Pretty much every saturday I wash my MCSa and have noticed an interesting trend. After I'm done washing and drying, I take him for an spin and the engine is always more responsive. I feel more power off the line and the throttle seems more responsive no matter what the RPM. This isn't a minor change in power, in fact it's almost night and day. I've had the MINI for over a year and I notice this every time, independent of temperature, weather, etc (OK I live in San Diego so weather variation is minor). A few hours later, everything is back to normal again.

Anyhow, I was interested to see if people have any theories as to why this happens. Personally I think there are water droplets coating the intercooler and helping it work a bit more efficiently. I don't claim to be any expert so I could be completely wrong here

Thoughts, comments? Anyone else having this experience?

 

My theory is that it is all psychological

When my mini gets dirty, i seriously feel like its not running at its best, but when its clean, i feel like i have the most powerful car in the world.

If you are anything like me (someone who adores their mini) you might be feeling a bit of a serotonin or adrenaline rush when you see your clean, sexy mini right after you wash it.

But that's just me

 

The placebo effect is a wonderful thing...

 

It's like being able to run faster and jump higher in new tennis shoes.

 

Maybe you should try washing him on a Sunday and see if you get the same results . Perhaps its the realization that its the start of the weekend that's doing it for your MINI, not the wash itself.

 

If it was water induced wouldn't it have the same effect in the rain?

If so, I would recommend moving to the pacific northwest.

Clean, slick, smooth shouldn't make that big a difference. Got no clue.

 

Water is great for cooling the intercooler. I'd say that's it. And yes, it'll work really well in the rain too.

--Dan
Mach V

 

Hey John, no worries... Its only your MINI showing its appreciation for keeping him/her clean!

 

I'm banking on the placebo effect. Washing your car only yields power in Gran Turismo 4

 

I get the same effect with all of my cars. The only exception was one time when I was taking the first drive of the season in my just detailed TR-6. Top Down I was feeling smug and full of myself when the fuel pump gave out and I was stuck on the side of the road The tow truck driver took a picture with the car on his flatbed as he liked to document the 'cool cars' he picked up.

bob g
1966 OEW MGB
1966 OEW MGB-GT
1973 Mallard Green MGB
1976 Inca Yellow TR-6
2009 Laser Blue MCS

 

I agree.
However my R56 S ran like crap half the time like no power then other days it had more power than the tires could hold. I never EVER put down the same HP with consistency. I had it on a DYNO more than 5 times, the same one, and it varied by upto 20 hp.
The largest Increase came when we used a FAN and soaked the intercooler with water.
This dramatically cooled the air inside especially when extra wind is applied
We do this while we are deployed, we stick our water bottles in a wet sock and then leave them on the outside of our Tank or Bradley while we drive around. Wet your face and stand infront of a fan, youll instantly see what I mean.