[GRSmotorsport]

My MCS is now booked in for a high powered conversion 250-260bhp , but I’ve asked for the car to be as reliable as possible. I’ve been told by a couple of mini tuners that the original supercharger just can’t cope with high boost ,especially if you have an older mini like me . The older mini’s rotors are grey in colour and don’t like the heat, where as the black coated version on the later models are much better. I have a new, later supercharger ready to go on the car so this will help.

My question is, does anyone here have a high powered MCS ie 250-260bhp, that’s done at least 15-20000 miles? If so how reliable has it been?. I know Roland from GT Tuning's car has done 20K with no problems, and has done plenty of track days, but as he’s stated he doesn’t drive flat out for long periods of time.

Anyone views are much appreciated….

[Paul Webster]

Do you drive flat out for long peiods of time

[GRSmotorsport]

Quote: Originally Posted by 1320autos (original)

Do you drive flat out for long peiods of time

To answer your question, no I don't. Just interested to hear how folk are getting on.

I've spoken to 2 different tuners, who have said the same thing. I appreciate that the more power you ask from your car the more stressed it'll be under, its just finding a compermies......

[GARY GP]

i have had a minispeed 250bhp before my current car. you want to dyno the car to make sure that you are getting what you are paying for. 260bhp mmm easier said than done. it cost me £4800. what parts are in your conversion for what cost ??

[GRSmotorsport]

Quote: Originally Posted by gary bartle (original)

i have had a minispeed 250bhp before my current car. you want to dyno the car to make sure that you are getting what you are paying for. 260bhp mmm easier said than done. it cost me £4800. what parts are in your conversion for what cost ??

My car is dyno'd at 225bhp, and was tuned by West Tuning. At present it has large throttle body, GT Tuning pulley,Miltek exhaust and manifold, K/N panel filter, Charge Cooler and lived mapped. I'm now having a large valve head and cam to West Tunings design, plus another live map. Ray West now has a new rolling road, so I'll have some graphs....

[Loui]

Quote: Originally Posted by GRSmotorsport (original)

My car is dyno'd at 225bhp, and was tuned by West Tuning. At present it has large throttle body, GT Tuning pulley,Miltek exhaust and manifold, K/N panel filter, Charge Cooler and lived mapped. I'm now having a large valve head and cam to West Tunings design, plus another live map. Ray West now has a new rolling road, so I'll have some graphs....

Rays pretty darn good at what he does so id be quite happy to let him loose on my car. I fancy some more power extracted from mine

[Paul Webster]

I think its one of those funny questions which can never be answered or quantified, I've seen pistons which have melted and rods kicked out for no apparant reasons, then I've witnessed these motors with 30+lbs of boost turn 9000rpm and the aftermarket pistons, stock rods are ok and bearings perfect.

I think the saying "how fast do you want to go and how big is your cheque book" could apply, you could also add how much realibility Insurance do you want to the how big is your cheque book.

I would just go for it and not worry

[Loui]

Quote: Originally Posted by 1320autos (original)

I think its one of those funny questions which can never be answered or quantified, I've seen pistons which have melted and rods kicked out for no apparant reasons, then I've witnessed these motors with 30+lbs of boost turn 9000rpm and the aftermarket pistons, stock rods are ok and bearings perfect.

I think the saying "how fast do you want to go and how big is your cheque book" could apply, you could also add how much realibility Insurance do you want to the how big is your cheque book.

I would just go for it and not worry

I like your attitude paul

[Paul Webster]

Quote: Originally Posted by Loui (original)

I like your attitude paul

I suppose It does help to have attitude like that when you have a few spare bullets lying around

Though the combo will be far from stock for next year

[Loui]

Quote: Originally Posted by 1320autos (original)

I suppose It does help to have attitude like that when you have a few spare bullets lying around

Though the combo will be far from stock for next year

This sounds interesting

Graham just go an get it done LOL

[Revolution Mini Works]

Quote: Originally Posted by 1320autos (original)

I think its one of those funny questions which can never be answered or quantified, I've seen pistons which have melted and rods kicked out for no apparant reasons, then I've witnessed these motors with 30+lbs of boost turn 9000rpm and the aftermarket pistons, stock rods are ok and bearings perfect.

I think the saying "how fast do you want to go and how big is your cheque book" could apply, you could also add how much realibility Insurance do you want to the how big is your cheque book.

I would just go for it and not worry

Exactly.... it's ALL IN THE TUNING!!!! I have a 230whp supercharged mini that we tuned that has been running perfect for about a year on 91 pump gas and turning 8k.

btw... Paul.... I know those pictures you snapped of my drag car are probably being studied....

I want the royalty check....

[MINIMANIAUK]

As said its all in the tuning, the culprits are a)mechanical failures due exceeding the materials design strength limitations which in most cases in the MINI is very high,and secondly and more importantly b)HEAT . 2/3rds of the energy produced in burning fuel is heat , it is the extra heat that is the engine killer and it impacts a)
It is crucial to minimise the extra heat produced ,a large quantity of heat simply goes down the manifold/exhaust hence these should be optimised to allow the heat out (poor old cat will suffer) the head /valves should also be optimised for airflow to allow the heat out , the engine bay should also have extra cooling like bonnet vents,the oil system should have extra cooling cooler,and the radiator and water cooling system be enhanced,as with the intercooler, unfortunately a lot of high power conversions do not cater for this and thus longevity will be an issue,the most common problem is stage by stage tuning due to the cost of getting all the areas done at the same time and mix and match tuning using unsuited components often from that great tuning source EBAY !!!
the questions that people should ask is not how much bhp/torque or how loud it is but how does this effect the heat generated and how are you going to cancel it?and what are the associated likely failures -clutch,driveshafts,brakes,etc if all catered for then you can indeed have a reliable hi power car

[duncanbanana]

i think graham can design a nice big new radiator for his Mini

[GTT 280]

Hi all ,

I am running the 260bhp package plus many extras.

I am certainly interested in the issue of heat removal, specifically regarding the water cooling and air venting.

Also - when you say "driving your card hard for prolonged periods of time" - would driving hard for 30 mins with some normal 'rest' driving between constitute this? or are you talking about trashing it around a track lap after lap after lap?

I also plan on servicing my car (full engine inspection/rebuild) once per year if not twice.

I appreciate the element of not just working in more power to your engine, but also considering the durability - something i feel that GTT do well.

This thread could get very interesting....

Regarding the Supercharger - i have a brand new Eaton 5th Gen in the garage - is this the good or bad version? I currently have a JCW210bhp Oct 2004 build scharger - is this the good or bad version too?

Cheers,
K.

[MINIMANIAUK]

Servicing helps greatly in longevity of any tuned engine,and factory service schedules go out the window,as an example the 50000 miles between plug changes as standard would not apply to iridium colder plugs in a tuned engine when the temps are far higher , more regular replacement is a cheap insurance considering the cost of failure -this is down to the owner not the tuner he can only reccommend that you change them,similar thing with oil changes -luckily the quality synth oils are very heat tolerant,but they do not so much break down as get contaminants and again a £5 filter change cheap insurance!
In a perfect world engines would run at a constant temp and rpm ,they dont and the material tolerances are designed to run within a range from cold start to a maximum ,the extra heat in tuning puts a strain on the cooling systems air,water and oil to keep up hence the extra heat can cause clearance issues and hot spots ,long term reliability will be affected ,and things like piston ring clearances become more critical its far simpler to add extra cooling and keep everything within its original ranges as much as possible. How many MINI ones are now running140 plus from the original 90bhp with all the cooling systems as stock and still relying on TLC service packages? The only changes to the supercharger was the coating surface to the rotors giving a tighter clearance and less air losses ,more efficient but still has speed limitations,pressure limitations,and airflow maximums