Hi Guys, I'm new here and I want to mod my Cooper S.

I just want to ask a quick question on what you guys think about reliability, longevity etc.

I have a 2003 (R53) Cooper S JCW 210hp. I want to add the following parts to the car.

Larger throttle bodies (old = 57mm, new = 63mm)
Larger intercooler
New exhaust header
Smaller supercharger pulley 17%
Lightweight crank pulley (same diameter as stock)
performance air filter
Shrick camshaft
reprogramming of ecu
new wiring for the spark plugs (not sure what thats called lol)

I have been browsing on the forums for a day or two now and noticed you guys have modified crank pulleys too (smaller ones?) could you guys give me some in depth info regarding that?

Also the pro's and con's of the mods I have listed on top? Also what gains can I expect to get? Do I need any custom made parts to install the following listed top?

Much appreciated!

Regards,

Thanks in advance.

 

Skip: 1,2,4,5,6,9
Get: A new cylinder head with all the $$$ you just saved

 

Go with RMW cam, short header and ECU tune . if you want more HP go to RMW head. If you have JCW air box you can chack my post https://www.northamericanmotoring.co...d.php?t=149675 enjoy

 

The JCW kit already has a new cyclinder head - is this the same as the RMW head you are talking about?

 

I'm a little confused, we use different terminologies here in South Africa. RMD head as in the cyclinder head? The JCW package already upgraded cyclinder head in the tuning kit from BMW.

Could you also be more specific and motivate why I should not do some of the above mentioned mods? just curios. Thanks

 

The JCW head doesn't flow much more, if any more,than the stock head. An RMW/Thumper/Hubie Fuh(Fireballed Mary)/Endyn/Wegner will give you a lot more performance.

On a side note, has anyone heard from Hubie? Does anyone have a link to the "Mary" head? I can't find it anywhere...

 

Heaps of info on the site...try searching

but
Larger throttle bodies (old = 57mm, new = 63mm) - waste of time/money
Larger intercooler - stock intercooler works ok
New exhaust header - good idea (RWM or GTT)
Smaller supercharger pulley 17% - you will see some hp increases from the JCW S/C pulley
Lightweight crank pulley (same diameter as stock) - do a search, I have a 2% and like it
performance air filter - few different brands
Shrick camshaft - probably go a Newmans or RMW cam over a Shrick
reprogramming of ecu - get a custom tune canned tunes waste of money
new wiring for the spark plugs - not needed

If you are after real power increases get a head

and go the Wallabies!

 

Thanks D-man. I think I will still go for the larger intercooler for aesthetics

All the parts I have listed from above are actually from GTT in the UK (closest to ship to from me).

When you say a 2% crank pulley, you mean 2% reduction in diameter over stock? Also I heard somewhere that a lightweight crank pulley will mess up the "harmonics" of your engine? What are your opinions regarding that?

Who can I speak to at RMW? Who do you recommend? I normally don't like ordering all the way from Cali (I see there are located there), but if their products are that great I would reconsider doing so.

I really don't want to upgrade the head again - what gains could I be looking at if I switched over to the RMW head?

 

Take a look at the new thread Jan posted about a car having under 12 psi (w/ JCW pulley) and making 265 whp... This is pretty good evidence that with the right parts, such as head, cam, etc you can make nutty amounts of hp. If you have a deep enough wallet you can avoid buying everything on that list except header, cam, and ECU tune and buy the expensive yet crucial parts.

 

its hard to believe but all those little things you are talking about wont add up to what just a few purchases at RMW will get ya. Don't believe all of us? just read around on this forum for a few days under anything related to RMW...the numbers dont lie and no one else (any other vendor) can back them up like Jan and RMW can so you know you're getting the real deal.
Just my $.02

Steve

BTW I dont even have any parts by Jan...I've just been convinced by reading that's it.

 

Skip all of that and do it right.

Header/cam/head/injectors and be around 240-250.

All those tb's/ sparkplug wires etc are a waste of time and money! Save yourself the struggle and send jan a pm


Jack

 

Not that one data point will convince the OP, but I've done nearly all of those mods, and they have --in toto-- been a huge waste of money, and I'm still lounging under 200HP.
If I had more money I'd just drive my car to LA and leave my car with Jan. But I can't so I keep polishing my little Mini turd...

 

Why are throttle bodies on MINIs a waste of money? are factory TBs already overly large? Every car I've owned in the past has benefited tremendously by going with a larger bore TB, and/or porting the intake manifold.

 

Alot of cars do see gains, but with the mini alot of the TB's made the car drive erradic, its not worth the money, and gains arent made.

Jack

 

Thanks for the replies guys, it's helping a lot.

Do you guys recommend http://www.jscspeed.com/mini/mini.htm as a vendor? I'm ordering obviously internationally and I really want reliable people to work with.

 

I've used them for several domestic transactions. Very consistent, reliable service.

 

After comparing prices and feedback from you all these is what I have finally decided to order.

RMW Exhaust Header
RMW Camshaft
Alta Classic Top Mount Intercooler
Alta 17% Supercharger Pulley with 17% belt
Alta 2% Crank Pulley
Alta Alternator Pulley
Alta Oil Catch Can
MSD Ignition Coil
MSD Ignition Wires
NGK Iridium Spark Plugs
Findanza Flywheel
Quaife ATB Differential

I'm still thinking whether or not to rather play it safe and go for a 15% pulley. Your thoughts?

 

Quaife is a good choice

ALTA Oil Catch Can isn't such a good one. Read about the reinforcement of the can....

Upgrading the Cylinder Head is a very good idea, because the JCW upgraded head is not really good at all. The RMW or Wegner is a much better choice

 

For me delete theses:
MSD Ignition Coil
MSD Ignition Wires
Alta Classic Top Mount Intercooler
Alta 2% Crank Pulley
Alta Alternator Pulley

 

These forums are terrible! You constantly keep changing my mind.

After reading up I think I will go for the M7 OCC and GTT 3% CP and perhaps lower it down to a 15% Alta SCP.

I'll keep the other items you have mentioned as they are low cost items except for the Intercooler. I live in Africa and it gets pretty dam hot here! Plus I'd rather be safe then sorry

 

Hi Mike - where in South Africa are you. I have an 04 JCW MCS (just before facelift), in Pretoria. I brought in a GTT 3% lightweight crank pulley and also the GTT hybrid air filter. I like the crank pulley, no noticable vibrations, really helps the engine to spool up quicker, especially nice with our tall 1st gear gearboxes. The filter gives no noticable power increase but is nice in that it is re-usable, the JCW paper ones are ridiculously expensive! The next best performance upgrade would probably be ditching the runflats and going to lighter rims - but unfortunately I cannot see myself driving around without a spare! Pity we do not have a GTT in South Africa, or maybe it is good because I would have spent quite a bit of money then!

 

if you LOVE your car.... run from the crank pullies
there is NOTHING better than the stock 05-06 crank pulley

add the quaife, don't waste your money on MSD coils , wires etc
it's all crap.....the 10sec Mini you see is running stock plug wires and coil pack making over 500whp..... still think you need that ignition stuff?

save your money for parts that actually make you hp

 

Couldn't agree with you more Better yet, spend your money ONLY on Jan's gear from RMW. At least you have seen his results on what he gets from his parts!!

 

I would NOT recommend doing a lightened crank pulley. Had mine on for 10k miles and it worked its way loose one day and caused about ~$300 worth of damage . It also showed signs of the pulley and crank swapping metal so I just went back to stock...

 

Hi Bluemax, I also live near Pretoria. I'm really confused about the crank pulley - you say you are absolutely satisfied with the results and yet just below Jan is very much against it. Perhaps I should opt on the safe side and leave it at that. How ever a 17% SCP with stock CP does sound good.

Bluemax, who did you have install the CP? I would like somebody reputable, I've spoken to BMW but they said they will only decide once they have seen the parts. If I can save a buck going to somebody private then I'm open for options.