[jessed]

I posted this on another thread, but thought it would be more appropriate as its own thread, so here goes:


So is anyone from the US here? If not can anyone point me to a US site? I am trying to find good info on modding my 2003 Mini, but everything is about 'S' cars only.

I want to do an aftermarket air filter/intake and exhaust and really don't know what to get. I have been reading up on the JCW Sound Kit, but it seems like everyone is saying it is more of a sound improvement over performance? That and the price for this kit at my local Mini dealership is $1100 us dollars.............5 bhp and a 'good' sound are NOT worth it to me.

Any other suggestions as to aftermarket parts and remaps? My warranty is up in less than 2000 miles so that's not an issue.

Basicly I need to know what the best air filter/inake setup, exhaust, remap, and maybe header is the best bang for the buck.....price vs. performance.

Also are there aftermarket camshafts/valve springs/retainers available for the NON-S mini
s? Maybe even whole head packages?

I have read the entire 7 pages on the JCW sound kit and ALL the FAQ's.

thanks in advance,
Jesse from Nashville, TN, USA

[KPKalle]

Have a look at what the companies in the Sponsor Directory have to offer. I for instance have a K&N 57i intake on my Cooper. Plenty of ECU re-map options available too

[MiniFr34k]

Hi

Theres plenty of really good info on this site about engine mods etc. Do a search for things like "Cold Air Intake" or CAI - you should come up with some good results that is useful. Browse around for some answers im sure you will find plenty for ur engine mods, otherwise you can always ask, the folks here have been way helpful with helping me.

Also, you may want to try this web site: www.northamericanmotoring.com - about 90% folks there are from the US if that helps. Though when reading through that website besure to read past the BS that gets posted now and then.

Cheers and good luck.

[Paul]

Most of the registered members and guests to MINI2 are from the USA.

[jessed]

Quote: Originally Posted by Paul Mullett

Most of the registered members and guests to MINI2 are from the USA.

Ok thanks. It just seems like about 99% of what I have read on here has been posted by folks outside the US.

Thanks for all the info. I would like to hear you guys opinions on the setups that you actually own or have owned or have had hands on experience with.

Thanks again.

[obehave]

Any CAI kit will be so close in performance gains it really doesn't matter. Get what you like.
Aftermarket exhaust? Very subjective. Magnaflow, Borla or Miltek are the kost popular. Again splitting hairs on hp gains. find the one that sounds the best.

ECU tune. I don't know which is best for the Cooper but it's a good mod you should look into.

Lighter wheels and tires. Probably the best mod for a Cooper.

Suspension upgrades

Driving lessons.

[insane*mini]

Be sure to check out NAM like MiniFr34k said.

There are US people here!
-Cody

edit* Doh! I just wrote a big article and then remembered he said he had a Cooper! Ahhh well! lol.

[Paul]

Indeed, I wish the US people would be more vocal here, as they could easily make the place their own (according to the visitor and registered members stats).

[frylock]

>>>but it seems like everyone is saying it is more of a sound improvement over performance? That and the price for this kit at my local Mini dealership is $1100 us dollars.............5 bhp and a 'good' sound are NOT worth it to me

The only thing ANY exhaust+intake kit will do is add sound and <5 HP. To get maximum benefit from the exhaust+intake, you're going to have to change engine internals and/or do an ECU upgrade/remap. This isn't just true for MINI's, but true for every car.

[jeffroestobar]

Check out northamericanmotoring.com as already mentioned. You should be able to find some sound clips for the exhausts, but for a Cooper it is a lot of money for not much result. You can also try calling the folks at MINIMania.com or Mossmini.com, they can be pretty helpful.

A cheaper place to start would be an intake, for just a few hundred $. As well as a header. I have the OBX header, a copy of the spendy Supersprint, and it is very nice for less than $200 from Sparktec.com, good bang for the buck. As far as ECU remaps, MTH is a popular way to go. Unichip is twice as expensive for similar results.

[Paul]

MINI exhaust sound clip reference thread

^^ That thread has clips from many exhausts etc. if that's something you're interested in.

[jessed]

Thanks everyone for all the info.

YES I know that intake/header/exhaust/remap on a stock 1.6 liter engine will be minimal, but at least it will be something. I mean I am not expecting some huge power gain or anything. I have owned numerous Honda/Acura's and the same is say about them that simple bolt on's will only go so far.

I am just looking to gain anywhere from 20hp and up............and it seems like i/h/e and a remap will do the trick.

I am just trying to find the best bang for the buck cause it seems that everything is just more expensive for the Mini than what I am used to paying for Honda/Acura parts that do the same thing essentially. As in a decent intake would be like $50-$100, a decent header would be under $250, exhaust are pretty much the same, rechip/remap would be a little cheaper for a Honda/Acura as well.

Anyway, I was just asking for personal experience with specific products and I have researched about 20 different sites including all of the ones on the sponsor list and all the ones suggested so far.

I LOVE my Mini, it would just be nice to have little more power and smoothness to the powerband. I mean it seems like a turbo kit is out of the question because it seems impossible to find a kit and everyone keeps telling me that my tranny wouldn't hold the power, so I am trying to do what I can before getting into head work and block work.......which most likely won't happen. I mean I wouldn't mind dropping in a mild cam if it wouldn't effect daily drivability, but whatever.

thanks,
Jesse

[jeffroestobar]

Before you start pouring money into it, think about how much more a MCS would cost. I spent about a grand on my MC and didnt get much more power out of it, you'll be lucky if you get that 20hp. I gave up because that same grand would have given me 20-30hp on a MCS.

I finally spent less than 3 grand more for a newer MCS already modded with a exhaust and intake and am now parting with the MC, but lost the grand I put into the mods.

I am not trying to talk you into getting an MCS as others did this to me and I thought it was anoying. Just sharing my mistake for you to think about. Just think about how much you are planning to spend, and realize that you will probably spend more than that and never come near to the hp of a MCS, and compare that to how much the MCS upgrade would cost. I finally upgraded and wish that I would have done so before I spent the money, labor, and time on the MC, would have saved me much money.

[jessed]

Quote: Originally Posted by jeffroestobar

Before you start pouring money into it, think about how much more a MCS would cost. I spent about a grand on my MC and didnt get much more power out of it, you'll be lucky if you get that 20hp. I gave up because that same grand would have given me 20-30hp on a MCS.

I finally spent less than 3 grand more for a newer MCS already modded with a exhaust and intake and am now parting with the MC, but lost the grand I put into the mods.

I am not trying to talk you into getting an MCS as others did this to me and I thought it was anoying. Just sharing my mistake for you to think about. Just think about how much you are planning to spend, and realize that you will probably spend more than that and never come near to the hp of a MCS, and compare that to how much the MCS upgrade would cost. I finally upgraded and wish that I would have done so before I spent the money, labor, and time on the MC, would have saved me much money.

Def. good thoughts, but there is no way I could upgrade to a MCS. My wife and I got lucky to get the MC at the price we did or at least I think we did well and according to blue book we did well.

I actually bought a filter today that is made almost exaclty like the Piper Venom setup, so all I have to do is fab it up to work the same. I will only have about $40 in the whole intake setup.

After looking more at the existing stock exhaust system I have to to the conclusion that the existing midpipe is quite nice and is a decent enough size to accomodate a nice muffler. I am just going to get a new muffler put on and see how that does. That should only cost me $100 or so.

I am still looking in to getting the Superchips Bluefin from Lohen.

After these three mods I will pretty much be done, except for maybe a set of wheels and possibly some sort of front lip and maybe a few minor suspension mods down the road.

I am looking at having about $550 in the intake, exhaust and remap, with hopefully a gain of about 10-15 or so hp. I don't geuss that is too bad when looking at hp vs. $$$ , especially since most people are spending the $550 on exhaust alone.

I will keep everyone updated on how everthing goes and will post pics and vids maybe of my mods.

Thanks for the comments,
Jesse

[jessed]

Oh yea and I have only had the MC about 4 months and it is mostly my wifes daily driver, but it's my toy too

I actually just bought a 64 Plymouth Valiant that is in AMAZING condition for the amount of money I gave for it. It is my summer toy to just sit back and cruise around in. It actually draws more attention than the Mini does.

Anyway, that's why I am in NO WAY going to upgrade to a MCS in the near future, so I am going to make due with what I have.

Thanks