I would like to know the answer to the "lag" question too. I have a GP also purchased in October with only 1000K miles. I thought the supercharger would have an immediate response compared to a turbocharger. The popping I have been told is "normal."

 

1. This is due to the fact that the superchargers we have are Roots style superchargers. They don't actually "compress" the air, per sey, they simply blow lots of air into a chamber and when air is forced in and not released, that is where you get the compression.... or boost if you will.

That lag is the time it is taking to blow enough air to cause enough compression. At least from the superchargers standpoint... there are other factors too.

Easiest "fix" to this is to get a pully reduction. I have a 15% reduction of pully size installed and it really does make a world of difference. Of course, this introduces 2 things. 1) Voids your warrenty on your supercharger (and maybe other things) and 2) starts the addiction of modifications to your MINI.

2. The pop is normal. It's not a backfire. Some people, like me, enjoy it and welcome it. Others hate it. But it is very normal for a MINI.

Good questions, and welcome to NAM!

 

it's call "FLY BY WIRE" there isn't a throttle cable attached to your pedal, but a lazy sensor.

the gorgle on the exhaust is normal and changes somewhat with after market exhaust. The worst sound is made with the stock exhaust.

 

The popping of the exhaust is pretty normal for these cars, especially the '05 and '06, iirc. They tweeked the exhaust a bit sometime around '04-'05.

First, a MCS doesn't really make noticeable power until around 3,000rpm (yeah, I was disappointed, too).

Second, there is a bypass valve that regulates when and how hard the boost comes on, to put it simply. I have a boost gauge, and you really have to step on the gas to swing the needle into boost, and even then, if you don't keep it floored, it slips back into atmospheric range. If the bypass valve were closed all the time, you'd get more boost sooner, and probably with less pedal effort. But you'd also get lower gas mileage.

Oh, and I'm sure the fly-by-wire throttle control, as mentioned above, has something to do with it, too.

 

Yeah. "Turbo farts", my kids call them.

 

If you want faster response from the engine, the only solution to your dilemma would be to have a lightened flywheel installed. Course, just understand that you'll have to deal with the increase in NVH from this mod as well. Trust me, though, after having my flywheel replaced with a lighter one from M7, rev matching is quite a breeze nowadays.

GotMINI

 

thanks for the endorsement on the 15% pulley. I'm debating putting something like that on. (afraid of the warranty situation). How much did it affect your mileage, if any?

 

If you're really warranty paranoid, you can have your dealer install the JCW pulley kit... warranteed...

 

that's your flywheel boggin it down. just time yourself.

 

That would be tough to gage since I don't drive like I used to. There is just something about the 15% that adds lots of lead to you foot.

If I drove the same, I would say it doesn't effect it much. My HWY MPG is pretty much the same (if not sometimes better)

 

I doubt they would install and warrantee the pulley separately without installing the full JCW kit.

 

I wouldn't see why not. International Autos in Milwaukee does it.

Figure it this way. A MINI part... put on by a MINI tech... why not?

 

because its a KIT. They would have to pull the pulley from the KIT (which comes with a serial number and a nice little certificate of authenticy) Then they would have to part of the rest of the kit.

They are in a business to make money. Parting out the kit might be a major business headache.

 

I think it's mostly the fly-by-wire, bypass valve and ecu. A smaller pulley will add hp and torque but it doesn't do away with the odd throttle delay in our car. At least that's my experience...

 

I've heard that adding an engine damper also helps to minimize the delayed response, can anyone chime in on that one?

 

heh... the solution here is really simple. The biggest factor to engine response, least for MINIs, has to do with the flywheel. If you swap it out with a lighter one, you'll see a tremendous increase in engine response, much more free revving. It's funny how everyone speaks of replacing the S/C pulley, when in fact that does increase power and response, but the flywheel will still hamper a lot of the response improvement. I mean, sure, more power can eventually overcome the weight of the flywheel, but as our engines aren't torque monsters, any amount of rotational mass that we can reduce can help out dramatically. Especially when you consider the weight of the stock OEM flywheel. I remember when I had my 15% reduction S/C pulley and 0% crank pulley installed, I noticed a nice increase in engine response. I even compared mine to an overall stock MINI with just the 15% pulley and I noticed an immediate difference in engine response compared to mine. And then several months later when I had my flywheel replaced, I couldn't believe how fast the engine responded to throttle input. I suppose my only recommendation would be to find someone in your area with a lightened flywheel MINI and experience it for yourself. I'm sure that'll cure any engine response woes you have currently.

As far as the engine damper, I suppose it could help in a limited way, as any power not transferred to the wheels is a loss, but I don't feel that will give you much better response. I recently installed the damper myself and the only thing I've noticed is much smoother and precise shifting, mostly due to the transmission not rocking back-and-forth as much.

GotMINI

 

Hm... good points... I guess it's a hit or miss with your dealer then.