Hi All,
Just about to buy my first mini (cooper S w/ Sport Pkg, LSD, 6 Speed manual [of course]). I was thoroughly impressed in the test drive, but can't help wondering how long it will be before I start tinkering/optimising.

What is the optimal place to start?

Thanks!

 

Pully, and M7 STB

 

Gimme a bidget I'll give you a list of course the best place the to start is always the nut behind the wheel.

 

what do you want to do with the car? Just looking to create a really fun daily driver or do you want to set it up for track days and autocrossing?

 

How about starting from "SEARCH" button?

Seriously, there is tons of information that will take you weeks to read.

 

He sold his MINI ignore him, he hasn't been happy since

Though there is plenty of info around here and a few similar threads, its all about finding what you want to improve and selecting the proper way to go about doing that.

 

Unfortunately there are just too many threads to review to get a clear picture, but there are a few that have tried to list the major mods in order of common preference. But you'll quickly find some disagreement. For example, while I would recommend a pulley (you still have to decide between 15, 16, 17, 19), I'd put a Strut Tower Brace way down the list--closer to bling than performance. Tires, a CAI, driving school would all be much higher up my list...

cheers, and enjoy the car!

 

The only thing I miss, is you guys

 

How cute

 

 

Thanks for the quick replies!

Purpose would be a fun daily driver - my commute takes me down the local interstate. and sunday church takes me on some kick@$$ back roads. Of course I intend to improve braking power before adding more grunt to it...going fast is great, but if you can't brake fast, brown trousers might be the least of the worries.

Anyone know of any good driving schools in DE, the local AAA just offer a basic course in advanced manoeuvers

 

First, welcome and congrats on the ride....

All depends on what you want to do. For me, it's a fun, reliable daily driver that sees winter weather and might see an autocross for fun once in a while (not yet, though....). Fun to drive is more important to me than monster numbers. I have build two cars that i pretty much took past daily driver status, can't do it again.

I am pleased with my Alta intake - about a 45 minute install. Actually had that before the car. Put it on at about 2000 miles, no issues. Really makes the SC sing, and feels like it breathes better.

Next was a used cat back exhaust at around 5000 miles. One of the few R-Speed MCS exhausts made. Styled like a JCW/Milltek. A little more noise, great looking tips, not much noticible in power difference. Very pleased with the sound and the look, so, it works out.

Just did my pulley about 600 miles ago. 15% Helix. Nice bump in power, IMHO, not as crazy as it's sometimes talked about, but still a solid bump. It really does take off and scream after 5000 RPMs and the mid-range did get a boost which I really like. If you drive around "normal" you don't notice it that much, you do need to kind of get on it a little to feel the difference. But, for around $120 and 2.5 hours of time, it is a great upgrade....

I think I would have liked the low end torque offered from the 19%, but I decided to play it safe. LOTS of opinions on that, not saying the 15% is the only way. I just need to have 110% everyday reliability. With the JCW using a very similar size, and very few reported issues, it was just the right fit for me.

I have read lots of good stuff on the GIAC, may do that next. Helix is local to me, and I don't plan on adding much more to my MCS. From what I have read, the GAIC should tie everything together.

Also, plan on a 19mm rear sway, nothing crazy, but a little step up. I know a lot of people use the 22mm bars, but I don't want anything twitchy, or something I need to warn someone about if I hand them the keys. And once I wear out my runflats, prob switch to 15 rims and standard rubber (ex-miata guy - 15" rims are considered "big"

good luck!

 

Don't both with AAA; Take a look into your local NASA (Personal reccomendation) or SCCA (haven't run with them yet) and get into some HPDE events, you'll get and instructor and learn quite a bit, also look into doing an Autocross or two (SCCA holds them regularly). BMWCCA also has some wonderful driving schools.

As brakes go be sure to have fresh racing fluid before you even go to the track the first time. You have many options for brakes if you choose to do more. Avoid drilled (history of cracking) but slotted are good, I've upgraded to ceramic pads that I love. The brakes are the weak link in the MINI, moor cooling and small. I've heard good things about the JCW system if you want to be sure to keep your warranty.

 

DE? Are you in Delaware?

 

My list is the following:

Safety: Brakes economy (SS brake lines, upgrade fluid, brass bushings), if tracking, helmet and harness, driving school.

Handling: Rear sway, strut tower brace, maybe front sway, if tracking, lighter wheels, better tires than the run flats.

Braking: BBK (Willwood, easy to trade out pads for track days)

Power: CAI, pully, many others but these are the main two.

Well, this is my list. Even hard for me to follow since I already did a CAI. But have done driving school and will hopefully get the economy brake upgrades, harness and helmet. Really want the harness because I found myself using the steering wheel to hold me in my seat and thus double steering into turns. Took me a few session to figure out to let my body side into the seat lumbar.

Good luck and motor on.

 

Modding is a disease! Save yourself, quit while you're ahead!

 

Yes I am, getting the Mini from Otto's sometime this week

 

We (Helix) are in Philly. Just off of 95 by the Ben Franklin Bridge. Just a hop skip and 1 or so hour drive away from Delaware (depending on where in DE).

When you're ready to start modding your car, give our shop a call, we have some fun toys for Minis

 

LOSE THE RUN FLATS!!!!!

 

im having the same problem i got 3 bills to spend, i was thinking strut tower to prevent the mushrooming, but i also want a CAI, where to begin? or should i go cosmetics with an aero grill, so many choices so lil cash flow lol

 

simple solution, find a magic lamp and ask the genie for enough money to feed ALL of our modding habits

 

As far as braking goes stock pads are fine for the street. Alot of brake dust though. If you are tracking the car check out the Pagid race pads (no need for a BBK) and change the fluid to Motul or Willwood brake fluid.

Suspension wise I don't see a need for any strut braces. Just a decent set of coilovers to corner balance and drop the center of gravity. Adjustable rear control arms are nice to correct the camber. I had no problem setting the FTD at the autocross at the dragon last year with Spax coilovers, a 22mm rear sway bar, and adjustable rear control arms.

As far as power mods go... I would start with a pulley. Then larger injectors and get a decent tune with an afc or something similair. If you are looking for more noise get a CAI. And if you want a few more ponies do a full exhaust (header with no cat and free flowing 2.5 to 3" header back). After that it gets expensive very fast.

 

Would you mind sharing the location of this magic lamp?

 

MODS -

Engine wise - you start with pulley then you can look at intake and exhaust.
These 3 are the BASE MODS in my opinion.

Handling - you start with rear sway bar and non-run flats. This is the base for suspension in my opinion.

After this - you determine your course of mods based on driving, budget, ect.....

 

I would go first with a Strut Tower Brace (M7 maybe?), since you have a "S" and there are pretty bad roads (evrywhare), you might wanna protect your struts mounts.

MaC