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

Drivetrain Engine Mods Question

Old Aug 14, 2014 | 10:17 AM
  #1  
JamesDeBart's Avatar
JamesDeBart
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Engine Mods Question

Hello fellow Miniacs!

I have a 2006 MCS with 103k miles. I want to do some mods to it and give it more mid range boost. I am wondering if it would be safe to add performance mods to mini since it has over 100k miles. I have kept it original as it came out of the factory. It has been religiously maintained and taken care of. I would like to install a CAI, 15% reduction pulley, MSD coil pack, High Performance sparks. Later on, I might want to do the JCW injectors/ tune. Please let me know your suggestions.

Thanks,
James
 
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Old Aug 14, 2014 | 11:29 AM
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Ian Landesman's Avatar
Ian Landesman
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Safe? No. These are all 'off road only, do at your own risk, warranty voided' sort of things.

If done well, will your engine blow up? Probably not. Probably is the key word. I have taken that risk as many others on here have done, but none of us will tell you it's 'safe' to mod. LoL

Happy modding!
 
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Old Aug 14, 2014 | 11:33 AM
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Everything you've said sounds like a good start. However, I'd do a RMW tune by Jan and skip the JCW tune.
 
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Old Aug 14, 2014 | 11:51 AM
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quikmni
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Good start. I would add a cat-back exhaust to your list. Also coil and plug wires are not a critical upgrade, just make sure the coil contacts are not corroded.
Something like this package from Way Motor Works would be perfect.
http://www.waymotorworks.com/r53-str...e-package.html
If you want to do ignition parts, I would suggest Sceamin Demon Coil and Kingsborne wires.
http://www.waymotorworks.com/screami...-coil-pak.html
http://www.waymotorworks.com/kingsbo...nce-wires.html
The performance package will work fine without a tune. If later you want a tune, something like RMW custom tune would be good.
 
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Old Aug 14, 2014 | 11:53 AM
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Saltysalt
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id also skip the MSD since it wont do anything for you unless you need to replace your coil pack. high performance spark plugs your refering to JCW "cold sytle" then yes =)

15% pulley is very safe, i would also either do one ball or get a catback, your gunna fall in love with your car all over again

JCW tune isnt also very neccesary unless you can get it from the dealer for a "hours worth of labor" but spending a good chunk of change for it, there will be a very minor difference, the injectors will get scaled from the ECU no problem
 
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Old Aug 14, 2014 | 12:22 PM
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Thanks for all of your help!

Let me revise my post.. I am a college student at the moment, and I do not have expendable income to do a catback, RMW tune, JCW heads. I also don't want to put excessive stress on the engine, since I'm late in the game.

Thanks,
James
 
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Old Aug 14, 2014 | 12:41 PM
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quikmni
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Basic and very safe would be 15% Pulley, Belt, and Colder Spark Plugs.
This package ($179 shipped):
http://www.waymotorworks.com/wmw-pulley-package.html
You will need to rent/borrow a pulley puller and a belt removal tool.

Add-on #1 would be DDM Cold Air Intake ($240):
http://www.waymotorworks.com/wmw-pulley-package.html

Add-on #2 would be Stratmosphere Cat Back Exhaust ($839). Or you can have a muffler shop do the "one ball" exhaust pretty cheap. I would suggest some type of exhaust mod if for nothing else other than just to make the car sound faster/better.

You do not need to spend money on ignition parts unless they are bad or corroded. Just inspect and clean the coil contacts.
 
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Old Aug 14, 2014 | 01:07 PM
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Originally Posted by quikmni
Basic and very safe would be 15% Pulley, Belt, and Colder Spark Plugs.
This package ($179 shipped):
http://www.waymotorworks.com/wmw-pulley-package.html
You will need to rent/borrow a pulley puller and a belt removal tool.

Add-on #1 would be DDM Cold Air Intake ($240):
http://www.waymotorworks.com/wmw-pulley-package.html

Add-on #2 would be Stratmosphere Cat Back Exhaust ($839). Or you can have a muffler shop do the "one ball" exhaust pretty cheap. I would suggest some type of exhaust mod if for nothing else other than just to make the car sound faster/better.

You do not need to spend money on ignition parts unless they are bad or corroded. Just inspect and clean the coil contacts.
Thanks for your help! I forgot to mention, I do have a one ball exhaust. I will look into WaymotorWorks' package. What do you guys think of an Alta 15% pulley? My friend has one and he loves it.
 
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Old Aug 14, 2014 | 01:10 PM
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For the same pulley but 2 different brands? I'd just get the WMW package. You're not saving any money, and the parts don't really differ.
 
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Old Aug 14, 2014 | 01:17 PM
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Saltysalt
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From: Dover, NH
the pulleys are preety generic, not much of a difference between all of them, some are two pieces allowing an easier time for fitment. i havent heard of any failures of any supercharger pullies.

to same some cash you can lurk in the market place to look for a used CAI to help save some money, also the ignition stuff will save you money and give no gains other than purdy bits

glad you already have the one ball, and if you really wanted to, buy a universal magnaflow muffler and weld in in place of the last remaining resonator suitcase.

OBX catbacks are reasonable and most of the time fit with no issues, if they dont fit a muffler shop can make them fit easilly, and you have find these on Ebay very cheap.

a custom remote tune would be helpful but more mods would be easier, then adding the tune.

no need for the JCW head, there isnt much of a difference to justify the cost, there is just a mild port on the exhaust

cams are relativly cheap depending on which one and can be used without a tune and get some impressive gains, a tune will always make it better tho.

you will feel the most difference with the pulley, then a cam
exhaust and intake will make things a bit more smooth in responce and MOAR NOISE WOOHOO
 
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Old Aug 14, 2014 | 01:41 PM
  #11  
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quikmni
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If you are doing the work yourself see who will loan/rent you a pulley puller so you do not have to buy one. That might make the difference on where you buy the pulley. I would call WMW and see what he will do for the puller if you are buying the performance package.

Two items you might think about doing along with the pulley is the tensioner stop and damper bushing kit since that will be all apart doing the pulley.
http://www.waymotorworks.com/wmw-sup...shing-set.html
www.waymotorworks.com/wmw-tensioner-stop.html
 
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Old Aug 15, 2014 | 12:37 AM
  #12  
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AudioNToxication
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Pulley and RMW tune. Don't waste time with exhaust yet. I have stock exhaust and make 227whp. Maybe think about a CAI. I run a JCW box.
 
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