Good day to all. I recently picked up a CAI system for my 2010 MCS with exhaust mods in my near future. I was looking at just a cat back system but now I started looking at the Milltek Turbo back system. My question is, just these two mods, should tune my car? Is it a must with the R56? I know that I don't have to tune for just a CAI but adding the exhaust makes me question it again.

Thanks.

 

The R56 ECM self adapts, it keeps you on Maps or in simple terms it keeps a certain power level. So you can add whatever you want and your car wont get that much faster, it will just run more efficiently. When you tune the car you are running a higher HP and TQ MAP, so if you add or remove parts you are still getting the bennefit of the better MAP.

On A R56,
1st mod should be a tune, stock cars with a good tune push out almost the same hp as a stage 2 car with a tune.

2nd Mod should be Water/Meth injection (especially in hot climates)

Then due the Turbo back or the intercooler.

I am sorry to say that most intakes for the R56 actually loose low end torque down low for just a few extra hp up top, to me after buying 4 intakes and good ones to, I am back with my stock airbox, and after a few aftermarket filters, I am back running a stock air filter, just replace often.

Good Luck.

 

Thank you for all the information. I basically picked up the CAI due to a super deal. I just couldn't pass it up. if i didn't get the HUGE saving on it i wouldn't have spent the money on a new kit.

thanks again. all really great information.

 

You don't have to tune. Technically you don't have to do anything (other then maybe ditch the runflats). The MINI is already pretty good right out of the box. It really depends upon what you want out of your MINI and how much you're willing to spend. Personally, I went for handling and I don't plan on tuning any time soon. You need to think about what you're going to be using your car for. Just driving around town? Will you be doing any canyoning? Any track days? Honestly you can do all of these things stock with some sticky street tires. The mods can come in when you find you're meeting or exceeding the stock capabilities or if you want to switch a few things up right off the bat and grow into the gains the mods may net you.

As far as an intake, what chakraj says is right. Most will not really do much other then add sound. As far as my DoS is concerned, I'm not sure if I felt a loss in torque or not but I'll admit I've been entertaining the idea of going back to the stock airbox for a change of pace. For an exhaust, most of your power is going to come from a downpipe, but you'll get a CEL unless you tune it out. Catbacks are nice, but like intakes they're more of a sound and looks mod then a power mod.

Anyway, that's just food for thought. Have fun with your MINI.

 

I'm just a "can't leave things alone" guy... I sold my truck and bought my MCS roughly 10 days after we bought my wife's 2010 MCS. I just couldn't drive hers and be happy. I had to have my own to play with. The runflats were one of the first things i ditched on the car and went with flat black RB's and performance summer tires. Handling upgrades are in my near future as well. Start small with a rear sway bar. I really appreciate the thoughts and opinions. Thanks guys.

 

The more modified the car the more the benefit
A few folks on gen 2 cars have broken pistons by going too aggressive
So watch boost levels since stock parts have limits or plan on spending big $$ on parts

 

yes, that is always a factor i take into mind is the stress levels of stock parts. Things are made from the factory to withstand factory limits. if they were meant to withstand aggressive modifications, they would have done it from the start.

I'm really not planning on going all out on my car. I just want to do some simple mods and not run into other issues. I'm new to the turbo engine scene.

Zippy, where abouts are you located?

 

Which is pretty much why I haven't tuned my car, aggressive or otherwise. I've heard that water/meth injection may help prevent those types of problems, but until I know for sure I know I'll be holding off. Maybe I'd want beefier pistons anyway when the time comes just for peace of mind, but now we're talking about spending the big bucks. Hence, no tune .

 

If your goal is more power, I think chakraj's list is spot on. If I knew about it sooner, I probably would have gotten the water/meth injection first, then the tune shortly after. A cool combustion motor is a happy motor, and I haven't taken my intake manifold off yet to get proof, but it feels like the cold engine "stumbling" I was attributing to carbon build-up has gone away.

It's a nice feeling when you can floor it and the power stays with you, and you're not feeling like your motor is going to blow up.