Hello Everyone!
I have recently ran across a T20 Turbo kit for the R50 Cooper. I know that these motors on the non-S are higher compression resulting in you not being able to run high boost through the motors. This kit says it only provides about 5 lbs of boost to the motor, would the motor handle that alright? It says in the description that it is safe for the motor, but I just want to double check and see what everyone thinks before I go and spend the money on this kit. So please, give me any feedback that you have! Here is the link of the kit ==> http://www.vividracing.com/catalog/t...3-p-42965.html


Thanks in Advance!
-TJ

 

I would not spend the money if I were you. If these worked and were reliable and safe and not just snake oil, everyone would have one by now. For $2200 you'd be better off selling your R50 and trading up to an R53. There has been a lot of talk about turbo'ing a Cooper and the consensus is the same 100% of the time: "Save your money, buy an S."

I have a 2006 R50 as well. With a few modest mods it handles better, is more fun to drive, and is a little quicker than before. Next I'll be getting an exhaust. If I were you, I'd get a sway bar and a Cold Air Intake. You'll be out about $400 rather than $2k, and it'll transform your car.

 

I saw in the market place that there is a supercharger for sale from a R53, with the heads and what not. What do you think about throwing that on the R50? Any thoughts?

 

I can't really speak to that at all, I'm not enough of a DIY guy to know the logistics. All I can say is, if it was easy/cheap/wise to add boost to the N/A Coopers, everyone would do it.

There are a few guys on here with heavily modified Coopers, I think they have CAI, header, exhaust, JCW Head, cams, plus suspension work, etc. Probably still not as quick as a stock S, but the R50 is a solid car, especially 05/06, and you can squeeze some performance out of it.

 

Could you do it? Yes.
Should you do it? No.

Why? In addition to the SC, you'll need the water pump plumbing, tensioner, intercooler, bonnet, and various assorted physical bits. Not to mention that the R53 battery is in the trunk, so the intake will be compromised. You'll also have a higher compression ratio, a weaker lower end than an R53 and a computer map that is meant for a normally aspirated engine.
All in all, you'll spend a lot of money, and a have a Frankenstein MINI that may or may not work well.

 

The C/R of the R50 engine is 10.3:1.
The C/R of the R53 is 8.3:1
If you installed S/C on R50 you would be picking up pieces of your engine for weeks.
You can make several mods to R50 motor toget 145-175 hp out of it.
Otherwise by an S.

 

Very well! Thank you all for the feedback! Even though I really want to Turbo the Mini, I suppose I will just look into a cold air intake, ignition mods, and some tuning mods. I just really want to be boostin, without the spike in insurance rates! Haha