.

300hp from the S will be easy it looks like, the regular Mini may need some work, but definetley can be done. We could do it now, but obviously we want power and reliability, thats the trick.

Thanks

PS Keep the replies coming.

 

hmmmmmmmmmm turbo..........
yes yes bring it on, there is a number of MC wanting this.

 

280 hp (enuf for me...9.6lb/hp...more than a 911Turbo) for MCS and under $3k, COUNT ME IN!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

You can sign me up too!!