Hey minigunners,

Been reading on the site and still have some questions/need help. I just bought an '03 MCS and now have the itch to mod. I saw on the M7 website where they have a stage 3 performance kit that from what I gather, from emailing with m7, is a bolt on kit and pretty sweet.

Comes with-
-16% sc pulley
-Either a 2 or 4% crank pulley
-a 180 thermostat
-their cold air
-and a belt for the sc.

I want to do my sc with a 16/2 setup which is like having an 18% (if I'm not mistaken). I also searched on here for a review on their cold air but couldn't find any details and don't know if that is a good intake. (I currently have a typhoon on it but don't like it). I've also looked in to better injectors and plugs and all that (plan on doing that after I do the SC work) as well as short shifter (these are my short term mod plans)

This car is my DD and I want to have the fastest mini in the area (there is a nice gp around here I'd love to be able to outperform). I've thought about doing some auto cross as well but more want the car to be able to handle fun days on back roads, highways and whatnot with plenty of power and zip. Any thoughts? I'm a newb when it comes to minis but want to learn them badly. Any help will be greatly appreciated and I will be posting throughout my build process

 

Sorry dup post. Damn app. Sorry

 

Personally, I've heard bad things about M7. The reviews I've read have been mediocre in all areas other than aesthetics and sometimes had followups reporting failures... You should do a LOT of research before buying, but I usually shy away from anything that other people have used and then swapped. I stick with mods others STILL have on their cars.

You can't go wrong looking at WMW or Helix stuff. I have some Evolve parts on my car, but it all depends on your preferences and playing a balance between quality, price, and style.

Good luck!

 

Thanks I'll stay away from it then.

 

Maybe someone can answer this, why is it that I see everyone doing 15-17% SC pulleys but not doing anything to the crank pulley? Is it ill advisable? From what I understand a 15% on the sc w/ 2% on the crank is the exact same as a 17% correct?

 

Getting belts for 17% is harder. The 15% belt is the JCW belt. The 15% is ample.

 

If you upped the crank pulley with a 15% I presume you would have to get a 17% belt?

 

yes, but why change 2 pulleys when you can just do one? its not like the crank pulley is "easy" to do, and you usually lose the dampening effect by not using the stock crank pulley, which if not continually checked and managed can result in failure.

spend more time reading on the forums here. then look for used parts in the marketplace.

 

I could be wrong. As I said I didn't give that brand a fair chance, but I remember first getting into this and being really happy about waiting until I'd done all my research before pulling the trigger.

 

Touché. Valid point good sir. 1 it is

 

Ya, after taking your recommendations I found that helix & WMW has parts I like better for better prices

 

The thing with using a reduced crank pulley is it can affect the alternator. Getting a belt for a 17% pulley is not a problem. Any parts store will have it. You'll need a few more parts if you want to outrun that GP

 

Haha is that so now? Sc pulley, new intake, colder plugs, better injectors, lighter exhaust, short shift, and a tune or piggyback won't cut it? Hmmm. Better do a water/meth injector :P

 

The 06 GP came stock with 215hp. With my mods I can run with a GP but I'm not going to get away from one

 

Is that so? What mods are you running?

 

Pretty much the same mods your planning. 380 injectors, CAI, cat back exhaust and RMW tuned. Those GPs are damn quick and quite a bit lighter than a standard R53.

 

What makes them so much lighter?

 

No back seat, aluminum rear trailing arms that I know of. I'm sure there is more.
Here is a video showing just how quick they can be. These two are nuts though!

 

😱😱 I've found myself a solid goal then! Build out internals then lighten like crazy. You have no idea how much I want to walk right past one of those

 

It can be done. Just takes a bit more parts than most people go for. In addition to what you listed you'll need a cam and big valve head (BVH). That should put you around 230-250whp. That should let you walk away from a GP pretty easily.

 

I'm not sure I know what a BVH really is. If you could elaborate..... Also I've seen some sort of bypass valve? Being talked about. Something similar to a turbo wastegate?

 

The bypass valve is just a stock piece with a stiffer spring in it. Allows the valve to close all the way allowing it to hold more boost instead of it leaking past it. Was effective on the earlier 02-04 models. The newer ones don't see much improvement with it.

The BVH is a reworked head. Search "RMW Jesus head"

 

BVH: BIG Valve head. allows more flow = more power

 

I had a M7 CAI on my 02 MCS and loved it, the only thing I can tell you is that M7 owners sold the company and not to thrilled with their products recently even their website sucks now. I have found Outmotoring, WMW, Helix, RMW, Detroit Tuned to be very reputable, specially Jan, Way and Eric at Helix are always willing to answer ur questions.