A simple question, am I going to be able to mod my 05 MCS w/o LSD to be able to hang with other cars in a track situation? I did a track day last week, and I am now addicted to THE TRACK, and making my MINI perform way better, and making it more competitive with all of the Mustangs, and much higher HP cars.

In my Novice class(1st Timer), I was taking the Mustangs, etc., but next time I am moving up to the Intermediate class, and I know those guys are going to be much higher skilled drivers, not to mention their cars are probably going to smoke mine!

My car is a stock 05 now, and I ordered it before the LSD was an option, and I have lighter wheels and NON-runflat tires.

If I add suspension stuff(springs, sway, etc.), engine stuff(intake, pulley, ECU, exhaust, etc.), Brake uprades, and so on, will I be able to surprise some of those higher HP guys and give them some competition?

I know our cars are good in the turns, but can they actually be respectable in the straights with the upgrades?

Again, in the novice group, I was hanging right there with the V8's on the straights, and embarrasing them in the corners.

I want to be able to hang with and compete with these guys in the next class up.

Is it really possible in a MINI, or do I have to just realize, other than Autocross, that our cars are only FUN cars that are VERY GOOD in the turns?

Thanks for your opinions, as I am ready to MOD full force, I just don't want to do all of this work, and be dissapointed. I realize I can't expect to transform my MINI into a Porsche, but a car to look out for would be nice.

 

Simple mods will get you with the big boys, depending on the track.

 

Thanks for the response camelpilot, any other opinions/insight from those of you who have done these mods and track your MINI's?

 

Grass Roots Motorsports has a good series of articles about modding a Cooper S for track use. It should at least make you go hmmmmm.

In the last part, in May's edition, I think they decided they wished that they hadn't done most/all of the mods.

http://www.grmotorsports.com/minicoopers.html

 

Hmmmm, sounds like MINI's are meant to be FUN, not FAST, and as you modify can really get expensive and cause more problems.

I just need to decide what my needs really are? How seriuos do I want to be, and am I willing to put so much money into my MINI that I could have bought a much more serious car once the mods are done.

Thanks for the replies, and keep them coming!!

 

Gavin, if you are interested in auto-crossing, there are very few mods allowed or you are moved into a class that is too tough for MINI to compete in. Read all about it here on NAM! Good luck and congrats on your early racing fun!


Clover

 

Thanks....I haven't autocrossed yet, I have only tracked the car. I wonder if I was to autocross, if that would be as impressive and addicting as the track? If so, I could save tons of money, and be driving one of the better cars in that particular class. HMMMM, do they have autocross schools, etc?

 

Gavin,

Sounds like you might need to chat with Randy Webb (see sponsors). Randy's both a skilled driver and great resource for mods and mods info. At least poke around and read some of his posts. The old ones are the best.

Also check out Phil Wicks' Driving Academy. Phil was one of the stunt drivers on the 1969 Italian Job and travels around teaching driving.

 

Ya, I know Phil Wicks, and have attended one of his schools. As for Randy, I can never seem to get ahold of him? So, I guess I'll keep trying! Peace!

 

Well, just get on the track and get lots of seat time in.
I'd rather be a fast driver in a slow car than a slow driver in a fast car.

Sure engine mods and suspension mods are great. But take it slow.
Learn about your car and about yourself in driving schools.

Just make your car safe on the track.
Then, start a program to slowly add mods to your car.
As your driving skills increase (and they will) you will know more where to add the next mod.

I've found that too many mods at once will only present you with a different
handling car and will have to re-learn all over again.

 

Just keep this in mind. When I took my stock MCS to my first driving school my instructor had no problems driving my MINI far beyond what I think it could do and kept up with "any" car out there in my group (MINIs and M3s).

First you have to examine your skill level. If you are just starting then the most important factor on the track is YOU. Look for a driving school where you get to go on the track with your instructor in the car. Ask your BMW car club local chapter or MINI club. Skill will get you more results than modding your MINI.

Second you have to look at the track course and conditions/surface. On a long track with long straightaways and high speed turns you're gonna need some power. A reduction pulley, intake, exhaust and ECU should work fine for added power. If the track course is short with hardly any long straights and lots of turns then you MINI will be well suited- I'd go for improved suspension (coilovers or lowering springs, rear swaybar, front camber plates and rear adjustable lower control arms).

Track tires will improve handling and grip over street tires. Street tires will wear quickly in a stock MINI that has stock alignment (you'll wear out the outer edges of your front tires and heat them up badly). Track tires include:
Toyo Ra-1, Michelin Pilot Sport Cup, Avon Tech R, and Kumho Ecsta V700.

On a short course track in my area mid modded MINIs can keep up with much more powerful cars. On a longer course we catch up in the turns but loose ground on the straights. In that situation you need to drive your MINI hard in the corners then stick to the car ahead of you very closely on entering the straight. You'll get a bit of draft effect off the back of the lead car that will help in the straight.

Track brake pads will help to handle heat better and minimize fade- usually Ferodo DS2500, Mintex M1144 or Hawk HPS. Upgraded brake fluid has a higher boiling point that helps. Another level higher are big brake kits -
See Ryan at:
http://www.detroittuned.com/products...Section=brakes
Or Randy webb at Webbmotorsports.com
Or Eric at Helix13.com

Autocross is different than on the track. It's worth a try if you have not done it. Less modding will work as well and more modding because it all boils down to skill. You drive one at a time on a flat area or track marked off with traffic cones like an obstacle course for the lowest possible time while avoiding the cones. You compare times with other cars in your class and with all cars for the day, and there are handicaps for comparing cars from different classes to one another. The speeds are up to about 45 in turns and 60s in the straights so much much slower than on the track but maneuverability balanced with power is key.

 

If you're near D.C. at all, check out the SCCA Region Novice Autocross Schools at http://solo.wdcr-scca.org/noviceSchool.php
Many of the instructors are MINI owners/drivers/co-drivers at some point.

Personally, I wouldn't do anything to the suspension, other than compensate for the lack of negative camber by using front camber plates and possibly doing some shocks using simple Koni SA's. All the other stuff complicates and creates an unstable car without great suspension knowledge.
An LSD would be a smart move. If you're going to autocross, pay to have a factory LSD put in so you can run G Stock. If you decide you don't want to autocross, put a Quaife in.
An underdrive pulley alone will give you the needed power, especially in the '05. But if you wanted a little more, an air intake and exhaust would help a little.

But, as was already said, work on the driver. Autocrossing is a very valuable skill and makes the track seem simple when it comes to car control. I would agree to not worry about the modifications for now and learn to drive even faster than you are. But if you must mod, I'd recommend what I said above.

Good Luck and Have Fun!

Brian Garfield
WDCR SCCA Solo
Novice Coordinator

 

Thanks for the replies guys!! Sounds like I can do quite well with a MINI. Again, if you classify the BIG BOYS as Porsches, Vettes, Vipers, etc., I don't expect to really compete with them. I want to surprise the Mustangs, and cars like that, because those guys THINK they are really fast. Not to say they aren't, but I think a well modded MINI, with a very well modded DRIVER can do some damage ?!

I still plan to try to contact Randy for some more detailed information and reccomendations.

That could take a while!! Thanks again, Peace!!

 

Our MCS was passing all the Factory Five Cobra clones in Phoenix this last weekend... With enough time and money anything can go fast!