[NFCooperS]

Hey guys... a possible turbo in the works. I'm really looking for the most performance out of the Mini. Car is an 04 Rally Cooper S. I am hopefully getting Alta's turbo kit depending on their answers to the email that I sent them. I will hopefully be coupling that with their larger intercooler, custom exhaust downstream. I'm not sure how the funds will pan out after that, but some things I'm looking at are:

Custom tuning: Who's "mail order" is the best? I will need more performance, with specific modifications taken into consideration. It will need to be loaded by myself. With either a hand held programmer or a laptop.

Lightweight rims: How big of a difference will this make? Are the stockers that heavy? If it's not a big deal, the stock rims are to my liking, but I've seen big improvements in other vehicles by going to lighter wheels and better tires (I believe mine is equipped with run flats)

Any suggestions would be most helpful. I'm of well above average automotive knowledge and experience, but am new to Mini's.

NFCooperS

PS . Does anyone know what is "special" about the Rally editions with the exception of the "sticker-charging" lol?

[Lohen]

Hi,

If you are really going to have a turbo put on your car then you need a custom map carried out on the rollers rather than just a simple pre developed map. ALTA should be able to advise you on something with regards to this matter.

Alternatively try speaking to Hubie at Fireball Tim Racing (www.fireballtim.com/), as he is the guy who developed the original twin chrger design on the MINI.

Hope this helps.

Andrey

[NFCooperS]

Thanks for the info!

As for the dyno tune, I highly doubt there will be anyone on this "rock"(Hawaii-Oahu) that will be able to tune it to my satisfaction. I would actually trust a mail order tune MUCH more as the general local automotive services have been.. shall we say.... lacking.

And I would like to contact this person, but the link does not work. Additionally, Alta has yet to return my emails....

NFCooperS

[Lohen]

Changed the link it should work now, once there go to the contact us section and find Hubie Fuh

Andrey

[cooper7]

you have pm

[Bilbo Baggins]

Quote: Originally Posted by NFCooperS

Hey guys... .

Lightweight rims: How big of a difference will this make? Are the stockers that heavy? If it's not a big deal, the stock rims are to my liking, but I've seen big improvements in other vehicles by going to lighter wheels and better tires (I believe mine is equipped with run flats)

Any suggestions would be most helpful. I'm of well above average automotive knowledge and experience, but am new to Mini's.

NFCooperS

PS . Does anyone know what is "special" about the Rally editions with the exception of the "sticker-charging" lol?

Lightweight rims make a huge difference. The stock 17" or 18" rims are very heavy, 22 - 25lbs each, depending. The stock MCS 16" V-spoke rims are better, in fact the lightest of the stock 16", 17" or 18" factory rims, at 17.6lbs each. The 15" 7-holies are the lightest factory rims at 12.5lbs each.

Granted the 15" rims are only 5.5" wide so a little narrow for optimum preformance. The 16" rims are 6.5" wide and much better. But after market rims are available that are much lighter..

Rims count as "unsprung" weight and every pound saved receives a preformance bonus by a factor of 6. In other words, 1 lb saved from unsprung weight is the equivalant of 6 pounds save on the chassie/body or anything else that is "Sprung" weight.

I have both the 15" 7-holies, for my winter wheels, and the 16" V-spokes for my summer wheels. The weight difference is very evident whenever I change my wheels.

As to the "special" things of the Rally edition, most were just a long list of dealer selected options that have nothing to do with preformace, any more than the "sticker-chargers" That is why the dealers could not unload them at their highly inflated price. IMHO