I want to turbo my mini but was wondering if I could use the stock inter cooler and pipes for a turbo. I would have custom pipes installed. Could it work?

 

Below is a thread that has allot of turbo conversion discussions. I am thinking that G3, a local shop in Raleigh is going to be working with 1320 that has been selling kits on the other side of the pond.

https://www.northamericanmotoring.co...and-a-s-2.html

 

Someone had done a top mount mockup years ago (I can't find those pics anymore, it was done with purple anodized fittings and BOV) but... One of the real advantages to doing a turbo setup is to be able to have the extra boost to make up for the piping of a front mount, which will give you much better cooling.

Honestly, if your thinking about a top mount, you'll "Have" to run W/M for charge cooling, or run your boost so low that you might as well not have done the conversion in the first place.

I think the ByteTronik team are also either working on, or working with someone in a conversion kit also, but don't quote me on it.

Either way, unless you get a full kit, be ready for some fab work.

 

I think the top mount you're referring to was a turbo'd K20 swapped R53 from over in the UK somewhere. I remember seeing photos of it floating around (it had a large generic core with custom end tanks) but I don't think it ever really ran.

If you want to go turbo conversion, you will need a much larger intercooler than just the stock top mount. Most turbo choices will flow much more air than what the factory m45 charger is capable of, and you will need the extra cooling to compensate for that upgrade. If you're handy with fabrication and welding, you can easily do the work required to convert over, otherwise you'll probably end up paying quite a bit of money for custom fabricated parts since nobody really makes a generic "conversion kit" so to speak.

 

 

Here is my turbo kit that's been in the works for production now for awhile. Kits will be from 300-600whp depending on your needs. All kits are Flex fuel compatible. Everything is ceramic coated or has heat dispersant on it. One of our engines which has made more hp than any other Mini ever will soon be going for 800-900whp.

 

Reminds me of the recent thread talking about beer and good food. I commented about drooling over a good sandwich. Now Jan has to post the above so I have to go get my napkin as drooling again . . . . .

 

Jan you need to get those kits up on your website, I need to have something to point people towards lol.

 

I have to get final pricing for all the different kits as there are so many options. This one is waiting on my new fittings for the dual walbro pumps that I just custom made

RMW dual pump fuel system capable of 1200whp

 

Jan any word on pricing for a 300hp kit? I'm tired of ******* 911 drivers not giving me point bys. I have to keep a/c and I'm debating switching to a r56, only modest ~300hp goals for my track TT/hpde and SMF autocross car. I don't even care if my bumper fits right or I have to run a big top mount, I'm keeping ac or I'm buying a r56 and some 9.5 cr pistons

 

all my kits are race kits
NO A/C

 

Bleh I really don't like r56 steering, and it's way to humid yo give up ac I don't care if it means slower laptimes.

 

While my setup wasn't a kit, I still have my compressor, and the factory radiator and condenser could have easily been used with basic fab work for the I/C, esp with a front mount, but a top mount wouldn't be impossible. There's just no kit for it.
Now that I think about it, and the amount of space available (this is just off the top of my head) if you had 2" round to oval adaptors fabbed for the OEM Top mount, and stuck with 2" piping, you could probably run from turbo to drivers side of the I/C, then pass. side forward, under the intake manifold at a downward angle, past then U-Turned back to the T/B mounted to the intake.
But that's just a guess, it would take some serious measuring and mock up to be sure.

Honestly, I'd be more concerned with a T/M cooling properly, more than being able to make it fit.
Neither of my S/C's with the OEM or JCW I/C cooled nearly as well as what I have now.

 

Jan you have a billet air to water manifold on your r53 store, can that not be used with the turbo kit?

any idea on pricing on your 300hp front mount?