I think you're right Rally, we do spend more time with the CVT in a higher rpm, which is where the most power is on exhausts and probably most mods too. Good observation! It seems that most mods make their most power in the higher rpm's. Everyone wants more low end power, but have a real hard time getting it and generally can't (or not much) and mostly get power in higher rpm's. Yeah I love the sound of my MINI Madness exhaust too. I don't really hear it until I get above 3k rpm's. Along with the MINI Madness cold air intake it sounds real throaty. As you say, they probaby don't add too much extra power, but hey, any extra power is good power!

Yeah, it's fun talking CVT performance. We should do this more often. We tend to get lost next to MCS stuff. :smile: I really love the CVT performance.

Rally -- you said the other day that ZF (maker of CVT) said the CVT can take a little extra torque from engine mods over stock engine power -- I think you said something like 163 Nm (and stock was 151 or something), which is about a 10 lbs/ft increase. So, we can do some mods no problem. Most mods add hp and not much torque, so it seems we could probably add 20 hp and 10 lbs/ft of torque and be within ZF's safe zone. Companies are so afraid of being sued these days that they will be conservative in any ratings they give. :smile:

 

I'm with you guys (lose weight with CVT). I went from the 16 inch runflats to 15 inch konig helium wheels and 205/50 15 falken tires. I saved about 12lbs per corner. Acceleration is better. Braking is MUCH better. Handling is almost ridiculous.

The car sits lower too. (I scrape the front plastic on some landings ).

As for the CVT itself - it gives you so much control over rpms and such that an experienced driver really can do some amazing things with it. I'm totally hooked on it.

If I can ever take a decent picture without lovebugs pasted all over the thing I'll try to post some pics.
On a side note, anybody try the live-wires and coil pack Moss says "one second less 0 to 60"?????

 

I will break the truth for you...there is NO WAY that you will lose a second off your 0-60...but apparently the wires (dont have to be that company) smooth out accelartion and response. And if you have extra money you could always get the coil pack too...but there are other things like intake and stuff you should get first. I've been planning on getting magnecor wires for a while now, but i keep buying other things instead.

 

No disrespect was meant at all. Was only lookin' out for ya, jaz. Slightly regretted submitted that reply right after sending it though am glad that you took it well. Oh yeah, our car is indeed a fun car. No less:smile:. Peace

 

I really enjoy driving my MC with the CVT. :smile: I go on drives with the local MINI club, and I've not had a problem keeping up with the MCSs.

I live in a large city and drive in heavy traffic, and I didn't like shifting gears. I may consider an S with an automatic when those are available, but for now, I'm very happy with the CVT.

 

Hey Rally -- So, the wires smooth out acceleration. That's nice to know. I'll get some when I can budget more engine mods, but that's after tires/wheels and suspension. Your car looks really cool! :smile:

Hey erik -- Don't worry about that and don't give it a second thought. We're all friends here. I never took it that way. I know we're all looking out for each other. If my ideas are bad, I appreciate someone telling me -- I like constructive criticism. Better to find out you're on the wrong track before you really screw things up. You're right as taking out airbags is not something anyone should take lightly, and I would not do it if I was to ever sell the car. I think this car is a keeper. Peace :smile:

scotteast -- Yes, the CVT is so unique and innovative. I really enjoy driving it in heavy traffic more than any other car I can imagine. Plus on fun drives on twisty roads (even going from stop light to light) it is really fun to shift, or use SD. I've only gone up a few hills that were not real steep, but it was still so smooth -- and it took it no problem. I remember my Honda Civic and it would always have to down shift with all that havoc that creates. So, I'm sticking with the CVT! If the auto MCS will have a CVT or sequential manual transmission I would go for it, but alas it won't. Personally, I like the CVT much more than the power of a supercharger or turbo. But that's an individual decision that each has to answer. :smile:

Hey J-Didi -- If your front plastic scrapes, have you lowered the car?

 

Hey scotteast -- My car is the same color as yours with a white roof and the 8 spoke wheels too! I don't have the stripes or sun roof, though. We have the same taste. :smile:

 

No I didn't lower it. When I put the 205/50-15's on it it dropped the car a little. My guess is about an inch. No more than that though. If I was consdering lowering springs, I think it's out of the question now. I'm sure I would rub in some spots.:smile:

 

J-Didi,

Great pictures. I like your car. I almost got that color. Yeah your car looks low. hmmm. interesting. You would think that putting on those wheels/tires should not cause anything to scrape or be any problem. and a whole inch drop. Wow. I was hoping to go with a similar combo, but with 195/55/15 tires and with lowering springs too. Guess I'll have to rethink that, as I want to be able to drive through the auto car wash -- to clean off the road salt in winter. Perhaps if I went with a 60 series tire I could also add lowering springs. hmmm. Maybe I don't really need them as your car looks good as is. :smile:

 

I hear ya

Good direction:smile:

I really like that

Nice pics! I run 205/50-15s with H-Sport lowering springs at the track. Zero rubbing

 

Hey erik,

205/50/15 is an excellent size. Do you know how many inches you are from the ground? Also, can you get through an auto car wash? :smile:

 

I've got H-sport springs and now I can't run it through the auto car wash. Well, technically I can...and I did a couple of times...but then I discovered that it was riding on the bottom of the shock strut on the side with the car wash rail and it wore through the rubber sheathing. No big deal, but I won't do it again.

 

...and Erik, what kind/size of wheels are you running?

 

Alright so talking about CVT mods...has anyone tried to or is thinking about trying the MTH chip? I just started reading about it, and it sounds like it will be my next mod. It's cheap and such, but best of all it actually alters the programming of the CVT as well, to get rid of some of the lag...Anyone have thoughts/opinions on this?

 

Hey, jazmini ~ Perfect timing! I swap my 17" aftermarkets for my 15" track rubber (205/50-15s) this very afternoon (track event tomorrow). Will take pictures and post here tonight:smile:

Hmmmmm... I've yet to go to a car wash. However, BMW of Honolulu has taken my car through their car wash several times (I request to bypass this machine wash). The first time was when I was unaware that those (the free washes) were taking place and the other couple of times was when I'd forgotten to request passing. Anyhow, BMW of Honolulu didn't mention anything following those washes. ["Just spit it out already, Erik".]

Hey, Mark ~ They're 7-hole R81s (15" x 5.5") with Kumho Victoracers (205/50-15s)...

http://on.miniusa.com/resume.jsp?use...nge=1&start=79

Hey, RallyMINI ~ To reduce that lag ...from a dead stop to halfway through 1st would be big, in my opinion... If anyone has, ya gotta let us know

 

Cool. I love my R81s for their light weight, and believe it or not, the look...I was thinking of upgrading to wider tires like you have, either 195s or 205s, but not R-compounds. (I've still got the stock Conti 175s on now.)

Did you have any trouble fitting 205s onto the R81s' 5.5-inches? Also, one thing I was concerned about was the added weight, which is probably around 5 lbs. per tire over stock Contis. Did you find that this was not really worth worrying about?

Thanks

 

I've done the mods listed in my signature. Nothing to much in the way of performance, just showing off the mini's beauty.

 

Definately. Please keep us posted on how the mod goes. I've been really thinking about this, but didn't want to be the first .

 

I was wondering the same thing. I've been thinking about buying new wheels because I want something wider, not necessarily a bigger wheel. If I could just change to wider tires, that would be great for me. :smile:

 

Yeah that MTH chip sounds great. Hope it does all that.
Can't wait to see your pictures erik.
Scotteast -- I've heard from some here (i.e., Minihune) that the 205 will fit on the 5.5 rims. Alex of TireRack has said that 205/55/15 was an excellent choice. Minihune also said that a 215/50/15 would fit too. :smile:

 

jazmini ~ Just washed my CVT! Now all's set for Time Attack tomorrow . Hope that the below are okay with you. [minihune and I have the same combination.] If you'd like another angle or daytime shots, just say and I'll reshoot/post tomorrow:smile:

 

A couple more below, jazmini. Have a great time with this mod

 

ChiliCooperMark ~ A local tuner shop put them on without comment. So far so good for mine (had Falken Azenis for several months; have had Kumho Victoracers for several months to date as well). Hope that the below gives you a clear perspective on its fit/look

 

ChiliCooperMark ~ Hmmmmm... I didn't drive on the Contis (instantly put Azenis on after purchasing the R81s from the dealership). Wouldn't know. However, I can say that my 15" combo feels a lot better than my 17" combo. Hope that that helps

 

Hey erik,

Pics look good! Thanks. Hope you had fun racing today! They actually look fairly wide from the top view -- cool. There is a bit more of a wheel-well gap with lower profile tires. But for racing, the smaller wheels are good of course. I've got 15 inch with Conti's and have it, even with 65 profile. You use 17 inch wheels in normal driving, so you don't have that. Your car with 15s does look quite a bit lower. I think if you lowered it, it would be very very low. I was at the dealer today in Annapolis (drove through the rain from remnants of huricane Ivan here in DC area and attended a MINI club breakfast there -- fun -- and saw the MINI convertible - cool) and they said the aero kit will lower the car in front about half an inch or more. Hey, if you added all that lowering up, one might end up on the ground! Still don't know what I'll do, but I'm learning more. May need to go with 16 inchers, but don't want to -- doubt if I will. Take Care! :smile: