9 Horsepower Boosters for Your MINI

We hope this article will help give you some ideas and direction on how to make your MINI more powerful. Our expert staff of specialists are available by phone M-F from 8am-5pm at 1-800-946-2642 or by email info@minimania.com. We're happy to help you or answer questions.

1. Air Filter Upgrade

Upgrading your MINI Cooper's air filter is one of the easiest and most economical ways to give your MINI a horsepower boost. Our bestselling air filter upgrades are made by K&N and are designed to increase horsepower and acceleration. They are washable, reusable and carry a Million Mile Warranty through K&N. Our specialists believe they make The World's Best Air Filters and stand behind that claim 100%.
View All K&N Performance Air Filter Upgrades

Best Selling Air Filters

K&N Performance Air Filter Element Upgrade
Cooper S R50 and R52



K&N Air Filter Upgrade
Cooper S R55, R56, R57, R58, R59, R60 R61





Air Filter K&N Upgrade
Cooper SF56 F55 F54 F57


VIEW ALL HERE

 

2. Intake Upgrade
Intake upgrades are all about improving the flow of filtered air into the engine. More air means stronger and more efficient combustion and the result is more power! Upgrades are typically more noticeable in the upper rpm range where the stock restrictive intake causes power to fall off. In our experience, a 2-4 hp gain is typical with filter upgrades, and 4-6 hp gains with intake upgrades. Another side benefit is the increase volume of 'intake sounds'.

View All Intake Upgrades

Best Selling Intakes

AFE Cold Air Intake
MINI Cooper R50




K&N Typhoon Performance Air Intake Kit Red
MINI Cooper R50 R52 Non-S



Intake Kit K&N Typhoon
Mini Cooper S R52 And R53



K&N Typhoon Intake
MINI R55 R56 R57 N14 Engine



K&N Typhoon Cold Air Intake
Mini Cooper F55 F56 F54 F57 F60


VIEW ALL HERE

 

3. Performance Exhaust

Exhaust system performance upgrades offer better flow with reduced back pressure for improved performance. These systems typically offer a lower deeper tone with a slight increase in sound volume. Some of these systems install at the front flange, the others are spliced in after the secondary catalytic converter or resonator. We offer top brands from leading performance suppliers Quicksilver, Borla, Remus, NM Engineering and Dinan.

View All Performance Exhausts

Best Selling Exhausts

Remus Race Exhaust
Mini Cooper S Hardtop R53



Borla Performance Cat Back Exhaust
Mini Cooper S R52 R53



Borla Performance Cat Back Exhaust
MINI Cooper S R56 R57 R58 R59



Borla Performance Cat Back Exhaust
MINI Cooper S R56 R57 R58 R59

VIEW ALL HERE

 

4. ECU Upgrade

Gain exceptional horsepower and torque by upgrading the software of your MINI's ECU. Stock software from the factory is developed with a delicate balance between fuel economy, durability and performance. An ECU software upgrade skews the software towards performance by manipulating parameters such as ignition timing, fuel mixture and boost pressure, just to name a few.

View All ECU Upgrades

Best Selling ECUs

Jim Conforti's Shark Injector ECU Upgrade
Gen1 MINI Cooper S R52 and R53



JMTC ECU Upgrade
MINI Cooper S R55 R56 R57 R58 R59 R60 R61



Dinan Elite Tuner
MINI Cooper Gen3 F54 F55 F56 F57 F60

VIEW ALL HERE

 

5. Performance Tuner

Power modules and performance tuners are the simplest and best alternatives to an ECU Upgrade. One reason being that you don't have to remove your ECU and send it to be upgraded. Tuning devices all have one thing in common, they send a modified signal to the factory ECU, telling it the boost pressure is below target values. They are relatively easy to install with seriously noticeable and impressive gains. Typically less expensive than an ECU Upgrade.
View All Performance Tuners

Best Selling Performance Tuners

NM Engineering Power Module
MINI Cooper Gen2 R55-R61



NM Engineering Power Module
MINI Cooper Gen3 F55-F60


JB+ Piggyback ECU Tune N18
MINI Cooper S Gen2 R55-R61 2011+

VIEW ALL HERE

 

6. Intercooler Upgrade

Have you noticed your MINI's engine seems more powerful & responsive in cold weather? As the inlet temperature is reduced, the air packs a greater number of O2 molecules, resulting in more powerful combustion. This nets more power to the wheels. You can have similar performance on warm days with an Intercooler upgrade. The Intercooler is used to cool the intake charge after it has been compressed by the turbo.
View All Intercooler Upgrades

Best Selling Intercoolers

Forge Air-to-Air Intercooler
MINI Cooper S R52, R53, 2002-2006



Wagner Compeition Intercooler
MINI Cooper 2011+ Gen2 R55-R61



Forge Intercooler Upgrade
MINI Cooper Gen3 F54, F55, F56, F57

VIEW ALL HERE

 

7. Supercharger Pulley Upgrade

A 15% reduction in the supercharger pulley diameter of the MINI Cooper S increases the boost of your MINI Cooper S by more than 4 pounds, resulting in a dyno-measured gain of over 20 horsepower AT THE WHEELS. Maximum boost is achieved at lower RPM, giving more power in the mid-range of your MINI Cooper S. At 15%, the supercharger pulley provides the most boost increase available without over-revving the supercharger at high engine RPMs.

View All Supercharger Pulley Upgrades

Best Selling Pulleys

Supercharger Pulley Upgrade w/ Removal Tool
MINI Cooper S R52 R53



Supercharger Pulley Tool
MINI Cooper S Gen1 R52 R53



Supercharger Belt Tensioner OEM Tool
MINI Cooper R52 R53

VIEW ALL HERE

 

8. Turbo/ Supercharger Upgrade

Although the factory turbo does a splendid job of forced induction, there IS room for improvement. Turbo upgrades are built with a larger compressor, upgraded internals and a 360deg thrust bearing to handle high boost pressures. Our Supercharger upgrades provide excellent performance, high efficiency and reliability, to deliver INSTANT BOOST from low RPM. With no other changes, hp increase was measured at 197 hp from the stock 169hp

View All Turbo and Supercharger Upgrades

Best Selling Turbos

Turbo Upgrade
MINI Cooper S & JCW Gen2 R55-R61



JMTC Turbocharger Upgrade
MINI Cooper Gen3 F55-F57, F60



Rebuilt Eaton M45 Supercharger
MINI Cooper S R52 R53

VIEW ALL HERE

 

9. Stage Kit
Stage kits will save you time and effort. We have taken the guesswork out upgrade options available for your MINI. Each higher stage level will have slightly more components in the kit and will produce an increase in performance. Stage level definitions apply to engine, drivetrain, suspension and brake upgrades. As with any performance improvements, initial gains are relatively cost-effective and noticeable.

View All Stage Kits

Best Selling Stage Kits

Stage 2 Power Upgrade Kit
MINI Cooper S Gen1 R52 R53



Stage 1.5 Performance Upgrade Kit
MINI Cooper S Gen2 R56-R59



Stage 2 Kit w/ Remus Exhaust
MINI Cooper Gen3 F55-F57

VIEW ALL HERE