Hello everyone I don’t really know anything about mini coopers I just got my first one a R56-S I want to build it up and try and get 300-350hp out of it. It has an aftermarket air intake, forge deviator valve, and it’s straight piped. I heard a JCW turbo and bigger injectors with a tune would get close to 230-250. Any recommendations????

 

Curious what information you read or what person lead you to believe that 300-350 hp is possible in a MINI. I'm not telling you it's not. Anything is possible with enough time and money, and probably a completely different engine. But that wouldn't be a MINI any more.

 

 

Put some miles on it first --- get familiar with it and find out what's gonna fail. How about letting us know year / model and N14 or N18. Do you have the repair history? Then try reading some of the build threads --- you're not gonna find that many 300+ WHP 2nd gen Mini's out there --- with dyno charts.

 

 

oldbrokenwind gives wise advice about getting familiar with it and read some of the build threads.

I would spend a lot more time reading before spending $$$.

Do intensive research.

I don't know anything about the R56 as I plan on getting an R53 and have been researching that platform.

My mind is blown at seeing the massive torks on highly modd'd R56,
like this one that has 447 @ 2745rpm:



I like the way that Lohen has a "leader board" for all the cars they put on their dyno,
pretty neat!
https://www.lohen.co.uk/dyno/lohen-dyno-leader-board

 

 

Anything can be done if enough money is spent. So I would first figure out your budget. Then ask how much you are going to drive it? A 350hp MINI isn't a daily driver.

We have done many cars with a tune and intercooler that put 230-250 tq to the front wheels.
https://www.waymotorworks.com/perfor...-cooper-s.html
https://www.waymotorworks.com/forge-...r-s-turbo.html

After that add a downpipe
https://www.waymotorworks.com/07-10-...mance/exhaust/

Then price per HP goes way up after those mods as you really start to stretch it. So I would do the above and drive it. Plus those mods you can still daily drive the car.

 

More considerations ---
- Gonna do the tear-down / re-assembly yourself or pay someone else to do it? I expect machine shop work will be contracted out.
- Gonna take your time and build it slowly or try for all at once?
- Where are you located? Ideally, you're close to a dealer and some indie shops familiar with Mini's.
- Do you plan to use only off-the-shelf parts, or are you considering custom fab stuff, i.e., manifolds, hybrid turbo, stroked engine?
- How do you plan to use all this power --- track, drag strip, street?
How you answer these questions will help determine your best approach. Be prepared to spend 20 - 30K for a 300+ MCS, regardless of how you do it.

Here's one of my favorite build threads --- http://www.minitorque.com/forum/f272...nls-r56-25947/ Wait 'til you have a few days to read it --- it's LONG, but very informative. Another "monster" is Godzilla's Mini --- a guy in Portugal built a 400+ R56. Look it up on YouTube, I don't have the link handy. Then there's my build thread(s). Here's the 1st one --- https://www.northamericanmotoring.co...ml#post3240122 There's links included for two more threads.

Lots to think about. Don't rush into a project like this without having a specific plan. I too started from not knowing anything about mini's. Made my share of mistakes and learned a lot. And contrary to Way's opinion, my 360+WHP is a daily driver --- as daily as a retired guy can get. I live in the boondocks so not a lot of city stop-and-go, and there's enough open hiway to keep the plugs from fouling. However, reliability is a major concern, and the mini gets more than it's share of TLC.

Be sure to let us know what you decide, then post a build thread. You'll get lotsa help.

 

I find these threads curious!!! Why oh Why do some want to take an engine that is wildly unreliable at 172 hp and try to make it work at 300+. Want to go faster... put the work in to become a better driver... way cheaper and much more satisfying. Want to peel your face off with acceleration.... buy a mustang 5.0 Shelby or GT.

 

447Nm.... about 330 ft lbs. still very respectable

OP needs to figure out if he really wants to spend $20k on a build otherwise spend about $5k and drive the wheels off of it.
did downpipe/intercooler/tune on mine at about 60k.... i'm over 130k miles now, driven 100+ miles a day right up to the redline. fixed/replaced everything else along the way.
5.0gt power to weight is about 9:1....mini only weighs about 2600lbs, 300hp puts you right in the same ballpark

it's not just a mod and forget it kind of car, oil needs to be changed often, plugs, coils, air filters, oil leaks need to be fixed asap, pcv needs to be maintained doesnt take a large leak or oil getting burnt before its to low

and tuning sucks

 

You’re getting some very sound advice ... here’s mine:
Start by taking Way’s mod suggestions.
Drive it a while.
Then ask yourself if you really want to put another $20k into it.
It is possible to do what you’re seeking (see the build threads), just depends upon your time, your wallet, and your patience.

 

Real question.... Why do you want a 300whp mini? They already torque steer a lot on Stage 2. I'm going JCW turbo on mine for now. Maybe something bigger down the line when I can afford to forge the motor. Idk if you just want a fast street car..or drag car or whatever...but 300whp is pushing it and may kill other aspects of the car which will then also need attention. I've ran as fast as a 13.5 sec 1/4 mile on crap all seasons and planning to be in the 12's after the turbo and sticky tires. my R55 still responds nicely to steering and throttle application. I could imagine 300+who ripping the steering wheel away from my hands. Just my .02

 

Another thing to consider is wind resistance. If you're just looking for speed you'll hit a speed limiting wall with your brick shaped vehicle. And, a tried and true quote: "If you can't drive fast with 90 hp, 900 hp won't help you."
Find a SCCA chapter in your area, get some track time instruction then take the previous advise, tighten up the suspension and leave the riffraff behind on the twisties.

 

I always found that it took far more skill to adeptly fly an airplane with a 180hp than it did an one with 3000 pounds of thrust. Plus the 180hp airplane was always far more fun to fly. Hence the reason I motor in a MINI with stock horsepower.

 

Rudder coordination required!!!

 

Lots of great advice. Just my opinion since I love to have 300+ hp but I have to be realistic. I am running my 09 R56 on stage 2 manic mods are in my signature and having a blast on daily basis some say 235hp some say 220hp at stage 2 but it is not what my car is capable of it is how I feel about the car I feel good when I get behind the wheel there is enough power there to get me where I am going way faster than law allows with suspension and all the $$$$$ spent just at stage 2 now the car is what I am looking for. Catless down pipe manic tune a great suspension will provide a great experience and most important reliability on a unreliable N14, why not take these steps that don't require tearing down the car first and see how you feel about it then take it to the next level if you see fit. There is my mini and my Carrara S that is done by Texas track works about 500+up, I still like the mini better. Lol
Ben

 

 

Sure thing
Dam auto corrections