While we have still owned my wife's 05 MCSa, I traded in my 06 S on an 06 MX-5 miata which spit it's rod bearings at 30K miles. We will be placing our order for a new Countryman for my wife shortly, and once that arrives I will getting a 'second chance' with a R53!

I have been skimming through the forums, but I wanted to ask directly if there have been any huge jumps forward in R53 tuning since about 2007-8? Looks like some tuners have come and gone, but the formula of CAI and pulley to get started is still the combo. I see there are a lot more options for CAI's, anything ground breaking? What about the new style Alta pulley? (my guess is I will stay with the tried and true clamp style (helix) that I used on my 06)

Based on my initial research, it seems like the game changer since then has been the GP Intercooler with the diverter plate that Way sells. Looks like a great bang for the buck. Does anyone know if this set up works with the MCS automatic?

Without starting an Holy War, what are the highlights for tuning these days? I see that the RMW stuff has really taken off, any others to consider more now than back then?


*** I am not posting this to get the drama of who is mean and who is banned for life or any of that. I could care less about that BS, just looking for matter-of-fact info on what is out there today and what is working best. ***

Thanks everyone!

-Jac

 

Check out Mynes too.

 

If you are already surfing Way's site just give him a call.
He is very helpful and can also do remote tunes if you are not able to go to Atlanta to his shop.
Way is still one of the most helpful MINI people out there.

 

The WAY pulley package is great. Easy way to do that mod correctly and safely with the right belt and spark plugs.

Add a CAI if you like. And an exhuast if you feel like spending cash. Both are not huge gains but sound nice and help a little. I probably won't do an exhaust due to cost, though I do want one.

After that, you can get it tuned and you've got cams, heads, and the GP intercooler to look into.

 

Way is a badass, his site has served me and mini well, the GP intercooler and DDM diverter from way is amazing, my data backs up data collected from DOS while they developed their vastly superior, but vastly more expensive unit. I want one, but i'm broke, so no DOS intercooler for me.

as far as anything new since 08, i dont think so, just the usual coming and going of companies selling essentially the same gear. There is a couple different SC kits, a rotrex and a sprintex, both are rarely used and highly boasted, the stock eaton m45 still sounds the best and performs quite well.

asking about tuning will start a holy war, it is a religion and they do not seem to get along well... I like my RMW tune, i'm sure mynes or way could change the same settings in my ecu and i'd be just as happy, i'm just local to Jan and I like being able to meet up and actually talk about it face to face.

Glad to hear someone is coming back from a RWD, seems a step back in chasis, but the mini will make a lot more power if set up properly. I'm generally faster than my friend's with miatas, but not on a autocross course.

 

Thanks for the input everyone. It lines up pretty well with what I was able to gather after skimming the forums for a while.

Good info on Way, I have been looking at their stuff. Been a fan of OutMotoring since back then as well, glad to see they are still around. My 'local' shop Helix seems to have gotten more into the turbo BMWs, but, hey, I can't blame them!

As for the the chassis choice (and not to start a bigger holy war than tuning!) it's honestly less of a choice to go back to FWD than an opportunity to drive something a little more fun than the turbo forester I am daily driving now. I loved my '06 MCS, but got really hung up about the FWD vs. RWD thing and went back to the miata (I always wanted to check under the MCS and see that it was driving the rear wheels! .

The third gen miata wins on RWD and the top going down, but the quality really was not up to the MCS (as much as I talked myself into at the time...) And, as it proved, the MKZ engine just didn't hold up. Real shame, the car honestly was a blast to drive.

So - rather than sell my wife's '05 MCSa, we have decided to keep it on as a third 'fun' car. Now - she loves that car more than you can imagine - but she is awesomely acknowledging that my 'Scrapbooking Special' Forester may not be the most engaging vehicle for a car guy. So that, coupled with my doing some rethinking on what 'fun' performance really is, is the short story on why I'll be back in FWD chassis. And, this time around I am much more comfortable with it!

Now, about those MINI coupes....

Thanks!

 

We do tune an work on BMWs, but our bread and butter is still MINIs. I have a particular soft spot for old-school R53s, even though my daily driver R53 (the Wildebeest, for those who know) crapped the bed this morning. Time for a new alternator...

 

I'd go with Helix or Alta Pulley. Also Helix is local to you and I, they have Jan/RMW dyno visits and can probably match Ways pricing on parts.

Nothing's better than face to face versus over the phone gibberish from someone you may never see..

BTW where are you located, I live in the KOP area.

 

I met Eric a long time ago back at the Woodlawn garage in Philly, he has been great every time I have needed anything. (damn - I think I meet him before there were new MINIs! I have a DIY turbo 95 Miata back then and I can't believe it has been that long.)

My '06 was very happy with it's Helix pulley, I am sure that once the '05 will enjoy one as well!

I am down around the DE/PA line, but I work in West Chester. Rocking the Turbo Forester Mom Mobile until we order up and receive my wife's new Countryman All4.

-Jac

 

Foresters are actually cool if you have WRX/STI suspension on them to drop the static height 3+"

 

It's scary that R53's are now 'old school'! Time flies!

Welcome back, Jac. Bummer the MX5 ate itself. My 91&92 are still going strong.
I've got the Alta V2 pulley - it's different, but not necessarily better (unless your sc shaft is jacked.) Note that you've got less room to work the installation on the auto - it sits over to the side by an inch or so.
The GP intercooler will work with the auto as well.

 

LOL, My wife has an 2004 XT Forester and the guys at Mach 5 wanted to buy it. They are very tunable vehicles....

 

Yep, basically no different than the 06-07 WRX. They have 2.5L Turbos in them and pretty much interchangeable parts with the Imprezas from 02-07'.

 

For years the wife has banned me from tuning it but the other day she reluctantly said ok. :p Hmmm....

 

Be careful almost every exhaust drones on that engine. Not the normal MINI drone either but a Helicopter drone because of the unequal header, though you should been fine with a twin-tip Borla Hush system.

COBB AP w/Stage 2 map & short ram intake with Borla Hush is a good combo her.

 

Thanks, I'll look into it.