First off, I have very much enjoyed everyone's inputs on many issues pertaining to the MINI Cooper S while I was painfully (which most of you I see experienced as well) awaiting the arrival of my 2005 MCS Hyper Blue/White Roof, Chrome Mirrors, Sport, Premium, LSD, H/K, Chrono, Chrome interior, JCW Air Intake.

The wait was very much worth it, I picked up the car last Wednesday and it is a blast to drive, the fit and finish are very good. I do have a few questions while I am breaking in the engine. My plan is to track this car fairly frequently 4-8 times a year, that is why I ordered the LSD. I do want to get more power from the engine but don't want to spend $6K for JCW installed. I am thinking of doing the following:

- ALTA 15% pulley
- GAIC Software
- JCW Air Intake (Done)
- Milltek Exhaust: decided against it since I really like the sound of the '05 exhaust. Seems different from previous years.

Do any of you have the above set up and what do you think? I am hesitant about the 19% pulley since I want the track the car, I also am not sure how much more power it would give me. This car is mostly trackable because of its handling and not the powerband. I would really like to hear other owner's opinions. Thank you.

Andreas

 

I think the items you listed are pretty mild and have proven to be effective for everyday driving.

 

I did the 15%, JWC intake and MTH. I think this is how the car should have been built - a very nice base for everyday driving and future mods.

 

Miktek is lighter and gives power boost so is a performance improvement over stock.

 

i think i remember someone saying that the difference between the 15% and 19% is all of three hp. i'm someone who likes to run to redline on occasion, so i'd be hesitant to go with a 19. 15 really is your best bet

 

My '05 has the 15% pulley, Milltek cat-back, UNIChip, and ALTA CAI as engine mods. All very worthwhile, IMO. I also like the sound of the stock '05 exhaust but the Milltek sounds even better. Hard to imagine, I know. There's also a weight savings and, I assume, a bit of a performance increase as well. It looks better, too, because you don't see the mufflers hanging down when you view the car from the rear. Whether it's worth the price, though, is of course a matter of personal opinion. Your plan sounds like a good one.

Oh, I've also got the Denso IK-22 plugs which you might want to think about, too.

Mark

 

I did data log runs with the plugs and with my mods the colder plugs made zero difference.

 

I thought the only advantage of the colder plugs was a slightly increased resistance to preignition ? What would you expect to be able to measure ? I am not being critical, just curious ?

 

Question: What will the sparkplugs do? Allow for better combustion? Allow the ngine to run at lowers temps? Will this result in more HP? Any downsides?

Thano you,

Andreas

 

Spark plug heat ranges are a measure of how much heat they can radiate out of the engine, they do not alter the running temp or anything like that.

When you increase compression or boost, the combustion temps rise. At some point it's too much for the plugs and you need to install a colder range to prevent pre-ignition.

What you measure is the timing advance not only for the maximum advance point, but watch to see if it is being pulled back. If you have too much heat and start to preignite (knock) the computer will hear this, and pull back the timing to save the engine.

I drove over several days with both the stock and colder plugs in 85+ weather, and neither set showed any difference in timing whatsoever, nor can you feel any difference. The stock plugs are still in the correct range for a 15% pulley, and a different heat range is not needed.

At least the plugs were cheap! I only wasted a few bucks.

 

Great, Thank you. If I was traveling to a area were 93 octane wasn't available, let say 91 for example, or maybe I am out of gas and the only station has 89 only, because a pump is broke or something. Would a colder range plug combined with ECU intervention give me any more wiggle room than the stock plugs and ECU intervention ? Trying to see if JCW's choice to use colder plugs has any scientific reasoning to it or is 100 % marketing.


Oh wait, major highjack, just forget it .......... I see your point.