I'm wondering what the best mod or mods are to increase low end torque on my MCS - preferablly in the 2000 to 3000 RPM range. Yes, I know I can rev the engine higher but that's not always practical.

Cheaper solutions would be nice but the best solution is what I'm really after.

Ideas? Pointers to earlier threads?

Thanks in advance!

 

My vote is for pulley, then flywheel, or lightweight wheels.

 

Thanks Jeff. I should mention that mine is an MCS automatic - have to admit I've not thought about a lightened flywheel and don't know if that's possible with the auto.

Lightweight wheels? I think of these as providing quicker acceleration and improved handling but hadn't realized they could provide better low end torque as well. One learns a bit every day.

The smaller pulley is on my short list right now. It makes sense to me that it would boost low end torque a bit.

 

The lighter wheels will not increase the torque, per se, but you really do feel the weight loss even in the lower rpms.

Disclaimer: Light wheels/tires is not like adding a V8 or anything, so please do not get the impression that the difference is that dramatic. However, if you go very light, say lose 10lbs per wheel, you will feel it :smile:

I also dropped the stock exhaust/CAI and went JCW and that helped the low end some as well (on top of losing more weight as well, that stock exhaust is heavy).

The pully, though, is probably going to be the simplest and most direct way to improve torque. I myself might do it at some point but I'm happy with the car's peppiness at this point and am leaving the warranty in place.

PS: At some point there will be software upgrades that will have a direct effect as well IMHO

 

'Val, are you taling about some MINI/BMW dealer software or an aftermarket mod like a GAIC or Shark Injector?

 

There is no "replacement for displacement." Even with all my mods I would love to have more low end torque from my 1.6 power plant. The best cheapest "fix" is the 19% pulley. You can find a lot of info pro and con by searching the "performance" forum. Intake, exhaust and software upgrade all help at reasonable costs. Those 4 items make the car feel like it should for and "S" version from the factory. When I first got my car stock I had a hard time starting up a hill with the AC on. While driving a stock MC or MCS is still tons of fun this list of mods (for some of us) adds to the enjoyment.

 

Cheapest MOD would be ANY Pulley, IF you can find an installer !! (400$?)

Next would be Light-weight wheels ( around 600- 800$ for 4)

Next would be plus-sized, low profile, lighter tires (400-600$ for 4)

After that, the ECU , exhaust, then its gets REALLY EXPENSIVE

 

without a doubt, the 19% pulley-- bar none.


While you're at it, go with 380cc injectors and GIAC or MTH. You won't be sorry!

 

Well, both really. I expect to see the JCW software for the auto, as well as probably Dinan, Shark, MTH, Giac, and whoever else wants to offer something up for what will be a large group of Minis.

As it stands now, though, I have not heard of any of them having anything available for the auto yet, and I would not use something unless it was specifically designed and thoroughly tested on the auto MCS first.

 

Get a 2005 MCS to solve all your low end torque issues once and for all.

 

Have you tried driving it in "Sport Mode"? That will improve your off the line response over "Normal" mode, big time.

Also get rid of the boat anchors known as the 17" "S-Lites" that have nothing light about them and diminish performance/fuel economy. The MINI was designed to run on 15"-16" lightweight wheels and rubber. Leave the big *** wheels to the show offs

 

Actually that's what I have. /gary

 

I do like sport mode - I leave it in that mode regularly.

My problem isn't so much off the line response when I can let the RPM climb - it's that I have to fart around town, wait in slow moving lines, crawl up parking garage ramps behind senior level executives who have a cell phone in one hand and a Starbucks in the other, that sort of thing. It's just a reality of my environment and a bit more torque down low would be welcome.

I appreciate the thoughts on the tires and wheels. I may move down to smaller rims but they need to be sturdy enough to handle the crappy roads I deal with daily so I'm doubtful I can get enough low end to justify the expense.

Someone else has recommended I have the head and supercharger both ported and polished but that seems premature at this point. I don't need the ***** out acceleration that would provide and I doubt I'd get the full benefit anyway without a header and free flow exhaust as well - and I'm not looking for the car to make any more noise than it has to.

/gary

 

Hmm, I can only say that when I'm in slow traffic I have no problem with the responsiveness of the auto - generally I am in manual mode and use first/second and the pickup is great.

I don't have the 15% pulley, perhaps someone here could say if it will do what you need it to.

Best of luck

 

I 2nd that!

 

And some of it is wrong. Lightening ANYTHING on the car CREATES NO HORSEPOWER! HP is based on the number of oxygen molecules burnt with gas to release chemical energy. The MYTH about power creating is only due to how most dyno runs are done. This only works on the weight side of the power to weight ratio.

Now after I get off my soap box, it is also true that performance is proportional to power to weight ratio, and that loosing mass increases performance, while not adding any power.

So reduced mass has just the same effect as increased torque.

Matt


More on point, to increase torque, drive into the back of an F-350 powerstroke and then drive the truck!

 

the pulley will do nothing unless you are driving with a big throttle; watch a boost gauge sometime. I can't imagine driving up a garage ramp under 15psi boost.