Ok, so work has been going well and I have a nice bonus coming. Actually, wife got most of the nice bonus but I was lucky enough for her to share some of my bonus with me.

I am looking to spend around $1000 (+/-200) and here is what I have come up with.

Option 1
1) M7 2% crank pulley
2) M7 springs
3) M7 AGS v3
4) M7 STB

Option2
1) M7 DFIC w/coating

As you can see, I have an 04 JCW (without injector upgrades or tune).

In reading all the threads on NAM regarding all of these products I am up in the air on which route to go.

Option 1 gives me a bit more power and hopefully better throttle response as well as a bit more agressive stance and handling.

Option 2 is the DFIC. More power, better throttle response. A cool new scoop. Supposely this is one of the best mods out there.

My question is, what would you go for in my situation.

BTW, this is a daily driver and I am only looking to increase it's fun, spirited driving factor. And yes, I know I should spend some money on drivers schools. That is the next bonus.

Thanks,
JBravoMC

 

What mods to you have already?
Do you have JCW airbox, suspension, etc.?

I'd wait another month or two and do a DFIC after ALTA releases their product.

And there is always track time Thats five days fuel included. I'm really hurt for track time right now and it looks like a long cold winter here

 

Sorry, I don't have many mods except for the older JCW package and K&N Typhoon. That and some small Carbon Fiber goodies to help in the appearance area. No suspension work or anything else to note yet.

Thanks,
JBravoMC

 

Well do you want power or handling then is what I think it comes down to.
The DFIC has been described as the equivalent change of going from tstock to your first pulley a big seat of the pants gain.

The springs will change the handling significantly, I'd assume for the better.
Might want to do sway-bar, upgrade brake pads and fluid (and slotted rotors if budget allows), and do the springs, maybe USS as well (still researching the product myself) for and all around handling improvement. and hold off on the preformance stuff for a bit as the JCW already has you at a good startign point for power, this would set oyu up with more of a complete package car.

I'd porbably opt for the suspension upgrades in your situation myself, then in a few months look toward the DFIC route.

 

I have the DFIC and don't agree with the description (i appreciate its not your statement). I have tried to follow the DFIC threads but do not believe that that is the general consensus.

The DFIC at least for me was not equivalent to adding a pulley. It made my car more consistent power wise. I went out and did some runs and found the car to be more consistent than my stock IC as well as another aftermarket. Using a G-tech to measure things, pull after pull the car was more consistent but did drop performance between numerous back to back pulls BUT significantly less than the other.

The vertical IC is excellent for street driving because it dumps heat soak sooner and faster then horizontal units in my opinion.

 

I'd say you have the power I would work on the handling. Get the springs and a rear sway bar. That installed will probaly use up almost that $1k.

 

Thank you for all the suggestions so far.

I guess one of the major things I feel CHEEZE is lacking is that the throttle response is not what I woudl consider to be stellar. I am hoping that the AGS woudl help this dramatically. Also, I woudl like a bit more oomph down low and hope that the crank pulley would help boost come on a little earlier. Remember, I have the older tranny and I am not to fond of 1st gear right now. Hoping these things help out.

The other two suspension upgrades are intermediate steps to the Koni FSD's and sway bar to follow shortly after.

Please keep the suggestions coming. I may still just end up going suspension for now.

Thanks again,
JBravoMC

 

I would look at upgrading the injectors and getting the software update if you can. Call Eric at Helix. The injectors should help with cooling and the software should be tuned to use the extra flow.

My MCS with 15% pulley had much better throttle responce when I got GIAC flashed. I would look at adding that to your list instead of a crank pulley or AGS. You already have an intake, why change it completly?

I would look at software, injectors and sway bar as a starter to your suspension. Sway bar makes all the differance. I drove my car(stock suspension) back to back with a friends car (stock suspension with 19mm bar) and my passanger noticed how the car reacted better in the corners! And I didnt tell her there was anything different between the cars!

 

I agree with S Curvz. If I was in your position I would go with software, injectors, springs, and sway bar. You already have a quick car, the software/injectors will help your throttle response and give some more grunt down low. The springs/swaybar will change your handling dramatically. That way, you get a nice increase in performance both straightline and handling...

As for install, do the springs/swaybar yourself and save some money...

 

These are all good suggestions, so go over them carefully.

The only thing I can add is that you can't go wrong with M7.
The parts, the service, the ease of contact.
It doesn't get any better for the MINI community.

 

I would do swaybar, springs, pads, lines fluid and the 2% crank pulley. You can probably do this for close to your budget. Especially if you do the labor yourself or find a mechnically included MINI buddy to do the work. You will notice that increased umph you are looking for as well as tightening up the handling that the increased power is gonna need sooner or later.

 

I agree with AZMCS' list. ESPECIALLY THE BRAKES. To me that was the first thing that showed it was lacking in the car under extended spirited driving (other than 50 horses or so, and you already have a JCW engine package).

Only thing to be aware of is that the polyurethane bushings that come with aftermarket sway bars will squeak if not lubed properly every few thousand miles. Might drive you nuts? If not, then go for it.

There is one brand alleged to hold grease longer and which is easier to grease when you DO need to lube it. Can someone else chime in here? Is it HK?

I have an Alta 19mm "adjustable" on the stiffest setting. I like the feel, and I've learned to live with the annoying squeaks. My Milltek exhaust helps drown them out.

 

Ok, I want to thank everyone for all their posts. I have decided to go with some suspension upgrades to start. I am also going to go after the DFIC and the AGS v3. So, to get both, I will need to scrounge up a few more pennies.

And since I am horribly impatient right now and want to get either the DFIC or the AGS, I will be starting another thread to get peoples feedback that have installed both the DFIC and the AGS v3 to see which one should go on first.

Thanks again for all your help,
JBravoMC