Cooper (non S) Modifications specific to the MINI Cooper (R50).

Mini One engine mods? HELP!!

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old Jul 31, 2008 | 12:47 AM
  #1  
Rix's Avatar
Rix
Thread Starter
|
1st Gear
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 44
Likes: 0
Mini One engine mods? HELP!!

Hello I have a Mini One

And i have allready given it an ECU remap from bluefin, a remus exhaust system, removed the cat and installed a K&N 57i induction kit and last i have installed at B&M shortshift. I have learned that i cant get a turbo kit for my model:( but i was hoping you could help me list some other mods i could do, to make my car noticebly faster?...

greets...
 
Reply
Old Jul 31, 2008 | 01:36 PM
  #2  
rjtrout2000's Avatar
rjtrout2000
6th Gear
iTrader: (1)
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 1,307
Likes: 1
How about a camshaft? Other than that, you might want to try a lightweight crank pulley and of course weight reduction to achieve a bit more speed and more repsonse from your vehicle.
 
Reply
Old Jul 31, 2008 | 02:51 PM
  #3  
hemiheaded18's Avatar
hemiheaded18
Banned
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 3,673
Likes: 2
I'd skip the crank pulley. The NA Cooper's pulley is pretty light to begin with, just like the flywheel. Check into a cam and possibly a header.
 
Reply
Old Jul 31, 2008 | 02:59 PM
  #4  
andrewholmes's Avatar
andrewholmes
4th Gear
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 422
Likes: 0
have you tried painting it red....a lot of people here swear its the fastest colour....seriously there isnt a lot you can do without running a serious risk of hurting the poor thing. The R50 doesnt have the strongest engine ( i have one as well so i am not knocking it at all! )
 
Reply
Old Jul 31, 2008 | 03:06 PM
  #5  
cartar452's Avatar
cartar452
Banned
iTrader: (1)
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 1,137
Likes: 1
From: York Hunt
Originally Posted by andrewholmes
have you tried painting it red....a lot of people here swear its the fastest colour....


 
Reply
Old Jul 31, 2008 | 03:13 PM
  #6  
hemiheaded18's Avatar
hemiheaded18
Banned
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 3,673
Likes: 2
https://www.northamericanmotoring.co...d.php?t=148505
Some reading material^^^
http://revolutionmini.com/
The guy to talk to regarding things in the works. *Stroker motors, R50 headers, ported heads. *
 
Reply
Old Jul 31, 2008 | 08:11 PM
  #7  
AutoXCooper.com's Avatar
AutoXCooper.com
Banned
iTrader: (2)
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 3,499
Likes: 0
From: Car Nut Since 1987, Owner Since Fall 2005, Vendor Since Fall 2007
You have done most of what can be done at this time.

You could get a TSW Damper, http://www.autoxcooper.com/tsw_engine_damper.html and help get the power you do have to the road better.
 
Reply
Old Jul 31, 2008 | 08:15 PM
  #8  
AliceCooperWA's Avatar
AliceCooperWA
5th Gear
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 664
Likes: 1
New head, maybe a header...other than that, work on the suspension!
 
Reply
Old Jul 31, 2008 | 10:28 PM
  #9  
ADAM244's Avatar
ADAM244
1st Gear
Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 49
Likes: 0
From: Mount Vernon, TX
Yeah, try the "Jesus Head" if you're willing to spend $2200. Other than that and a cam, theres not much. Turbo Specialties does make a turbo kit for the R50, but i haven't found a lot of info on it. Do some research though....could be a buy.
 
Reply
Old Aug 1, 2008 | 01:16 AM
  #10  
ItaMamuel's Avatar
ItaMamuel
2nd Gear
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 99
Likes: 0
Originally Posted by andrewholmes
have you tried painting it red....a lot of people here swear its the fastest colour....seriously there isnt a lot you can do without running a serious risk of hurting the poor thing. The R50 doesnt have the strongest engine ( i have one as well so i am not knocking it at all! )
i cannot agree with this!

The engine is ULTRA reliable... maybe you didn't have luck with your mini.. My mini has 135000km and runs like the first day.. and is very modded and it will be more soon...

The only weak link maybe the 5spd midlands...


About tuning up the car.. i would star to optimize that induction kit.. if you install it following a few tips that are in the Mini one dyno sheets topic(by der abt) you might learn something and not only about air induction!
 
Reply
Old Aug 1, 2008 | 02:34 AM
  #11  
Rix's Avatar
Rix
Thread Starter
|
1st Gear
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 44
Likes: 0
great thanks for the large amount of answers... ;D
 
Reply
Old Aug 1, 2008 | 08:19 AM
  #12  
hemiheaded18's Avatar
hemiheaded18
Banned
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 3,673
Likes: 2
Originally Posted by andrewholmes
have you tried painting it red....a lot of people here swear its the fastest colour....seriously there isnt a lot you can do without running a serious risk of hurting the poor thing. The R50 doesnt have the strongest engine ( i have one as well so i am not knocking it at all! )
Originally Posted by ItaMamuel
i cannot agree with this!

The engine is ULTRA reliable... maybe you didn't have luck with your mini.. My mini has 135000km and runs like the first day.. and is very modded and it will be more soon...

The only weak link maybe the 5spd midlands...


About tuning up the car.. i would star to optimize that induction kit.. if you install it following a few tips that are in the Mini one dyno sheets topic(by der abt) you might learn something and not only about air induction!
I think what was implied was the '50 isn't the strongest power-wise. As far as build strength, it's a tank. It does lack a little in the grunt department, though.
 
Reply
Old Aug 1, 2008 | 02:18 PM
  #13  
andrewholmes's Avatar
andrewholmes
4th Gear
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 422
Likes: 0
Originally Posted by ItaMamuel
i cannot agree with this!

The engine is ULTRA reliable... maybe you didn't have luck with your mini.. My mini has 135000km and runs like the first day.. and is very modded and it will be more soon...

The only weak link maybe the 5spd midlands...


About tuning up the car.. i would star to optimize that induction kit.. if you install it following a few tips that are in the Mini one dyno sheets topic(by der abt) you might learn something and not only about air induction!

perhaps i wasnt clear, and not trying to start any sort of argument here. First off the engine IS very reliable. I have NEVER had to do anything more than oil and a tune up. I was making reference to the actual design of the engine geared towards making large power numbers. The stock cooper runs very high compression in comparison to the S therefore limiting most most that increase that number. Second, despite what many believe, the engine has a MUCH MUCH weaker bottom end than the S engine ( since it has a much lower HP rating from factory i would assume ) Yes there are mods that can be done...tune / intake / cat back / headers. You can even change out the cam if you would like. Once you get past that, there isnt a lot left to do. Sure they list MSD ign, better plugs, better wires, lightened crank / flywheel. All said and done, the latter mentioned mods will not increase HP in any way shape or form even close to the amount of money invested to get them ( exception would be maybe the head and headders but i have not read enough on the new ones to form an opinion )

Again i am not knocking anyones car but changing the catback and intake along with a tune does NOT fall into the catgory of heavy mods.
 
Reply
Old Aug 1, 2008 | 04:34 PM
  #14  
07BPB's Avatar
07BPB
5th Gear
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 680
Likes: 1
From: Brisbane, Australia
Other than the things andrew mentioned, you could get the quad throttle bodies. If you want to spend $2,000.
 
Reply
Old Aug 1, 2008 | 05:19 PM
  #15  
hemiheaded18's Avatar
hemiheaded18
Banned
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 3,673
Likes: 2
Originally Posted by andrewholmes
perhaps i wasnt clear, and not trying to start any sort of argument here. First off the engine IS very reliable. I have NEVER had to do anything more than oil and a tune up. I was making reference to the actual design of the engine geared towards making large power numbers. The stock cooper runs very high compression in comparison to the S therefore limiting most most that increase that number. Second, despite what many believe, the engine has a MUCH MUCH weaker bottom end than the S engine ( since it has a much lower HP rating from factory i would assume ) Yes there are mods that can be done...tune / intake / cat back / headers. You can even change out the cam if you would like. Once you get past that, there isnt a lot left to do. Sure they list MSD ign, better plugs, better wires, lightened crank / flywheel. All said and done, the latter mentioned mods will not increase HP in any way shape or form even close to the amount of money invested to get them ( exception would be maybe the head and headders but i have not read enough on the new ones to form an opinion )

Again i am not knocking anyones car but changing the catback and intake along with a tune does NOT fall into the catgory of heavy mods.
Actually, minus the pistons, the OE bottom end is forged, not cast or hypereutectic. The limiting factor is the high compression. If it wasn't 10.25:1, I guarantee you there would be a lot more blown/turbo R50's on the road.
 
Reply
Old Aug 1, 2008 | 05:40 PM
  #16  
AliceCooperWA's Avatar
AliceCooperWA
5th Gear
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 664
Likes: 1
We have a cast crank...not forged. That said, I haven't heard of anyone breaking the crankshaft. If you want huge power, then low compression pistons, a head, an S crank, and a turbo or supercharger. I read somewhere that the connecting rods are cast as well. If you want to keep it NA, then your options are left at a head, header, cam, maybe individual throttle bodies, etc. Either way, if you want huge power out of a little 1.6L engine, you have to go forced induction. If you are going to go turbo, with just changing your pistons, you could probably do 10psi without destroying anything, unless you have a midlands tranny.

If you are not ready to get into the engine, then focus on suspension! Get a sway bar, either some springs/shocks or coilovers, and some light rims and sticky tires.
 

Last edited by AliceCooperWA; Aug 1, 2008 at 05:46 PM.
Reply
Old Aug 1, 2008 | 05:43 PM
  #17  
hemiheaded18's Avatar
hemiheaded18
Banned
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 3,673
Likes: 2
Originally Posted by AliceCooperWA
We have a cast crank...not forged. That said, I haven't heard of anyone breaking the crankshaft. If you want huge power, then low compression pistons, a head, an S crank, and a turbo or supercharger. If you want to keep it NA, then your options are left at a head, header, cam, maybe individual throttle bodies, etc. Either way, if you want huge power out of a little 1.6L engine, you have to go forced induction. If you are going to go turbo, with just changing your pistons, you could probably do 10psi without destroying anything, unless you have a midlands tranny.

If you are not ready to get into the engine, then focus on suspension! Get a sway bar, either some springs/shocks or coilovers, and some light rims and sticky tires.
I thought our crank was forged.....
 
Reply
Old Aug 1, 2008 | 06:06 PM
  #18  
andrewholmes's Avatar
andrewholmes
4th Gear
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 422
Likes: 0
i thought it was forged as well
 
Reply
Old Aug 2, 2008 | 06:05 AM
  #19  
Rix's Avatar
Rix
Thread Starter
|
1st Gear
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 44
Likes: 0
yea okay but i can see on the prices on forged pistons along with the turbo kit will eventually cost me like 4000$ so im not really as fond of the idea as i was before.. :D
 
Reply
Old Aug 2, 2008 | 06:54 AM
  #20  
andrewholmes's Avatar
andrewholmes
4th Gear
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 422
Likes: 0
Originally Posted by Rix
yea okay but i can see on the prices on forged pistons along with the turbo kit will eventually cost me like 4000$ so im not really as fond of the idea as i was before.. :D
thats probably a good idea. spend the money on the smart "speed" mods and then start working on susp. and braking mods if you want more performance. I decided to do mine the other way. I went for doing more VHP mods first then i will make it a little "quicker" and performance mods.
 
Reply
Old Aug 2, 2008 | 11:35 AM
  #21  
AliceCooperWA's Avatar
AliceCooperWA
5th Gear
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 664
Likes: 1
It's definitely cast. Here is a wealth of info about the MC and MCS engine. The connecting rods are not forged either.

https://www.northamericanmotoring.co...62&postcount=8
 
Reply
Old Aug 2, 2008 | 12:05 PM
  #22  
hemiheaded18's Avatar
hemiheaded18
Banned
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 3,673
Likes: 2
Originally Posted by AliceCooperWA
It's definitely cast. Here is a wealth of info about the MC and MCS engine. The connecting rods are not forged either.

https://www.northamericanmotoring.co...62&postcount=8
I've still read in numerous places that the bottom end is forged in both cars, just the pistons changed. Who's lying to us here?
 
Reply
Old Aug 2, 2008 | 12:13 PM
  #23  
hemiheaded18's Avatar
hemiheaded18
Banned
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 3,673
Likes: 2
Originally Posted by hemiheaded18
I've still read in numerous places that the bottom end is forged in both cars, just the pistons changed. Who's lying to us here?
Then again, maybe not. I read 1 or 2 other posts stating the R50 rotating assembly is cracked rods and a cast crank. Either way, it's not something that bothers me or affects me in any way. Even an R50 with 140WHP is not making enough grunt to require an upgrade to anything forged.
 
Reply
Old Aug 2, 2008 | 12:40 PM
  #24  
AliceCooperWA's Avatar
AliceCooperWA
5th Gear
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 664
Likes: 1
True, it would only matter if you go forced induction. I think if you keep it NA, all you would have to worry about is maybe the pistons and the tranny.
 
Reply
Old Aug 2, 2008 | 04:50 PM
  #25  
07BPB's Avatar
07BPB
5th Gear
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 680
Likes: 1
From: Brisbane, Australia
EXHAUST SYSTEM (MINI COOPER S)
The MINI COOPER S has a center silencer but its size has been increased to 3 liters. The rear section of the exhaust consists of two silencers, one mounted on each side of the vehicle. The rear silencers are mounted by two sets of silicone based hangers. Two pipes leave the left hand silencer and exit the body in the center of the vehicle. The tail pipes are finished with polished stainless steel trim.

What an inefficient design haha
 
Reply
Related Topics
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
09R56
R56 :: Hatch Talk (2007+)
17
Nov 16, 2022 10:49 AM
igzekyativ
MINIs & Minis for Sale
34
Jul 16, 2020 12:54 PM
truedrew
R60/R61 Stock Problems/Issues
4
Aug 10, 2015 10:39 AM
calebmil
R56 :: Hatch Talk (2007+)
0
Aug 7, 2015 05:54 AM
M7Speed
Vendor Announcements
0
Aug 6, 2015 01:48 PM




All times are GMT -7. The time now is 03:29 AM.