I've been reading, with interest, alot of posts on here about pushing 200+ hp out of a Cooper S. That's a 37 hp gain over stock. While it doesn't sound like a lot, it is about a 25% gain. I read somewhere that the Mini engineers beefed up the standard MC motor in order to put on the supercharger on the S model (am I wrong on this?). That put an extra 48 hp in the motor. I guess the point I'm trying to get at, and maybe get some people to realize, is that to increase hp that much (200+) is bound to take a toll on engine longevity. If you want to be a go-faster that's fine. I was one once (many high performance Spitfires and GT-6's under my belt). On those I built pushing the maximum limits, I paid the price of having to rebuild motors after a realitively short life span. The more the engine was pushed the quicker it broke. I know these modern motors are built using better materials than the old "tractor" motors were made out of, but it seems that the same principles would hold.
Just how strong is the motor in the Mini? How much abuse will it take, and for how long, before you have catastrophic failures? Will a 200 hp conversion cut the life of the motor by 10%, or 30%, or even 50%?
The MC(S) was never designed to be a NASCAR or drag racer. There's plenty of cars out there that'll beat it to death in a straight line, no matter how much you beef it up. Remember, most of the rice-burners come stock with a 20 to 40 hp advantage (before any mods are done to them). However, you get those same cars on a twisty turny back road, or an auto-cross track somewhere and, even stock, you'll leave them in the dust. That's the Coopers' forte and it's heritage.

 

... and that's why I'm going for the sway bars first (but I do want the sounds from the intake and exhaust, which would come next). Unless I can convince my dad on the BMW installed JCW kit.

 

>>I've been reading, with interest, alot of posts on here about pushing 200+ hp out of a Cooper S. That's a 37 hp gain over stock. While it doesn't sound like a lot, it is about a 25% gain. I read somewhere that the Mini engineers beefed up the standard MC motor in order to put on the supercharger on the S model (am I wrong on this?). That put an extra 48 hp in the motor. I guess the point I'm trying to get at, and maybe get some people to realize, is that to increase hp that much (200+) is bound to take a toll on engine longevity. If you want to be a go-faster that's fine. I was one once (many high performance Spitfires and GT-6's under my belt). On those I built pushing the maximum limits, I paid the price of having to rebuild motors after a realitively short life span. The more the engine was pushed the quicker it broke. I know these modern motors are built using better materials than the old "tractor" motors were made out of, but it seems that the same principles would hold.
>> Just how strong is the motor in the Mini? How much abuse will it take, and for how long, before you have catastrophic failures? Will a 200 hp conversion cut the life of the motor by 10%, or 30%, or even 50%?
>> The MC(S) was never designed to be a NASCAR or drag racer. There's plenty of cars out there that'll beat it to death in a straight line, no matter how much you beef it up. Remember, most of the rice-burners come stock with a 20 to 40 hp advantage (before any mods are done to them). However, you get those same cars on a twisty turny back road, or an auto-cross track somewhere and, even stock, you'll leave them in the dust. That's the Coopers' forte and it's heritage.
>>

I don't think they'd still warantee the JCW package if it couldn't handle the extra power.
-Chris

 

Um, well, I'm not worried

 

There was a previous discussion about engine building (short) in which Randy made some relevant points regarding the superior engine parts in the S.

Overall, it seems that there should be little cause for concern at the 200HP mark. Now if, and when, people start getting around 220-250 - that will probably bring a whole slew of things into question. :smile: