What are STX mods we can make to 2013 S? Where is my money best spent? Specific parts would be appreciated. I'm new to mini world so would like to gain better understanding to what can be done. Can stock redline be bumped in STX?

 

I know that you can do a tune however the tune cannot alter the boost levels of the turbo so I think it would probably end up being something custom. downpipe back exhaust, downpipe, air filter are all legal. Your best money spent is probably on suspension and of course seat time.

 

The JB+ technically just alters the boost to reach "proper" load. It's sort of a run around. What are the rules for STX?

 

Other than that, as dparaho said, suspension. I would do rear anti-roll bar, polyurethane bushings, coilovers ($$$).

 

Last I knew there were no power mod options in STX. Even a change intercooler will knock you out of the class.

 

Sounds correct. What about things like motor mounts? Not an engine part, more chassis suspension. Definitely would be helpful it putting power down and finding the right gear in competition.

 

We are actually working with Nat Champion Craig Wilcox on an R56 for STX right now. There is a ton that can be done. We can help you out with anything you want.

 

Wow, can't go wrong with that offer

 

Ditto

 

Yep there is a bunch of misinformation in this thread. Just pick up a rule book and it'll set you straight. Or Way is pretty good with STX legal mods.

The basics for engine mods are going to be an intake, downpipe, exhaust, and tune. The tune can't change boost levels so I would make the argument that the JB+ probably isn't legal. I'm not a tuner though so Way probably has more insight into that.

Honestly the power gains aren't that significant and you'll have enough trouble putting power down. First step would be suspension and then would be the diff.

Bushings can be replaced provided the replacement has no more metal in it (as a %) than the stock one. You also can't change bushing "types" like moving to a spherical bearing. Engine mount inserts would be legal.

Redline can be moved.

 

It's not cheating unless you get caught, and even then... ask the STX winner from 2012 Nationals.

 

Thanks I hear you and LSD is top priority. Suspension is almost finished I'm just looking for little more power than stock. I'm pretty good at utilizing power so any little bit helps!

 

So which intake is way to go? I need one that is smog legal in California. Forgot about keeping it smog legal or at least easily returnable to smog legal.

 

Just get the JCW intake with an aftermarket panel filter. You're not really going to get much power from the intake anyways.

 

The nm high flow intake is carb cert. It will pass smog with no problems.

 

Yeah I have been eying that one. I think its that or JCW intake. Is there a carb cert downtube or high flow cat? Also are those upgraded blow off valves legal for STX and do they do anything for our cars? Again Im new to mini's and just dont know where the big impact pmods hide on these cars? Thinking intake and exhaust improvements cant hurt if they are well designed. Im just learning suppliers, etc. I dont have issues paying for quality if it gives me real performance improvements.

On other build front news. My TSW springs arrived today. These are much better than H&R. Got NM engine bushings, Hotchkis camber arms, the big H Sport rear bar is ready to go in. Front camber plates on the way.

As my entry level tire and wheels I have 16x7.5 with Direszzia II in 205/50/16. Im eyeing those Enkei RPF1 in 16x8 with 38 mm offset. Thinking I might be able to go to 225/45/16 but is that too tight? will it rub on anything?

 

No upgraded BOVs are not legal in STX.

The big improvements in these cars doesn't come from power. You'll see much quicker lap times putting in a real diff than you would adding the little bit of power you would gain from an exhaust and an STX legal tune.

You have to decide how competitive you want to be in STX. That will drive pretty much all your part purchasing decisions. If the answer is very then you want 235s and to get rid of the springs and move to an actual coilover with some solid shocks and spring rates.

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I've got 225/45/16 on 16x7 RPF1s, they havn't rubbed yet. I'll find out for sure at Boondoggle this weekend.

 

Getting power down is always my first focus. However in California we do have some events where power can be used even in an open diff car. Heck even with stock suspension and run flats I had events where I felt like it took eternity to go from 2 nd into third on long straight no wheel spin. Just want to plan legal power mods in addition to LSD. And I'm striking balance between competitive and easy to live with. I know those aren't mutually exclusive and trade offs need to be made but a little more jam for us who can go into late braking zones than others always helps. I will see as I have fun experimenting.

I'm headed off to slaughter this weekend as I haven't had a chance to install much. Just have 205s, Konis, stock bars still, terrible alignment, no LSD , stock S motor. It's not as well set up as many DS class cars. I'm praying for rain if you get my drift.

 

I'm running BFGoodrich g-Force Sport COMP-2 205/45R16 on S-Winder Rims I have some BC Coil overs I'm going to install before this month tracks meet. I also put some 12mm spacers on. We shall see how many secs I can shave....

 

If you want to get really crazy, smaller brakes so you can run wide and light 15s. That can drop 10-15lbs per wheel upfront. Racing seat, lithium battery will drop 50lbs. That can do huge things for you.

 

Can't run smaller brakes in STX. Rotors have to be same or larger in thickness and diameter. Seats and batteries are legal as long as the whole seat setup (seat+brackets) weighs more than 25lbs.

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Wouldn't a rotor kit sized to the base Mini be allowed? If not that, you could do an S sized kit(given it matched dims) that would still drop weight.

 

Only if you were driving a base mini but those aren't STX legal.
Don't get me wrong there is definitely weight to be saved over the stock mini setup. The problem is that many of the brake setups I've looked at that are significantly lighter than stock require grinding of the ball joint mount which I don't think is legal. I've been talking with Todd at TCE about getting some custom rotors done for the JCW Brembo calipers. Custom 2-piece rotors aren't cheap but theyr'e cheaper than designing a new legal brake setup from scratch. The JCW Brembo calipers are aluminum but I don't know what the weight of a caliper is.

I'm just glad I don't have to spend time/money to develop something like this setup from a SM BMW...

 

Just to give you a sense of what I'm capable of doing. Here is my 370z hillclimb and track car that I'm currently building with a friend. I'm probably not going to go this crazy with mini build but I have made custom floating aluminum hat rotors with brembo motorsports calipers and have also had 3d printed custom parts developed for 450 hp custom made stoker motor running standalone ECU. Making all my own fiberglass body panels as wel. So I'm willing to do some crazy things eventually. I just want to keep this Mini fairly sane for my daily 80 mile commute over mountain back roads into Silicon Valley.