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

Who has a turbo non-S?

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Old Mar 16, 2009 | 04:42 AM
  #1  
laggy's Avatar
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Who has a turbo non-S?

I was wondering what the potential for a turbo application was on a stock Non-s Engine.. who has actually done this and has miles on the project what was involved in the set up? i would greatly appreciate any input.
 
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Old Mar 17, 2009 | 10:57 AM
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I just looked into this im on the same boat as you. I found a few people who told me that you can do it but you will eventualy blow your tranny because your tranny and engine arent made for a turbo..
 
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Old Mar 17, 2009 | 02:09 PM
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I heard RMW is coming up with a supercharger kit for the non-s mini but you would need a getrag 6 speed box.
 
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Old Mar 17, 2009 | 03:03 PM
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i know i may sound like a retards but refresh my memory. Whats a getrag 6speed box
 
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Old Mar 17, 2009 | 03:24 PM
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it is the 6 speed manual that they put in the later S models.
 
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Old Mar 17, 2009 | 04:07 PM
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The Getrag is still in use in the R56. It's a great tranny. It's not that a turbo kit CAN'T be done. You just can't expect to slap a turbo kit on and call it a done deal. You'll have to either modify internals, do an engine swap with an S engine, or run ridiculously low boost levels (which would completely defeat the purpose of spending upwards of $3k on a turbo kit). It's just not very economical.

I'd wait and see what RMW is working on.

Update: I did some discussing of this with a friend of mine who has WAY more experience with turbo cars than I do. As in he's had 7 or 8 turbocharged cars and has done three SR20 swaps and two RB25 swaps in Nissan 240's, but I digress.

Anyway, after discussing it, we decided that, given the high compression ratio on the justacooper, you could probably safely run between 5 and 9psi on stock internals WITH an intercooler, a huge exhaust, and an ECU tune (<-- the ECU tune is a MUST). We also agreed that the Midlands tranny blows and that if you don't swap it out immediately, you should eventually. You may not necessarily need the Getrag 6 speed (i.e., you could get a 5 speed), but it would be recommended.

Disclaimer: Please keep in mind that these are untested hypotheses, based on other engines running similar numbers, and that the other parts we recommend (i.e., intercooler, exhaust, and tune) are BARE MINIMUM.
 

Last edited by MoxieMini; Mar 17, 2009 at 06:28 PM.
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Old Mar 19, 2009 | 04:22 AM
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There are maybe half a dozen turbo Coopers that have been built. I don't think any of them were reliable enough to be considered drivable cars. Many / most were show cars that were trailered around and put on display.
 
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Old Mar 19, 2009 | 07:11 AM
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i wouldnt mind the supercharger kit
 
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Old Mar 19, 2009 | 07:59 AM
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Originally Posted by superchargedkamilek12
I heard RMW is coming up with a supercharger kit for the non-s mini but you would need a getrag 6 speed box.
Well...I already have a 6-speed in my Cooper so Im 1/2 way there...

Originally Posted by snid
There are maybe half a dozen turbo Coopers that have been built. I don't think any of them were reliable enough to be considered drivable cars. Many / most were show cars that were trailered around and put on display.
I only know of 1 that was a successful DD. The others might have been built but arent running as far as I know. U can probably run around 8 psi max on stock internals but you will definitely have to upgrade the pistons and rods and lower the compression....
 
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Old Apr 4, 2009 | 01:17 AM
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i have a 6 speed just a fyi lol.
has anyone tried buying a S short block and a built head for a start of a turbo setup? also what are the limitations of a stock S bottom end?
 

Last edited by laggy; Apr 4, 2009 at 01:22 AM.
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Old Apr 6, 2009 | 05:24 PM
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Check Mynes Performancce.
 
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Old Apr 7, 2009 | 07:08 AM
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I'd just buy a used S, and call it a day.

Mark
 
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Old Apr 7, 2009 | 04:09 PM
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Originally Posted by lotsie
I'd just buy a used S, and call it a day.

Mark
Get outta here with that crap....
 
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Old Apr 8, 2009 | 07:18 AM
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Originally Posted by lotsie
I'd just buy a used S, and call it a day.

Mark
Originally Posted by UKSUV
Get outta here with that crap....
OK, how about a new S...

Oh wait, that brings up the whole 1st. gen, 2nd gen debacle

Mark
 

Last edited by lotsie; Apr 8, 2009 at 07:47 AM.
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Old Apr 8, 2009 | 11:57 PM
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Anyway... in regards to post 3, is that a definite supercharger kit, or just a rumoured one? A turbo or supercharger kit would be great for the R50, look very bad *** with no bonnet scoop and a nice lil intercooler sittin behind the lower grill. Plus the BOV sound with a turbo is unbeatable.
 
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Old Apr 9, 2009 | 08:39 AM
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hubie / ABF have built turbo kits for the cooper with a proper inline charge cooler looks sick
 
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Old Apr 10, 2009 | 10:09 AM
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but without built internals the most boost u could run safely would be around 8psi which is about the standard for most N/A 4cyls since there isnt a stock forced induction system they have to build the motors with a higher compression to compensate
 
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Old Apr 13, 2009 | 12:44 AM
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in hk i heard there is ppl swapin 3sgte engine from toyota mr2 into mini cooper
 
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Old May 8, 2009 | 12:01 PM
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Originally Posted by SHOCKER
it is the 6 speed manual that they put in the later S models.
They put 6 speed Getrags in all the S models
 
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Old May 13, 2009 | 03:36 PM
  #20  
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does anyone know if the block itself differs between the s and non s?
 
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Old May 20, 2009 | 01:04 PM
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The block, no... The internals, yes... FWIW, I wouldn't consider a turbo, even a light pressure setup, on a NA Cooper motor without also doing some serious surgery on the bottom end. You would also need to keep the compression in mind, as the NA Cooper motor has a higher ratio than the S.

We're currently at 145 whp/140 ft lbs on our NA Cooper motor in our R50 track **** - it's a freakin' riot to drive at 2650 lbs with me in it. There is probably a bit more to be had with a better intake manifold and a better header... Maybe 155/145? We shall see, all in good time...

Also, someone mentioned that the R56 still uses a Getrag box... the R56 has a completely different gearbox than the R53's did...
 
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Old May 25, 2009 | 03:34 PM
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im buying turbo parts now
 
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Old May 25, 2009 | 07:16 PM
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^ keep us posted!
 
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Old May 25, 2009 | 10:21 PM
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http://www.vividracing.com/catalog/t...3-p-42965.html

the kit dosent include intercooler,or oil cooler or oil catch can or anythin,so i guess after everythin custom mounted into the car it mite cost around 5g or 6 g runnin low boost
 
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