Hi All, first off I want to introduce myself. My name is Chris and am a new 2003 Mini Cooper S owner.

The reason for my purchase was simple, I am coming from owning M3s and a V8 Mercedes, but with the way the barrel of oil has been going I am now more than doubling my fuel efficiency. It feels like I'm saving the planet every time I get into my Mini S! it's also a lot more comforting seeing others in my area downsizing their vehicles as well.

So, my question is;

What engine tuning upgrade(s) will increase hp and Torque (I need a lot more of this) while still maintaining or even improving gas mileage? I feel like the engine is starved for air on the hwy. ..Pulleys? Intakes? Exhaust?... Does Anyone know?


Thanks for any help -
Chris
'03 MINI COOPER S

 

The best tune out right now is from RMW in California. I don't think that most of his customers for his tune are too concerned with MPG though I'm sure a couple of them will chime in though. I'm sure it would improve MPG though if you were to drive consistently. Other than that, you could try a water/meth system and possibly use a lower octane gas which would cost less money in gas...but probably erase the savings in the meth you'd have to buy and trouble of keeping the water/meth tank full...think long trips.

Or...try a light pair of shoes

 

- Fresh air filter
- Fresh sparkplugs
- Fill-up with Chevron with Techron fuel additive every 10k miles

These are cheap and efficient.

 

All of that advice is proven not accurate besides spark plugs.

http://money.cnn.com/2008/05/12/auto..._not_save_gas/

 

They certainly don't hurt!

 

I think that I found the cure to all your problems all in one little solution. Think 16% more power and fuel milage up to 31%!
http://shop.vendio.com/grilletech/it.../?s=1214044404
hahahahahahaha

 

does it work?

 

you guys are ridiculous. I need to find another forum.

 

Oh, don't give up so easily...they're just having fun. Personal, I believe anything that lessens the load on the engine will help: ie, Cold air intake, free flow exhaust, possibly a chip mod, clean injectors, clean plugs, and OVERINFLATE the tire for sure!

 

OK

 

Thanks for answering my question! What do you think about DINAN's S-1 package?

 

...oh, and in your first post you seemed more concerned with MPG, not HP. I see now that after you edited that post, you are leaning towards more of a balance...sorry to be ridiculous man. If you want to find another forum, feel free.

Also, if you're asking a guy with a NA Cooper about a Dinan package, you need to ask a few more questions.

 

If you want better mpg, how serious are you?

16" to 17" stock wheels with runflats aren't going to help mpg.
Too much weight and handling would be better with non runflats.

To get better mpg you need to reduce weight and decrease rolling resistance. 15x7" light aftermarket rims and 185/65-15 tires would work and still give some decent street handling.

15% pulley upgrade, cold air intake, one ball exhaust to loose weight and RMW tune for the ECU would be a start. New plugs are good too.

 

I hear a lot of talk about pulleys. It this an accessory pulley or an Crank under-drive pulley? Would under-driving the crank give better mpg and higher engine output? Where can I get an intake? Also, I like the sound of the Borla catback exhaust. Does you have a suggestion for a VERY tame sounding free-flow exhaust?

 

Also, are these "under" drive or "over" drive pulleys?

 

These folks are most likely talking about a smaller supercharger pulley... makes your SC spin faster, more air, etc. Common sizes are referred to by how much smaller they are than the OEM. I think they start with 15% reduction, then 16%, 17%, I think up to 19% smaller diameter than OEM.

You're in the right place for learning about all the mods, stay with us.

As a former BMW guy myself (630 CS, 528e, 528is, 325is, all late '70s to mid-'80s models), I can tell you that many of the mods you might be familiar with from your BMW will be available for MINIs.

Some of the most common are: cold-air intake, smaller SC pulley, the latest hot chip, a one-ball exhaust (look it up on this website), hot plugs and plug wires, bigger sway bars, strut bars, etc., etc., etc. depending on how much you want to get into it. Everybody's got an opinion and there are some good folks here as well as good ideas for mods.

 

Relatively tame cat back exhaust-
Borla Street dual exhaust
Milltek dual exhaust
One ball- is a mod off of the stock exhaust- cut out and bypass one of the two mufflers to loose weight.

Pulley mod- is basically a smaller diameter Super Charger pulley. Pull off the stock one and bolt in a smaller alloy pulley and sometimes smaller belt. Many pros and cons of different sizes but 15% should work well enough with RMW tune for ECU

No need to go Dinan upgrade route unless you want the warranty and don't mind spending more $$$.

Much better value just doing basic upgrades. Go to your local MINI club events and check out the other MINIs in person, go for a ride and see what you think. No rush to mod anything right now.

You want better mpg? Don't floor it, drive at a steady speed when you can. Coast a lot. I have a mid modded MCS and with stock 15" wheels and tires I can consistently get 28 mpg in mixed daily driving.

 

Have you guys seen the pulleys on ebay? There is one here with a chip tuning included: http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/STAGE...QQcmdZViewItem Would I also need to increase the size of the intercooler with a new pulley / 15 percents?

 

don't need to change intercooler for pulley change.

check the vendors on this website for pulley ideas.

 

Sorry for all the questions, but I am seriously HOOKED on this Mini! So, what is the deal with "ALTA" - they seem to have a part installed on every Mini on this forum

 

just looked at your ebay thing... i'd be very leery of buying anything from someone who calls it a 15 PSI pulley, as they do in the title of the auction, as well as again in the description... probably a good hint that they should be avoided, IMHO.

 

Alta is one of the vendors listed on this website.... I think I have an Alta sway bar. Good manufacturers here and good vendors. Check 'em all out and support them, as they do this site.... there's a spot on the site too for reviews of various products/manufacturers/vendors.

Everybody has their favorites.

 

Also, if you're asking a guy with a NA Cooper about a Dinan package, you need to ask a few more questions.[/quote]

Referring to a 'lowly non-S"?

 

Referring to a 'lowly non-S"?[/quote]

Nope...you have experience with a Cooper, hence your recommendations of common Cooper mods. My comment was directed at the rudeness of the OP, not your suggestions. I've seen a couple JustaCoops drive circles around S cars in autocross events

 

bmwg84-

I've got the Dinan S1 package and find it entirely satisfactory. Yes, you can get the same horsepower and torque cheaper but what you won't hear is many Dinan owners say they are disappointed in the purchase of their Dinan products.

Welcome aboard!

Smoothy58