I suspect aerodynamics would be the trickiest issue. Reducing the drag is key, of course, but would also need to maintain aerodynamic balance at high speeds.

And a really good driver should be in the seat.

 

Cristo, thanks much. While joking, I was hoping someone would respond as you did. In free fall, the MINI's shape (aerodynamics if you will) allows for much more than 200 mph...

Above, someone commented:

"The trailer required to tow the extra fuel cell would add too much additional weight/drag

Clear out the boot and store fuel in the approriate container, no added drag yes it adds weight but that can be offset with more HP"

It is my understanding, and I could be wrong, that additional weight does not impact top speed - the goal here. It would take longer to get there though, and longer to stop...

Also, I don't quite understand the desire to want to go with RWD or AWD for this pursuit. Traction is not a concern here when there is no time limit to reach this speed. More power, proper gearing, and improved flow... and see what you get. If one can get the necessary power from our 1.6, that would be make this all that much more meaningful, IMHO.

 

If you didn't want to change the windshield every 50 miles, you'd probably need to redesign that too.

 

Has anybody run NOS on a twincharged setup? This is what I'm thinking, do the twincharged setup, and draft behind the 1st place guy until you're in spitting distance of the finish line. Then you just use NOS to beat him to the finish line.

 

I'd say for power, turbo only for FI (remove the SC). This will get you more power with less boost, a good thing. Get something like a DFIC to chill the charged air, and with that ideally get some of that air over the turbo to keep in running cooler...

 

<Rubbing sleep from his eyes>

I should have typed 800hp... Not 300hp. Damnit, hate it when I type out of control. So, as MSFIT duly noted that was a moment of ******* while trying to spark some sarcasm. G'Yah! Crap, that's the last time I try to be funny here.

Let's all slowly back away from the post and remember it was only sarcasm...

Anyway, a few observations/thoughts:

Weight will impact top speed in the sense of how much room you need to accelerate to terminal velocity as noted. And yes, getting the front end of the car to move air efficiently and properly will ultimately be the key factor. Time in a tunnel will prove a good investment to define how to build the motor (why struggle to get 800HP if you only need 650HP for such a feat?).

Does anybody have stats on an existing run to top speed in any MINI? This info would prove helpful in forming the calculations. If we could determine how much distance was used in previous attempts that will help narrow the chase for where such an attempt could be made and in return help us calculate the relative HP needed using a formula akin to the one on sjbaker.org's website.

The formula for rho (air density) is here:
http://www.davisnet.com/product_docu.../apnote_14.pdf

We could assume Bonneville is the desired place to run and calculate accordingly from past weather charts.

The quandry on FWD vs. AWD vs. RWD is not to be taken lightly. MSFIT is correct noting it would be more desireable to switch to AWD or RWD. The front end is subject to lift as the velocities increase which decreases control and power application on any vehicle. Plus, FWD can be problematic when trying to push gobs of HP through spinning and turning components. RWD drive narrows the power push to get through spinning components only.

Relying on FWD to deliver the power and steer in an situation like this is not the best answer. Not impossible, but adds a level of challenge more readily addressed by relocating power transfer. RWD would be the easiest route out to take advantage of a wider supply of available components. AWD (delivering more to the rear) is heavy and increases parasitic power loss but would help launch the car with more control more quickly in a shorter distance. So, yes traction is important in two ways: getting to terminal velocity in a manageable distance and to maintain control.

Gotta' get back to work, but a few more notes to hopefully spark thought and not flames on this idea.

 

the fact is...

You can make ANYTHING go 200MPH... it's all a question of budget.

 

Here is a great read about what it really takes to reach 200 MPH at Bonneville

http://www.bobnorwood.com/The%20Fast...0in%20Utah.htm

 

DING DING DING! I belive we have a weener! LOL I crack my self up...



yes I am aware it's ussually only me...

 

I'm about 1/2 way through CFMINI's link. Good article, I have thought of this as an R&D testbed from the beginning and think that making the MINI a capable car at 200 MPH could translate into somevery well preforming aftermarket parts. And one must be willing to fail learn fix and try again, to be able to push futher, it took 1000k trys to get the light bulb to work, in todays world I think the MINI could break 200 MPH after 2 or 3 trys at Bonneville. Let's make the envelope a little bigger.

Mikey, look what you started.

I think it is doable, and am of the same thinking as Tuls, give me the money and I'll make it happen. I'd love to see a car that could hit 200 at Bonneville, and hold its own on faster race tracks, and easliy run 200 in the Autobahn which means it couldn't take forever to hit 200 and would still need to be able to make a turn. Also we already know the MINI can do 150+, so now the bar has been rasied and a group of people in this thread want to go for the next milestone 200MPH. Many things have been said to be impossible in a MINI, only to be later accomplished, I say lets add this to that list!

The when does a MINI stop being a MINI question sounds like discussion from the classic boards, I think it can be done without looking dramatically different from a hundred feet.

 

I love this thread. I agree with those who say it's just a matter of money, you could make a cardboard box go 200mph with enough cash. I would love to see this happen.

 

So the top speed of the current MINI Cooper S is officially 134MPH for the 6-spd manual... if power increases with the cube of speed then:

200mph/134mph=~1.5 Times faster

1.5^3=3.375 Times the power

If a MINI currently requires all of its 168hp to go 134, then it will require about 567hp to go 200mph!

If you wanted to do this for a long period of time, you're going to have to invest HEAVILY in cooling for the engine. The amount of heat generated at this power output would be incredible.

Keep in mind the top speed of a 2007 Corvette Z06 is 198mph! And that is with 505hp on tap! I think the only way to get a MINI to go 200mph is via an Air Drop out of a C5-Galaxy!

Oh, and someone mentioned front-wheel drive as not being a problem... you will start to SPIN the tires at a certain speed, as they cannot any longer push the car into the air... this gets very hairy when they are also supposed to be directing you!

RM2k5

 

Not entirely true ecltronically limited to 134, there is power left. And TC, head, ECU and various other adjustments 500 WHP isn't out of the realm of possibilities.

Fortuneatly the MINI has a large front end so effective management and cooling issue is easly solved.



Downforce from aero adjustments works wonders, but haven't ruled out the pssibility of AWD, or RWD, but I do say it is possible with FWD.

 

So, to clarify, weight, ultimately does not effect top speed; especially given a place like Bonneville. Weight, is not an issue here in the achievement of this goal...

FWD being a handful... With torque, and the use of a lot of it, sure. With the MINI's equal length drive shafts, it certainly is much less than most FWD rides. And again, given the goal to reach this top speed, there is not a need jump on it like when at the drag strip. Going in a straight line, with consideration to the application of power, keeping this thing under control should not be a huge issue with a skilled driver...

Over-coming its brick-like shape with adequate power is the major obstacle. Getting the necessary power, again, ideally from our powerplant, is a challenge, but I would guess doable.

Let's say we built an 800 bhp beast. And if one is adamant on going to AWD, be prepared to lose about 30% of that power in getting to the wheels, and maybe even more. Again, if traction were a definite issue here, then that would be a necessary evil. Heck, I can get wheel spin in 2, and on a good day 3 gears, but I never do because I know that threshold, and I baby it. FWD sucks in that regard, and that is why they will never rule the strip compared to their RWD counterparts.

This here is not a race against the clock though, and traction and lift will not be an issue with a competent driver (a must of course, along with proper air flow) who will apply the power prudently. What is a must is maximizing the power generation and with that, minimizing how much of the precious power is lost in getting the drive wheels to rotate... A 10-12% driveline loss is pretty sweet, and that's what we have now...

If this is ever attempted, and achieved, it would mean much, much more to me, and I'm guessing most others if its accomplished with a MINI engine and driveline configuration. It would mean less and less as more of that changes. Might as well do it with a Mini van then. Crap, that would be easier given their shape and engine displacements .

 

Air is a fluid it will always seek the least resistance and it follows curves very well. I'd say it's impossible to "miss the hoodscoop".
If you need full boost to cruise at 200 MPH then the design is wrong. If all you want to do is reach 200 then maybe.

Cool thread

 

With a DFIC, at those speeds, the dang thing might freeze!

 

Or make many loud pops as the air leaving the IC breaks the speed of sound
referencing another thread here

 

I'm not sure I understand... other then you calling me a weener.

 

Something to help clean up the aerodynamics a bit.

 

all I was saying is that you got it right! it wouldn't take as much as people think... but it really would only take the right amount of $$... and I suspect... mmmmm less than 100k

 

a la' Dinan software upgrade, a typical stock MCS (just software upgrade) will hit a terminal velocity of ~143-147mph depending on conditions. Just a general point of reference, haven't timed it yet... Gotta' get some electronics or a passenger to run numbers while I drive.

200mph would be a neat thing to reach, but heck, as noted I'd be curious to see how far into that goal one could go before getting really insane with mods.

That would be a pretty cool achievement... I can see a dash plaque for the "MINI200 Club" in the future.

That tail cone might be just what we need to help keep everything flying level. LOL!

 

Mikey, we're doing this experiment on your MINI, not mine...right?

 

I would worry about the toll that would take on the engine and would assume the cost to get there would be anything but cheap. May want to invest in a race car and just motor in the Cooper S when your not going 200.

 

I went around 260kms with digital speedometer.. Tomorrow will be next trial.. But I don't think I can go over that.. I'll video it if I can go around it again..

 

Check out http://www.silverstateclassic.com/

The MINI winning things there is an 04 and tops out at 164mph (pretty sure of that) which is the theoretically limit of the stock 04 gearing (not 05 on gearing). That means hes putting out some healthy HP to overcame the flying brick aerodynamics.