I haven't read much about this in a while. Is it still being done? To what size? I believe MINI Madness has one listed at 63mm. The reason I ask is that a local performance machine shop, Leitner Performance, will bore my throttle body to my spec for $225cdn. In fact they're having an "April Special" for $185cdn. Including new butterfly etc. they even offer a "While you wait" service. This sounds like a steal when compared to the MINI Madness price of $400us ($600cdn) and that's AFTER the core charge of $200us. Anything I should be aware of? Like port matching? Intake pipe diameter? etc?

Thoughts?

On another note, how long would the head on the MINI take to remove? <INSERT EVIL LAUGH>

Cheers,

Paul

 

paulmon,

Does your local shop know that your throttle body is a "drive by wire" unit? Those prices sound right for a typical (simple) mechanical throttle body, which is operated via a cable from the accelerator pedal. However, the MINI throttle body has a complex electronic servo drive unit attached which must be delicately removed before machining, and then replaced; not something for just any shop to tackle, and I beleive the reason for the high cost from the usual list of vendors. If it gets f'd up during the process, I've heard the replacement cost of the throttle body is astronomical. Its worth a little (a lot?) research before handing over to them.

Best of luck,

James

 

>>paulmon,
>>
>>Does your local shop know that your throttle body is a "drive by wire" unit? Those prices sound right for a typical (simple) mechanical throttle body, which is operated via a cable from the accelerator pedal. However, the MINI throttle body has a complex electronic servo drive unit attached which must be delicately removed before machining, and then replaced; not something for just any shop to tackle, and I beleive the reason for the high cost from the usual list of vendors. If it gets f'd up during the process, I've heard the replacement cost of the throttle body is astronomical. Its worth a little (a lot?) research before handing over to them.


That's why I'm posting. Didn't think about the electronics removal. Interesting point. I'll mention it to the shop. Anyone else have some thoughts?

Paul

 

>>>>paulmon,
>>>>
>>>>Does your local shop know that your throttle body is a "drive by wire" unit? Those prices sound right for a typical (simple) mechanical throttle body, which is operated via a cable from the accelerator pedal. However, the MINI throttle body has a complex electronic servo drive unit attached which must be delicately removed before machining, and then replaced; not something for just any shop to tackle, and I beleive the reason for the high cost from the usual list of vendors. If it gets f'd up during the process, I've heard the replacement cost of the throttle body is astronomical. Its worth a little (a lot?) research before handing over to them.
>>
>>
>>That's why I'm posting. Didn't think about the electronics removal. Interesting point. I'll mention it to the shop. Anyone else have some thoughts?
>>
>>Paul


Its a swiss clock in there. I took one apart and its not pretty. I think that this is why its so expensive. Its not like most other t-bodys.

 

paulmon,

If Leitner will do the e-gas throttle body for that, and if it works when they are finished with it, let me know.

I have been doing the development for the MINI-Motorsport throttle body (which is the one MINI-Mandess will most likely be carrying as well) and will know be tomorrow if the final version is ready and finished. I have it here and just ran out of time to get it on the car today.

This has involved several development units to determine the correct bore size and throttle zero position, as well as the throttle butterfly angle. You go too big, you have idle issues, you go too small and you get no gains. There are so many variables to consider to get it right. The last of your worries (but I'm sure it will be up there with Leitner) is the fact that when you remove the throttle body cover, you have to disassemble the unit to remove the throttle butterfly plate - not a simple task.

I am very serious about letting me know if they get it done and it works at that price. I can't get anywhere near that. The unit I will be selling will have to include a core charge as well, and the throttle body will run $449. The core will be $165.

As soon as I have it working and have the final horsepower numbers, you all will be the first to know!

 

I would be cautious about allowing anyone to try to rebore a cooper throttle body. Too risky unless it has been done before. Makes sense now why the cost is so high and why the charge for the core as well. Makes me appreciate the upgrade and the engineering that goes in to "drive by wire". Maybe Leitner is that good. Worth checking I guess.

Randy-
Thanks for working out the kinks on the throttle body upgrade and making it a quality product that is worth the cost of the change and the time delays needed for R&D. Hopefully the final product will balance performance and reliability at an economic price. Can't wait. This stuff is more complex that you think.

 

This is exactly the type of information I wanted to know. I've been in contact with Leitner and expect to hear back from them sometime today regarding the Cooper S throttle body. It sounds like there is alot of labour involved in taking apart and reasebling the unit itself. I've mention to them that this is a "drive by wire" throttle body that requires the disasembly of the unit to remove the butterfly. We'll see what they say. What it might come down to is them boring and providing the new butterfly but sticking me with taking it apart and reasembling it. Not something I want to do. However the glass is half full, so we'll wait and see what they have to say.

Randy, I'll keep you posted. What sort of bore size are you playing with on your prototypes? At 63mm that extra 5mm doesn't sound like much but as you said, you don't want too big or too small.

As for my other question, more out of curiosity, how long would it take to remove the Cooper S head?

Regards,

Paul

 

Paul,

Give me a call. I am not ready quite yet to tell the world exactly what size I've found works - especially after goin through three throttle bodies to get it right (at $200 + the cost of the mod a pop). I'd like to get the unit to market in working order and start recouping a fraction of the development costs (dynos, installs, cores, labor, etc.) before sharing the black magic.

Randy
720-841-1002