I'm looking to get some more power from my 05 Cooper Cabrio - I regularly drive from Phoenix to Flagstaff... The altitude climb leaves me wanting a little more oomph to make it up some of the bigger hills with some passing ability.

I'm your average shade-tree mechanic not afraid to get dirty, as long as standard tools are all that's required.

Any recommendations in the sub $1500 range to get the best HP bang for my buck that I can do myself? I'm open to do exhaust, computer chips, possibly even a turbo or supercharger, but those might be pushing the edge in both $$ and abilities.

 

and get a tune. Probably an exhaust as well, but that will tank your budget...

There's not a lot to do with the stock Cooper motor....

Matt

 

Trade it in and use the 1500 towards a MINI Cooper S.

 

I would do the intake/exhaust route. Then, with the extra $ I would get a rear sway bar! That would be a nice little package

 

hmm ditch your runflat and get some nice set of summer tire

 

This will tank your budget and only make you want more power.

good point here.

While the aftermarket guys can show power gains on dyno with CAI and catbacks they are not so much so that you can really feel it in with your butt dyno.

An ECU tune on the stock motor will help get the power you have to the wheels better due to changes in power management.

A TSW Damper will also get what you have to the ground better.

If it's got the CVT you are very limited. If manual just keep the RPM's above 3500 when climbing or passing.

I drive a non-S and you can make it move but it takes some work.

 

Start with the our Way/DDM intake, For a Cooper it's big bang for the buck. You'll def. notice a difference. And for those that say you there isn't real improvement read the reviews here Every customer I've installed one on has been totally satisfied and actually felt the improvement.

 

In my opinion, the Midland gearing is killing the car, and since we are talking for a low power n/a engine, it is a major issue. The Getrag 5 speed of the facelift is much much better in terms of gearing, but lucks the feeling. 3rd gear shows 160kmh at the speedo, 100mph...!!!

 

I have an '06 Cooper cabrio and haven't had a problem with climbing as long as I shift down and rev up. Do you have manual or auto transmission? It will be tough maximizing the performance through the CVT automatic.

Of the drivetrain mods in my car, the one that made the biggest difference, by far, was a custom ECU tune. I also have intake and exhaust. I have an RMW tune but Mynes is in your area.

 

Mark

 

Umm...even though I have one, how will a Engine dampner get you more power or "new found power" like your ad states?

 

Hi Chad, I don't understand the question. But I'll take a stab at it.
The TSW Damper reduces the movement of the motor under load and helps get more power to the trans and wheels that is lost in motor movement without the damper. It's not more HP, but my customers tell me it feels like they got more HP, when in fact they are just now using what they had better.

 

I think it's a decent mod...it just doesn't do anything for more power for passing like the OP was after. $75-150

Neither does tires, but since it removes some of the rotational mass, it certainly can help with accelleration. So I agree with ditching the runflats and getting some more grippy treads. $320-600

Cold air intake: there is some very good research and even do it your self mods for those done by itamanuel and nickbmw. I have done my own, but it probably isn't DIY by definition and involves putting louvers in the hood(some for looks, some for function). You could look for used ones to canabalize and make a custom one to save costs. $50-250

You may check on the Crower camshafts that Khuevo is working on with Nitromini, I have one in mine and picked up a couple of HP(3-4) and torque, but my car is heavily modified so your results could differ and I believe that they have put a camshaft in another JustaCooper that you may ask him about.

$250

Not that it helps HP either, but a lighter flywheel will let the car increase the revs quicker so you could also increase speed quicker, again less rotating mass. $1000-$1200

Header, only a couple of HP in it self......I put mine on in combination with a ported and polished head, so my results will differ. This was my biggest gain by far in the HP department and IIRC it was about 10-12 hp, can't remember the torque. $1600 and up depending on what head you go with.

Turn off the AC man....Don't need no stinking AC $free