So I'm an idiot and spend way too much on my car, but I'm looking to do it again. Looking at the TPE charge pipe or an aftermarket radiator (tpe says only stock fits with charge pipe). The charge pipe claims HP increases. My interest would be whether the claimed iat decreases and bump in boost psi is a better choice vs the increased cooling efficiency of an all-aluminum radiator? Any thoughts? Happy Thanksgiving!

 

Hoping anyone might chime in. If you can't do both, would you do a larger radiator or the custom charge pipe?

 

I hesitate to respond because I do not have direct experience with either option, so I can offer no solid info.

But, as for opinion, I personally am not keen on aluminum radiators after reading various threads related to failures associated with them. Replaced mine with OE.

Not sure many people here have the TPE pipe, perhaps why no responses to your question. Likely not many people have one due to the steep price, but I do plan on getting one rather soon despite the price, I'm attracted to it not only for the performance aspect which looks to be very good, but also for ease-of-maintenance because it appears to be so much better than the flimsy stock pipe which I really don't like at all --- not only a poor design, but cheaply made chintzy as well.

Have read of a few UK-based race cars who use the TPE pipe and their reports have been positive.

 

Old boy,
Thanks for the reply. I had heard about the issues with the mishimoto radiators, but had forgotten. Thanks for reminding me. Can you link to the guys in the UK using the TPE? Is be interested in reading their comments. I think I'll follow your advice and see how it turns out.

Fwiw I picked up my 06 in April. We owned an r50 back in 07-10. Sold it because we needed something bigger. Now it's just a toy and a lot of fun. Have spent a stupid amount of money already, but having a ball. Thanks again for sound advice.
Brad

 

Please don't remind me of the stupid money! LOL My heart loves it and it's all totally worth the spend, but my logical brain gets a bit twisted up because it seems irrational.

It was only some various brief commentary I came across on Facebook,
here's several for what it's worth...







There is a high demand in the UK for it.

1320 has sold quite a few and is currently awaiting re-stock:




If you haven't read P.E's NAM thread documenting the developmental stages of the pipe,
it is quite an interesting read:

https://www.northamericanmotoring.co...-r53-mini.html

:

OutMotoring is one of the USA distributors.

Today is a good day to buy one because 10% off brings the price down to $422 with discount code M3

https://www.outmotoring.com/intake-m...xxx524439.html

.

 

Not on Facebook, but thanks a million for the links. And for the discount link to outmotoring! I've already sent a message to Aaron to see if he has them in stock. I'll keep you posted.

I'm finishing up a full suspension rebuild ($$$) including axles, hubs, rmw coilovers, Tarett rear sway bar, et al. Hopefully in the next few days.

Next up is diving into the motor. Ordered the header, cam, injectors, and tune from rmw. Adding the charge pipe sounds like it's worth a few ponies. Hopefully Aaron has them in stock. Thanks again for the links and posts.

 

No probbo!

I've been slowly restomodding mine as well, but it's been a rather glacial process for me due to various reasons, but it's all coming together slowly but surely.

 

Best rad for these cars is the Candian variant with the alum side tank. I have split every other one on that side. CSF Mishimoto etc.

 

That is great info. Thanks. I did a quick Google search, but came up dry. Is there a particular vendor that has the Canadian radiator?

 

.
Good stuff!

I had no idea that that variant existed either!

I've only replaced my rad once, and it had also failed on the pass. side.

Wish that I had known about the Canada version when I went to replace it.

I'm a hound dog for NAM truffles and usually search for info like this:
canadian radiator site:https://www.northamericanmotoring.com

That landed me on a thread where ECS linked to the radiator, nice because ECS always writes the factory part # and usually has pictures,
although price-wise they are often too much cost above the actual MINI dealer prices...

https://www.ecstuning.com/b-genuine-...r/17117570822/

.

 

Yep thats the one. Most of the time its been talked about here on NAM about the weird and rare parts.

 

Guess what's in the box?

I want to thank you 2out2sea for prompting my thoughts about this and it happened to be Cyber Monday and I've been wanting one so said fuggit and bit the bullet.

Will not install until later though as it is highly recommended to get a tune due to the extra air (supposedly it will cause lean condition) and I have a new cam on the way as well which I was planning on a proper tune after install, so will do both bits together and then have WMW tune my car.

Contacted TPE directly as well because my budget is already stretched thin and I'm a cheap bastid anyways, noticed on their site that non-EU zone is tax free and priced at 296.40 euros which at current exchange rate equals $335 USD...

https://www.tpeprecision.com/r53-mini

...and I would have been buzz chuffed with that price, but likely shipping from Greece would have added a chunk o' change as well, and anyways he told me that they were madly trying to catch up with production due to UK demand and defaulted sales to his USA distros, whom are OutMotoring and Asphalt Killerz, obviously I went with OutMotoring because they've been such longtime scene supporters plus I already have an account with them.

 

You've been an absolute legend treasure to the NAM forum Mike, thanks for sharing your knowledge and experience over all these years.

I appreciate your input very much and you've been around since the wayback.

In many ways I still feel like a nOOb because my old Saabs were like tanks and didn't require so much detailed attention, R53 is thrusting me into realms of mechanical endeavor that I've never visited before and I've learned a lot from wrenching my busted knuckles on this thing --- LOL like a whole new vocabulary of cusswords but dammit if it ain't rewarding as hell when everything comes together and you're out on a curvy road blastin' through the esses!

 

Glad to help. I been around MINI since 2004 and bmw before that. Like to help my MINI people out when i can.

 

This has been great info. Ordered the charge pipe today. Will order the Canadian radiator a little later. Hoping to see it on sale around Christmas maybe? I hope ecs is following this thread🤪
Brad

 

Getting ready to change out the by pass on my 04 MCS.
Very interested in doing this mod while I'm at it. I just don't know (or know anyone) anything about the tune afterwards.
Very tantalizing nevertheless!

 

I'm going all aluminum. Thetre much stronger.. the stock one likes to leak from cracked end tanks or bad seals at the necks. I've had to rtv BOTH necks on my stock rad to stop leaks so all aluminum is next...
does anyone know if any if the aftermarket all aluminum rads offer a larger fluid amount ?

 

I had forgotten about the number of complaints about mishimoto leaking. My reason for not going full aluminum is that TPE advises that the charge/duct pipe won't fit with an aluminum aftermarket radiator. I am assuming the core is thicker?

 

Can anybody confirm fitment when using an aluminum radiator along with this charge pipe ? ?
My new mini I'm going all out for its stock intake system abd this is the last piece to its puzzle. But I also wanted an aluminum radiator too since mines dented.
I swear mounting up my mishimoto radiator. I didn't loose any clearance behind it , though I will 2x check but I feel like I didn't...

 

I had to use spacers to get the stock radiator to fit. There is no way anything larger will have enough room. After spacers it's still only a mm or two of room.

Space to tpe charge pipe

 

thanks for that bud....
Do you feel like the tpe pipe actually helped air flow or throttle response ? I guess ille need to decide which is more important to me ( though if i go tpe , i will be hunting fir a canadain radiator) .

 

Adam,
I think an aftermarket radiator is probably a better investment. I have driven the car less than 50 miles since installing it and have a rich code I need to sort so no impression one way or another. I just would likely skip it. If I was building a fully built motor with a maximum flowing head and long tube headers then it would be the last thing on my list. Hope that helps.

 

kinda yes it does...though I'm wondering IF a slim rad fan would allow the use of both...