OK

I have a 2003 Cooper. After all my interior mods are done, I want to save money to enhance its performance. The thing is I can't spend that much money since I spent most of it on the navigation.

I want to find an affordable performance mod that will make my car faster and a little more horsepower.

Any recommendations?

Oh, I don't want my exhaust to be too loud.

THanks

 

Do you have a spare tire? If you're still running runflats on the R90's, stickier rubber would be one area.
Best performance in the Exhaust area according to Grassroots Motorsports is the Helix exhaust, not that loud either.
I changed the air filter from stock, nicer sound, not sure regarding performance.
I also upgraded the brakes, that is a nice mod for stopping power and dust reduction.

When you say affordable, what is your budget?

 

my budget is in the 1000 range. at the most 1500, I don't want to do anything with the tires, only to the engine. And yeah, I have a spare tire. What does changing the filter do? What brakes do you recommend?

 

Most inexpensive is the duct tape mod.


_________________
02 MCS ~ Sport, Aero, Rally Lights ~

 

Lowering springs will give you better handling in curvy situations and makes the MINI look better. A more choppy ride is the trade off. They really pay off at the track and places like Deal's Gap. They will cost less than $300. A less restrictive intake certainly will help and a less restrictive exhaust will help also. As time goes on there will be more and better computer chips available that should help with the power lack off the line.

 

jivanivan has a Cooper, duct tape mod is an MCS mod I believe?

Killerbee is correct regarding the intake , it seems like most aftermarket companies are focusing on the MCS right now, it is the more tuneable of the MINI's. So there really hasn't been a whole lot of people talking performance gains on the Cooper when it comes to intakes - lots of claims, but I'm still waiting for independent dyno numbers. The air filter would give you a throatier sound and in some cases, horsepower gians. I put in a custom filter from another MINI owner. Have not dyno'd the car since it's installation though. Lowering springs are also a nice mod, I've got H&R's on my car.

As far as brakes go, I have the Helix Stage 1 brake kit - slotted front rotors, EBC Greenstuff pads on the front and stainless steel lines all around. I think they're price is under $400. Defintely a better pedal feel than stock and better stopping power. If you want to go a little over budget, you could do a Stop Tech big brake kit, but that will set you back $1695 or so.

 

>>my budget is in the 1000 range. at the most 1500, I don't want to do anything with the tires, only to the engine. And yeah, I have a spare tire. What does changing the filter do? What brakes do you recommend?
>>

If you are only looking at engine mods, your budget give you plenty to do (if you instell them yourself). I have been dyno testing my mods with a pocket dyno. Not the real deal, but good for comparison purposes. I tried a drop in foam filter, with maybe 2 hp gain. I just installed a Pipercross intake last night. I haven't had a chance to run my dyno test, but I love the sound under wot. There are definate power gains especially in the higher rpm range. Cost is $110 from Diamond racing. I bought mine used along with a Rogue exhaust for $450.00 The exhaust goes on after pocket dyno testing of the Pipercross. The green twister intake is also very interesting. It is about $300.

There are several exhaust systems out there. You should probably try to listen to them and find the sound you are looking for. The r-speed and remus are nice, but not as loud as some of the others. I don't think any of them will get you huge hp gains.

I have heard that the magnecor wires are popular. Under $100.00

I see that you are planning to go to the SF Italian Job Screening. I will be there too. I will look for you. I have a CR/B 03 MC with black bonnet stripes. License plate AS MINI.

Let's talk.

ANdy




_________________


It's time to motor. MC CR/B

 

Hey Andy,

Cool, I'll look for you there too. I just got my MINI so my plates still have Niello Mini on it, unless my plates come in that day it will be JVNIVAN. I don't know much about fixing cars much, so excuse my lost look sometimes. This is my 1st new car. I'll see you there.

 

I'm in the same boat... I've already spent some $$$ on wheels/tires and am looking for something of good value for some performance mods.... is an intake better than an exhaust for total HP increase? I was leaning towards either the rspeed or borla exhaust but not sure if an intake is better (as in price/performance)... keeps us updated in what you find... thanks.

 

Intakes are $200-$300 and you can do it in 30 minutes,Advertised hp gain 5-9.Exhausts are $500-$900 plus 2 hours labor,claimed gain 8-14hp.My exhaust is too loud for me.Whatever gains are there are at top RPMs only.Sway bar is $200 and 2 hours.I just purchased tires and wheels at wheelmax for $600,lighter wheels and tires will improve handling an take less hp to launch.Or screw the warrenty and do the pulley,20Hp for $400 -$1000 inc.labor.

 

I have an MC (non S) so the pulley is not something for me... I already have the drop in K & N filter, magnecor wires but am not sure if these would pull some noticeable HP gains... I was wondering which of these (intake or exhaust) would I see the more noticeable performance improvement... I mean if the exhaust would give me anywhere from 8-12 hp but is tractable to the low end of the power band, then that I think would be a better bet than the same hp gains in the upper end... what do you guys think? I mean, I usually rev it up in spirited driving but a noticeable improvement in just daily cruising would be great....

 

Nice color choice, Alfred (see my sig!). I've got the Remus exhaust, because I'd heard good things about it (check Gabe Bridger's MINI website), my dealership offered it and so it's got a full MINI warranty. IMO, the sound is better than any I've heard online (Maganaflow, Borla, RSpeed), but it's not a cat-back, so I'm not sure just how much power increase I get over stock. As you probably know, the regular Cooper is not all that performance-modable, as they have gotten most of what they can out of the engine from the start. Now that I've got over 3000 miles on my Cooper and really know how it feels I'll be better able to tell what the smaller performance mods do, the seat-of-the-pants thing will be much more obvious. Eventually I'll probably try them all: wires, intake, chip, and maybe a sway bar.

 

Engine upgrades for the Cooper 5 speed or CVT:
Intake- before you do anything read this
http://www.bmwe34.net/e34main/upgrade/Air_filter.htm
They discuss pros and cons of using aftermarket intakes, paper vs foam filters and a response from K&N.
The jury is still out apparently but I use K&N and am happy with it. Others like the foam filters.
If after reading the articles you are more worried then an easy low cost upgrade would be a drop in filter like the green filter ($44.21) or the UNI-filter ($39) (lower cost and both fit in the stock intake box) see
http://www.mini-motorsport.com/intake-mc.php
and
http://www.turnermotorsport.com/html...ect_mini.shtml
info on green filters at
http://www.greenfilterusa.com/
For a high end intake consider the Viper Pipercross Induction kit at $285. A true cold air intake and gives the most HP gains. Don't add an intake that draws hot air from the engine compartment.

Magnacor sparkplug wires-a popular $60 upgrade see
http://www.mini-motorsport.com/performance.php
Maybe 2+HP gain search threads for more info. RandyBMC thinks that they work well with the base cooper.

Exhaust upgrades-
Exhaust manifold-header with cat- London stainless is costly but doesn't add to loudness, long warranty and adds up to 9 HP. Works with cooper or cooper S and any exhaust. Mini mania header is less expensive at $750 but is louder and has less HP gains- about 6 HP
http://www.mini-motorsport.com/exhaust-mc.php
Good exhaust choices are Helix 13 and R-speed and rogue- check the exhaust treads for more info or call RandyBMC

Suspension upgrades-
This improves handling and cornering, not straight line acceleration. It also increases harshness and rough riding unless you drive only on smooth roads. The single best upgrade is the rear antiroll bar or swaybar. Madness makes one for $190 that has three holes to set the firmness to your liking. This keeps all the wheels planted on the ground when doing hard cornering which maintains traction and allows more control- tends to reduce understeer.
Springs-like HR or H-sport lower the car about 0.75 to 1 inch and are more firm than the stock springs. You can corner faster and most of the time on regular smooth roads it isn't overly harsh.
Lighter wheels- normally lighter 16" rims like the SSR Comp/Comp R with non runflat tires will give the best handling smoothness and acceleration. You have the lovely 17" R90 so although they are heavy they are worth keeping. You might eventually change to Toyo or Yokohama AVS ES 100 tires later. The ride quality will be better.
Front tower Strut bar/ Front anti roll bar- you don't need it.
Shock/coil over upgrades- costly and you don't need it.
Camber control arms- you don't need it.

Brake upgrades- Lower priority with your present budget. A basic upgrade on pads and slotted rotors would do. A big brake upgrade would be costly and unless you do racing or drive on the track it wouldn't be as useful.

_________________
ALOHA

 

For a high end intake consider the Viper Pipercross Induction kit at $329. A true cold air intake and gives the most HP gains. Don't add an intake that draws hot air from the engine compartment.

The correct price is $285.00 from the Diamond Racing Group website.

http://www.diamondracinggroup.com/

Tracy

 

Are there any Cooper owners out there using the Viper Pipercross? I keep reading 12HP gains, but I'd like to hear some other owners opinions on it. I've been tempted to do the Monster Mini intake, but the Viper seems to make sense design wise. Then again, I've seen some WRX guys just using HUGE K&N filters right out in the open.

Tracy (diamini), what are you guys using on your Coopers? Are the gains noticeable?

 

Supercharger pulley is the most bang for the buck if you get Randy to do it.... oops, that's not for you. Sorry.
Go for the exhaust. At least your Cooper will sound faster.

 

>>Are there any Cooper owners out there using the Viper Pipercross? I keep reading 12HP gains, but I'd like to hear some other owners opinions on it. I've been tempted to do the Monster Mini intake, but the Viper seems to make sense design wise. Then again, I've seen some WRX guys just using HUGE K&N filters right out in the open.
>>
>>Tracy (diamini), what are you guys using on your Coopers? Are the gains noticeable?

We have been using the Viper Kits for almost a year. They do provide a tremendous increase.

As for HP gains. We have posted the UK HP numbers. But, RandyBMC does have numbers in the Colorado area.

But, just keep inmind that the HP gains at the Dyno depends on the location of the dyno and type of dyno.

Needless to say everybody that has the Viper has been happy. Except for one person. That had attempted to pull out the foam filter that is not meant to be pulled out.

Just to let you know I am the Pipercross USA official distrrbuter for the US.
Pipercross USA is division of Diamond Racing Group, Diamond Racing, Inc.

 

>>Supercharger pulley is the most bang for the buck if you get Randy to do it.... oops, that's not for you. Sorry.
>>Go for the exhaust. At least your Cooper will sound faster.

Oh gosh, what a surprise. A completely uncalled for Cooper-bashing post from Vince.

 

Tracy,

Are you selling the red colored Viper as is shown on the Pipercross site, or the silver colored Viper that is pictured on the Diamond Mini site?

Thanks,

retroom


>>>>Are there any Cooper owners out there using the Viper Pipercross? I keep reading 12HP gains, but I'd like to hear some other owners opinions on it. I've been tempted to do the Monster Mini intake, but the Viper seems to make sense design wise. Then again, I've seen some WRX guys just using HUGE K&N filters right out in the open.
>>>>
>>>>Tracy (diamini), what are you guys using on your Coopers? Are the gains noticeable?
>>
>>We have been using the Viper Kits for almost a year. They do provide a tremendous increase.
>>
>>As for HP gains. We have posted the UK HP numbers. But, RandyBMC does have numbers in the Colorado area.
>>
>>But, just keep inmind that the HP gains at the Dyno depends on the location of the dyno and type of dyno.
>>
>>Needless to say everybody that has the Viper has been happy. Except for one person. That had attempted to pull out the foam filter that is not meant to be pulled out.
>>
>>Just to let you know I am the Pipercross USA official distrrbuter for the US.
>>Pipercross USA is division of Diamond Racing Group, Diamond Racing, Inc.

 

why did some of you take your mods off before service?

i let mine on, went in for service, drove home.

=D=

 

retrum,

We just got in the silver/chrome Vipers. Take a look-



The MINI Silver Viper will be up on the site soon.

_________________
Diamond Mini

 

The chrome one looks sharp. Is it the same price, $285.00?

retroom

 

Yes it is.

 

I'd like to see what it looks like installed before buying it. Do you know when it will appear on the website?

Thanks Tracy,

retroom


>>Yes it is.

 

I am hoping this week. Thursday on I will be at the Fontana Speed Way helping prep a MINI for the Grand AM series. My team will then be working in the pit during the race.

So, it will get installed Thursday in a cvt along with our new Cooper S CAI.

digtial pictures taken, picture downloded to laptop, pictures resized, web page updated, picture and new webpage uploaded using cell phone.

Maybe Friday.

Tracy

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Diamond Mini