Been wondering if anybody decieded to supercharge the R50, I'm trying to look into it, just seem short on information about it. Just wondering what the crowd has to say about it.

 

and most who wanted that kind of power went with an S to start. If you're really thinking about it, save your pennies! Also, if you use the eaton from the S, you'll need an S hood to clear the ducting/IC (if you go top mount). More parts and more $. I think the consensus is that if you want a blown Mini, you sell the Cooper and buy an S. It may even cost less in the long run. If you really want to go outside the box, see if Jan at RMW can set you up with a rotrex and a front mount IC. But this would be pure R&D... Do you like being a guinny pig?

There are other issues, like the fact that the base cooper only has one MAP sensor, and the S uses one after the SC for the speed density, and the one before the SC to run the drive by wire system. So if you had to add these, you'd need wiring harness changes, and ECU changes. I don't know if a Cooper ECU can be wiped and coded like an S, but as you dig into the changes, you'll find that it's much more involved and complicated than stuffing a big ol blower on a 60s V8.

Matt

 

You'd be better off in time and money and hassle to just sell it and buy an already-supercharged-R53 S.

 

what did I say!

Matt

 

Spuercharged R50 = R53.

Plus, why do a supercharger when you could do a turbo? Fireballed can hook that up. Search here and the m|u.

 

I see, well I just wanted to know the possibilities, if it's way to much work then I'm going to opt away from it. I just wouldn't mind a sleeper MC. Always fun to turn heads in a mini

 

You really don't need a whole buncha power to do that. A good looking car will do that to begin with. Unless those heads are turning as you blow past them. If you want more power, build a good NA motor ie-head, cam, full exhaust, tuned about 150 WHP. Then spray it.
http://www.holley.com/types/Single%2...%20Compact.asp
That would really be different. And, with a fairly high compression engine like an R50 (10.25:1 from factory), it will respond well to a little sniff from the bottle.

 

You R50 FI haters....Giving up the Cooper is not an option!

 

but the best path is what hemi headed said. Blowers on the R50 are a big piece of work. Do it well and you'll get praise, no matter the pricetag. But the sleeper route is better done with other tech than a blower.

Matt

 

We will be looking for a car to do a Rotrex conversion on the R50 in about 1-2 months

 

Is that turbo or SC? Gonna be a bolt on kit? Do you have any initial information and specs planned for this?

Any plans to come to Colorado with it?

 

It's a supercharger

we will probably be doing a 50-75hp kit for the Cooper as the gear boxes are suspect. People that have the Getrag 5 speed are better candidates for the upgrade

 

Im down for the SC guinea pig (depending on price)...plus, I would drive down to your shop. At least until I go turbo.... Oh...and I would be willing to see how far my 5-speed Midlands holds up. 69K miles and as strong as the day I got it. Blah blah midlands haters too! Im already passed the 50K kaboom factor.....lol

 

what's the old saying?

living one breath at a time?

 

Something like that....my 3-series is about to head into the shop to get fixed...might as well add another one to the stable, right?

 

drive 'em, brake 'em, fix 'em. Repeat! Only way I know to do cars!

Matt

 

Are you doing it for the fun of it as a project with no expenses limited?

From a practical standpoint it doesn't make any sense.

The fully warrantied SC version exists with minimal cosmetic changes.

If you want the MC look then others have gotten an MCS and put on the outside body parts- front and rear bumpers and bonnet with no scoop.
Put on the MC hardware and wheels, you have a sleeper and hide the tail pipe or relocate it to the middle rear. Much cheaper option, and it looks good and works.

If you want the MC with more power then turbo kit is an option but it's expensive and may not run well even after adding the kit. You'd need to tune the ECU for turbo.

If you added an SC to the MC you'd need an intercooler and if you put it where the MCS intercooler is then you'd need a bonnet scoop and that would make it look like a MCS. Front mounted IC or water cooled intercooler would offer more stealth but add to the cost.

The MC engine is not the same engine as the MCS engine minus SC and intercooler.

Then you'd have to deal with the MC transmission CVT or manual 5 speed.

If you can get free or sponsored labor then that helps alot.

I do know one MC owner in my area that added turbo kit and has trouble with it going into limp mode all the time. It's not reliable, still working on it after many months.

If you want more power from MC you can do some mods but gains are rather limited. You can still do full suspension and wheel/brake mods as on any MINI with good results.

Check around with the various vendors for any kits being developed for the MC.

Good luck.

 

The rotrex is run on many applications at lower boost without intercoolers because the charge is so much cooler than an Eaton. More than likely the kit we will be offering on the Cooper will be without an intercooler. This way you can retain the look and stealth of the Cooper with having the power of a stock S but with a lighter weight car.

 

And FWIW, there are tons and tons and tons of cars out there with centripitals that have no IC running 5-7 PSI of boost. Works wonders for a V8! Go much higher, and you need and IC or reduced compression.

Matt

 

I'd love to offer up my car, but I don't know what to think about being the guinea pig with my daily driver.

 

it will take awhile to fab it correctly so a daily driver won't work. We will need the car for a least a month

 

And let Jan have his way with your car! I'm sure there'd be some incentive involved for the loan.... Maybe even more of a discount than the beater you'd buy!

Think outside the box.... There's not much air on the inside!

Matt

 

Ahem....*cough* I have more than one car to use as a spare....

 

Good luck with the tranny UKSUV, Mine broke at 40k then the second one broke at 90K.

 

Thanks....if any rate...If my tranny goes, I know where I can pick up a MCS 6-speed...