First post here. I just pulled the trigger on an 03 MCS with about 60k miles. It's a quick car, but I am looking to make it 'fast'. Ideally in the 200hp range.

So, what is the cheapest, safest, and easiest route to get there?

I am quite partial to the invidia exhaust, unless anyone thinks otherwise.

Right now I was thinking intake, cat back, pulley? Will I need more than that?

Thanks for all the help!!!!!!!! Great to be a mini owner.

 

That may get you there but you might want to think bigger injectors, possibly cam and tune.

 

With the parts you mentioned and a proper tune you should be all over 200 wheel HP +- a few.. As Uncl3 said larger injectors wouldn't hurt any..

 

I'm doing about the same thing as you want to. I bought a 02 S w/52k, and will do what you're talking about but adding the Devils Own meth kit. On the fence about a head and cam, but that would take me well over 200hp.

 

+1

pulley, cam, header, injectors, exhaust and retune

 

You can get 210hp with a 15% pulley, intake, one-ball exhaust, plugs, JCW injectors, and a custom dyno tune.

 

Yea on a forgiving dyno. On a non-forgiving dyno, around 180, throw in a cam, maybe 10 more.

 

+1, but the exhaust is not necessary but if you want it for the sound then go for it.

 

OK, so sounds like everyone seems to agree on the mods.

My next questions is: which components should I select? I'm from MA so I don't have to worry about CARB certification. I am somewhat price sensitive, and would like to be at about 200hp for as little as possible without buying garbage.

In other words, what pulley, intake, exhaust (if you don't think the invidia is a good choice), header, injectors, and retune?

Lastly, will I pass emissions?

 

 

This is all personal opinion but I would say, basically any pulley, jcw intake, the best sounding exhaust to you, rmw or mynes header, rmw/newman or nitrostick cam, jcw 380 injectors or 550's with a tune, and either a rmw or mynes tune.

 

So is a DynoPak forgiving? Think not.....very accurate.

 

Agreed.

 

 

This^^^. The Dinan intake is nice and was the one I was going to get before I started autocrossing in GS (no mods ).

 

So I think I'm going to do exhaust and pulley for my first stage of modifications. The rest will follow. Is it completely safe to run a 15% pulley on the stock injectors/stock ecu?

Will I feel a big difference on the butt dyno, or is it just a little boost?

 

yes


it depends on your but dyno

 

You wont gain horsepower with the exhaust but you will definitely feel a difference with the pulley. It is safe to do on stock injectors and ecu but for insurance you should run one step colder spark plugs.

 

"completely safe?"

Depends. Many professional tuners will tell you about superchargers failing like it's no big deal. It might help to do some researching on the life of our m45 supercharger along with its designed mechanical limits (max rpm, service life) I am hoping to get 120k-ish miles before any serious issues and drive accordingly (trying not to go above 5500rpm for anything but "emergency" needs

I had the 16% M7 pulley installed and love it. I have good usable power where I need it (which isnt @ 9,000rpm for MAX HP<-sarcasm.) I did a ton of research and talked to a few tuners and the consensus was your car will run rich (as it was designed) until you start messing with the ecu. Basically, you wont get the "full advantage" of the pulley, injectors and exhaust without the tune.

Will you notice? On my power-robbing auto I def felt it. The car will feel ANGRY. LIKE TIGER!

There are tons of threads here about making power. I suggest not only reading them, but calling a few tuners. Some things that are considered gospel here are not exactly held in high regard with people who work on minis day in an out, years on end and in race situations.

****Also, Know that if you take your pulley off, it's not going back on. EVER. There are no companies offering 0% pulleys if you change your mind.

 

You may only get a fraction of that 120k if you dont keep up with the leaky water pump drive. Luckily it seems the pulley has no influence on when that particular part fails. Although I would love to know why it loses fluid in the first place... then I could say that in total confidence (assuming such was the case).

 

if you want the best bang for ure buck then:

- KMT 17% pulley

- Dave F Hybrid Intake

- Mynes Stepped header (decat)

- One-Ball Catback

- Mynes or RMW tune

- Devil's Own Water/Meth kit

- NGKs BKR7EIX plugs

- Goodyear Gatorback Poly-V 6PK1365 SC belt

- Crower/NS1 Cam

- Thumper TPR-1 Head

Will all these u will an evo/STi killer in ure hands...its guranteed!!!!

 

Any more info on this? I found a thread on mini torque but it didn't explain very much about the intake itself

 

We have found that with the mods you stated.. you WILL be close to the 200 mark.. but just under it.. 180- 195 WHP. add a Cam and a tune and you will be over your 200 and still be a safe combo. Cheep?? look for the deals.. Tune is a major issue.. there are good tuners and then there are better tuners.. however they are not all at the right place at the right time.. yes? I am at 210 WHP on an un-tuned 06. seems the HP gains with a tune ( along with the better drivability) is 15-25 WHP gain.

SOOOooo... follow the suggestions above.. colder plugs after the pulley/ 15% is the better way on pulley size/ exhaust doest have to cost a bunch to have power, and the NS-1 Cam is the lesser in cost and pulling a lot of smiles with the HP gains.. Have fun and enjoy the ride..yes??

Just me.............................

Thumper

 

Dave F Hybrid Intake:

- Its a modified OEM Intake box which uses a K&N filter element
- the cheapest intake in the market
- Outperforms the alta V2 n the JCW intake significantly

see:

http://www.minitorque.com/forum/f607...453/#post76387

and feedback from users:

http://www.minitorque.com/forum/f610...feedback-3221/

 

If passing emissions is a concern, then i would recommend that you leave the stock header in place. This also avoids any potential hassles from EPA police Invidia is a good choice, that's what i have on my 06 MCS with stock header and it sounds awesome!!!

To get to 200, you should do intake, exhaust, cam, injector and tune. Let me know if you need help with these parts b/c i have access to all the hardware

cheers.