Drivetrain Biggest Bang for your $$
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4th Gear
Joined: Oct 2004
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From: Dallas, NC
Biggest Bang for your $$
Ok I know this has been beat more than a dead horse but I have read alot on here but I am still confused as to my first upgrade, I want the biggest upgrade that is reasonable such as CAI, ECU upgrade. On the ECU upgrade is their a particular upgrade that is the best and is a do it yourself plug in
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MTH CarTune is by far the biggest bang for the buck, IMO, next to a Pulley, from what I'm told (I got an MC, so no pulley for me)
CAI makes a nice sound, but doesn't offer anywhere near the performance boost from the MTH which costs less than $200 or less than $100 if you can find someone with an OBDII cable.
15hp for $75.
https://www.northamericanmotoring.co...8&goto=newpost
CAI makes a nice sound, but doesn't offer anywhere near the performance boost from the MTH which costs less than $200 or less than $100 if you can find someone with an OBDII cable.
15hp for $75.
https://www.northamericanmotoring.co...8&goto=newpost
Originally Posted by Kendel72
Ok I know this has been beat more than a dead horse but I have read alot on here but I am still confused as to my first upgrade, I want the biggest upgrade that is reasonable such as CAI, ECU upgrade. On the ECU upgrade is their a particular upgrade that is the best and is a do it yourself plug in
5th Gear
Joined: Jul 2003
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First, you should decide what sort of performance you're after.
In my opinion, for power, hands down get a 19% (or 15%) supercharger reduction pulley. JSCSpeed currently sells the ALTA pulleys for $105. If you're a shade-tree mechanic this is a half-day-or-less install and the 19% yields GOBS of torque down low. The 15% is almost as good, more conservative, but is plenty. You'll notice the "bang" that the pulley gives, without a doubt.
For handling, a larger and adjustable rear sway bar is the way to go. The ALTA 22mm 2-position adjustable rear bar is also available from JSCSpeed for $155. Takes about 1-2 hours to install.
If you're not into either (and I doubt this is the case), and just want a nice everyday use sort of mod, the Helix short shifter (shifter extension) is just what the doctor ordered. It's about $45 and takes less than an hour to install.
To make better use of the interior space, the Euro parcel shelf ($78 from Classic MINI in Mentor, Ohio) is a great addition. It replaces the rather useless knee bolster under the steering wheel with a padded shelf for storage of cell phones, CDs, sunglasses, whatever you can fit there.
Of course, better tires are in order, especially if you have the run-flats. But these tend to be more expensive than the mods listed above.
Wow do I feel like minihune.
Marty
In my opinion, for power, hands down get a 19% (or 15%) supercharger reduction pulley. JSCSpeed currently sells the ALTA pulleys for $105. If you're a shade-tree mechanic this is a half-day-or-less install and the 19% yields GOBS of torque down low. The 15% is almost as good, more conservative, but is plenty. You'll notice the "bang" that the pulley gives, without a doubt.
For handling, a larger and adjustable rear sway bar is the way to go. The ALTA 22mm 2-position adjustable rear bar is also available from JSCSpeed for $155. Takes about 1-2 hours to install.
If you're not into either (and I doubt this is the case), and just want a nice everyday use sort of mod, the Helix short shifter (shifter extension) is just what the doctor ordered. It's about $45 and takes less than an hour to install.
To make better use of the interior space, the Euro parcel shelf ($78 from Classic MINI in Mentor, Ohio) is a great addition. It replaces the rather useless knee bolster under the steering wheel with a padded shelf for storage of cell phones, CDs, sunglasses, whatever you can fit there.
Of course, better tires are in order, especially if you have the run-flats. But these tend to be more expensive than the mods listed above.
Wow do I feel like minihune.
Marty
as alot of people has already said... notice what you need and mod
pulley gets u power like u wont believe.. pair it with a ecu and some new colder range plugs and you are good to go
a large rear sway bar helps as well.. h-sport makes a very good one, but quite pricey compared to the alta one
stay away from exhaust, they yield too little and overall just adds to the experience.. intake is almost the same thing
i love my center console storeage unit.. the mini one is even better i think, but the hard plastic tray moss sells is just as good
tires are one thing i would do no matter what to ditch the runflats...
that's just me...
pulley gets u power like u wont believe.. pair it with a ecu and some new colder range plugs and you are good to go
a large rear sway bar helps as well.. h-sport makes a very good one, but quite pricey compared to the alta one
stay away from exhaust, they yield too little and overall just adds to the experience.. intake is almost the same thing
i love my center console storeage unit.. the mini one is even better i think, but the hard plastic tray moss sells is just as good
tires are one thing i would do no matter what to ditch the runflats...
that's just me...
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7th Gear Gal
Joined: Jul 2002
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From: Weeblegabber West (aka WLA)
Originally Posted by MartyR
Wow do I feel like minihune.
Marty
Marty, that is the funniest comment I've seen on NAM in a very long time! And, I think your suggestions are awesome. 
Clover
6th Gear
Joined: Jun 2003
Posts: 2,068
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From: the great country of california
Originally Posted by Kendel72
The MTH sounds killer but kinda complicated, The pulley is a must but will have to wait for a party. Anybody got a MTH interface near charlotte
I am still on the fence concerning the 15% pulley. I have been researching the EVO 8 and would like to be able to sell the MCS on a moment's notice if a great deal came about on one (Sorry! all that hp and go kart handling, how can I resist) and present the MCS as being stock to any potential buyer.
4th Gear
Joined: Aug 2003
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From: Frederick, MD
Originally Posted by meanboy
I am still on the fence concerning the 15% pulley. I have been researching the EVO 8 and would like to be able to sell the MCS on a moment's notice if a great deal came about on one (Sorry! all that hp and go kart handling, how can I resist) and present the MCS as being stock to any potential buyer.
https://www.northamericanmotoring.co...ad.php?t=33117
The cute body and the go-kart handling your MINI's already got!
7th Gear Gal
Joined: Jul 2002
Posts: 36,087
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From: Weeblegabber West (aka WLA)
Originally Posted by meanboy
2k in mods to get to over 350hp at the wheels in the EVO 8 is just so tempting!
But, sweetie! The MINI is so much more attractive in every way! Isn't it? :smile: Clover
6th Gear
Joined: Jun 2003
Posts: 2,068
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From: the great country of california
Originally Posted by MINIclo
But, sweetie! The MINI is so much more attractive in every way! Isn't it? :smile: Clover
However, the EVO looks, well, EVIL!
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Joined: Oct 2004
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Let me preface this by saying I don't even have my MINI yet. (But she's "Discharged"!) But from the reading I've done to kill time while I'm waiting for my car to arrive, it sounds to me like the following has to rate high on the "bang" vs. "buck" scale:
zip tie
Costs - what? - two or three cents? Maybe doesn't do anything to your total horsepower, but reducing a .25 second lag to practically nothing sounds to me like something that feels like you just got a whole new car!
(Check the early pages of the Ryephix thread if you don't know what I'm talking about.)
Can't wait to try this mod on my MINI. The price sure can't be beat!
zip tie
Costs - what? - two or three cents? Maybe doesn't do anything to your total horsepower, but reducing a .25 second lag to practically nothing sounds to me like something that feels like you just got a whole new car!
(Check the early pages of the Ryephix thread if you don't know what I'm talking about.)
Can't wait to try this mod on my MINI. The price sure can't be beat!
5th Gear
Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 772
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Originally Posted by MINIclo
Marty, that is the funniest comment I've seen on NAM in a very long time! And, I think your suggestions are awesome. Clover
I think the guy is an icon. I meant is as a compliment (albeit a rather tongue-in-cheek one!!!)
.Thanks for the kind words. I am merely a 'hune protege.
Plus I am too dang poor to to the "crazy" stuff!
Marty
5th Gear
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Kendel72-
There's going to be a pulley party in Richmond, VA this coming weekend (you're near Charlotte, NC, no?). Though the bang-for-the-buck drops when you have someone else install it (still more than worth it, IMHO). I'd help you install one if you want to drive to Baltimore some weekend if you buy the pizza and beer...
Check out the pulley party thread in the DC Metro MINIs section here or in the pulley party forum on webbmotorsports.com
Marty
There's going to be a pulley party in Richmond, VA this coming weekend (you're near Charlotte, NC, no?). Though the bang-for-the-buck drops when you have someone else install it (still more than worth it, IMHO). I'd help you install one if you want to drive to Baltimore some weekend if you buy the pizza and beer...
Check out the pulley party thread in the DC Metro MINIs section here or in the pulley party forum on webbmotorsports.com
Marty
