Honestly man.. you're exactly right. That is absolutely pathetic of MINI for making a car that blows up in factory form. I haven't seen anything from mine to display that but if that is the case that is pathetic. Every car should be "overbuilt" to a small extent. Looks like it can take a little more though otherwise people wouldn't be able to take their car to guys like Jan and continue to drive them for a while. I doubt his tune is safer than MINI's.. just extracting more power within a safe limit by adding boost, fuel and probably a little timing if possible.

By running a slightly larger turbo I can run less boost and make the same if not more power which is far safer than pushing the stock turbo to 18+lbs. I feel as if 17-18 is about all the little hairdryer can push "efficiently" so I'm searching for a cheap stock turbo so I can take it apart and see what can be done. If you got any leads on a factory turbo please let me know. Far more power will be gained from a larger compressor and turbine wheel than anything else. Imagine only needing to run ≤ 1 bar to achieve the same airflow that the factory takes 18lbs to do. The car will be substantially safer in regards to longevity and performance. It would also make the IAT's significantly lower since the turbo isn't go beyond it's peak efficiency range!

 

You HAVE to tell us about what you find with your turbo investigations. I get frustrated with some of these posters because they spend insane amounts of money for very little gain and then talk about how amazing it is.

I think what you were saying about the stock turbo makes sense. The whole inadequate IC business becomes irrelevant if the turbo isn't working as hard. Plus, if it's not working as hard, we don't have to worry about the durability issues. I wonder what RMW could do with an upgraded stock turbo?!

 

Amen brother. It's hard to find solid information because a lot of people have bought into some marketing pitches and take it as fact.

The intercooler is more than adequate from the factory and before buying an upgrade people should actually log their IAT's and see for themselves. High IAT's in traffic is absolutely retarded to quote, I'm talking real driving.

Plus, why aren't people looking into intercooler diverters?? At least max out the factory unit before upgrading and that's something I've yet to see done. I didn't realize this existed but I'm willing to bet it would cure any IAT's issues people are having.
http://www.mini-madness.com/madness-...-diverter.aspx

A car on the dyno is a terrible representation of an intercoolers efficiencies. Get it on the road with real airflow and viola you get better IAT's. Also, a 2psi pressure drop is inexcusable for such a small intercooler as has been previously posted. I just wish people would stop with the fanboy crap and really learn what it takes to make more power. A "CAI" that draws hot air doesn't do it. Neither do "boost tubes". Sure it helps but come on.. do you really think they left that much on the table that you could slap on a new silicone hose kit and gain a massive chunk of power?? So far most guys are paying $100+ per HP which is mind boggling.

I absolutely plan to upgrade the compressor and turbine wheels but at this moment I can't find a "used" turbo that's in the price range I'm looking for. I'd love to find a blown turbo because I don't plan to reuse the wheels anyway. If you find anything let me know.

 

Lets see your results when you get them.

Diverters have been tried.

We are not being difficult but the funny thing is that many of us have seen these "I know much better because I did it in my ricer" posts come and disappear. Prove me wrong and show us your results.

 

Lol.. so now I'm a ricer? The funny thing is that some people are acting as if this 1.6 liter is something magical that is only able to net power based of what the marketers have told you. This is still an internal combustion motor and while their may be some extra electronics and new technology the principles remain the same. Air, Fuel and Spark.

A tune, downpipe and catback are about all people should be investing in. Also, on the diverter did you notice the water squirters?? I would rather have the diverter with the factory intercooler which seems to be flowing more air than the aftermarket units. Why cause a restriction when there doesn't need to be one? This turbo is pretty small and maxes out above 5500 so why get an intercooler that requires you to run more boost just to maintain what the factory unit is already doing?

Nearly every dyno so far is showing that the factory turbo is capped at upper boost levels (15lbs+).. Notice everyone makes ~190-205whp with 225-240wtq. The huge surge in tq without a CONTINUED gain in HP is showing that the factory snail is only moving hot air at that point. Why would you want to upgrade to an intercooler that requires you to push the turbo harder when it's already straining to keep up as is? Tell me since you've got so much experience building and tuning 500+whp cars??

 

results, less talk as you said in your posts, please. Otherwise you become one of us.

I would really like to see something different so I am rooting for you.

 

Is upgrading to a JCW turbo of interest to anyone? Borg Warner has 2 in stock that I can snag at any time.

 

I apologize. I realize it's easy for someone to come in here and yap yap yap but I originally was searching for solid info and soon realized, it doesn't exist. I'm down to help anyone on this board and have not set out to make a profit here. I've got endless accounts and have been in the game for quite some time. My wife wanted a MINI so we bought one.. Now I want to know what it's capable of.

 

How much for a JCW turbo? How dramatic would the difference be with a JCW turbo with a RMW tune vs. a RMW tune without JCW turbo?

Also, since you're not buying it through MINI, I'm assuming this would screw your warranty. That's no small thing...I think that's why more people haven't gotten serious with this car--if you're in warranty, it's a huge gamble should something break. Once these cars start getting beyond warranty period, I think more people will start experimenting.

 

Well the idea is that it's a bolt-on replacement so you can easily go back and bolt on your factory turbo if need be. The only thing I'm unsure of is if the ecu is ok with compensating for the extra airflow. I would assume it would be fine but I'm sure you'd want a tune to take advantage of it. I got the word on it this afternoon so after I talk to the guys on Monday I'll know a little more. I'll PM you w/pricing.

 

While I still strongly disagree with your intercooler views...you are dead on with the CAI and boost tube comment! You said it perfectly about the boost tubes.

 

Any and all help is always greater appreciated.

 

I see where this is going.. I was planning on selling the car in ~6 months and figured since I can get parts for cheap that I could mod it and break even or get pretty close when I sold them on ebay/forums.. Now I'm discussing with my wife the idea of replacing the turbo and cams (yep.. cams) lol.. I still say that this car is equally if not more fun than my 240 and I haven't even put on the DR's yet!

 

after intercooler`14.86@94.3 60' 2.3 81deg ambiant humidity was super high felt like it was 100 out.
before 15.3@92 60' 2.04 ran in this configuaration over 100 passes didnt matter if it was 60deg outside it still ran 15.3

terrible 60ft i know and look what i ran still. the track was terrible because it rained like 30min before we started running. very significant gains at the track just by getting the intercooler

 

Could you flesh this out/clarify? 15.3 what? 92 degrees IAT or what? 60' 2.04????

 

Amen to that, check out the Defenders of Speed CAI. Uses the Cowl Air Induction that GM came up with in the 60's.

 

I'm on my iPhone. Those are track times. I'm sure someone else will explain properly

 

2.04 seconds for him to travel 60' at the drag strip. It took him 15.3 seconds to travel 1320' down the 1/4 mile track and he crossed the line doing 92mph.

 

there is some real world data like he asked for....no response now?

thanks for clarifying for people who dont know what those numbers mean lol

 

I'm so sorry to have wasted your valuable time asking to clarify your cryptic responses............ a55hole

 

THAT was cryptic?! And then you call him an arsehole...nice...

It's not often that I feel smarter than the average bear on car forums, this post, however, made me feel differently. Kinda like Nicholas Cage in the National Treasure movies I s'pose, since I immediately knew what those "cryptic" numbers meant...

Jeesh...

 

im sorry if you got offended, i think i was nice i was thanking someone else for clarifying as i wasnt at my house at the time.

umsports did you see my post on gains at the track, i promised you i would post some data and i showed my times.

 

Not to jump onto a topic that i'm no expert on... But Jan from RMW has said that an intercooler and downpipe will yield the greatest gains out of the bolt on's. I know you guys were just complaining about people just regurgitating information that has already been said.... But i'd say this information is from a source that may know a thing or two about mini coopers

 

I have the alta intercooler and I am only seeing boost levels of 10 to 11 and only 12 in overboost. Can any others with the alta unit let me know what boost levels you are seeing. I read somewhere there is a drop of 2 psi, is that right?

 

This is usually the case with good Euro, turbo engines. Intercooler only makes a difference with boosted turbos. stock MCS shouldn't run larger coolers (IMO)