I originally posted this in the JCW forum and I'm re-posting it here since I am a R53 owner
I'm currently in the process of upgrading my mini so I can get better performance and get higher horse power compared to the base Cooper S. I've been loosely following the suggested steps found on the mini mania webpage: http://new.minimania.com/Mini_Cooper_Performance . Currently I'm on step 3
getting ready to move on to step 4. What I'm looking at is the DINAN clearance items and I'm getting ready to purchase upgraded fuel injectors and fuel regulator along with a new throttle body and ECU upgrade. However, according to the DINAN webpage I may be violating emissions controls if I install new fuel injectors. If this is true I won't go through with this plan. Since my mini is also my daily commuter car and not just a weekend track car that I take out for fun. my ultimate goal is to take this car from it base horse power in the 170's and bring it up to something a little closer to 215+.

 

Save your money. The Dinan injectors,fuel press reg, and throttle body really aren't going to make power for you, if they did you may gain 1-2hp.
Start saving for a head,cam and so on. That will actually make power.

 

If I take your suggestion and replace the Head and the cam with a better tuned performance product I take it that I should also swap out or re-map the computer controller at that time? As, I stated in my original thread I'm trying to mod my Mini to be as good or better than a JCW Mini from the same year, but also keep my car street legal, but cut cost. I know that the JCW has a larger CC fuel injector and possibly a lager bore throttle body as well as a better Header and Camshaft to improve overall performance. Thanks for your input Way Motors.

 

Spend some time reading through this forum, looking briefly at the "steps" they have listed out, some are completely out of order.

Depending on where you are, street legal is about detectability, in CA (a state who's allowed the EPA to goose-step all over our wonderful car culture) as long as you can pass smog you're usually good. I'm not sure if MD is a place where they have roadside checkpoints, i've heard of those, and they scare me.

Good luck