I just read the Car and Driver SuperTuner Challenge, and read that the MINI claimed 265 hp but still ran a 14.5@101 mph? They also list the prices of the modifications a bit high....Stoptech brakes costing almost 3000, suspension costing almost 4k? I am new to the site, but I think I am quite knowledgeable about the MINI. I think I could have built a better performing/faster MINI for 40k or less. Hopefully next year they will feature a Twin-Charged MINI and win overall. Anyone agree with me?

 

i know someone with a tracked out twin-charged MINI that is putting 270hp to the ground. that's about the same as the current E46 M3.

 

check this thread:
https://www.northamericanmotoring.co...ad.php?t=52311

 

With about an 800 lb weight advantage (for the MINI).

 

And no traction (for the Mini)

E46 M3s run in the 12s with a chip....

 

she has rolled her fenders and has custom 9 inch wheels. she's got traction.

 

But you could just mod the M3 and whoop on the MINI like crazy.

 

I'll apply my MINI tot he next super tuner challenge.. Hell I live about 2 miles away from Car and Drivers Headquarters and even apply for a job! It's all about the people you know..

 

The car entered in the challenge is putting out 235 to the wheels. There's another thread floating around about the subject with an explanation and dyno charts. The challenge is invite only and we've been the only MINI there two years running. (They've only done it twice) You can always email Larry Webster and ask though

 

No offense to Mini Madness' excellent MINI, but as I read that article, I wondered where was either the SPI Twincharged MCS, or maybe a MINI with the twincharge kit from Webb Motorsports and/or Helix? What about the two MCS's from ProMini?

The 265hp at the wheels milestone has been long eclipsed by many other tuners. It seems the way to go about representin' the absolute cutting edge in MINI tuning MUST involve a twincharged car... Let's petition SPI to enter their car next year...

Just my $.02

 

Hey jonnie,

I think perhaps some things have been missed. The tuner challenge is really about the cars ALL AROUND. Not just HP numbers on paper. Track cars require a lot more engineering then JUST engine work. There is downforce and traction to take into account.

Seeing a twincharged car track would be great and may do quite well if it can get enough traction exiting the turns ....but the lower HP numbers arent really that big of a downfall on the MM car. HP on paper isnt everything...our cars really shine in the handling area.

I personally think its funny that the MINI community has become so concerned with HP number on papers instead of things like track time or suspension settings. Like i said, a car should be ALL around good.

 

Amen to that brutha! Now that's some mighty miniz spirit !

"Got a revolution behind my eyes
We got to get up and organize"

Word to da streets: In case you hadn't heard, Rally's Cooper will kick yer *** !

 

You mean have a balanced car? Whoa! But HP is SEXY, suspensions are kind of boring

 

I agree with you, but here's how I see it, and I doubt I'm alone here...

Many of us MINI owners talk so much about horsepower, because right from the factory, our cars out-handle so many other cars out there—even cars that have made modifications to their suspensions with aftermarket parts! (Most, but not all... I'm not that naive).

MINI's already handle excellently, even stock, so therefore, the first area that needs the MOST improvement, (for many of us, not all), is horsepower, and with that, comes braking. We all know the MINI is most at home on the twisties, when compared to other cars. But on the straightaways, well, we often get beat by faster cars, (come on, we're being honest here, aren't we? Admit it). The main reason MINI's stay in the race is due to their supreme handling in the turns, (discounting driver skill level).

So logically, if your MINI handles great, AND is then made to be very quick at both accelerating and decelerating, well, then you've got an unbeatable car! That's the ultimate, best of all worlds!

 

haha i dont really know how to respond to that

I rather have a smart, funny, attractive , caring girl instead of just one who just has attractiveness. And the same goes for cars...you want something that is great all around not just good at one thing. And on the same lines suspension rules because it allows you to hug the "curves"

 

I agree....but its amazing how much room we STILL have in handling. Our car is great stock....but with the right mods it can be a beast in handling. And in many cases it beats out horsepower. I have a cooper with some engine mods, and a decent amount of suspension work. With this setup i am able to keep up with and pull away from an MCS who i drive with who uses your logic. He has modded his engine with the typical things, pulley, chip, intake, exhaust, flywheel, but believed that not much could be done to help handling so he left it stock. Time and time again when we go on drives i can easily put the HP numbers to shame on the twisties....and his car would put mine to shame at a drag strip or dyno.

Anyways...that was long winded....oops . The point is....yes, we have great handling from the factory, but honestly the HP numbers are pretty good for a 1.6 supercharged engine too (10 horses per litre). This is a great car from the factory. So i think that both should get equal attention when it comes to tuning(along with other things like brakes). That really is just an opinion though....and im no professional so it isnt worth much either.

Enjoy the drive

 

i was working on hp all the time, with my only suspension mod being rear sway bar. My car is in for paint now and they gave me an 05 carolla as a loaner and when i go into any turns slowly (for my mcs) the tires go nuts and the body rolls and shimmies and the wheel has no response to input. After i felt that i realized how much i have been taking my mcs's suspension ablilty lightly now i just want to work on that a bit. even though i want more power

 

Haha isnt it great to come to that realization of how good your car is when you drive a rental?

Whenever i add a new suspension mod i think to myself "It can't possibly handle better than this" But everytime i give into the modding bug, i surprise myself with even more noticable handling performance.

 

And here I thought that people drive rentals PRECISELY to feel the limits of their capabilities! E-brake anyone?

 

Imagine that ... in the Performance Mods :: Drivetrain forum.

 

Yes, but unless you swap cars and yours still 'wins' you don't know if it's the suspension or the driver...

Back on topic, I generally come away unimpressed by the value component of any 'supertuner' modifications. Like with the JCW, you can do more for less. But hey, if I had an unlimited budget...

 

Yah...especially since i said in the MINI community...not just that forum section smart ***

 

I actually know the driver pretty well and feel that i know his driving skill well enough to say that we are about the same leve. I have been a passenger in his car before and feel that his knowledge of lines and speeds is about the same as mine. But you certainly have a good point; its nost just the machine, but the user who is controlling it.

 

Right. I was replying to the statement you made in the Performance Mods :: Drivetrain forum. Which is where you posted it. Which is where I replied. Which is where you are right now.

 

Another reason I <<personally>> put suspension mods further down my list are this: I have to drive in deep snow for nearly half the year. The ground clearance that I have with the stock MCS suspension is low enough for me to become a snowplow as it is... let alone if I were to lower my MINI with new aftermarket springs.

Yes, the look and benefits of better springs would be amazing, I'm quite certain, but because my car is a daily driver, all year long, I'm stuck with the stock ride height. (UNLESS, someone can direct me to better springs that DON'T lower the overall ride height...)

Now, one thing I can do, which won't affect ride height, is a new rear swaybar. That might go higher up on my list of mods...