Hey everyone! Ever since I bought my Car in June, I've been addicted to modding! I started off with a Bunch of CF. I now have the CF hood Scoop, Mirror Caps, Tailgate Handle, Shifter, E-Brake and Just Recently the Dash Trim!

For the past year I've been mainly doing Interior and Exterior and I am now ready to do Performance mods!

Only thing is, I don't know where to begin!!! All I'm asking is some advice on where to start! I was thinking of going to the K&N Air filter first but after than I have NO idea. Any info would be great! Thanks!

-Emmanuel

 

Alta AP, seriously. It's like turning your S into a JCW.

 

1) K&N drop in filter.
2) exhaust.
3) tune

 

i have heard that the k&n air filters will mess with some sensors on the intake or throttle or something gets affected by the oils in the filter? Not exactly sure if someone could shed some light on this as I too am looking into doing my first mod. So far im thinking about the 1- Alta BOV Spring replacement and 2- an upgraded intercooler then 3- exhaust and 4- a tune.

 

I've been running a K&N (DDM works) intake for months now and have no problems.

I think you have to ask yourself what exactly are you doing with your car...for me it's a daily driver and I'll take it out on weekends in the twisties every now and again, and maybe one day hope to track it or autox, but for right now that's not really a reality for me, so doing an accessport or intercooler was a huge investment for a car that I'm already really happy with. I could understand if you're fighting for those extra seconds at the track or whatever, then spend the few thousand on major upgrades, but IMO, just start small unless you know you're going to really push the car hard. Or, if you've got money to spend then just buy them all at once

 

@Maugre - How does that Alta Accessport tune the MCS to a JCW anyway?(sorry i don't know the science behind it! )

@AXO - Exhaust? Meaning like changing the downpipe???

@Swopey - thanks for the heads up! I've heard that too but also heard great things about it as well! Seems like you're ready to mod too! Just don't know how it would help in changing the exhaust. What does that do exactly?

@brohammer - I did ask myself that and I am not putting my car on the track anytime in the near future as it takes me everywhere! All I want is a little more kick or jump in the engine/power department. After I achieve that I can say I am DONE modding......for now.......Maybe....

Thanks for the input! Keep it coming!

 

Emvin15 I am running a custom Magnaflow flow system from the DP back. I removed the resonator and second cat. I dont recommend removing the resonator if you do a lot if highway driving. The Drone after 3K rpms is pretty bad. You will definately have a more agressive sounding vehicle. (Not a Ricey Sound) and a marginal gain in HP and TRQ.

Swopey, I believe the problem with the K&N air filter is when you remove the airbox and install a K&N cone filter directly to the MAS sensor. The Mass Air Sensor on occassion would get covered with oil from the filter and cause bad running conditions.

 

With the AP the maps in ECU (electronic control unit) are reconfigured, changing torque and HP parameters, with increases in both, while keeping everything within safe operating levels for your MINI.
Lots of information on ALTA's web site. Good luck.

 

It sounds like you're looking for an Alta Accessport. They tune the ECU for more power, but they're also a tool. Jan at RWM can also tune these. His tune is a bit more aggressive.

 

Yeah but paying $900 for an AP and then $500 for another tune is ridiculous.

 

You might try working with Jan at RMW. He sells the AP with a slight markup. He might also include one of his maps, in addition to the maps included with the AP from Alta / Perrin. I bought mine from him and it was drop-shipped directly to me from Alta / Perrin (his source), with their generic map set. He might not charge standard dyno tune prices when you buy the AP from him, but trying to get into his schedule is the biggest problem. Also, be advised that he locks his maps so they can't be read by anyone else --- difficult to improve on when you don't know the original settings.
Back to your original question --- the AP is one of the better investments, if you do the upgrades one at a time. You can change the map as you add the hardware, at no additional cost.

 

@AXO - I will think about that! Does sound good though!

@Maugre - So that sounds like what I am after. I will start researching on that soon. Thanks!

@Boosted_Mini - Yeah that sounds a bit much so I may start off with that AccessPort.

Also, K&N Filter would help too wouldn't it?? Just to be sure that's another thing to do as well right?