(not sure where in the 149 different forum channels this goes, move as needed)


2005 MINI Cooper S: Sport and Cold packages with navigation and Harmon Kardon stereo; 27k miles, 6sp, pano-roof



Day 1 (kind of) the day I did all the paper work.



I really don't like these seats, super uncomfortable. So I've got to figure out what I want to do with them.





Day 5: Visited Modern Automotive Performance to get a baseline dyno measurement



(Dyno was Dynojet 424x; ambient temperature of 65 degrees; 20mins of driving at highway speed, 15 mins of sitting in lot and then first run; water was sprayed on the intercooler and hit with a fan prior to runs two and three)

Numbers are at the wheels
Run 1: 160hp/145tq -- 4th gear
Run 2: 162hp/151tq -- 4th gear
Run 3: 163hp/149tq -- 3rd gear

Factory numbers are 168hp/162tq (flywheel), so I've got to think the dyno was "happy" or I have a decently strong motor. Regardless, I don't care, I just wanted a baseline before I begin any modifications. All dynos will be done on this same dyno (and hopefully similar temp/humidity).



A/F ratio; I don't know how to read these or if they are good or bad





I have the following on order, should be in early next week:

-DDM intake
-Way Motor Works 15% pulley package (includes 15% pulley, NGK colder heat range plugs, tensioner stop, and new shorter belt)
-Invidia N1 exhaust
-Beltline black out kit (but I think I'm going to pass and just have the trim painted)
-Black side marker trim
-Stubby antenna
-M7 Strut tower brace and reinforcement
-Aero grille kit



Then I need to decide on:

-coils vs springs/struts
-wheels -- looking at Team Dynamics 1.2 (17x7 17lbs) , OZ Ultraleggera (17x7 15.5lbs), or Enkei RPF1 (17x7 14.6lbs)
-some sort of tuning, either find someone or get a flash (need to do more research on this)
-intercooler (pretty obvious that heat soak is an issue, given the fact that I picked up 2+ whp after it was misted and fanned)
-ignition (I've found a few different plug wires, ignition coils (MSD, etc), just need to see if it's worth it)


So uhhh, I guess stay tuned?

 

after seeing your AFR's I really want to go get my dyno'd and datalogged. There is tons of power to be made safely by bringing the high rpm fuel trims lower. Way rich up top

 

haha - no pun intended!

 

Do some research on the intercooler, because much of what I have learned is that the stock intercooler is actually a very good all-around intercooler. Much better than many think.

Also, I don't think there is much to be gained on the ignition. Again, stock coils and wires seem to do the job just fine.

 

I've read a lot about the intercooler. The bigger units deal with heat soak issues.

But I doubt the stock one is going to work very well during HSDE or hill climbs.

 

The best ic for most folks is the stock...but better than the very good stock one is the GP ic. Under realworld....moving conditions with good airflow, many aftermarket ic have been proven to underperform....some with a bit more boost loss....the lightness of the stock unit, and placement is what makes it so susceptible to heat soak...but this lightness is what makes it perform so well once the car is moving. The GP ic is for the $$ the best deal...remember, the ic is more about ensuring you keep the hp you can make in cool weather once it warms up....get a scanguage, and if you intake charge air stays below about 50, you are fine by most accounts. Above that the motor starts various coping stratgeys, including running very rich, and retarding the timing to prevent detonation. There is a ton of good info...and your fuel choice will help to determine much of your gains....folks have found that the best CA high octane91, makes a mini run with the ignation retarted most of the time with a pulley...so 93 is almost mantadory for a pulley car.
For hill climbs, etc...there are a few water air ic around, but a bigger hood scoop will likely help out a bunch too. Unfortunatly, you will not see this on a Dino, but dino's will tell you a heavy walled ic is better(more resistance to heat soak on a short run with limited airflow), also ic that get too large cause lag...and if you are going to induce lag on a sc car, then you might as well go to a turbo, and get rig of parasitic drag.
I'll be watching how you car develops...it will be nice to see a thread from start to compleation (are we ever really done..)good luck!!

 

Mine is just like yours, just a white roof. Subscribed. Love the stock dyno on these cars. Also, 05-06 cars are supposed to be a little underrated from the factory.

I'm a suspension guy....let me know if you need any advice there. I'm also looking at the 3 wheels you listed, hope to pull the trigger soon. And let me know what you do with the seats. I'd like to sit at least an inch lower, but even still I'd like to dump them in the trash. Someone on here (PGT) has put in EVO 9 Recaros in their Mini...looked great and can be found cheap. EVO X Recaros would be wonderful. Break new ground and go for it!

- Andrew

 

I love the EVO Recaros, I'll have to research on that, I'm just concerned about 1. the brackets, 2. how to keep the pass airbag functional (it only goes off if weight trips the seat), 3. figuring out how to deal with the airbag light (if I run a non airbag chair, the light will be on)

 

I don't know for sure if he made a thread or not, but it's worth a shot to search for it. I'm fairly certain he took care of all 3 issues.

- Andrew

 

Here's the thread, but it has little to no info and the pictures are dead.

https://www.northamericanmotoring.co...ag-sensor.html

 

Day 10

Tackled the DDM intake, Aero grille, black side scuttles and tinted the lense



Aero grille:

I plan to go to a body shop and have the lower grille and the beltline trim all painted semi-gloss black. People said this was easy to install, it took damn near as long as the intake. The stupid plastic bolts and tin hex nuts drove me crazy.






DDM intake:
I LOVE the very OEM'esque appearance of it. Hot stuff. Install was pretty pain-free. Although I should have bought a new silicone intake as installing the oem one was a pain in my ***. Probably took almost as long to get that intake tube over the larger mouth of the DDM. That part was a fail. And the intake filter felt like it had been in a KY wrestling match which made things a little too slippery. The sound is fantastic.




Side scuttles:
Dig these over the OEM chrome S ones. Friend had Nightshades (or whatever) so I hit the lenses with a quick coat. I think it looks pretty good.

 

OP


Get a 17% pulley, not a 15%, you will be much more satisfied.

 

I already have the 15% kit sitting at my house. I could probably get by with the 17, but I do enough trackdays and hillclimbs that I don't think I'll get the efficiency I'd want out of a 17%.

 

there isnt that large of a difference between the two.

 

Seeing that you are from MN you wouldn't have any problems of heat soak in the winter. I just moved from there 4 months ago. It was VERY FUN driving in that winter weather. Make sure to get some winter tires!!

 

Moar low-end power with the 17% vs the 15.

and low end power =

 

+1
Also try a rear sway bar.
I like the OZ Allegarita they're uberlight too.
GP intercooler prolly better.