Hey guys-

I'm new to the forums and need some help!

So after thinking long and hard about getting a new fun/project car, I just couldn't give up the R53. I love her too much. I decided instead to do some big upgrades I've always wanted to do but didn't have the cash for. With any luck, I'll have Jan tune it within the next few months, but I want him to do it in person... Which means going to LA... so I want to make sure that I can get it right before my car meets the wizard. That way I'll hopefully only have to go once!

Here's what I had before (power wise):

15% Pulley
2% ATI SuperDamper
DDMWorks Intake
Milltek Catback
Water/Meth Injection kit (100cc, Post-IC, just for cooling)
WMW Street Cam

I'm Very happy with the car overall, but I've had faster cars before and just wish the Mini had a bit more oomph. To put it into perspective, my last car was an E46 M3. The Mini stands far above it in my heart, but just lacks the acceleration to put a smile on my face like my old M3 did. Otherwise it's the funnest and best car I've ever owned hands down!!

So I splurged. Here's what I bought:

-RMW Big Valve Head
-RMW Shorty Street Header
-RMW Dominator Cam
-Ported Stock Intake Manifold
-550cc Injectors
-New Sensors just in case (MAP, TMAP, O2, etc)
-Quaife LSD
-Southbend Stage 2 Clutch Kit (rated at 300 ft/lbs torque)

I'm hoping for 240-250 WHP when Jan tunes it. From what I've seen, with these mods this should be possible.

My dilemma is in whether or not to buy an intercooler. I know water/meth works great for cooling but I'm too scared to have the car tuned FOR water/meth in case it fails (I just use it for safety on hot days and hard drives...) so I'll probably have it OFF during the tune. So now I'm wondering if an I/C upgrade would net any power when Jan tunes it, thus providing a tune which is different than the one I would get with the stock I/C and then my just spraying water/meth later to keep things cool.

From my research it looks like the Pro-Alloy TMIC is the best for flow/boost/IAT's, and probably the only one that's actually an "upgrade" overall to the stock unit without a loss of boost or recovery rate (aside from the insanely expensive GP...). I know this subject has been beaten of the head, but my research shows that the Pro-Alloy TMIC appears to be the best intercooler for our cars, yet I can find VERY little info about it from anyone who owns it, and I have no idea if it will do anything for me during the tuning process.

Maybe I'm crazy, and it will be fine as it is... I'm honestly just scared to get down there and after dropping $6K Still not being satisfied with my car, or wishing I did that one last mod before he works his magic on it.

If anybody has experience with these type of parts I would really appreciate some advice!!

 

I got the Pro Alloy on my short list, but will be added later. Im first doing a proper stage 0, getting the fundaments right before adding more power. You have probably seen these threads?

https://www.northamericanmotoring.co...lloy-tmic.html
https://www.northamericanmotoring.co...ing-tests.html

 

Yeah, I've read these threads thoroughly. Unless I'm missing something, the tests seem to conclude that the Pro-Alloy is the only intercooler that's actually better than the stock one, since it doesn't result in a pressure drop, cools the IAT's considerably, and heat soak is minimal (It seems that every other aftermarket IC suffers in at least one of these categories).

I guess my real question is... Is there a benefit (tuning wise) to have lower IAT's while it's being tuned, or can he tune it and then when my water/meth lowers the IAT's will the extra power be there? I have logged a few hard runs (2'nd-5'th gear, at least 3 consecutive runs to redline) and never see temps above ~120F which isn't bad considering I'm running 17PSI.

Anyone out there that knows about tuning and how IAT's at the time of tuning will affect the map?

 

I'd bet a tuner like Jan would be the best one to ask about this... Too bad he's always so busy or I'd just say to give him a call.

I guess that comes with being the best... Everybody wants you!

Can any other tuners chime in? It seems to me that lower IAT's would allow him to get the most out of it. Heat soak might be a bigger problem on the dyno though...

 

Also, did you consider a FMIC conversion, or do you want to keep the aircon?

 

I'll never understand why they just add extra piping by keeping the stock intercooler horns. Might cost less in development, but that seems like a lazy way of doing things.

 

Unfortunately where I live it's 100+ degrees for a couple months out of the year, so air conditioning is a must. Also, I've heard a lot of bad things about the front mount. Might be good for the track, but the loss of boost and response and overall power isn't worth it since I'm not racing or running high RPM's for long periods of time.

I have considered the Airtec, however... Which looks like a nice piece. Unfortunately there still isn't a definitive "best" intercooler for the R53. So frustrating!!

Yeah, the design is a bit strange. The loss of AC is the real dealbreaker, but also why would I drop $1k+ on a piece that doesn't gain me any HP? Plus the extra volume will probably lower the responsiveness of the throttle, and for me, that's one of the R53's most important characteristics!!


Ugh. I wish I knew more about tuning. I really just want to know if slightly lower IAT's will affect the tune enough to be worth it!!

 

they should have redesigned the supercharger outlet, would have flowed better and less pipe. I wish there were more companies actually doing development on these ccars

 

If you do a single pull on the highway the temperatures will knock it high enough to pull timing but if you do back to back or autocross or track days the ECU will start to pull timing and reduce power I'll see if I can find the tables there's five or six set points each one of them pulls timing an additional amount

 

Why not just go with a water/air intercooler? That's always been my go-to for space limited builds (though my car is likely closer to the 210whp range, so I'm just working with the stock build for now.)

Also, it sounds silly, but an intercooler sprayer setup like old STI's and EVO's used to use is pretty damn easy and simple and compact. They do work pretty impressively, too.

 

I say go with the pro alloy. That’s on my list too. With all the mods you got why not just do it and do it right.

as far as tuning goes. I don’t think it matters. I would tune it with your water meth. Have it turn on at maybe everytime you hit 4500 rpm. Then you’re golden.

 

<------ totally jealous... plz do a build thread with it if possible or a good befor and after video...so so jello

 

Since you’re going with the head and more I would suggest the TVS900 Supercharger. I am going from a Thumper TPR2 with NS1 cam to the RMW Head and Dominator cam plus a 55mm pulley and 2% ATI dampener. You are going to be so close labor wise it won’t add all that much to get the TVS. I really like mine. I’m in the same boat as you in that I love this little car and want to get all the performance possible out of it. I’d take the money you will spend trying to cool it and do the TVS. I run about 15 degrees cooler with just the TVS. I don’t track my car.

 

please do a dyno!

 

That’s going big? Lmao

 

Probably close to as big as we can go with adding TVS and lower engine build. Bigger is going Turbo

 

Yeah I gathered that much. AS you know I have one too and running e85. But I wouldnt count on much of any help in the software/tuning range right now. Bunch of us are owed tunes myself included.

 

I’ve thought about w2a but from what I’ve read the boost drop makes it not worth it for me. All that money and time only to get the same or less power just doesn’t work... especially considering I already have W/M. Maybe one day though if I get a sprintrex or tvs900 and the boost drop is minimal...

I’ll be taking lots of pics and might do a build thread, but I haven’t decided yet. Depends on how much time I have, getting all this stuff installed is already pretty much going to eat up my spare time for about a month lol.

I was seriously considering this (or the sprintrex). I know the TVS is better but the sprintrex is CARB legal (I live in CA). Either way, I’m already in over 6K... A new supercharger will probably have to wait until next year. Besides, I have to have something left to do when I get bored!!

Thank you very much for the useful advice. I figured you’d be back eventually to brag about what you have. Cool dude.

 

I have W/M also just for cooling and not tuned. I had a 05 that was very close mods wise to what you had and it had the water/air cooling and it was hardly noticeable. Unless you are racing I doubt you would see much benefit.
I don’t run my car for extended high rpm as you would in racing but do chase the Porsche BMW etc whenever I get a chance. If you are thinking that you will at some point go TVS I would recommend saving you dough for that rather than putting it into something that will give you minimal results. The TVS will give you significant cooling in addition to some nice power gains.

 

You know me LOVE TO BRAG about what I have *christ you must be lonely* I have no earthly idea who you are but can rest easy apparently you know who I am.

 

What does owed tunes mean? Like you guys paid for tunes and they haven't been delivered?

 

Read your replies back and tell me it doesn't sound condescending. BVH, cam, etc is pretty much going big in term of a MINI. What do you expect him to do for it to be considered big? Spend $12k+ for a 1.8 stroker? Not everyone will spend new car money on our R53. His goal of 250 whp is pretty much what I'm aiming for with mine. To me, there's no reason to make fun of someone else's project.

 

I’m with you man... OP’s already dropping $6K+ on an aging car that is worth maybe $5K on a good day. Everybody has an intake, pulley, exhaust, etc. but very few people on here have the full RMW trifecta (head/header/cam) due to the huge price tag relative to the amount of power you get (compared to the pulley, intake, and tune anyway).

Let’s face it... one of the reasons we love Mini’s is that they’re cheap, fun, and for a few bucks you can squeeze more horsepower out of the car with relative ease. But let’s not kid ourselves... if money was no object many of us would probably be driving nicer/faster/more expensive cars!! The low price is definitely part of the fun. At least for me.

$6K might be a small amount of money for you, but for me (and I’d wager 95% of the people on NAM) it’s a lot. Especially if you have a wife that would have your head for spending so much on a toy

Let the guy be happy that his dreams are coming true. No need to drop by just to crap on his parade because YOU have something bigger/better/faster.

-Dave

 

Agreed, the thing that binds us are cars, in this case Mini's. The reason I visit forums is for the knowledgde and good atmosphere.

And everything needs to be looked at in perspective, I also think this is going big. But big is subjective, for Akumazeto that is probably engine swap with turbo conversion, for me/CrowneX etc that might be something else.

 

This is not the vibe I am trying to project. Fwiw I have Aspergers so sometimes I guess it reads rude. Not my intention. Luckily I have never been a spot where my wife would scold me. I have free reign to do as I please barring spending mortgage money on the car. I am one of a handful of tvs owners who actually post here. The rest of the r53 scene has moved to facebook groups. Like it or hate it this is where 90% of info is these days and good info as well. Contact with Jan has been sketchy at best since his knee surgery last I heard he was swamped and had like 10 cars at his shop. Yes I am owed a tune as it was part of a package deal when I bought the tvs and the head. Yes there are many more people waiting as well as he has been busy. SO yes OWED a tune is the right nomenclature. I just hired someone myself to do it on the dyno and gave up. I dont have time to waste waiting for people.

But I have never bragged like look what I have and you dont so I dont get the OP's waiting for you to show up. Enjoy your thread.

FWIW the Pro ALLOY is almost 900 bucks by the time it gets here. There is no us distro and I have been trying to get them to stock them somewhere in the states.