So...I'm at turning point.
So far I've got
15% pully, CAI, Invidia exhaust and 380cc injectors.
I don't know what I should do next.
Get a tune? bushings/suspension? etc.
I'm also at a weird point where the body has 210k on it and the engine has 150ishk
where would you guys go next?

 

I would get a cam next, and suspension bushings if they are worn out or you still have the oem trailing arm bushings

 

What's your goals?

Based on what you've written, I'd be inclined to start on suspension. You've got power, but you need to get it to the ground effectively. I've done some of the power mods, but am quickly discovering that my refreshed stock suspension isn't up to snuff. New springs and a rear sway bar are at the top of the list, and a BBK will be going on as soon as I can finish wearing down the crap pads that were on the car when I bought it.

 

+1 on Husky's post. Heavier (stiffer) RSB and performance struts absolutely. You can't put that extra HP on the ground if the tires aren't sticking to it.

 

I think suspension is the direction I'm heading. Not interested in lowering, just refreshing (replacing rubber);bigger RSB
who would you guys suggest I look into for a bushing kit

 

Powerflex is probably the most popular option for bushings. So far I’ve been happy with mine.

 

TUNE FROM ADRIANCL . Best bang for the buck ! Amazing results too !
r56 brake swap is good too. Imo the brakes are not upto par for these r53's even stock.. its another good easy cheaper mod that's very beneficial .

 

buy a track day.

 

Rear sway bar and coilovers

 

+1 on a tune. It's the best hp/$ mod you can make and really ups the fun factor. Touch base with "adriancl" on this forum for tuning advice. IMO, suspension mods are only necessary if you're going to track your MINI. They're a waste of money on a street car where comfort is more important. Plus, truth is most cars already handle better than anyone's ability to drive them.

 

I'm afraid I'm with Cooper48. Blue Car is street only as I'm past the sharp reflexes I had when x-crossing in the 70's. Just turned 68 and I have to admit that ship has sailed!
But, that doesn't mean I don't have tons 'o fun zipping along local country roads at 6/10ths.

I probably may not be pushing mine hard enough but when I read about body lean, [what? where?] and if it is leaning it isn't much. Same with lowering. I mean it looks cool but unless you're on the track or X-Crossing what's the point?

I have good tires, all poly bushings, LCA and [OEM] sway bar, new ball joints, tie rods, etc.., stock springs with good Bilstein shocks and Blue Car probably handles better than I drive at this point. [at least on the street] and the ride is still decent. Borla exhaust, 15% pulley and CAI, and it sounds just perfect. Stainless brake lines gave better pedal feel to the stock brakes, but other than that, unless you're racing?

I've thought about a tune but at this point, with limited engine mods it may not be worth it. [correct/educate me if I'm wrong]

I've also been thinking about the Detroit Tuned bypass valve to see the boost come in a little sooner, but I've read some older posts with mixed reviews. Any one have feelings on this?

I'm sort of at the same place you are with mods, [other than the injectors] so I'm also curious as to what everyone else has to say.
Thanks for posting this question!

robj
$500 Bargain Mini

P.S. I was thinking about a larger RSW but with a stock bar up front, wouldn't that increase oversteer?

 

Robj, as an example of the benefits of tuning, on my '04 R53 I swapped my original ECU (EMS2000) with an updated model (MS5150) and had it tuned to my mods by "adriancl" on this forum. I dyno tested my MINI (pretty much the same mods as yours) before and after the ECU swap and realized an 18hp gain (also with the addition of 380cc injectors). The injectors should not have made much difference so the gain was all in the ECU/tuning. 18hp is a nice little bump that is also easily felt through my butt-dyno. The only other mod I'm considering is a larger rear sway bar to create a bit of oversteer. Otherwise, my MINI is right where I like it and I haven't spent a ton of money to get it there.

 

Cooper48,
Thanks,
18 hp in nothing to sneeze at that's for sure. A quick question, why the ECU swap? What mods did you have done with the tune? Was top rpm increased? Also, with the tune could you have the DSC normally off, instead of normally on? Anything else? anything you wish you had done with the tune but didn't?

robj

 

Robj, I swapped the ECU because the facelift MS5150 has more mapping capability than the original ECU. To wit, more functions for a tuner to play with. It will need to be synced with your VIN in order for your car's other functions (key for instance) to work properly. That's something the tuner does. I'm running a 15% S/C pulley, 380cc injectors, CAI and a one-ball exhaust. After the ECU/tune/injector swap my last dyno run produced 193.50hp at the wheel (~220hp at the crank). The tune also bumped my max RPMs to 7200 but the valves start floating at that rate so I stay away from it. Working with the tuner, I also had him modify the start function on the cooling fan to engage at a lower temperature (I live in Texas where 100+ temps are common). I did install an add-on auto-window device that allows me to fully open/close both windows at the same time using the factory switches. I got that from "socalva" on this forum. That particular electronic device also automatically turns off my DSC at startup. The tuner can also modify the ECU to turn off the DSC. You can turn it back on with a simple flip of the switch after startup if you prefer but I don't care for its effect on driveability so I drive with it off. There are quite a few other ECU mods that Adrian offers (pops&bangs, etc.) that I had no interest in so your best bet is to PM "adriancl" on this forum and start a discussion. I can't say enough about his knowledge and the information/help he provided during the tuning process. Now, Adrian, lives in Romania so there is a time difference that will impact your communications so be ready for that. After our discussions he shipped me a tuned ECU which was simply plug&play. Adrian has tuned a number of cars remotely (tune files via email) for owners on this forum. MiniManAdam is someone who I referred so you can contact him to learn about his experience which he's said was stellar.

 

Have a MINI tech down load the JCW tune....
Those 380 injectors are useless until then.
Presently they're pulsing at the same rate as the 340's you replaced...
Huge gains there...

 

Benefits of my having tried 3 different rear sway bars....

Get this one...best bang for the buck.....The Hsport (Hotchkis sport) Competition Rear Sway Bar
And just put it on the tightest setting....don't even bother with the pussie settings until winter when you have to drive in the snow...trust me

http://www.waymotorworks.com/h-sport...-sway-bar.html

 

me , the tune was the best bang for the buck mod..
I also actually really like my throttle controller too but that can be adjusted in a tune but I like being able to adjust it and set it where I like.
I have pacesetter exhaust which is one of the loudest systems I've heard on the r53s BUT it sounds great !
The larger intercooler too with a diverter also works great for me as I only ever run about 5 degrees above ambient temps and it cools down very fast after a hard pull and never gets 20degreees above ambient temp unless the car isn't moving or its sat,turned off and heat soaks. Even then once intake temps are at even 100degrees they are back down to ambient within 5min of driving..
A stiffer bypass valve like the Detroit tuned imo is a good mod. I found I had a modded one while doing maintenance and when I put the new stock one back on, I did not like it.. the stiffer BPV does feel like it makes my car fast because of where it starts making max boost in a lower rev range..stock Bpv I peaked at 16lb but was at 15lb from 5k rpm to redline at 7300 but I hit 16lb rite at 7k rpms..the tuned bpv I make 15lb at like 4k rpm and I peak the 16psi for a little longer in the rev range....
so it sounds confusing but bringing on the power faster I would think makes the car quicker but doesn't equal extra power..just better used power..
GET ONE , I LOVE EM..or just do the stiffer spring

 

If you want more engine performance a mild cam would be the next bang for the buck mod, plus you would want to do it before a tune.
https://www.waymotorworks.com/way-mi...t-r52-r53.html

If you want handling performance a rear sway bar
https://www.waymotorworks.com/wmw-rear-sway-bar.html
But with that mileage if you haven't done it you need Powerflex control arm bushings and other maint items.
https://www.waymotorworks.com/powerf...shing-kit.html

 

Do you have any other suspension modifications?

Thanks,
robj

 

"...pussie settings..." LOL

 

Still curious. Balance is everything, [in my opinion]. Just saying this or that sway bar and avoid the "P" settings isn't terribly helpful without knowing what other suspension modifications you have.
Please enlighten me.
Thanks,
rob

 

They're a waste of money on a street car where comfort is more important. Plus, truth is most cars already handle better than anyone's ability to drive them.