while i was looking up some tech info for engine upgrades i came across slycooperr53's build thread where his battery wasn't in the base location. i'm just wondering is there anything else that is wildly different between the R50 and R53? also is there a battery relocation kit for conversions?

 

Different flywheel, clutch, transmision, axles, starter, supercharger, intercooler, crank, pistons, exhaust valves,
throttle body, intake manifold, hood, front and rear bumper trim, white
side blinkers, shifter cables, battery, ecu, dipstick, thermostat location,
springs (some overlap with MC with SS+, same shocks and sway bars as the MC with SS+ suspension),
exhaust, no spare tire for the S (probably forgot a few things).

 

Simply put....the body (except for the hood and minor trim differences in the bumper, etc) and interior is basically the same..colors except for a few S only colors were the same...
But the drive-train is 100% different....
Sure the two motors are related...but the modifications done by the factory to allow it to handle the extra HP are significant, and not retrofitable....

 

When you say conversions....LOL to make a non S into an S, it is better and cheaper to buy a different car....been done before...if you splice the drivetrain and coimputers from one car, and the body of another..you will have a S in a cooper with some welding in the trunk area, and a bigger swaybar and depending on the options, perhaps the same suspension....
To put the S battery location on a cooper, you will need to weld, and a custom exhaust with extra bends...a bad thing, some long heavy cables...and some extra safety items to disconnect the battery if there is a crash.....the extra weight would nullify the gains from moving the weight..if done right.

 

alright, that was the information i was looking for. I wasn't planning on doing the S swap but the battery relocation looked promising. I'm really impressed that BMW group went through the entire motion of modifying the entire car to compensated for the power gain.

 

For a quick, relatively inexpensive conversion, just add the S to the COOPER badge on the boot.

 

lol i was afraid someone might suggest that. I'm still tied whether or not i'll leave the "cooper" lettering on.

 

I think it was more out of need than desgin....with the SC stuffed under the hood os the S, there is simply noplace for a battery under the hood.putting the battery in the back did help matain good front to back balance, but lightness=quickness and nimbleness....a non s driven competently can be an s on a tight course like auto-x...the extra cables added weight, sc and dang runflats (most dump them, but no spare)....the lower compression pistions in the S means that down low rpm wise, a cooper does better...a bigger swaybar for most any mini is a great upgrade....near neautral handling possible for the most skilled drivers, but I for one find leaving a bit of understeer helps in predectiability as a daily driver, and in poor weather.

 

The battery in the boot is a nod to Mini history, as the classic Mini had no room under its bonnet for a battery, even without a supercharger in there!