R50/53 Supercharger vs. turbo... your thoughts for a newb?

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May 19, 2008 | 12:45 PM

#51

Nitrominis

Banned

Joined: Oct 2006

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Quote:

Originally Posted by Revolution Mini Works

by the time you replace all of the worthless parts on a R50 that will explode when you turbo it.... you just spent more than converting an R53 to turbo

I think my point in more detail would have been: Because I have completely replaced the suspension and brake system, bought into the performance stuff in 2002 that did not work. So either made my own or acquired parts that really worked and heck the MCS Hood will interchange on a Cooper.LOL That $$ I could have done a stroker Turbo engine with all the chassis upgrades and played in the 300 + club with a cheaper starter MINI as in Cooper non S

May 19, 2008 | 01:06 PM

#52

sequence

6th Gear

Joined: Aug 2004

Posts: 3,880

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From: Your Worst Nightmare :)

I prefer the supercharger because when I drove an R56 w/LSD the torque steer was so oppressive I thought R56 was going to drive up it's own bumhole

IMO SC is better suited for a FWD vehicle. I rarely feel TS on my R53.

May 19, 2008 | 01:11 PM

#53

sequence

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Joined: Aug 2004

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From: Your Worst Nightmare :)

Quote:

Originally Posted by NSXguy

While I was away from my computer rustyboy155, Minimarks and Lawman questioned my assertion that the R56 rules in G Stock SCCA autocross events. They wanted proof. Here is some: at the 2007 National Championships, R 56 cars took first and second. Of the three National Tour events thus far in 2008, R 56 cars took first and second; first; and first, second and third. You can check it out yourself on the SCCA Solo website. These results make sense because the new MINIs are lighter, have more HP and torque, and negative camber can be dialed in. Keep in mind we are discussing stock vs. stock in autocross only. There may be reasons to dislike the R 56, but autocross performance is not one of them.

hey I believed ya all along... plus when U have that much usable low-mid-range torque, one need not have to shift gears so often--ergo faster times.

May 19, 2008 | 04:41 PM

#54

MotorMouth

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Joined: Sep 2004

Posts: 3,821

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From: Mililani,Hawaii

Quote:

Originally Posted by minihune

In my region where we have autocross with MINIs in many classes we have not seen that the R56 is doing as well as the R53 especially so in G stock.

Granted they did not have exactly the same wheels and tires (R compounds) there was never a time when the R53 did not dominate for the entire time both were competing head to head. Drivers of both types of cars are experienced with slight edge to the R53 drivers.

Overall an R53 in G stock consistently finished high (1st to 3rd) in overall PAX and claimed first in PAX for the season 2007-2008 vs very experienced and capable foes that have dominated our region for the last 10 years.

R56 finished nowhere in site (top 10) for overall PAX for any event, we have 12 events per year.

Please don't judge the r56 autocross ability when it is hampered by my limited experience racing! I've only raced a season and a half and the other r56 drivers are all novices except Randy who drives my car only once a month (and usually beats me *grumble*)

Stick Mike or yourself in my MINI for a few races and see if it doesn't do well

If it wasn't for Mike (who is an awesome driver - as you said he took 1st in pax) an r56 would have taken 1st and 2nd in g-stock for the season last year.

PAX depends on the driver much more so than the car itself.

p.s. Expect good things from a r56 cooper this year in Hawaiian H stock - Sean B. got his MINI!

Last edited by MotorMouth; May 19, 2008 at 04:51 PM.

May 19, 2008 | 10:04 PM

#55

OV_MINI

2nd Gear

Joined: Aug 2007

Posts: 136

Likes: 1

From: Oak View, CA

Torque curve means something...

I agree with 2xMini's comments regarding "...the area under the curve, you know, is what makes a car quick." Compare the torque curves between the SC model and the turbo plant...the R56 is at max torque at 1600 RPM and stays there until a bit over 5k RPM; supercharger is an increasing torque curve vs. engine RPM. Torque == quickness.