Just bought a '05 "S". Stock, no modifications, 60,000 miles, very clean car. The previous owner is a very responsible motorhead so the car has been well cared for.

Now, I'm going to go for it. Been looking at my options, and four issues need to be addressed.

CAIC - Leaning heavily towards the Craven system with the clear top. Looks great and seems to be one of the best in isolating the engine compartment air from the inlet air.

Exhaust - I like Borla, but have never had one on a Mini. I'd like a little additional sound, but not crazy loud. There must be 100 different options out there and I'm open to suggestions.

Blower pulley - I'm leaning towards 19, as I don't plan on using the power at track day, just the occasional burst for fun.

Chip - This one has me confused. They vary from a "one size fits all", which I think is bunk, to a wide range of custom programming. I've got a lot to learn about this.

I really don't want to get in to the engine itself. There seem to be enough external options to get me to the 200+ hp I'm looking for.

So, any ideas? Thoughts?

Appreciate any input!

Jim

 

Pulley...imo limit yourself to a 17%...
Many folks tried the 19% back in the day....but most downgraded due to issues....the 17% is fine...very good mod for a street driven mini at low-mid rpms....if you are a rever, auto-x, etc, go for the 15%...the smaller pullies simply make too mch heat at high rpms and can result in less power and more timing pull, especially if you don't have 93-94 octane in your area.

 

As for tune/chip....no chip...mini has a programble ecu with a bit of learning...so custom or caned tune is needed...you should be ABOUT 200 HP if you get bigger injectors like the jcw's if the car is strong with the mods you want....
Imo get a bigger rear swaybar.....bang for the buck on a gen 1, next to a pulley, nothing is as good. Go too big, and it might get squirily when slick, bt a bit thicker will help turns/on-off ramps.....

 

Thanks Zippy

You're probably right about the 17 vs 19. I tend to push a little hard on such things, so I'll probably take your advice and go 17.

Another thought just occurred to me as well. What real benefit is there to an aftermarket inter-cooler? Haven't seen them that often but it does make sense that you could get a denser charge.

Anyone using one?

Jim

 

IRIC the JCW intercooler is one of the best flowing ones out there. Its stock + a few more rows meaning more cool + more volume.

 

You'd want more oxygen density for better, more efficient combustion & more power, hence a bigger IC & CAI would result in feeding cooler air where molecules are closer together. Search Dave F.'s CAI. It's pretty popular w/ the folks the other side of the pond.

 

If i went aftermarket on an ic, ir would be the GP..BUT....
ITgenerally will not add power or prevent heatsoak.....so unlike a turbo car, the gains are minial vs the $$, but if i had the $$, i would do the gp in a heartbeat.....i think of it as keeping hp under adverse situations....higher rpms and hotter days..with an oem fit.
Most of the other IC are a mixed bag...some results in a bit of flow loss, some resist heatssoak better, but take long to recover, etc....so best all around stepup ic imo is the gp fo most. Be sure to get the diverter parts that attatch to the hood so it gets full airflow...

 

If you want to do a different IC, go with the GP. And theyre easy to acquire.

The Borla exhaust sounds great, I do hear that the sound changes a LOT after putting some miles on em. Right now Way Motor Works has Milltek on sale for 10% off.

Definitely stay away from 19% pulleys, and there are some great options on CAI out there. JCW and Dinan stay looking stock and isolate great, DDM and Craven are fairly similar and both really well made. I'd say the rest aren't really worth it.

Rear sway will make a huge difference on the car, and so will some camber plates. There's no real "chip" for this car, but you can get it tuned. Wait til you at least add in some JCW injectors with your other mods, then get it tuned.

 

Nice to see the mods begin.
For an intake we use and recommend the DDM intake, it fits perfect, makes great power, and sounds great. Use it on my race MINI and street car.

For exhaust Borla sounds good, but every borla I've seen has been leaking and all the welds cracked. Get a Milltek or WMW strat catback. They will make more torque than the Borla and won't crack. Also they don't drone. Oh and Milltek is on sale right now.

For a Pulley just go with a 17% pulley it will net you plenty of power and be reliable.

And for tuning, we offer a great basic tune or can do full custom tuning once you have all your mods done.

We do offer a complete package too:
http://www.waymotorworks.com/r53-str...e-package.html

If you have any questions please just contact us and we can put something together for you.

 

I like the complete package idea, especially if you can offer a tuning setup designed for the mods.

Question: How does the custom tuning work? Replace my CPU? Exchange? Send my CPU to you?

Jim

 

You can get a "canned tune" by sending the ecm to him, or a "tool" can be bought that allows you to download you current tune, then transfer it to a pc, then email it to tge tuner, then they email it back....transfer the file to the tool, then upload it to the car...if you go this route, imo, spend the extra $100 and do a couple dyno runs, and make it a custom tune...more power, for just a few $ more.

 

Wish I could. I live in what you would politely call the "boonies". Nearest dyno is 150 miles away. Still, might be worth it.

Thanks for the advice!

 

Lol....i drove 2 hrs to a "tune party" in CT to get mine done...
in the end, i think it was worth it...car runs smoother, more hp, better mpg, and no worries about running lean and burning a valve.
I also got a tool to ensure i could reload the tune/revirt to stock, but i could have saved that $$....about 50 other minis were tuned that weekend....has turned into a bit of a yearly event.

 

Zippy,


Do you happen to have information on when this tune party is happening this year and where? Did you get yours done at swift? Thanks

 

Yup....done at swift.
Weekend is usually when jan from rmw is at limerock during race season.
have not heard anything...but have not been looking for a date. Swift should know...they can do remote tunes i bet with jan.....or anyother tuner i bet for that matter.

 

Thanks for all the advice guys. I'm thinking of going with the WayMotorWorks package and have them re-program the ECU.

The car actually just arrived this week, and I'm and in total disbelief on just how good it is. Remember, I just traded a 2010 "S" for a new Countryman All4 and then bought the used 2005 "S". It's clear that blower motor si a bit down on overall power from the 2010 turbo, but the drive-ability and feel is far superior. Can't wait to pick another 25 or 30Hp!

Got another question about the car, but I think I'll start a fresh thread. Thanks again!

 

With low miles I would add the shock tower plates to keep down the mushrooming of the towers.

 

Well, the first part of the plan is complete. The stratmsosphere exhaust is in, as is the Craven CAI and the 17% pulley. Plus I lucked out and found a set of black wheels with decent tires that match my Countryman, so the cars are getting close to identical looking.

Only problems so far is that the roads here are solid snow and ice so I can't get a good feel for how it's all working. Plus the Stratosphere exhaust seems a bit quiet, but we'll see after it breaks in.

I do have to offer a sincere word of thanks to Way at WayMotorWorks. He responds usually very quickly to questions and is very helpful. Nice to know, because I still have a whole set of mods to do on my Countryam, now that the R53 is nearly done.