Hi all,

I have an 07' R56 MCS and so far I've spent $500 on new brakes, new transmission fluid, a few oil changes, seafoam, and a couple of PCV plugs. I'm really big on preventative maintenance.

With most of my car allowance spent on maintenance, I have little to play with in terms of modifications. I guess you can say I'm a pretty frugal modder.

For example, I removed the resonator and second cat for $20. I would consider that money well spent. Especially when full exhaust systems can cose upwards of $900. And I also removed the intercooler muffler, which ran me a sweet $7.

So the question is, what should I do next?
(I would post a poll if I could, but couldn't find that option anywhere...)

1. Short shifter + modified shifter cover = $200
2. Intake (whoooshhhh) = $200
3. Stainless steel brake lines + Turbo heat shield = $200
4. Engine-mount insert + oil catch can = $200
5. Pipes and hoses galore = $200
7. Boost gauge = $200

I can only do ONE of the above. What is the most cost effective mod for the 07' MINI S?

 

After hearing all about carbon build up on the gen II cars. My money would get the catch can it may save you hundreds if not thousands later.

 

Considering the options given and your mod style, #3

 

Actually the only reason I considered a turbo heat shield is because my hood scoop is already warped by the turbo. That stupid thing was designed to have the heat resistance of a birthday candle.

 

Yeah I got a little freaked out about that too. But I already have the plugs that blocks off my PCV. No more blow by going into the intake valves. So I'm not exactly sure if adding a catch can is making anything "better". I drive the mini a little hard, you know what they say, a red line a day keeps the gremlins away

 

I was actually more excited about the stainless lines. While I don't think its a common opinion, I'm not crazy about Mini brake feel.

All of your other options, IMO, would do more good if you were going crazy with the mods. That didn't seem like the case.

I would actually go stainless lines/ engine mount. Or maybe a rear sway, that's always a good bang for the buck...$200 give or take.

 

That's true. MINI has good braking. Extaordinary even. Small car, great brake bite. Stops on a dime. But brake "feel" is mediocre and at times almost "spongy"? So I thought maybe the SS lines would help improve it a bit.

A rear sway would run me over almost $300 alone. As much as I want one, it will have to wait :P

 

#3 or #4 are the best options.

 

Make ur own intake and get SS brake lines and lower engine mount

 

Why not do an SCCA solo event? Best mod ever is driver improvement.

 

alta has a rear sway bar for 200 and i have heard that is the most noticeable mod. it's what i plan on doing next along witha scan gauge II.
http://altaperformance.com/i-1400716...-and-22mm.html

 

You my friend are correct. Besides the torque arm insert, this was my next favorite mod next to my tune.

 

Swaybar would get my nod. Mine wasn't cheap but you can find some good part outs with reasonable prices on suspension pieces. Good luck.

 

If money is tight- prowl the classifieds and snag other members mods when they go back to stock to sell the car.

 

I've had one hell of a ride with my MINI so I can speak from experience here. If you're handy with tools and are capable of removing the exhaust from the car, then the short shift kit is something I would do immediately. It makes a very large difference in shifting feel. No more slop. Much more positive feel on the shifter. On top of that, it's only $45 if you get the Helix kit. I wouldn't bother with the cover. Just leave it off.

If you're max budget is $200 and you can find some more pocket change, get a H-sport competition rear sway bar. Every time you turn the car you will feel a huge difference in handling. It makes the car have much less understeer. Best suspension mod for the buck. It will take you about 2-3 hours to install it.

And for God's sake forget the catch can!!!! Really, I cannot say this enough! It's a band-aid solution and the only real way to fix it is to clean the valves by hand or with a walnut blaster.

Be mindful of your oil consumption. When I used a PCV block off plug my R56 did not like it at all. Lots of oil burning at idle. If you notice this, put the PCV line from the valve cover to the intake manifold back in place.

 

Without a doubt, in that price range, rear sway bar. There arrested tons of options and you may find one used even.

 

Do you have a parts list that I can refer to? I've looked everywhere but haven't found anything concrete. Also, I see that lower engine mount inserts is getting lots of mentions. But I read that lots of people that daily drive the R56S can't stand the excessive amount of NVH created by upgraded engine mounts.

Yeah I'm seeing lots of mentions of the rear sway bar. So I suppose that's the top contender here

I have my MX-5 for track and autoX days, my Mini (also in British Racing Green) is a DD, commuter, cruiser, canyon carver. It has the creature comforts that my MX-5 lacks. For example, air conditioning and a non-leaking roof :P

 

I had a set of powerflex engine mount bushings, and on my MCSa, they vibrated a bunch. A year later I got a set of NM bushing inserts, and I'm happy with it. The only time that I get vibration is in reverse with the AC on. I think that every car is different, but it is worth trying it. Used ones come up for $40 or so on the market.

Do a search for the free camber mod to get a little more camber on the front axle, that is helpful as well.

There is also nothing wrong with keeping a bit of money in the bank until the right parts come along. Finding a used RSB, or one that goes on sale, would be a useful upgrade. You just have to have the funds ready when it comes up.

Have fun,
Mike

 

BMS clutch stop is only $10. Best $10 I've spent lately

 

I made one out of a 3/8 in. screw and a little felt pad.

 

lol that's the first thing I did after I got the car. it's the first thing I do to every single manual transmission car I've ever driven.

The only problem is that my clutch pedal creaks like I have upstairs neighbors bumping uglies.

Go to 0:33 for sound clip of noise:


I WD40'd every joint and pivot I could find, but it's still creaky....

 

The Original hood scoop on the 2007's (And Later Well, at least On My 2008) Is Cosmetic, The reason it warps is because it doesn't let any air into the engine bay (it just gets hot sitting above the turbo) I work a lot with acrylic (building fishtanks).. it was easy enough to bend it back into shape (A Little bit of heat is all it take's) Then the trick is, cut the back off so air runs through it into the bay... That will stop it from warping again...

As far as the best bang for the buck on mods under $200 ?.. get the engine mount bushings for your car, really easy to install, makes a huge difference to the way your car will perform, You'll love it!! .. WMW has a whole bunch you can choose from..

 

I've removed the "fake" hood scoop grille but I had no idea that it could be "bent" back into shape :D Do I take a heatgun to the part that's warped and heat it up enough to push it back into place?

 

I'll go with... all the above. But the again, somebody on NAM called be an overachiever!

 

Oh, concerning the hood scoop... MiniFini