I just scanned through the Autoweek long term test intro article here.

Most interesting quote, and confirming my feelings about my MCS, and why I'm more interested in the Quaife LSD than the pulley mod (too bad it's not as easy):
"Mini claims 6.9 seconds to 60 mph, but we couldn’t match that—our testers said the limiting factor wasn’t power but traction."

So, tell me about your Quaife install!

 

Where in the hell did Autoweek get their 0-60 times. 6.9 from MINI, I think not. The more I read from Autoweek, the more I disagree with them. I mean, who says that 40 series are terrible in the snow but 45 series are great. Idiots.

R

 

$30,000.00 MINI

Did you see these numbers???? A $30,000.00 MINI!!!!

_________________
My MINI is Sponsored byVIVIDRACING

 

"6.9 seconds" is what the MINIUSA web site shows under "Specifications", "Performance". They fail to highlight the actual performance advantage of a MINI by publishing a slalom speed.

Lack of traction and wheel spin has been my biggest nemesis on the autox course, and that's running R compound tires. LSD is what the car has a screaming need for on both the street or autox course...

 

I, too, was real curious about their 0-60 numbers. Might that have been with the DSC on? They had some goofy DSC disclaimer at the bottom. Anybody got any experience with a dragstrip run with the DSC on?

DREW

 

Goofy disclaimer? All it says is the car has it. Unfortunately, it doesn't say if it was left on.

Even if it was left on, would that hurt a straight line 0-60 time? I mean, DSC doesn't start until you get wheel spin, and then it's too late if you're trying to post the best 0-60 time, once the wheels start to break loose you've already slowed down...

So now what exactly was incorrect about that Autoweek article? That MINI USA publishes 0-60 of 6.9 seconds? That DSC was part of the test cars equipment?

Sorry if you pulley buyers don't like hearing that you've not done much to help the real world performance of the MCS where it most needs help, wheel spin during slalom or twisties.

Now then, who has the Quiafe LSD? No one still reading and posting here?

 

DREW and Minae

Check out angrybeats videos. He has one at a dragstrip. Sure he's on a wet surface, but it shows how bad he botched a launch because DSC was on. So it would botch a launch in dry.

 

Yeah, but once you've hit the wheel spin that turns on the DSC, haven't you already fallen off an optimal time?

I turn mine off whenever I hit the autox course, yes it will slow you down because the recovery it does on wheel spin is much more sever than what you can do by lifting your left foot a bit.

But if one is trying to get the best 0-60 time, and does a correct launch in the dry for optimal 0-60 time, wouldn't that be a run that would not trigger DSC?

My guess is that the Autoweek people did turn it off, that it's too hard to launch perfectly enough to get the optimal time and not turn on DSC (under the assumption that they would go together), and that when they got 7.5 they did so with a bit of wheel spin and DSC off. Just a guess. Manufacturers often publish questionable 0-60 times, like the 6.9 MINI USA claims.

Quiafe Quaife Quaife. Who will tell me a (new) story about a Quaife? I wouldn't be surprised if a Quaife could knock 0.5 off a 0-60 time, or add 3 MPH to a slalom speed. Too bad hardly anyone is doing them.

 

I'm not convinced the MCS needs an LSD. After installing the H&R springs and MINI Madness rear swaybar I get VERY little wheelspin.

Sure, for drag racing and LSD makes sense, but when the problem is wheelspin while cornering, I'm not sure it is as effective as a stiffer suspension; especially the rear.

 

Randy,

How about a group Quiafe LSD install ? !!

Best Regards,
Ron
'03 MCS PS/B

 

>>
>>Did you see these numbers???? A $30,000.00 MINI!!!!
>>
ouch...curious, though if you don't mind...with all the performance mods you've made...how much have you spent in addition to your $23k purchase?

 

Well Sleepless, something tells me you may be a bit biased, since you've already sprung for the pulley, and advocate it every chance you get.

More power is more fun, no doubt, but when you're trying to get through a bit of tight road faster, I still think treating the wheel spin would have more benefit than having additional torque on tap.

I suppose it depends on how much you want to use the differential, versus the supercharger.

 

>>
>>>>
>>>>Did you see these numbers???? A $30,000.00 MINI!!!!
>>>>
>>ouch...curious, though if you don't mind...with all the performance mods you've made...how much have you spent in addition to your $23k purchase?

I think the $30K MCS being referenced is here, an earlier article from 4/11.

Oh look, it's been updated just recently. Gotta go read it, later!

 

Um, I didn't even mention the pulley in my post so I'm not sure why you brought it up.

My point is that stiffening the suspension does wonders for the front wheel traction. Plus, it is a lot cheaper than an LSD so it seems prudent to do the suspension before the LSD.

The downside of an LSD in a FWD car is the torque steer it causes so it has its downsides in tight turns which one needs to consider; it is not a perfect solution.

Are you on a stock suspension?

 

>>Um, I didn't even mention the pulley in my post so I'm not sure why you brought it up.
>>
You're right, my bad. Pulley good, suspension good, LSD good, all good.

>>
>>Are you on a stock suspension?
Yes, the "sports plus" (which I guess is the only stock suspension for the MCS).

I'm sure you're right, the suspension mods could go a long way towards getting the power down when you want it, around a corner. My thought is that the LSD would get you this without sacrificing as much ride quality.

How is the ride compared to stock in your car?

 

Not to be a moron or anything but I dont understand how a LSD would even help for drag racing. I thought what it did was to redistribute torque to the wheel with grip (sounds like a promo slogan). If you are cornering, that makes perfect sense but in a straight line drag race on a smooth level strip, and assuming that the mini does have equal length axels like the ads say it does (sorry I dont have my car yet so I cant run out and measure), then equal torque should always be applied to both wheels.

I will admit that I could be waaay off base and if so could somebody fill me in

just my 2 cents

Chuck

 

If you look at the burn out pattern from a really powerful car with an LSD, versus one with an "open" differential, you'll notice two streaks of rubber rather than one. Or, as Quaife says here, "they don't call open diffs 'peglegs' for nothing".

 

The LSD is not a necessary mod - and in fact in autocrossing actually induces some understeer and torque steer issues. It really depends on what you are doing with the car.

Minae - I would bet that 80% of your issue can be corrected with suspension - stiffer rate springs in the back, a larger rear swaybar, and some front negative camber (as well as some tire pressure tweaks).

This is a better way to tackle the problem for a couple of reasons in my opinion. One - you make the car much more neutral, two - you don't go through the IMMENSE labor required to do the LSD, and three - the Quaife still requires some machining to work with the MINI.

All that said, I will probably be tackling this soon - to do a lightweight flywheel and stronger clutch more than anything. When I do, I'll be sure to do another How-to.

Randy

 

Wow, you guys are quick - half of my points were already made by the time I posted!

To answer the question about ride quality - it depends. With the full blown LEDA coilovers, the ride is definitely firmer. With the H-Sport and H&R springs, the ride is actually a little better if anything. Those are progressive rate springs, while the factory springs, while having slightly lower rates, are linear. The rear swaybar doesn't effect the ride either way.

Randy

 

>>>>Are you on a stock suspension?
>>Yes, the "sports plus" (which I guess is the only stock suspension for the MCS).
>>
>>I'm sure you're right, the suspension mods could go a long way towards getting the power down when you want it, around a corner. My thought is that the LSD would get you this without sacrificing as much ride quality.
>>
>>How is the ride compared to stock in your car?

The problem you'll find with just doing the LSD and not the suspension is that you will be torque steering a lot and still not have the traction that you are after. If you do the suspension and the LSD you'll find that the LSD does not need to work nearly as hard and your car will be more neutral and easier to drive.

Since I think you need the suspension anyway, I'd recommend doing it first and see how that works for you; I suspect you'll be very pleased.

With just the H&R springs, the basic ride quality is very similar to stock except as the bumps get bigger the ride gets stiffer due to the progressive rate of the springs.

Unlike Randy's experience, I find that the sway bar makes the ride quite harsh when set to firm. Anytime one of the rear wheels goes over a bump when the other one does not, you'll feel it more with a firm rear bar. I prefer to use the softer setting for street driving and use the firm setting for the track; it is very quick and easy to change if you have a couple of jack stands (you have to raise both rear wheels to make the adjustment).

Also, if you tend to run on rather bumpy courses/tracks, you will see a marked improvement in traction with very light wheels.

Hope that helps :smile:

 

>>Wow, you guys are quick - half of my points were already made by the time I posted!
>>
>>To answer the question about ride quality - it depends. With the full blown LEDA coilovers, the ride is definitely firmer. With the H-Sport and H&R springs, the ride is actually a little better if anything. Those are progressive rate springs, while the factory springs, while having slightly lower rates, are linear. The rear swaybar doesn't effect the ride either way.
>>
>>Randy

Quick to Randy or anyone else that may know, slightly off-topic...

progressive springs vs. linear springs.... how is cornering affected?
-Chris

 

Right on Sleepless! My findings are exactly as yours. The only difference is that I live with the slight harshness in the rear rather than bothering to swap holes. After the springs comes the LSD. Can't wait.

 

>>$30,000.00 MINI
>>
>>Did you see these numbers???? A $30,000.00 MINI!!!!
>>
>>_________________
>>

 

>>>>
>>ouch...curious, though if you don't mind...with all the performance mods you've made...how much have you spent in addition to your $23k purchase?

No I don't mind at all. To date I have spent about, $3000.00 and next month another $400.00 to Randy for the pully. Sounds like alot but I work hard for my money and will only be on this earth for a short time, so I am enjoying everyday like its the last. My Family comes first then me. I had a wake up call last year and changed my whole outlook. And then its only money !!!!

 

the mcs that i will most likely be getting is $26,000 including tax.. so if i got the jcw package i would be paying about $30,000... plus all the money im loosing from my cooper..