Background, we recently went from never having owned a Mini to now owning 2. The wife's is the '05 with 150k miles and appears to be stock as far as I can tell. We've put about 5k on it since June and I've been trying to get caught up on the maintenance (brakes, struts, lower engine mount, etc...)

Mine is the '04 with 85k miles. Only had it about 2 months now, other than basic maintenance I've been focusing on replacing little stuff that's broken or missing. Overall the car is in pretty nice shape.

So here's the deal, the wife's '05 runs like a scalded dog compared to the '04. I understand there's a slight HP bump and the gearing is slightly different, but it's like 2.73 vs. 4.88 gearing and 50hp shot of nitrous type of difference. I slapped the ole bluetooth scanner on both cars today and the wife's car puts out about 10-11 psi boost under full throttle. The '04 maxes out at 8 psi and it seems like the boost comes on much slower. After searching the forums for a bit, it appears the 8 is much lower than what it should be and maybe the BPV is the culprit? Any other thoughts for low boost or things I can check? Looks like I'm going to be googling wiring the BP shut next. Thanks in advance.

 

Looks to be the by pass valve but you're wifes mini may also have a supercharger pully upgrade which is a commmen mod on these cars. The JCW pully produces about 11LB of boost. There is probably a leak in the system so you may want to check all places that may produce a leak.

 

Usually if its an intake leak uoull throw the dreaded p2096 code. But it's still worth it to vheck

 

Thanks for the replies. What should the factory boost be? I thought I had read in a different post that it was in the 10-11 range. The pulley is a stamped steal version on the wife's '05, but I understand that it's hard to ID a JCW by site. Anyone have a diameter number for the JCW vs. normal stock diameter? Maybe I can measure in car. No code being set and there's not even any codes stored in the ecu.

 

A leak is possible. I believe you're right about factory boost. Good thread HERE. Look at post #6 for the same issue as yours and #7 for suggestions.

 

Ah great, thanks for that link. So looks like I'm going to try a BPV. Anyone looking to sell their DT BPV?

 

You're welcome. Post up a WTB in the marketplace HERE.

 

I wouldn't get a DT BPV for a street car. It uses a much stiffer spring than OE, allowing the car to stay in boost at less throttle. This can do a number on your gas mileage.

 

Check the BPV and the connection at the BPV 11617568423

https://www.northamericanmotoring.co...-2004-r53.html