Hello, I just pruchased a new Mini S hardtop and I am wanting to do a few mods. I have a question before i start spending money. If I add exhaust and or CAI will It do anything negative to my engine if I do not remap it? Will the stock ECU compensate for these changes? It will not run lean will it?

Thank you

 

hi, any body out there have taken apart the calipers on a 2003 mini is the piston metal does it have an on ring,any one out there can tell me if rebuild kits are aviable thanks god bless.

 

Add all the intakes and exhausts you want, until you tune the ecu and upgrade the intercooler, you are just making more noise...

Check part # 34116769277 about $28 retail for a rebuild kit.

 

Very well said. Fewer dollar can be spent for more performance. Remember, the MINI is not a pony car.

 

Mods? Eh... Go for suspension first.

 

I was thinking boost tubes to remove the factory silencer. Good idea?

 

You'll notice a little better throttle response once the boost tube silencer is removed, but nothing night/day.

 

Mine is still coming the wait is driving me up the wall. So for mods would doing the following be a good starting order?
1. anti sway bar 19" or 20" or 22" ($125 - $300)
2. Bigger Intercooler recommendations? ($150 - $200)
3. Boost tube Silencer ($130)
4. ECU tuning what would you guys recommend? Cobb or Alta ($400 - $700)

Item 4 seems the most expensive but overall looking at around ($800 - $1400). Does anyone know the horse power and torque number this will add?

 

#1 h-sport competition rear sway bars (25") are a popular upgrade ($240)

#2 helix13, forge, & alta are the main companies. Helix is probably the best buy of the three with very similar numbers as the forge unit for up to $200 cheaper. Look in the marketplace as they are often up for sale. Price: ($600-700). The forge one is sweet looking and almost the same design as the helix one. Price = $720. Alta is fairly popular. They're I/C is huge and expensive. Gain wise, they are all around the same, although it seems some people do not like the alta unit for various reasons including quality and bang-for-buck. Price = ($780?)

#3 boost tube silencer does nothing performance wise except for noise but if you insist, check out vip custom parts ($40) and nm-eng's unit ($250-ish)

#4 ECU tuning: for 2013 models, Cobb/alta is not available since 2011+ engines used a different engine (N18). Look up the always up to date thread on the mods section of gen 2 minis. RENNtech: +35hp +45tq ($995). NM-eng: +30-35hp +40tq ($500) ecu must be shipped. BMS: New MINI tuner; +20hp +30tq ($279) coming soon. Evolve: another tuning option from UK. Not sure what they offer. MINI Dynamics Race Chip: Gains unknown ($700). BMS, a reputable BMW tuner has come out with a piggyback-style tune that hasn't come out yet, it features easy install/de-install and quick gains without removing Ecu like every other tuner except mini dynamics, which has been more or less shined in the MINI community. Stay tuned. Pun intended.

 

For first mod, go rear sway bar, best mod I ever did! You'll notice it big time!

 

 

First mod:

- Drive it. Break it in according to instructions, then drive it. Take it on a trip, cruise to the local hangout, find some twisty roads to throw it around, do some acceleration runs. Explore the car, get to know it.

- Take it to a driving event. Your local SCCA or NASA chapter will put on "autocross" or "solo 2" events. Clean out the car of everything that isn't solidly attached (or inside a closeable compartment), including floor mats, and go drive it bone-stock at an event. Get an instructor, and learn. Ask if he or she will drive the car once for you--it will open your eyes about what the car is really capable of.

- Get to know the car as it is, just the way it was made.

Once you know the ins and outs of the car, it will tell you what mods it needs. Heck, I'm almost 2 years into my MINI experience, and the only mods I've made are the Scangauge and the mount for it and the phone. I'm still running on the tires and suspension it was wearing when it rolled off the Platinum Ray.

 

I agree 100% Rob, I installed the nm 22mm rear bar, and the handling is amazing!!!!!! Should be #1 on any mod list!!

 

I do need to figure out what it can do before doing any mods... Appreciate the simple understanding. I would still want a little more power just for kicks in getting on freeway. But it seems with changes to the ECU any other mod would go to waste. Outside maybe the sway bar.

 

Do think a 25" is the way to go? I have seen other sites saying 19" or even 20" to be the max you need. I understand if you track it than 25" is probably the best.

 

The bar is 25mm but it's hollow which means its lighter but has the same stiffness as the 22mm

 

I have no problems getting on the freeway, usually I'm already 10 over the speed limit before I'm down the entrance ramp.

EDIT: that being said, I'm still looking at mods...

 

I am interested in the above. If I add a CAI, will it harm anything with stock ECU?

 

No bolt-on mod will hurt the ecu. Unless you physically mess with the ecu (I.e. tuning).

Edit: even then, there is an only slightly greater chance that the ecu will be affected.

 

Not sure if you've purchased an Intercooler yet, but be sure to consider this one. I just purchased one for my 2012 MCS....great design and excellent price! http://www.wagner-tuning.com/Cooper-S_c_66.html

 

Austinsynthetics, how about a quickie review on the Wagner FMIC - I have been looking at that one too.

 

Cool. I wasn't sure if for example the engine would run lean or if it'd mess up anything and cause more harm than good to the engine.