Alright folks,

Feel free to flame me if this question (or something like it) has already been posed, but I didn't see any topic on this when I searched. I'm sure the responses to this will be as wide and varied as most other responses I've seen on this site.

OK, now for the question:

What do you think is the best bang for the buck performance upgrades (one or more) for less than $1000 total ?? Now, I'm thinking along the lines of engine upgrades, but anything goes. I'm starting with an 04 IB MCS.

Spike

 

Intake, pully, and exhaust. I don't know if you can do it for 1K.
MB

 

>>Intake, pully, and exhaust. I don't know if you can do it for 1K.
>>MB

i agree....

intake=250
pulley=400
exhaust=650
--------------
1300 approx

peace,
d

 

For under $1000.....For more horsepower.. Definitely intake and pulley. That should put you at around $600-700. With the money left over, maybe go for some HSport springs or a bigger rear anti sway bar?

Any new exhaust will cost you between $600-900. That's a big chunk out of $1000

For better handling and comfort...Tires and wheels if you can afford it. I paid a little over $1000 for mine ($1150 to be exact) at Tire Rack and can not believe the difference in grip and ride. A nice regular performance tire will make the runflats feel like they are made of steel!

As you will see, there are tons of different combinations of mods you can do. It all boils down to your preferences, priorities, and possibly warranty concerns. Enjoy! :smile:

 

1. Pulley by far (400 at a pulley meet)
2. ECU reprogramming (but the evoTech will set you back by $700)
3. Intake (200)

I had these mods done separately with results in that order.

Before deciding on exhaust, check out this month's European Car - Street MINI part 3. They tested two of the most popular exhausts with the result that they both yielded 2-3 hp gain at 4000 RPM and actuall LOST 1-2 HP at 6000.

 

Here's my take on "joe normal's" needs for MINI-performance-mod priorities:

1. H-Sport springs $240
2. supercharger pulley + install $400
3. ALTA cold-air intake w/tube $260
Total: $900 - and worth every penny!

I'd say the springs are a more relevent mod for the average driver, since they improve handling and make the car look better. A stiffer rear sway bar is for a more advanced driver that has very good vehicle control skills, in my opinion.

Cheers,
Ryan

 

This is probably a stupid question also; but, how will all of this affect the warranty? :smile:

 

>>I'd say the springs are a more relevent mod for the average driver, since they improve handling and make the car look better. A stiffer rear sway bar is for a more advanced driver that has very good vehicle control skills, in my opinion.
>>
>>Cheers,
>>Ryan

I totally agree with you on this one. I think the rear sway bar is not for me unless I take a few driving courses and get some track/autocross time.

 

>>Here's my take on "joe normal's" needs for MINI-performance-mod priorities:
>>
>>1. H-Sport springs $240
>>2. supercharger pulley + install $400
>>3. ALTA cold-air intake w/tube $260
>>Total: $900 - and worth every penny!
>>


I'd agree with Ryan's above recommendation for overall performance mods under $1000. However, if you were looking for pure power, I'd go pulley + ECU. That'll give you around 25 horses AND torque and will make your S as fast as a JCW for only a grand.

 

>>This is probably a stupid question also; but, how will all of this affect the warranty? :smile:

That there depends upon your dealership. From reports on here, some are great and understanding...others are rigid and down-right devilish.

 

Stupid Question: When you do the ECU upgrade should you tell Evotech that you've got the reduced pulley ? Wouldn't that affect the ECU optimization?

Spike

 

Evotech takes your existing mods into account and gives you a different map depending on what you have. I had both the pulley and Evo ECU done at the same time so I had one BIG change in performance rather than two smaller incremental changes. I almost wish I had been able to have them installed with a little time between them so I could feel the difference with and without. A great improvement overall.

It should be noted that you should check with your dealer if you're concerned about warranty issues. Typically, unless BMW/MINI install it they won't support it. That said, if you have a "challenging" dealer the pulley is definitely a warranty buster if you have motor problems.

"Warranty safe" mods for under $1000 should include springs (and/or sway bar), intake and exhaust.

It's all good.
Jim

 

You can do the Pilo Racing intake for 145, get a pulley, and install your self for 200 and get an exhaust installed your self for 700 and you will end up at 1045 and one speedy little Mini.. If you require install for the pulley, figure on about 200 or so.

If you want more handeling change out the Exhaust for a rear sway bar approx 200, and new brake pads approx 150 (EBC work Real Nice) then you can the the pulley installed for 200 and your a about 900.

Thanks
Dan
Pilo Racing

 

my vote would be for the pulley and the intake: ~$700. But I'd beg or borrow another few hundred and get a new exhaust.

 

Ok, I have a BMP intake, much lighter wheels/tires, and I am planning on getting
the pulley/ECU dont at the end of this month. the exhaust will have to wait, I just dont have the funds?

do I need to get the ECU re-done once I get a new exhaust? I know the exhaust helps the car between 4 - 10 hp, based on which one you get and who's numbers you trust.

I just feel that the pulley/ecu would give me a bigger preformance boost and then I could wait 6 to 8 months and save for a good exhaust, maybe by then they will have some cheaper ones that have a nice sound ( I am talking cat-back, not header replacment).

am I going down the right path? any comments/advise/suggestions/issues let me know.

 

Pulley $400-500 installed
Tires $400-500 installed

 

Pulley,if you can get it done for $400;intake,any will help;and swaybar.I'd skip the exhaust for awhile.It will burn most of your budget,and the gains aren't that impressive.

 

Great, thanks for the feedback. I'll be sure to tell Evotech about the pulley when I send them the ECU.

Spike