Drivetrain (Cooper S) MINI Cooper S (R53) intakes, exhausts, pulleys, headers, throttle bodies, and any other modifications to the Cooper S drivetrain.

Drivetrain After CAI, Pulley and Tune.. what's best bang for buck?

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Old Jun 9, 2010 | 08:00 AM
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XXLil MickXX's Avatar
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After CAI, Pulley and Tune.. what's best bang for buck?

Hello fellow MINI lovers,

Sorry to start a new thread but I have searched and came up with very little.


I got a DDM intake, 17% pulley and tune.

What should I do next to make my "lil fun box" go quicker? LoL

I am guessing exhaust and header but is that right? Any input would be grreaatt!!

This isn't my car btw
 
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Old Jun 9, 2010 | 08:06 AM
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Actually, you should do all the goodies first, then get the tune done. Next would be exhaust. I believe a header would be needed after a cam and head upgrade.
 
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Old Jun 9, 2010 | 09:02 AM
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Thanks for the quick response. Exhaust for sure then.
 
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Old Jun 9, 2010 | 04:59 PM
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An exhaust will get you a handful of ponies but it really isn'r worth the extra bucks unless sound is the ultimate consideration. Lots of folks have gotten the one-ball mod done and really like the sound. Try it out before spending the big bucks for an exhaust that won't give you anymore HP.

The next step would be to do some head work and exhaust at the same time.
 
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Old Jun 9, 2010 | 05:04 PM
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Brakes.
 
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Old Jun 9, 2010 | 05:44 PM
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LOL

OEM brakes are great, granted they won't hold up to doing a spirited trackday but they are more than adequate for a daily twisty driver
 
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Old Jun 9, 2010 | 06:31 PM
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Not a power adder but a larger rear sway bar is a great bang for the buck mod. Mine made a world of difference
 
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Old Jun 9, 2010 | 07:38 PM
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For the money a One-Ball exhaust mod would loose some weight, and add about half the HP of a cat-back....cost $50
Or do the Cat-back...$500-1000, and 10-12 HP, weight loss varies.
I would say depending on your driving style...a cam with injectors might be a the next step....cam choice will vary based upon the way you drive...
You will want a tune...so hopefully have waited so far...
 
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Old Jun 9, 2010 | 08:55 PM
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Grab black electrical tape out of the drawer and black out your belt-line. Free and AWESOME. It really lowers the look of the car by not separating the cabin from the body.
 
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Old Jun 11, 2010 | 11:52 AM
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For DIY, you can do the cat back exhaust and the short shifter at the same time.

I did the Alta exhaust and adjustable short shift kit and love them both. GREAT sound from the exhaust.....mean.
 
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Old Jun 12, 2010 | 12:43 AM
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A 22mm rear sway bar and some good sticky tires will be the best way to get full use of your power, you are never going to set any records at the drag strip.
 
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Old Jun 13, 2010 | 06:59 PM
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Yes a hotchkis swaybar would be the best bang for the buck next.

But if your looking for engine performance the power now gets more expensive. A Stratmosphere exhaust will gain you some, and also save weight. Otherwise start saving for our WMW head.
 
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Old Jun 13, 2010 | 07:48 PM
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-=gRaY rAvEn=-'s Avatar
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+1 on the rear hollow 25mm Hotchkis rear sway bar!

Unbelievable how flat I corner now....tail end feels like it is being grabbed and placed around the corners...huge bang for the buck mod.

And since you opted for the 17 pulley, I would also consider a set of JCW 380 Injectors in the future. Then have your tune adjusted.
 
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Old Jun 16, 2010 | 09:45 AM
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I want it to go faster but I'm starting to think perhaps i need to give this to my first born and buy a manual

I'll go with the sway bar and some tires and then ...
 

Last edited by XXLil MickXX; Jun 16, 2010 at 10:15 AM.
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