Unlike many aftermarket performance parts, all the JCW parts work in harmony with each other to create a consistent 200hp. From your "experience," what's the best setup in terms of performance, especially taking compatibility of all different parts from various manufactures into consideration?

There are many popular parts like intake, exhaust, pulley, ECU, spark plugs, etc.... Bottom line is - what works?

 

honestly? save your money for new tires and practice driving.
the car just needs a good driver. :smile:

 

The ongoing debate....continues :smile:
What does this car need????
Here's the spectrummmmmmmm.....
From as little as NOTHING ... to ...$10k+.... of engine, ecu, suspension...yada, yada, yada....

Here's my personal ...opinion.
I'm an enthusiast,,, by no means a tech expert :smile:
well ok..more than...... occassional :smile:

-Rims and tries is 1st on the list ( the list is endless...choose the weight ,construction, size, type.... that fits your specific needs)
-air -intake (I'm generalizing but they all do about the same thing...so choose the one that fits your budget)
-pulley (Helix or Alta are the major players... both have a story to tell... read...read...read )
At this point you have a nice car goin on.... want to get to the next stage :smile:???????
it's gonna cost more $$$$$'s

- exhausts
- ECU remaps
- lowering springs, suspension mods...etc...etc
- swar bars
- plugs
- throttle body
- intercooler
- clutches, etc,,,
***** the list is truly...endless :smile:*****

What works for me is as follows:
Tenzo rims & Toyo proxes 215/45-17 tires
Borla Street exhaust
Helix pulley
Webb-Powerchip ECU remap
Madness rear sway bar
B&M short shifter
Madness air intake.
EBC brake pads only
& 35+ years of driving experience :smile:

JMHO :smile:

Peace,
D






_________________
I own a 2002 MCS w/ alot of stuff on it.

 

I'd start with
A fast sounding CD Playing
Windows open
and a beautiful passenger who's all giddy about going fast
oh yes, maybe a RedBull or a RockStar Energy Drink!

Hahahah

Seriously,
Sticky Sticky Tires, like Toyos
Superlight Wheels like Volks or something
Suspension
Shocks
an exhaust that offers some low end backpressure
I'd skip the intake and go straight for a Turbo, remove the supercharger! (I think we've all seen this a couple of times and it seems to work as an ULTIMATE go fast upgrade)
NOS to shoot some juice into that turbo, wonder how fast it'd go?
Roll Cage, in case you take flight
Sport Seats, like Cobra or Sparco
Rear seat removal... No One likes a backseat driver
Lightweight battery

this is a fantasy right? :smile: [code:1:195a19fe22] [/code:1:195a19fe22]

 

Like Dennis said there are allot of Performance parts out there. I went with a slew of parts that have a good reputation

K&N Intake (they all do the same in my opinion)
17% Helix Pulley
Magnecor Wires
JCW exhaust
H&R Springs
RDR Rear Sway Bar
RDR control Arms
Helix short shifter
EBC brake pads
OZ Superleggera wheels
Yoko Parada spec 2's

I have not done software becuase I have not seen one that produces the gains it claims. The pulley makes power and is reliable and the JCW exhuast is quite and adds some hp. I am sure there are faster cars then mine but my car has run some great times at the drag strip and If a better driver gets behind the wheel it runs with more heavily modded cars (these runs were done on stock 16's with a 15% pulley ad no exhuast).

 

Ah yes I forgot the glorious Helix Product Line...I think I'd go for their pully upgrade over that other guy's!
Thanks VDub! :smile:

 

>>Unlike many aftermarket performance parts, all the JCW parts work in harmony with each other to create a consistent 200hp. From your "experience," what's the best setup in terms of performance, especially taking compatibility of all different parts from various manufactures into consideration?
>>
>>There are many popular parts like intake, exhaust, pulley, ECU, spark plugs, etc.... Bottom line is - what works?

Bottom line is most things work well enough.
Take a look at this thread on how to spend $5500 in upgrades and subtract the big ticket items to trim the plan to meet your budget. Check out RandyBMC's list.
https://www.northamericanmotoring.co...mp;topic=16198

Potential conflicts to watch out for when going modding:
1. Adding only power upgrades does not always equal faster performance-think about balance and work on suspension/wheels/smoothing out throttle response/etc.
2. Suspension-think of what you want to use the MINI for and build the right combination for that purpose. Each person is different- is it for autocross, track, street use? A suspension that is too low or too stiff is not going to help you go any faster-you'd probably go slower and in less comfort.
3. Exhaust-think of the entire intake/header/sport cat/cat-back exhaust as one system and tune it to your needs for more power in the mid to high range rpms or for more or less exhaust note. Getting a really good header with sport cat mated to a very restrictive cat-back exhaust doesn't make as much sense as using the same header with a more flow through design exhaust.
4. Wheels-Adequate offset within the limits of your choosen suspension will help to ensure no or minimal tire rubbing against your wheel wells. Choose both rims (for weight or looks) and tires (for performance and practicality-environmental conditions/road noise/good wearing/price) carefully-many options out there.
5. Audio concerns- If a nice clear car stereo is something important, think twice before adding a really loud exhaust system or you'll be adding a much bigger, more expensive, heavy audio system.
6. Extreme mods sometimes require more planning- Add a 19% reduction pulley?-better think of a larger better intercooler to reduce the substantial heat factor. Thinking turbo? Better plan everything around that because it is a biggy. You want that lightweight flywheel? It might be noisier and could be a reliability issue later-as is the 19% pulley-we don't really know yet.
7. What might work for some does not always work for you. Just because someone reports that in their case a mod worked great does not mean that in your case it is guaranteed to also work. Each MINI is different and the mods we all add can interact with each other in complex ways. Eliminate or calculate for all of the different variables and you can start to predict the outcome but many times we really don't know what will happen. Buyer beware.
8. The vendors want to sell you their products-it's in their interest. At NAM we find many great success stories and it is easy to get caught up in the wave we create for ourselves. You have to temper your enthusiasm and take a step back now and then to gain perspective. Chill out. Go motoring.

Finally no matter how well you plan. There will always be a better something mod out there after not too long. So just be happy with your ride and send yourself to driving school a few times a year. Enjoy your MINI.

_________________
ALOHA

 

D........

I enjoyed reading about your approach to mods.......it struck a chord. I have
a Pilo intake.......Pilo ignition system.......PIAA wipers.......B&M short shifter. I'm planning on a Helix 15% pulley along with the GIAC chip whenever it finally arrives
(live in suburban Philly) and EBC brake pads. I don't race, but do enjoy pushing limits when I feel it's safe. I think that with these upgrades I won't feel lacking in any around and about drives........great satisfaction and many exhilarating moments.......while holding the spending down. wink:

Also, can you describe the difference the sway bar makes in your daily driving experience? I'm interested and would like to hear opinions about whether or not it's
really worth it.

Peace......right back atcha.

 

>>Also, can you describe the difference the sway bar makes in your daily driving experience? I'm interested and would like to hear opinions about whether or not it's
>>really worth it.
>>
>>Peace......right back atcha.

Herby74,
IMHO the sway bar does nothing in my daily driving experience.
This will probably open the flood gates from some...who disagree w/ my stance.
Unless you are really driving aggressively...pushing the car at advanced speeds and cornering hard...etc....the rear sway is a mod that is not IMHO absolutely neccessary early in your mod path for a daily day to day driving situation. Again.... I do not autox or drag.
I would focus on these as per your post.....
<<I'm planning on a Helix 15% pulley along with the GIAC chip whenever it finally arrives(live in suburban Philly) and EBC brake pads.>>
The $300 (sway bar plus install costs) can be better spend on other mods on your list before you need a rear sway bar.

Using the $300 towards a $400 pulley..... would be my suggestion for your next mod. The pulley is truly the silver bullet for your MCS :smile:

Peace,
D

 

Although I feel the rear sway bar is a nice mod for Exit ramps and fun cornering I would also agree with Dennis. I Feel it is not one of the first mods one would do unless the plan to Autocross or Track day their car.


:smile: