This weekend we had my car dyno'd on a Mustang Dyno. The car is a 2005 MINI Cooper A with the Automatic transmission. The only modification done was an Alta Intake. On the first pull the car dyno'd at 143whp(I'm leaving off the .# as I don't remember). That number wasn't surpising given what I have seen others post, numbers wise.

We then had an Alta 15% pulley, a Larini 2.5" cat-back exhaust, NGK Iridium IX plugs and an MSD coil pack installed. I'd like to go on the record here and say that no "performance" or HP gains were expected from the plugs or coil pack. I added with the hopes of helping the car operate more smoothly.

We dyno'd again and the best pull was 158whp. A gain of "only" 15hp. I was surprised as everyone always talks about the pulley alone giving around 20hp and then an exhaust another 5-10hp.

The torque did go up quite a bit but I can't remember the numbers. I don't have the graphs in front of me right now.

Ambient temperatures and all that other stuff you numbers geek go on about are unknown as this was not meant to be a scientific dyno, just a measure of the difference before and after. The car has definitely gained torque and I mostly feel the horsepower gain in the upper RPM band. I feel the torque down low and the additional speed on the high. It wasn't as much as I had hoped but its still much nicer.

I'm finding the main problem is that the shift points still feel wrong and the car is still slow off the line. Its almost, key word, almost like a turbo lag type of feeling.

I wanted to post to hear your thoughts. Lets not have this thread turn into a dyno numbers war.

 

I'd say call Don at DMH. I'm pretty sure he has an MTH file just for that cvt version of the MINI.

 

I'm sure I'll get the ECU tuned or add a chip in the future, but can't just yet ($$$). I'm more curious on your thoughts on the hp gains.

 

I was on a Mustang Dyno and pulled 181 WHP with the mods in my sig...similar to yours...all I can think is the cvt is holding you back. Another person that dynoed the same day with a cvt was also fairly low...not 100% sure if they had a pulley. Where was your dyno done?

 

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I'll check out those threads.

 

The MCS auto does not have a CVT :(

 

Yeah I know but many people call it that by mistake. The threads linked below dicuss the Auto S transmission so whether they call it a CVT by mistake or not, the content is relevant.

 

As far as I know a pulley alone will not give you 20hp - but around 12 hp. A pulley and ecu file combined should produce around 20 hp.

edit so pulley 12 + exhaust 3 = 15

 

Thanks for chiming in. That would make more sense of course. As an FYI I am happy with the way the car is after the work I had done.

 

I have a MCSa cabrio and only have a cai and 17% pulley. Though I haven't dyno'ed my car, I only had a modest improvent in subjective performance until I asked my dealer to give me the JCW flash (100$). I think you'll get a significant improvement with the MTH file. By the way, does anyone knows a good intercooler that would fit an automatic? Alta says that their intercoolers do not fit and recommended their PWI system.

 

i have a m7 dfic on my mcsa

 

I've got a couple more mods but my last dyno showed 180whp and 157tq not bad for an automatic, but still looking for more. I have a water to air intercooler and it works great, but i'm hear it's not available anymore. I got it from Mini Mania.

 

From the dyno numbers I have seen from MCSa, your numbers are good.

A MCSa will get lower numbers than a manual MCS because of the drivetrain loss.

 

Thanks for the info guys. Makes me feel better.

Hoping to do some more mods by MITM. we shall see...

 

When I dyno'ed my '05 MCSa with a 15% pulley, CAI, and iridium plugs last year, it was able to get the following on 3 runs: 166, 167, 162hp; 136, 139, 131 torque at 6450, 6300, 6500rpm. This was using the DYNOmite dyno in the summer. Since then I've added a catback and upgraded the ECU, but haven't put it on the dyno yet.

 

so when is a good time to get the JCW flash? after what upgrades can u really have use for it?

 

From what I hear a flash helps anytime but is most useful after a CAI, Pulley and Exhaust.

 

Your dyno numbers seem low, but this could be due to the mustang dyno and they have been known to show lower numbers then a dhynojet.

When I had my MCSa I had a Alta 15%, CAI, GRS Intercooler, MyMINI exhaust, unichip and wires and plugs and the car was making 170whp on a very nice cold day. The higher number on that graph was with a 0% crank pulley.

Also I don't understand why in my graphs my tourque numbers were so much higher then other have reported above? Any ideas?

 

I'm confused, how did you guys come close to getting good dyno numbers with the software shifting up as it does? We gave it a shot but that really screwed with the dyno results, so between that and the car running rich on the dyno and the lack of real air for the CAI (the fan just didn't seem to do it) we could not get valid results (well, as valid as any dyno run can be).

Its a good thing the ideal power spot for street driving/shifting is below the redline or the upshifting would really annoy me.

 

Very carefully rolling into the throttle. In my blog entry here I have a video of the dyno run. Maybe it will help. But yes there were a few bad runs where the tech gave it to much gas and caused a tranny shift.

In the video the tech let off the gas when he shifted although I think he did this as a habit from driving stick.

 

yeah this is true... I have noticed about a 10% difference on the same mustang with minis... and a dyno jet " down the street"

that would add another 15... which would put the car at 173...

soooo Matt.... I am suprised the car only made 15... however, having the CAI could be that 5 WHP diff... that you didn't gain... there is your 20 WHP... LOL... who knows... all in all the car is making good power...

158 is nothign to scoff at... especially for an Auto...

 

Like I said, I'm happy with the way the car is running. Certainly no regrets on the choice of mods or the prices. It'd just be nice to have more. Shocker right?

After the wheels and suspension I'll probably get a tune done or a chip. One of the two.

Speaking of the dyno, Chris, did Max email you the graphs? Can you go back in to the comp and get a better one with all the proper info?

 

I've got the CAI, 15% pulley, plugs, and one-ball on my MCSa and whatever the whp or torque is, it's certainly way better than it was stock. Next up is an OBX header and MTH ECU remap..

 

After 3 days of driving the car with the new exhaust, pulley, plugs and coil pack I've noted:

1. The car seems to be getting stronger everyday. I'm attributing this to the ECU learning how I drive again along with adjusting to the mods.

2. The car definitely pulls harder and longer smoothing out the acceleration.

3. Its easier to get the power I want without flooring it and forcing a bad shift.

4. When I'm in the mood to motor I love the sound of the exhaust.

5. When I'm not in the mood the exhaust drone is annoying.

Overall I give it .