OldBrokenWind's Thumper head, GT28RS, & Alta "stuff"
 

Here's a 4-page summary of what I've done to my 2007 R56 so far. It might help others decide what they want to do BEFORE they do it. It's a work in process, and will be updated as milestones are met --- hopefully in a couple weeks or so.

Feb 2015 EDIT: I suggest you skip to my last entry to get the latest version of this journal and other info. Each version includes and is a continuation of the previous version. If you have the time, maybe work backwards to read other member's input, and other attachments.

very impressive!

The P0240 code is due to your emissions. Catless or high-flow cats will cause it to be thrown. Thankfully Alta can disable your car throwing it with the AP.

Nice, finally someone with a GT28 who's actually detailing everything for us!

Keep us updated on the final outcome.

Is Alta doing the tuning?

Awesome! Your car belongs here. And add pictures

https://www.northamericanmotoring.co...yeah-mini.html

This is a great source of data. More proof that a hybrid-turbo is an easier stepping stone to big power on the R56 S.

In your diary you mentioned not having a list of the codes.

Here you go! They are specific to first gen but most should be same with second gen.

http://www.mini2.com/forum/first-gen...ult-codes.html

Just got back from my long awaited dyno tune. Details are added to the previous attachment --- no changes, just additions, so you don't have to read the whole thing again.

Still some work to be done with losing the cel's. I need to learn how to drive this thing, and Cobb / Alta need to reprogram for cel sensitivity.

Now to put some miles on it ---

Thank you for documenting this adventure. I think it is a lot of fun but with some pain thrown in.

I do not think I will embark on this even as my retirement draws close in a few months. I am already having so many issues with a relative stocker on the track the I already find troubling. On track Reliability is already not this car's strong suit. I run with a number of Minis and over the last couple of years, we have had our share of inconveniences which I would not go into at this time.

Good luck with your mods and if you decide to go tracking around the country, we would welcome a few runs with you if you are in the NE USA.

Here's the results of my latest upgrade. There were no changes to the previous editions, only added to page 6, so if you read it once, no need to re-read it all again.

Very nice.

Which OS Giken clutch system did you install.

And water/meth is a great idea. Highly recommended

The "STR" version, not the dual system. I've edited my signature to reflect this. I forgot they offer more than one for the Mini. Guess I should update my journal too. Maybe for the next update ---

how much did you end up getting charged for the thumper head in the beginning? and what was the total after the install? and finally do you think the performance gain was worth the price/work?

Damn, I was hoping that you wouldn't say that. Unfortunately the STR clutches slip after 10000 miles on even mildly tuned JCWs. Your car is making a lot more than that I would say

Since the head was bought from a private party, quoting the price paid doesn't seem appropriate. Mike at Thumper Performance told me about the head - new and unused, so I offered the guy Mike's price. This was mid Nov 2010. Pricing may have changed since then. My price for parts, head and dealer "stuff" came to $2557. Dealer labor was $2823. Total = $5380. Was it worth it? Considering what I was after when I started --- YES!
So far, the only Mini's I've read about that have more HP have also been rebuilt from the bottom up. I have well over $15K in performance upgrades, and expect to spend a bit more as time goes on --- if I don't blow it up first!

Talking with the Giken people, the clutch was supposed to have been re-designed slightly. I'm hoping the one I bought was the latest version. Since I don't "get on it" that often, it should last at least as long as the engine. We'll see ---

dear Jesus thats a lot of cash for someone on a college budget :sad: but ohh well, i guess i will just have to hold off on this mod or a while.

I like to think it was my college education that got me jobs paying enough to save for my toys. Obviously not an English major! Have patience and get thru college first. There's more to life than a fast car. 'Course, by now, I've forgotten what it is ---

now theres some motivation! :thumbsup: but yeah unfortunately $5300 is a little too much for my leftover scholarship money to cover. oh well. :cry:

If you want a quick R56 for a lot less money than that...just send your turbo out to get rebuilt with bigger wheels, or buy a JCW turbo. You'll be in it $1-2k, and have plenty of giddy up :nod:

well i have a MCS with a dealer installed JCW tuning kit. does that not come with the JCW turbo? or does it just include the turbo manifold?

yeah you don't get the JCW turbo^^

The JCW turbo only comes of fJCW Mini's. The MCS + tuning kit comes with a manifold on 2011+ but not new turbo. (we jcw's have lower compression ratios that handle the higher boost better)

Yeah, I've heard that from OSG too, but I don't buy it. I hope I'm wrong

Here's my latest journal update. It includes a couple more mods --- AquaMist HFS-4 WMI system, and a couple "Fuel Cut Defenders" or Boost Cut Defenders, they go by a couple different names. Now I'm negotiating for another tune, either a remote AP tune or dyno. Trying for the dyno. That data will be in my next update. This version attachment appears in at least one other thread.

Pics or it didn't happen! Haha, no pics would be cool though.

The pdf file in my last post - #22 has all the details. Check out my "garage" for a few pics. Apparently, this "garage" feature is relatively new, it wasn't here when I started this thread. I'd like to see more people using their "garage".

Really nice job !!!