Hi, all !! I am an owner of 08 mini cooper S with automatic trans (It has to be driven by my wife sometimes and you know most ladies hate manual.) I'm a complete novice to the world of modification but I AM very interested in mod this great car. I became a member here and searched for a week at least 6 hours a day. So I realized that the most effective way to increase the performance of my stock mcs is that

a. mod intake and exhaust
b. then ECU tuning
c. and then larger intercooler

Now, I have four questions.

1. What kinds of ecu tuning are available besides alta and giac? Is it available from rmw? and which is the best for me and my goal? I noticed there were someone who asked "what is your goal? we need to know it in order to help you." My goal for mod --> I want my car to own on the street.
Maybe I could go street racing or, at least, I want a strong street beast for spirited driving. I drive my mcs everyday and love it so much. (I don't go track and am not interested in track driving)

2. I'll start with CAI. The main goal is increasing performance - hp(whp).
I prefer the quiet one (opposite to most people) however, I don't care if it really increases hp better.(if two CAIs increase the power same, then I would definitely go with the quieter one.) Please recommend.

3. I really want to skip 'exhaust' because I think it doesn't help increase performance and it only increases sound for auditory pleasure. I want to spend my money wisely to get more power. Is my belief right or wrong?
Can I skip 'exhaust' to get the most optimal performance for my goal? If 'exhaust' is a must, I would do it but, again, I'll prefer the quieter one as above. Please teach me about this exhaust issue.

4. I have now 17 in wheel.(it has sport suspension package). Should I get 18 in wheel for streets? What's the difference between 17 in and 18 in? The wheel size has an effect on the performance of a car? or only on handling? Am I supposed to post this wheel question on the suspension mod forum not here?

OMG, this is too long to read so sorry. But I'm a novice so I should ask you a lot to learn As a student bothers the teacher more, the student learns something more. So please help me sincerely. Thank you.

Oh, by the way, Happy new year (It's kinda late though. I just became a member lol)

 

This is just my opinion. If you want a Mini to own the street, you got the wrong car. If you want it to be more powerful, it will be louder and you will most likely need a turbo back exhaust as one of the modifications that will add some power.
I have seen many fellow NAMers list good HP and torque gains from modifications, but I am not sure what the power equates to in acceleration such as 0 to 60 or 1/4 mile times.
If on the other hand you want to own the twisty streets, there are less noisy things you can do to accomplish this and be somewhat successful.
You are better off doing things one at a time, so you will know how things work together. FWIW, I think some sound (from an exhaust as a for instance) adds to the fun of the car, but that is just me.

 

One of the easiest ways to wring more horsepower out of any engine is to simply make it breathe better. This is accomplished both via input, (a CAI), and output, (an exhaust). The more air you can get into your engine, (and back out when your engine is done with it), the better.

So yes, the exhaust is important.

Unfortunately, in most, if not all cases, when you add free-flowing CAI's and exhausts to help your engine breathe better, that also means that it gets louder. You will have to live with some measure of sound increase at both ends...

As for "owning the street", I kinda agree with TerryD; the MINI can be a great canyon-carver, but for what you want, I'm not sure you picked the right foundation car in the MINI, unless you have seriously deep pockets.

Should have bought a Mustang GT and slapped a Roush-charger on top...

 

Ultimately, it depends on your willingness, eagerness and ability to wrench. That is the first decision point. If you are hesitant with the hands on stuff, you can consider JCW stage 1 as well as a whole pakage. It seems to work enough and still has the Mini warranty but it is rather expensive. Just wanted to give you another alternative.

 

First of all, thx guys for all responses. I really appreciate it.

I made kinda wrong nuance. I'm perfectly ok with a louder exhaust. I just 'prefer' quieter one. If it is definitely needed, I would do it. Yeah, for sure.
I just thought exhausts were just for auditory pleasure and not much with performance improvement. I think I was wrong.

If I need an exhaust, what's the difference between catback and turboback? Isn't a turboback illegal in CA? (I live in near LA.) Neither is CAI?

If I picked the wrong one for the street, can anyone explain why? I am really curious. I wanted a 'lightweight' car for the street, isn't a mustang gt too heavy? (of course, it has monster performance) I believed mcs had better handling. For the street, strong performance is better?

Again, thank you for all replies.

 

if you wanted to 'own the street', you shouldn't have bought auto, even though your lady hates manual

 

Cat back exhaust is an exhaust that replaces the exhaust from the first catalytic converter to the tail pipe. This is 1/2 of the system.
Turbo back is the entire exhaust system. The gain here will most likely be noticable, but maybe troublesome until more options are available with ecu tuning. The 2 parts are refered to as the 1)cat back and 2)the down pipe.
They can be done separately. Please beware, of the extreme claims in gains. You will still not own the street and in the twisty sections, the best driver will win, no matter what modifications you have on.
Please don't think I am being negative. I now have my second Mini, and will do some modifications to enhance subtle handling and performance. It is fun to play with this stuff. Enjoy your car for what it is. It is an amazing little car even in stock form.

 

sprp85 - yeah I should've picked manual. I regret it. I should've insisted harder.

terryD - thank you for your explanation. I see your many replies which are helpful in this site. You are right, I should enjoy as what it is. and I will. I was considering alta turbo back (3.0) however I emailed asking about ecu tuning to jan(rmw) and I got the email saying he's still on working - almost done, in a month - and he recommended an rmw exhaust system because 3.0 inches are too big for the our little engine. So I think new search has to be begun. About the size of exhaust. lol lots of studying and searching. whoa.

By the way, if I choose to go for the full exhaust system, I can do a turbo back without doing a cat back right? or do I need to install a cat first and upgrade it to turbo back? It's sad that turbo back is illegal in CA.

 

Yes, you can do either one, by it's self or both together. They are separate parts that attach together. Also, remember all vendors have their own chosen preference for their products. An example is the 3" or 2.5" exhaust question. I bought the 3" Alta cat back because I liked the look (black coating) and, they are a trusted vendor. Good arguments for both. Exhaust Depot will supply either. They both work.
Good luck and have fun.

 

Are you sure the Turbo back is illegal in CA? Others on this site may advise on this. I live in Delaware.

 

Why not a JCW Stage One Kit for the Auto? Check with your dealer...still maintain warranty.

 

you are correct the Downpipe part of the turbo back is not legal in CA. However you dont have to smog your new car for 4 years so you could enjoy it for 4 years and then put back on the stock one for the smog test. (not that i recoment that).

I would be careful with the CAI. I have gone through 3 systems and $1000.00. Most systems that are on the market will offer LESS low end torque than the stock or the JCW one. What I mean is unless you are tunning the car for the CAI.

I was very unhappy when I first installed my CAI. I drove the car and it was noticably slower. Then I got the ALTA Unichip and I was able to get a gain from the CAI.

 

TerryD - Thx again. what do you prefer among alta cai,ddm cai, and JCW intake?

chakraj - I was considering alta CAI. But I would wait until rmw ecu tuning will be available for ecu tune. So it would take some time between CAI mod and ecu tuning. And I see that CAI mod without tuning might slow the car. What about JCW intake? Does it do the same thing? How much different in gain hp between alta cai and jcw intake? Thank you

 

I have all Alta parts on my car, they have great customer service and I know some of them by name . the factory air-box offers more low end torque but runs out of air towards redline. the jcw will be better in all aspects to the factory air intake.the Alta, and basically any other warm air intake (takes air from inside the engine bay). you loose some low end torque but breath much better up top. my only problem was I wanted a cold air intake not a warm air intake. So now we move on to the DDM it sounds like a great design. The only problem is we all know where the hottest spot on our car is, the turbo. The turbo sits 2 inches from the RAS and it just cooks. So that doesn't sound like a cold air intake to me either. Then I saw the Defenders Of Speed, and I know they used a k&N Apollo kit to produce that. Well I am the sales manager at moss motors so I just built one myself for less, it was a pain next time I would buy theirs. It has low end torque and draws air from the firewall. it also has a direct line witht he MAS. I think thas a good thing? The only problem was it is very loud in the cabin. I had to install some sound deadining material, and its still loud.

 

The choices you mentioned all seem good. I used a DDM. I also used a turbo wrap and removed the hood scoop grill. The whole idea of a CAI is to get more cool air in, so I tried to do it this way. Other options are available.

 

I have the JCW stage 1 kit and love it with my automatic. The computer update changes the way the auto shifts, I think the auto owners get alot more out of the stage 1 kit than the manual owners do. Also maintains warranty.

 

When it comes to 'owning the street' many factors come into play. Power to weight ratio is a useful gauge; however, also consider transmission/rear end gearing, and a need for lots of low end torque.

Take for example a stock 05+ mustang GT with a curb weight of 3400 lbs and 300hp vs. a stock R56 with 2660lbs and 172hp. 11.3lbs/hp vs. 15.5lbs/hp means that even though the mini is lighter, it has 25% more weight to move for each horsepower under the hood. Estimating your cat-back and CAI upgrades get you in the ballpark of 200hp, you will still be pushing around 13.3lbs/hp.

While MINI's are spunky, light, and handle like they're on rails, 'owning' even a late model Camry (12.3lbs/hp) from a stoplight will be a task for you- even after your upgrades. Nobody, I repeat Nobody, wants to be shamed by a grocery getter Camry.

 

owning the street around corner= mini that stang could go fast as hell stright till you need to turn i call it min power

 

I dont know guys. I beat new mustang Gt's from the light all the time, Also last gen M5, and G35 coupe. I even stayed in the door of a new 2008 porsche 911 c4s. Now top end I dont know but I only race from 0 to 75 or so.

 

What is your combo? I don't mean to be skeptical, I can't fathom any of the above cars, except maybe the G35, falling victim to an R56 with just the standard mods.

Here is a decent reference I came across-not perfect, but decent- look at the quarter times for the cars above. http://www.carforums.net/showthread.php?t=10251


BTW, would you like to try lining up with my old '87 Buick?

 

Here is what I have, But dont forget from a dead stop its Torque that wins races not HP.

Alta= Catback, Turbo Tube, Intercooler Piping, Intercooler, PNP (Unichip), Rear Sway Bar

H&R= Springs, 15mm Wheel spacers

Defenders Of Speed= CAI

M7= Front strut bar

Forge= BOV adapter plate (or whatever its called)

Like I said I dont race over 75 or 80, and the list is real, now maybe some where automatics and that made a diff, I dont know. But I beat v8 Mustangs all the time, I beat a mazda speed 3, and a Dodge neon srt4. I think its the torque not the hp.

 

While I do admire your combo, and plan many of the same upgrades for my car, I still am dumbfounded that you weren't left in the dust by at least that 911 and M5??? Congrats, my hat goes off to you. You must shift that Coop like a ****.

 

Thanks, Dont forget I said C4S thats the all wheel drive version which is heavier than a standard 911, and I have a fealing it was a tiptronic (automatic) wich also is slower than a stick 911. and I shut down around 75 or so so who knows how much he wopuld have started to pull from their, probably allot.

Once I get a Down Pipe. Then they better watch out, I was super surprised about the m5 myself, I was ready to get waisted. it was an older one like a 01 or 02 but I was excited when I held my own. It was pretty even steven and that time he gave up, I think because I was right there with him and he was surprised.

P.S. I could tell the guy in the porsche was pissed

And NO I DONT RACE ON SMALL CITY STREETS. Like I said I stop at 75 or so, so no need for any coments from the gallery

 

Chakraj, Do you have 0-60 mph times and quarter mile times?

 

No, I live in Santa Barbara, CA. I wouldnt even know where to go. One of these days I will have to find a place. But I think more than likely that will be after I do a Down Pipe and a bigger Turbo. If these guys ever get off their buts and release a kit. Yes ALTA, im talking to you