Hey guys, I'm looking to mod my 2012 hatchback non s model, I had a nice budget set aside for this but due to some recent financial and unexpected events this budget has gone way down.... What are some nice yet inexpensive mods I can make to the car? I was looking in the performance side of things, any help or advice would be great.

 

Maybe a shift ****, drop in air filter to name a few. Check out our parts catalog for more fun small inexpensive mods. Happy modding!

-Luccia

 

Anyone know of a decent CAI system that won't break the bank? how bad off would I be if I bought some aluminum pipe and a cone filter and made my own?

 

The intake system on the "Justa's" is already a CAI design with a cool air snorkle. You would benefit the most performance (which is minimal) from a drop in air filter. But if you're after noise, you could make your own. K&N makes an intake system for your engine too.

 

without a turbo what are you going to hear ?

 

Intake noise. You can still get more intake noise w/o a turbo.

 

Your engine is designed for MPG, not performance. Your engines rated HP is 118, there's not much you can do to get more power.

 

is there a tune for a non-s / justa? with the supporting bolt-on parts it can get up there a little bit....

 

Again the Justa Coopers engines weren't built for performance, a tune is not going to change that.

 

Don't quote me on this, but I think WayMotorWorks might have a little tune upgrade for these. I don't know that there is much power, but maybe better delivery? I'm really not sure, but I thought someone had a little tiny upgrade for the Justa vehicles

 

I understand where everyone is coming from that my engine was built for mpg not power so my options are very limited, I'm just looking at trying to get what little bit of performance mods I can get to improve handling, response, acceleration and overall performance from my Justa cooper. so if doing a CAI kit, a catback exhaust kit, new suspension, and all the other goodies gives me 5 hp gain and better handling than it already does I'm a happy camper... not trying to make a race car or anything, just really into cars and always trying to make them a little better.

 

rear sway bar for handling

 

Suspension mods are the way to go.

But they type of mods depend on your application. Will you do any competitive racing? Track or AutoX?

Or would they be more for street application?

And if for street, more street performance or asthetics? (ie. cornering or slammed)

Answer these and we can steer you in a better direction.

Wheels and tires will be your #1 handing performance upgrade BTW (not counting the driver upgrade)

 

is there any particular brand or it doesn't really matter?


Does anyone know a decent catback exhaust kit for the justa cooper, looking to get a nice tone from the car without doing the full exhaust....I read things that by doing that I would throw the CEL. any truth in that? if not i'll do the full exhaust.

 

See my post and answer some questions and we can direct you with your first question.

As for the second, removing the cat will cause a code, but a catback you will be fine. Some people have been lucky and used bung adapter to keep the code away.

And actually, I'm not sure I've seen a catless header for the Justa vehicles. I'll have to look into it...

 

I'm looking to have a nice street/ AutoX set up, and one main performance upgrade the justa cooper got was a driver upgrade lol.

 

Ok, if you're going for AutoX. Here's the best set up in my opinion.

Shocks: Koni Sport or Bilstein Sport (be careful not to get Bilstein HD that most people sell) the Koni's have adjustable dampening. So most go with them.

Springs: TSW Lowering Springs from WayMotorWorks. It may take a while to get these, but arguably the best springs available.

Mounts: Ireland Engineering (IE) fixed Camber plates. Gives you a little more camber up front at an affordable price compared to full on camber plates.

Rear Sway Bar: Hotchkis Competition RSB. Its a hollow 25.5mm so it acts like a 22mm but with less weight. Comes with greaseable Zerks and upgraded bushings.

RCA: Hotchkis Adjustable Rear Control Arms. These have bushings that are replacable and Zerks that you can grease as well. This will help dial in the rear alignment. There is uppers and lowers. Most just do the lowers for camber adjustment.

Some go so far as to change the Torque arm bushings, or the entire torque arm. This will add engine vibration but gives a very good feel.


I could go further, but its getting busy here at work, so I'd better cool it before I get into trouble

 

@[SIZE=5]Grizld700[/SIZE] Thank you for the part run down, I will look into them and slowly pick them up, I had a huge financial hit and my modification budget took a massive hit due to that :( but as you guys continue to give me ideas and the parts I should get I will slowly buy them until my "justa" is done. Now on a catback is there any good inexpensive ones out there that wont break the bank?

 

You're probably better off doing a custom set up from a reputable exhaust shop. While I was looking around, all I could find was Milltek exhaust systems. While yes, they are good, they are also a bit pricey.

 

Ok a custom shop it is, I know a great shop they built my motor and did all my intercooler piping and exhaust on my RX-7. Now the question is what is a good brand to go with for the actual muffler? I'm looking for a deep aggressive tone, not loud and raspy.

 

I've heard some pretty good sounds from a magnaflow set up before. However that was on a "S" model.

 

You could try cutting out the resonator and see what that sounds like. Or you could even go the FIAT route and removed the muffler all together and how you like it. The options are endless!

 

Yea there's lots of options out there just don't want to ricer up the cooper lol, like I want it loud but not Honda loud, I'm sure I would get a nice deep aggressive sound with an upgraded CAI and what ever choice I go with in the exhaust Magnaflow, Flowmaster, Borla, and so on. I'm just new to the MINI game and want to do it right so I apologize for all the questions lol.

 

No problem really. I don't mind answering questions. Feel free to surf the forums for Justa mods. Since I've never had a Justa, I don't know what is the most popular (excluding suspension of course) things to do. Hopefully some other Justa owners will start chiming in. The forum seems a bit slow this week.

 

You might go with lighter weight forged wheels, you could drop weight on each wheel freeing up some power and responsiveness. You could buy a used set of forged wheels if your budget is limited. I just lost 8 pounds per wheel (x4) going for a Wilwood BBK, calipers a less than 4 pounds! Summer I plan on losing even more weight by slashing the weight of my stock OEM wheels which are heavy. There about 22 pounds, looking at wheels under 16 pounds. I agree with many on upgrading to coil-overs and rear sway bars.