hello everyone! I recently bought a 2006 Mini Cooper (pepper white). The price tag was very appealing. I want to increase the car's horsepower but have no idea where to begin.

Please help!

Felipe
San Juan, Puerto Rico

 

cold air intake.

 

You aren't going to see dramatic gains until you get into the head with a nice port and polish and cam, but for starters, a freer flowing exhaust and cold air intake would be a good beginning. Some weight reduction and reflashing the ECM would also be worthwhile. A bigger throttle body and header probably won't show a lot of gains by themselves, but are good supporting mods if you are goiong to get a cam and/or some headwork done.

-Keith

 

I forgot to mention that I'm not an experienced car enthusiast. Cam? Port? What do you mean by cold air intake?

Thank you

 

Cliff: What do the sizes represent and what do you recommend for my MC? I'm not looking to race just looking to add a fun and reliable kick to my car. Would appreciate your insight.

 

On an MC?

Hey Felipe, go for the cold air intake and exhaust.
Güepa!


-Juan

 

Juan: Thanks for the tip...any brand recommendations for the cold air intake?
What exhaust should I upgrade to?

 

Sorry about that. Didnt realize it was for a standard Cooper.

 

Okay, a new exhaust is a bit out of my price range at the moment. A cold air intake may not be....depending on the price tag. Any recommendations regarding a CAI would be appreciated.

Thanks to all.

 

Q/Vo Felipe,
I went with the K&N Typhoon. Just be careful because it'll make you want to go fast just to hear it growling!
I bet yous guys have plenty of cool roads up with the coquis.
(My concuño is Rican, now living in Chicago, and always brags about PR. )

-Juan

 

Thanks again Juan. Does the Typhoon fit the 2006 MC? I do some research but if you have any data let me know.

Definitely plenty of great roads down here in PR....lots of fun!

 

Whether you install a CAI or HAI, it won't make all that much of a difference. CAI is Cold Air Intake like a Typhoon or a HAI like the old Moss MINI/Cobalt style intakes--which they no longer sell, but sold for like $50. I bought mine used for $75 before they were lowered. The intakes sound great, and are only good for around 3 to 5 hp.

Our cars love cold weather, so that's when you'll find the best performance! Look for a nice 70's or cooler weather and make sure you go for a drive.

Make sure the AC is off

A cheap power upgrade is to remove the back seats. Takes all of 5 minutes to do, and you'll save around 43 pounds of weight. Makes a noticeable difference in acceleration. I'm not saying remove them permanently. I remove them for autocross, along with my spare tire--another 12 pounds or so.

For local runs, I might remove my rear seats, but leave my spare in place.

I've got the Remus exhaust which was on closeout for $200 awhile back. Terrific sound, nice growl, and only a bit louder than stock.

Although I know the gearing is different, on my 2003 MC, I like to cruise in 3rd gear at 5,000 rpm on the freeways, or 4th around 4,500-5,000rpm. Keep the revs up and your Cooper will feel alive and peppy. Cruise in 5th gear, and stepping on the gas will do nothing fast. =)

I'm looking at the eRam as a future upgrade--seems one NAMer has found moderate success with it.

My next mod will be lighter wheels. I'll be shaving off 8 pounds of wheel and 3 pounds of tire by going from my 5 star OEM R83 16" wheels to aftermarket 15" wheels. That's 44 pounds of weight there on all 4 corners, almost as much as the rear seats!

Richard

 

In addition to the Typhoon series, there is the 57i series; specifically, model number 57-0331-1. I installed one in my Cooper, and it's a bit quicker than before, and sounds way cool when stomped on. There was a nice discussion on the Typhoon and the 57i elsewhere in the Cooper (non-S) section.

Zip