Need help to decide on adding a Forge Intercooler ( @ $720) at Mini Mania or a Snow water meth injector ($1,700 installed). My build is as follows:

R56 (2008 Mini S Hartop)
Manual Trans
Milltek Performance downpipe High Flow Cat
- vibrant j spacer with their smallest size jetting
Borla Sport Exhaust
K&N Cold Air Intake

- Tune (Mario Kart...great)
- Switch
- Cold Plugs – gapped

I held off on adding an intercooler to see how things felt but kept the tune as if one was on. During cold weather fine but now, as expected as we have hit 60s- 70s getting knock codes. Mechanic suggests water meth injection or (his second choice) an intercooler. Don’t know anything about water meth injection. Expect it is better but has more to go wrong.


I am 54, I don’t race just like to hit it on the highways for 3-4 minutes at a time… Thoughts would be appreciated.

 

I would look up the Helix intercooler, then search for R56 intercoolers on eBay. Look for the one that looks exactly like the Helix one. It's real cheap, and I've read on the forum that most feel it's the same intercooler, just without the Helix name. Then if you have enough left after that, go do the meth!

 

Intercooler then meth. Meth only works when it's spraying whereas the Intercooler is working as long as the vehicle is moving.

 

What Tigger said. Go for the Helix or Wagner FMIC.

 

I've had the Forge and now have the Helix V2. The Helix V2 is much more substantial fits perfectly. The Forge didn't perfectly.

The Helix v2 is less expensive at $600.

http://store.helix13.com/helix-2nd-g...e-intercooler/

I also have meth, which is freaking fantastic.

 

my shop and Mario Kart (tuner) suggested the Wagner IC . Cost is @ same. What if any difference w the Helix V2.

Leaning towards just adding the IC and then going back to the Snow Perf Water Meth if still having issues w knock codes. I do have some significant carbon build up on exhaust. ONLY use name brand 93 oct. Saw that injectors tend to keep engine clean (which should help), but if did injectors would I have to clean valves first (60k on engine) or risk putting a bunch of junk though engine?

 

Please note the type of fuel you run has no bearing on carbon accumulation on the intake valves. The primary cause for carbon accumulation is intake and exhaust valve overlap when not in boost, combined with direct injection. With DI there is zero fuel being sprayed on the valves to rinse the backflow off or rinse any oil off that has seeped past the valve seals while the engine was sitting.

Definitely have the intake valves cleaned prior to installing meth. As an alcohol is works as a solvent and will help keep the valves somewhat clean. Conversely if your valves are already seriously coked up the meth could loosen it so that chunks come off. Having the chunks pass through your engine would not fall under the category of a good thing.

 

This is my first MINI. Have about 58k on rebuilt engine. First owner lost engine due to timing chain defect and Mini replaced. Before the rebuild his repair slips show he was accused of using cheap gas (he wasn't) and the top end was walnut blasted to get off coke. My valve gasket went 2 months ago and the engine looked pretty clean see photos. Since the Miltek down pipe and cat back Dec 2016 getting a lot of coke on the exhaust tips and soot on bumper... Thoughts on how feq to have intake valves cleaned?

 

I recommend 40k to 50k miles to retain peak performance. I cleaned mine at 20k before installing the Aquamist kit. I have about 53k miles now and will pulling the intake off pretty soon so I should have some good comparison photos to share in my build thread in the R58 section.

 

great photos on your thread. the scope really shows the build up. Walnut blasting is beyond my skill set... what am I look at in costs?

 

Dealer runs around $600 but a reasonable indie shop should cost about $350.

 

Tigger -

I'm putting my mod list together for my 2013 JCW Coupe and FMIC and meth injection is at the top of that list. I live in Houston now and it's hot. Really hot.
I'm planning on going with FMIC first then Aquamist. Am I correct to assume that is the best approach to reducing intake temps?

 

Yes sir that is the route I'd go, and I can sympathize on the heat. We don't get the absolute temps you do down here in South Florida but from June thru October it just plain sux. The only time your not stewing in your own juices is when a hurricane is trying to drown ya.