How is the fitment/clearance of the BMP Strut Brace on a cooperS?

Do I need to buy that intake kit with the BMP Strut Brace to make it fit or
can I use the factory airbox?

Thanks.

 

>>How is the fitment/clearance of the BMP Strut Brace on a cooperS?
>>
>>Do I need to buy that intake kit with the BMP Strut Brace to make it fit or
>>can I use the factory airbox?
>>
>>Thanks.

Yes, you need to buy their intake if you want to fit it in Cooper S. Otherwise the battery case hits the bar. Try http://www.promini.com

I like my MC promini/BMP intake a lot, just so you know.

kazu.

 

Kenchan,

BMP strut tower brace- This item has been discussed at length in the past.
Many people believe the the chassis of the MINI is extremely rigid and doesn't need any strut tower brace. period.
After talking to a BMW master mechanic about this topic and looking at MINIs compared to several BMWs at a tech session for getting cars examined before a track session, I'd have to say this makes sense.
So why do you want to add a strut tower brace? For looks? Certainly looks nice in the engine bay- esp the chrome one. I have one and I added it for this reason. Metal will fatigue and although it is true that it is awfully rigid, it isn't 100% stiff and there has got to be a little flex. Worse, over time the metal will fatigue so by adding the BMP strut tower brace I want to reinforce the chassis and help to maintain that rigidity as long as possible.

Also I read that if you upgrade the springs and other suspension components then you are able to stress the frame a bit more and a strut tower brace just helps a little to reinforce the front suspension.

Now on the intake. BMP makes a special low profile matching chrome finished intake that works with the BMP strut bar. I used the BMP bar and modified my old Madness intake box by cutting a notch out of the side and then bending down at a right angle the edge of the box then I installed the strut bar over it. I have seen the K&N typhoon intake for the cooper S used with the BMP strut bar as well with good results and no cutting.

here's a pic of my engine bay

 

Last time I spoke with BMP they had not finished the modified battery cover so the BMP bar could fit the Cooper. If you have an S, the bar will work fine with the BMP intake and the Mania/KN intake with the notch out of the side as shown in the photo above. When you purchase the BMP bar and use it on the S, it comes with a modified ECU box cover.

Here's an install how to:

http://outmotoring.com/How_to_BMPstress%20bar.html


and more stuff if you're interested:


http://outmotoring.com/Project_Out_Motoring.html

 

The Cooper Bar and Battery cover for both are in stock and shipping.

 

guys, thanks for the info. ive been thinkin this over and driving around my cooper-s....and yah, i have to agree that with the sportspackage and its sus that comes with this car i do not need a snappier response on the steering unless i use
grippier tires than the SP9000's.

ive been modding j-cars from hondas and my current wrx and the importance
of strutbars (f/r) after installing full coilovers kits were dramatic.

i plan to keep the cooper-s bone stock (other than some minor dressup addons)
so i think im going to pass on the strutbar and the intake for now and concentrate
on improving my motoring skills.

 

The BMP bar makes a HUGE difference when combined with coil overs and a lowered ride height. I used to rub on hard turns if i hit a bump while under load and as I had a bar on , not the BMP , i figured i would have to live with it. After upgrading to the BMP bar for ,yes I admit it , better looks i realized i was no longer rubbing under those situations. Now I have the H& R sway bars front and rear and moss mini adj lower control arms and i can really notice it. Bottom line is the strut tower brace is the biggest handling improvement you can make for the money . This picture shows another bar which worked well from Forge Motorsports. Page Titlemaxmini home site

 

>>guys, thanks for the info. ive been thinkin this over and driving around my cooper-s....and yah, i have to agree that with the sportspackage and its sus that comes with this car i do not need a snappier response on the steering unless i use
>>grippier tires than the SP9000's.
If you want better handling then you have to look at more than just the tower strut brace (in fact most people say that is the last piece of suspension that needs to be added). Think of the other weaker links in the suspension first- the springs/shocks/rear swaybar/control arms and links. There are many options. Then there are lighter rims with better non runflat tires and that makes a big difference- way more than any strut bar.

Think of the MINI chassis as being designed to be rigid so that is it's strength. Then think of ways to support that with lightness in wheels and adjustable suspension parts. Then tune it up the way you like it.

>>ive been modding j-cars from hondas and my current wrx and the importance
>>of strutbars (f/r) after installing full coilovers kits were dramatic.
Kenchan,
Some MINI owners really like strut bars while others disagree. It boils down to matter of opinion but if you take an experienced autocross driver out on the track with and without a tower strut bar and a stock MCS there would be likely very little difference in track times.

>>i plan to keep the cooper-s bone stock (other than some minor dressup addons)
Good choice for now.
>>so i think im going to pass on the strutbar and the intake for now and concentrate
>>on improving my motoring skills.
Improving your driving skills will make the most difference until you reach the performance limits of your MCS. Get an instructor to take you out on the track and see if you can do the same as what you see him doing. If you can drive the same track times as your instructors then you can buy yourself a tower strut brace if you like, then go and see if your track times are different with the stress bar. Good luck.