I've pondered this too. If you pulled the SC, IC, etc, dropped in a MC water pump or something sufficient and got a reprogram you would have a MINI at about ~126hp at least. With the uprated cylinder head and all the other internal improvements it would be a nice balance of power and fuel economy. Coupled with your favorite intake and exhaust you should be running in the mid 130hp range no? Even though it might not make sense, could it be done?

 

Hey, I really like my generally clunky Midland transmission.

 

but it wouldn't be a good idea. The S has a compression ratio of 8.3 to one, and the Cooper is over 10:1. You'd end up with a lower power motor, not a higher power one. Unless you go into the block for pistons and/or crank....

While this might be an interesting discussion on the why NOTs of doing this, there is very little (read no) actual need to make a N/A motor out of an S. Turbo conversion maybe, but not N/A.....

Matt

 

I'm going to be selling my PS/B MC before going to University, it's pretty pure with km only guages

 

buy the S and resist the constant tempation to put your foot in it .... drive for best milage....... I do like Coopers though.... they have a "cool" all their own.... kinda says "I don't need a supercharger, mine are big enough" ....

 

x2
You also get the sport suspension, sport seats, 6 speed (lower RPMs for better mileage )
Seriously, the MCS premium (assuming you pay it on a used one) would MORE than offset the mileage advantage of a Cooper for quite some time.

 

You mean you get sports suspension plus in the MCS, which is an option on the Cooper. Technically, the "sport suspension" is only available on the Cooper when talking about the hardtops.

Sports seats are also an available option on the Cooper.

 

Some other ideas:
- If your car has the runflats, lose the runflats (greater rolling resistance of the runflats).
- Lose the runflats and the stock wheels and go for non-runflats and forged aluminum wheels (you will lose ~15-20 lbs per corner with this solution - my personal experience is that I was carrying around a phantom passenger that I was able to lose).
- Lose the rear seat (~90 lb. weight saving)

The downside to the above weight saving approaches is that the performance of the car improves (better acceleration and slightly shorter braking distance). You may be inclined to use the performance improvement; in which case, your gas mileage may drop.

 

It might be difficult to register a Canadian spec car in the U.S. There are some certifications that must be affixed to the body of the car to be able to register it in the U.S.

 

+1 if you reallllly don't want the S feature do this go light on the gas, upgrade the intake and exhaust for better MPG and I'd bet you could out do the milage of a stock MC, but the key is LIGHT on the gas.

 

DO...WHAT....