Please, if I've missed a post somewhere about this, just let me know and post the link.

Anyway, I've currently ordered an '06 MCS. I almost bought the JCW kit but after test-driving the MCS vs. the JCW back-to-back, I couldn't justify another $6000.

But...

I'm still interested in a little more HP boost down the road. I like the idea of adding a little more "oomph" when I start to get the itch.. (no.. not *that* itch)

Anyway, I'm wondering about cost-effective, simpler/easier upgrades I can do down the line for my MCS.

What I'm looking for in an upgrade:

- super easy install, or fairly inexpensive install at shop (I'm a complete NOOB if you hadn't noticed already)
- maximum amount of power-per-dollar, if possible
- an emphasis on lower-end torque rather than higher-end HP/torque
- a budget of around $2000, maybe more (for more power)
- minimize any warranty issues

The best example I can think of is the famous ECU upgrade chip for the turbo 4 GTI (20%+ more power for $500!)

I don't really have any specific hp/torque goals, other than being able to "feel" a difference.

Thanks for the help!

 

pulley the car!!.. they are the [beep] . . .!
It will cost $400 at the most unless you go to a dealer for it..

oh and I did not see ur budget..

pulley + cai + exhaust + unichip or some form of ECU

 

If I had somebody install it (preferably dealer), what could I expect for cost for a pulley upgrade? And what kind of performance difference would that add?

Oh, BTW, if I can get my "little kick in the pants" for under $1000, all the better! I'm not going to the track!

 

Probably somewhere around $400~500 (that's what dealers around me charges..) for the pulley. I am not sure on how much they will add in terms of power, but for 15% pulley, i heard it will give you over 20hp.

Modding for HP under 1000 or somewhere around that range,
I say go for HAI, 15% pulley, and an exhaust of ur choice.

 

The pulley shouldn't cost more than $100 for the pulley and $200 to install. You might be able to find both cheaper though.

Like sprp85 said, the pulley, CAI, exhaust, and software are a great foundation of mods, and will probably end up costing you around $1200 installed (give or take a couple hundred depending on your choices).

 

Sounds good. What kind of torque/hp bump would that give?

 

Not sure about the exact HP numbers, but the pulley should give you 10-15HP by itself, and the combo mentioned should yield in the range of 25-35HP. Just depends on the car and the quality of pieces you select -- but be aware that I may be understating the combo number.

As for torque numbers, I'll defer to others.

 

I dont mean to be a vendor ***** but have you checked out Mini Mainia or Mini Madness. look at the stage one kits. I like the way Mini madness brakes the parts down so you can order just the parts you want, but you may be able to find them cheaper. But from the searching and drooling I have done it looks like a stage one kit is what you want.

 

a) pulley plus cooler plugs,
b) intake air filter - K&N in stock box,
c) MTH ECU upgrade.

In bang-for-the-buck sequence.

 

First Phase: 15% pulley (most reliable) + CAI + Colder Spark plugs + Catback
Second Phase: headers, ECU, throttle body, bigger injectors, ignition upgrade
Third phase: Bigger intercooler, Ported head, bigger valves, cam.

As far as i can put together. For $2000.00 you can easily accomplish first 2 stages unless you choose the most expensive products, plenty of power. Trust me NAM is the best source to suck information, good luck

 

This is great! It's making me feel a lot better about opting out of paying $6000 for a 38hp bump!

I'm thinking the pulley+coldairintake+ecu upgrade is the best way to go. I'll take a look around at the various vendors and check out the parts. I know it may sound lame, but I'd probably end up having the dealer install the parts or have a dealer-endorsed shop put them in (I know mini is ok w/ aftermarket stuff & warranty, I just want to be extra nice & safe).

I'm not terribly interested in exhaust systems as I prefer as quiet as possible.

I guess this package would be around $1200 installed and give me 20-30 hp. Sounds perfect to me!

BTW, what exactly are the "colder" spark plugs?

 

After upgrading to a reduction pulley for the supercharger many owners also upgrade their spark plugs- see
http://store.webbmotorsports.com/ind...products_id=50

It is not required but is helpful, you can still use the standard plugs.

Keeping the stock exhaust is fine. For a not so loud aftermarket exhaust check out the Borla street dual exhaust for the MCS- see if others have it in your area and go for a ride. It's pretty quiet.

Another easy upgrade though not stictly for power is to move to non runflat tires. Handling and grip are much better with the right non runflats. If you have the budget, light weight rims are a plus compared to the heavy stock rims. You can choose rims that are wider than stock for a given size and you can choose the right tires for your weather conditions and use.

Go to a MINI event in your area and find a MINI that has aftermarket wheels and go for a ride and see for yourself. Light wheels really help responsiveness in accelerating and braking.

 

Speaking of rims, are the S-lites any better than the stock 16's? I've heard the s-"lites" or anything but.

Are any of the wheels mini offers truly lighter weight?

There's also the choice between all-weather and performance run flats. I assume performance is better, but are they crap in the rain? (I do live in Seattle...)

(If you can't tell, i'd rather stay stock on the wheels. )

 

Pulley and colder plugs
Alta CAI
MTH
Oneball exhaust
Rear Swaybar,
and ditch the runcraps.

 

CAI = 5-7HP for $200 plus installation cost.

K&N panel in stock airbox = 2-3 WHP (per Randy Webb) for $40.

Bang for buck ratio and no noise increase strongly favors no CAI...

 

Does the CAI add a lot of noise to the engine?

 

For Cold air intakes some are fairly quiet, a little more noise from the supercharger but mostly at wide open throttle. For street driving in a normal fashion they are not loud. The Alta intake tends to be the loudest but really not a problem for street driving in most cases. On the track you can hear the Alta hard at work. If quiet is important as well as lower cost the drop in filters that fit the stock air box is a good place to start- your choice of green filter, foam filter or K&N gauze filter.

If you like the stock MINI wheels a good choice is the 16x6.5" X-lyte for low cost, relatively lighter weight and reasonably good performance from the stock tire. The S-lyte costs more, rides firmer and is quite a bit heavier.

Are any MINI wheels light? Sure. The 15x5.5" stock holey rims that come on the MC weigh 12 pounds each. I use them for driving events and on the track and they work well but not as well as 15x7" 10 pound track rims. 16" X-lyte rims are pretty good as far as MCS rims go. S-lytes look nice but weigh about 25 pounds each plus add 23 pounds more for the tire. The tires for my 15" wheel weigh about 19-20 pounds each.

Either the performance or all season run flat will work in the rain as long as it is light. Not sure if it will make that much difference. Talk to your dealership and MINI owners in your area- see if they can tell. It rains in Hawaii some and I've driven both types of runflats in 17" and it's pretty close to me.

 

THe CAI, is hardly noticeable in around town driving, you hear air entering the engine on the highway and you really hear the engine under heavy accekeration. One thing I didn't notice being mention was the VGS mod, it costs $5 tops and I did the how-to in 1/2 hour really pretty easy if you take your time and read up about it first and though it doesn't add power it does let you get the power you already have sooner, and it satisfies the butt dyno by switching from vaccum to boost muvh quicker. Here are two links for the VGS:
https://www.northamericanmotoring.co...&highlight=VGS

https://www.northamericanmotoring.co...&highlight=VGS

 

I have the ALTA, happy doesn't feel too lound to me, I actually can't remember what stock sounds like anymore.

 

o ron, where do you live? there may be a good shop nearby.
Next month my car will be in Philly at Helix.
I'll be getting CAI, pully, rear sway, short shift kit, all for around 1g.
I'm trying to keep the car looking stock for now.
I'll be swapping over to non runflats for my xlites soon too.
In another yr, if i find what i've done isnt enough... i'll do a gaic(software) and injectors.

If you want real power, just twin charge it for about $4000 and get 250hp.

 

I just got some mods done at the local MINI garage (Lucky Dog Garage in Glenwood, MD). Specifically I got a Madness Pulley and Intake, installed they were ~500. I wouldn't call them a kick-in-the-pants style upgrade, but they do provide easily noticable power.

 

I'm in Seattle

 

Not sure who's up in that corner... hmmmm.
I decided to go w/a well known shop to do the work instead of going to a garage/pulley party, just for peace of mind... but i'm paying for it.

 

Here is one in Seattle.
http://www.worldoneperformance.com/catalog/

http://www.mini-madness.com/index.asp ... in Oregon.

 

Thanks everybody for all these great tips!

I've refocused my goals & budget, and I'm shooting for the "magical" 200bhp/200lbft for $1000! Can it be done? Maybe...

I'll be keeping my eyes peeled for pulley parties...