Drivetrain (Cooper S) MINI Cooper S (R53) intakes, exhausts, pulleys, headers, throttle bodies, and any other modifications to the Cooper S drivetrain.

Drivetrain Custom Head

Old Oct 25, 2006 | 06:52 AM
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Custom Head

This is a project that I started July 06 with the start of THIS thread. I am happy to say that I'm now in the final stages of this project. Here are some photos of what I got so far.











My mini was on the Dyno this morning to get the before run. Every thing will be duplicated as much as possible for the after run. -- Johan
 
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Old Oct 25, 2006 | 07:54 AM
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Stock diameter valves or larger?

Going to be ready for this weekend?

Then we need to badger you into autocrossing that car.
 
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Old Oct 25, 2006 | 08:30 AM
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From: Naw-folk, VA




 
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Old Oct 25, 2006 | 08:38 AM
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Originally Posted by obehave
Stock diameter valves or larger?

Going to be ready for this weekend?

Then we need to badger you into autocrossing that car.
The valves are a little larger than stock, but nothing huge.

The only thing really holding me up now is my new tune. I really hope MTH is going to be able to pull this off. Apparently my mini has a very complicated set-up
 
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Old Oct 25, 2006 | 04:16 PM
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anymore details on the head?
 
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Old Oct 25, 2006 | 07:04 PM
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Originally Posted by skuzy
anymore details on the head?
Yea it's the best street head available "bar none"

What do you want to know...it's not fully installed yet but should be done by tomorrow evening and the delta from the dyno will be out by Sat. night. -- Johan
 
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Old Oct 25, 2006 | 07:18 PM
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How much is street head worth these days??????
 
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Old Oct 26, 2006 | 04:55 AM
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Originally Posted by newbs49
How much is street head worth these days??????
To be totally honest with you, I don't know yet. As soon as I get everything figured out I will be sure to post -- Johan
 
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Old Oct 28, 2006 | 06:15 AM
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Johan, this is a thread I like.
It sounds like you finished the head & have it back on the motor.
While doing the work, did you think to angle grind the head some ( .045 - .08 surface to block, then add a thicker head gasket to make up the difference ) ? Just a theory, but it would be an easy way to change the port angles in relation to the quench area. I believe the flame front would be more efficent, possibly elimateing some of the issues with "flat spot". To do this is not as simple as it sounds but it sure beats, weld & fill, grinde & finish all the ports, not to mention all the time to CC, flow, build an intake manifold, change the injector angle...... There's more......
This is something that has been done as well as cutting the block in the same manner. I don't like the block method at all, although when the cylinder angle is changed there is no need to cut the block ( I have seen a few of these & it works well ).
 
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Old Oct 28, 2006 | 02:17 PM
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Originally Posted by stevecars60
Johan, this is a thread I like.
It sounds like you finished the head & have it back on the motor.
While doing the work, did you think to angle grind the head some ( .045 - .08 surface to block, then add a thicker head gasket to make up the difference ) ? Just a theory, but it would be an easy way to change the port angles in relation to the quench area. I believe the flame front would be more efficent, possibly elimateing some of the issues with "flat spot". To do this is not as simple as it sounds but it sure beats, weld & fill, grinde & finish all the ports, not to mention all the time to CC, flow, build an intake manifold, change the injector angle...... There's more......
This is something that has been done as well as cutting the block in the same manner. I don't like the block method at all, although when the cylinder angle is changed there is no need to cut the block ( I have seen a few of these & it works well ).
didn't even shave that much off...Just enough to true things up, as we all know detonation is the enemy with our small cars. Rather than the "double head gasket" method, I am investigating a more solid solution. I feel the double gasket is just a band-aid fix. However I have talked to one company that are running the Mini at more of a 9:1 and claim not to have issues with pinging. I'm not so sure but maybe there right. I have some ideas cookin up.

One side effect to my new head is the flat spot is virtually gone! I was very amazed with that. (plus I have a large 62mm TB which just amplifies the flat spot) While driving around today with very little throttle I could not get over how smooth it was. And man you can tell the car is just itching to open up and take off, or maybe that' just me (trust me it does when you get on it too!)

I do have to say I am quite dissapointed in MTH. I was unable to get my file in the timeline that I was told. I do have before and after dyno numbers and I am impressed so far, but my mini still is not tuned for the new head/cam combo. I really hope to see some big gains with my new file. I am still running wicked rich. I will post my numbers once I get the new tune from MTH. Also I will post the gain just from the ECU tune.

And anyone who say's your mini wan't idle with a Shrick cam obviosly does not know what they are talking about! My mini idles better than it did before weird

I will post more later and some prices. -- Johan
 
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Old Oct 28, 2006 | 02:24 PM
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My MINI idles fine with the shrick.

MTH's customer service is hit or miss. Makes the vendors look bad when they can't get your stuff back in a decent amount of time.
 
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Old Oct 28, 2006 | 02:47 PM
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The last 2 posts are not at all accurate.
Jonan- Your file is as near custom as it gets. As I have been telling you it is not as easy as you must think. No one else, no one, will give you what you are looking for. Do you want me to stop the development?
TampaMCS- You have been as mean spirited as possible. Since I have been involved, saying MTH has bad customer service is just wrong.
 

Last edited by dmh; Oct 28, 2006 at 02:50 PM.
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Old Oct 28, 2006 | 03:01 PM
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Originally Posted by dmh
The last 2 posts are not at all accurate.
Jonan- Your file is as near custom as it gets. As I have been telling you it is not as easy as you must think. No one else, no one, will give you what you are looking for. Do you want me to stop the development?
TampaMCS- You have been as mean spirited as possible. Since I have been involved, saying MTH has bad customer service is just wrong.
Of course not Don, all I'm saying is that the timeline that I was told wasn't correct. If I would of known it would take longer I would of sent my files more in advance. I had planned todays event event for a long time and could of sent my files more in advance but I was unaware. I have the right to feel dissapointed! With the development of this file I should see great gains and I eagerly wait along with many others. There was NOTHING inaccurate about my post either.
 
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Old Oct 28, 2006 | 03:58 PM
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K&N intake, 400cc injectors, flowed head with oversized valves., well known schrick cam, OBX header with OEM cat and Invidia exhaust.

This is a challenge to tune for?
I'll have to keep that in mind.
 
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Old Oct 28, 2006 | 04:07 PM
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Originally Posted by obehave
K&N intake, 400cc injectors, flowed head with oversized valves., well known schrick cam, OBX header with OEM cat and Invidia exhaust.

This is a challenge to tune for?
I'll have to keep that in mind.
Yes, it can be challenging but done. If you do not believe me about how difficult it is to work with the Siemens ecu just ask SpiderX.
--The K&N brings in hot air and that can negatively affect IAT.
--400cc injectors are right at the limit of the fuel system/ecu capabilities. In high HP cars is it wise to add an injector.
--The valves are fine. The problem comes into play when the compression is changed due to milling. Knowing what gasket to use should be discussed beforehand. As should the pulley arrangement.
--The exhaust system mentioned does not come into play.
 
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Old Oct 28, 2006 | 04:08 PM
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Originally Posted by Johan
Of course not Don, all I'm saying is that the timeline that I was told wasn't correct. If I would of known it would take longer I would of sent my files more in advance. I had planned todays event event for a long time and could of sent my files more in advance but I was unaware. I have the right to feel dissapointed! With the development of this file I should see great gains and I eagerly wait along with many others. There was NOTHING inaccurate about my post either.
Have you ever considered a stand alone ecu?
 
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Old Oct 28, 2006 | 04:13 PM
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Originally Posted by dmh
Yes, it can be challenging but done. If you do not believe me about how difficult it is to work with the Siemens ecu just ask SpiderX.
--The K&N brings in hot air and that can negatively affect IAT.
--400cc injectors are right at the limit of the fuel system/ecu capabilities. In high HP cars is it wise to add an injector.
--The valves are fine. The problem comes into play when the compression is changed due to milling. Knowing what gasket to use should be discussed beforehand. As should the pulley arrangement.
--The exhaust system mentioned does not come into play.

You might want to contact some west coast tuners because they have NO issue with bigger injectors. It must be an EAST coast thing.
 
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Old Oct 28, 2006 | 04:23 PM
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Is this how you want to be seen by potential customers?

Originally Posted by dmh
The last 2 posts are not at all accurate.
Jonan- Your file is as near custom as it gets. As I have been telling you it is not as easy as you must think. No one else, no one, will give you what you are looking for. Do you want me to stop the development?
TampaMCS- You have been as mean spirited as possible. Since I have been involved, saying MTH has bad customer service is just wrong.
:impatient
Hit & miss means inconsistent… not BAD service. Do you realize that you are projecting your interpretation of TamapMCS’ words?

AND since when is the customer wrong about a missed delivery date? The customer is always right! Did someone hold a gun to your head & force you to make that date? And why would you insinuate a threat to stop development? (me reading into your words)

In the context of THIS thread it is YOU who are "just wrong".

I'm a business owner myself. I would never air disagreements as you have here in a public forum. As a vendor you ought to be more professional.

Sorry, but you NEED to hear this. Hopefully you will appreciate my taking the time to post. Most folks wouldn’t bother to say two words to you about such things… you’d just never get their business.
 
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Old Oct 28, 2006 | 04:24 PM
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Originally Posted by dmh
Have you ever considered a stand alone ecu?
Now you ahve my interest...

what do you mean by stand alone ECU? I know I am jumping into the thread here but since you asked I am curious about the details behind this and what is involved.

chris
 
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Old Oct 28, 2006 | 04:31 PM
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Originally Posted by miniflop
You might want to contact some west coast tuners because they have NO issue with bigger injectors. It must be an EAST coast thing.
That might be a wise idea.
Because without proper intake port work we cannot get large injectors to work; fuel simply puddles. We ran dye through the system as a test just to see why. And now we know the answer and address it with our Wegner head.
I do not think it has anything to do with my location as you proclaimed but rather those who understand what is in play verses those who are less informed but still enthusiastic.
 

Last edited by dmh; Oct 28, 2006 at 04:45 PM.
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Old Oct 28, 2006 | 04:33 PM
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Originally Posted by CustomAV
Now you ahve my interest...

what do you mean by stand alone ECU? I know I am jumping into the thread here but since you asked I am curious about the details behind this and what is involved.

chris
I program with MoTec. We've done all sorts of race cars for over 18 years. If you require further information please call.
 
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Old Oct 28, 2006 | 04:38 PM
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Originally Posted by minimc
:impatient
Hit & miss means inconsistent… not BAD service. Do you realize that you are projecting your interpretation of TamapMCS’ words?

AND since when is the customer wrong about a missed delivery date? The customer is always right! Did someone hold a gun to your head & force you to make that date? And why would you insinuate a threat to stop development? (me reading into your words)

In the context of THIS thread it is YOU who are "just wrong".

I'm a business owner myself. I would never air disagreements as you have here in a public forum. As a vendor you ought to be more professional.

Sorry, but you NEED to hear this. Hopefully you will appreciate my taking the time to post. Most folks wouldn’t bother to say two words to you about such things… you’d just never get their business.
---TampaMCS used the word "bad." Follow his threads about MTH more closely and you will begin to understand.
---MTH does not make firm delivery dates on remaps.
--My professionalism includes my honesty. I have to look in the mirror every day and to deny reality is not my way of living.
There is much disinformation on NAM and those who interject with wisdom get driven out by the herd. I am not the first to air this idea. Thus, I will leave the thread.
 

Last edited by dmh; Oct 28, 2006 at 05:25 PM.
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Old Oct 28, 2006 | 04:48 PM
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Originally Posted by dmh
Have you ever considered a stand alone ecu?
Originally Posted by dmh
That might be a wise idea.
Are you suggesting that MTH can't pull this off? Why do you think it would be wise to do that? I'm not building a race car so I'm not interested in a stand alone kit. My goal is to have a street car that is can compete on the track. Don't get me wrong I know how difficult this is, that's where the fun is for me.
 
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Old Oct 28, 2006 | 05:02 PM
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Originally Posted by dmh
---TampaMCS used the word "bad." Follow his threads about MTH more closely and you will begin to understand.
---MTH does not make firm delivery dates on remaps.
There is much disinformation on NAM and those who interject with wisdom get driven out by the herd. I am not the first to air this idea. Thus, I will leave the thread.
I was sincere in my comment, especially the parting one. You've contributed plenty here. No need to leave the thread.

I'd rather be wrong, learn, and change direction, than one of the sheeple following the heard/disinfo.

The comments made about tuning challenges are of interest. But instead of us hijacking this thread (further?) another with what you are getting at would be of interest & value
 
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Old Oct 28, 2006 | 05:13 PM
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Originally Posted by Johan
Are you suggesting that MTH can't pull this off? Why do you think it would be wise to do that? I'm not building a race car so I'm not interested in a stand alone kit. My goal is to have a street car that is can compete on the track. Don't get me wrong I know how difficult this is, that's where the fun is for me.
Before I leave I should answer this. Of course it can and will be done (and in a timely fashion as possible). It was just too much work to get ready by today and I am sorry you did not have it for your dyno day.
Concerning the other question, I was wrong in my wording/meaning. I was (poorly) attempting to address the West Coast tuner, whoever was referred to. I am only aware of a few people who raise the rev limit and lean out the air/fuel. I am not aware of any tuner who has the ability to do what MTH does.
 

Last edited by dmh; Oct 28, 2006 at 05:23 PM.
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