What kind of power are people getting from their mods? I'm kinda interested in what's made the biggest difference for people when dealing with their cars. So far I've seen the pulleys make the biggest night and day difference....everything else had just made small improvements here and there. Still saving up for the head and cam/dyno-tune combo though. Think that will make a huge difference! I had mine tick off 205 on the magical hp scales with what I've done so far!

 

RMW/Newman cam seems to add a good deal of power in the midrange, and at $235 before shipping (from England) for the Newman its fairly decent bang for the buck if you can get it from them. Seems to be good for around 10hp based on what RMW posted.

RMW street header: Considerably more expensive at around $800 but good for another 10hp or so.

Obviously though I would continue saving for the head if you already started.

 

My two cents:
1) Pulley, as said.
2) RMW cam/header combo - really transforms the car, similar impact to pulley when combined
3) custom dyno tune by someone who KNOWS what they are doing - again, can be a significant impact, certainly with the above mods
4) head - IF what you really need/want is high HP at high RPM levels - which is most of what the head will give you - most of your midrange torque improvements will come from the pulley, cam, header and tune

Intakes, exhausts, intercoolers, hoses, coils, wires, etc do little compared to the above...

 

Thanks for your 2cents Blimey. I have been doing a lot of research into which cam to go with for my car, and wondering if it's really worth it to do without the head. BUT I feel like if I do cam, head, and header all at the same time I'm going to be wondering if I'm still driving the same car!
So much to do still it seems on my car. But I guess in one years time I've made some big improvements to it already. I think that I might just go ahead and save up for the cam, header, head, and tune all done together. Then drive home with a "HOLY S***!!!!!" look on my face when I get out of the car!
I do agree that coils and wires don't make a big difference.....but when it came to intake, exhaust, and intercooler I felt like my car finally had a little hop in it's step when I did those. But so far the biggest change I noticed was the crank and supercharger pulleys. For a while I couldn't get used to having that much power instantly, but now it seems like I need even more to keep the Speed God's happy! hahaha

 

+1

 

I found that it dosen't matter what you do to your car, it isn't enough. You always are looking for more. If you have 200WHP you want 250WHP. It's only numbers. As long as you are happy that's all that counts.

 

Ya...I can agree with the fact that it doesn't matter if your happy. But I have a feeling that I'll be a lot happier with 250 hp than the 200 I have right now! hahaha
The only thing that stinks is having a girl that wants to start talking about rings and all these mods that I want to do to my car. The only real question is which to do first....mod the mini or get engaged and push the wedding out!
Decisions decisions! hahahaha

 

Push the wedding out, the honeymoon with a 250 HP Mini will be longer

 

ROFL! I'll be sure to tell her that one too! But I might be sleeping alone for a while if that happens! I think it might have to slowly be a part by part build like I've been doing. We'll have to see though! hahaha

 

"Every time with a 250HP MINI is like the first time"

No way she can compete with that.

 

I've been married like 35 years now so the honeymoons over, so I have no problem with modding the Mini. In fact I've changed just about everything at least twice.
3 exhaust systems
4 heads
2 cams
2 superchragers
2 intercoolers
plugs, wires, coils and so on.
Oh and 1 engine ( I blow it up once )
New pistons, rings and just about everything else.
So you see it never ends, but it's fun

 

I had the car on a the dyno at LA Performance Division this week. Here is a link to the results. The best run of the day was 217WHP, the least was 209WHP [ hot motor.]

To your question, I think the SC and Crank pullies added the most zip for the buck. The Dinan single-sided exhaust sounds great but it's getting a little poppy for my taste two years in.

Maybe my perspective has changed since I started autocrossing the car but now I believe that suspension and brakes are the most useful mods rather than excessive power. You can use more of the power you do have, more often and longer, with dialed-in suspension, tires and big brakes.

regards

rob

Full list of Mods

2005 MCS, factory Sport Package, factory LSD
Dinan Stage 4 Kit [ 62.5mm TB, Airbox, Exhaust, programming]
Custom ported Cylinder head from Steve's Performance Auto
Ultrik Cam [ identical to Schrick]
OBX header
400cc Injectors
Helix Camber plates
Koni Sport Threaded Coilover Kit
15% SC pulley
2% Crankshaft pulley
GRS Intercooler
Iridium plugs
MSD Coil
Custom ECU Program from VitessePro.

 

if anyone was to hazard a guess, what horsepower do you think my '03 MCS has with these 2 mods:

•17% pulley
•CAI

From 172hp to ?????

 

See, now if you were a "seasoned" married man. You would know not to tell the misses that you are "moddin" the car. No, No. You tell her you "broke" the car and need a new cam. Since she wouldnt know a cam from the ignition key, you would be fine

 

I agree 100% with what checkers said, you'll never be satisfied and always want more power. Jan just tuned my car 3 days ago with the current mods in my sig and I already want more power

 

We have found stock MCS is usually putting 145-149 HP to the wheels.. add the pulley and CAI.. should allow for 20-25 more WHP!! Just a thought. even that will give you the "OH S***" look!!

Just me...........................

Thumper

 

well there is no question about it. once i added the pulley and the CAI it was "Oh,s**t!" alright.

nextup, i am switching to a Milltek cat-back exhaust.

what do you think, another 5-10whp?

 

I dont feel that will be right... the sound will be awesome.. to go with that " Oh Sh** look" , you will now have the sounds to match. HP wise we have found 3-6 WHP with cat backs!! but it is all adding up... yes?

Just remember... as the engine builds more power thru less restrictions.. there will be a point where you are quite lean... then look for a TUNE, or a Water-Meth system to help keep the engine safe... cool?? Have fun..

Just me......................

Thumper

 

I have a one-ball mod right now. But the Milltek will surely give a more mature sound.
Good call on the Tune. I have already planned for that at the same time as the exhaust install (along with a JCW brake kit and a 25mm hollow sway bar )
Can you point me in the direction of some info on the water-meth system. I am unfarmiliar with that and it's benifits.

 

Throw in some 101 and it'll feel like you just did another pulley!!!

 

I do hope that mini starts making the S with a more impressive stock HP rating. seriously, it should come out of the box with 200-225 min in my opinion. even with all the mods I have, it still feels like a slow car. it handles great but lacks a serious punch to compete with the subi's, hondas, and evo's.
I understand that this is an entirely different class of car, but more seat off the pants from a stop would be nice. say 0-60 in 4.5-5

 

You gotta remember... EVO has a 2.0 / SRT4 has a 2.4 / Subi has a 2.5 / MINI 1.6
I'd say we're doin' alright for ourselves. Plus the SRT cant get traction off the start without drag radials. And the subi and EVO we can get stock on the freeway above 80-95 since we're only pushin 2WD

And you already know what we gotta do to get you that extra oomphf

 

Yes I know whats wanted/ needed
I think that mini should drop the lawnmower size 1.6 and shoehorn a nice 2.0-2.5. i think they can find the room if they try a bit. or at the very least a better breathing head design with bigger valves.

 

Yes, a 2L would certainly help. Although getting some decent perf out of a tiny 1.6L has its own fun too.

Take those extra steps on mods and you will get the extra oomphf feeling.

 

I agree. it's more of a challenge to get these little motors to wind up. guess thats half the fun.