[marc-s]

Just picked up my cooper s yesterdayand loving it. but out of interest what performance parts would people suggest first?
I know the car is quick anyway but it is a tuneale emgine so what the hey.
Is it best to start with filters or exhaust?
Works stuff to keep it oem or go after market?
Any advice will be greatly appreciated.
Marc

[Haggi]

what year is it as the new version dosnet have any parts out for it yet but if its an old model most people tent to start with induction kits and a reduction pully on the supercharger or a milteck exhaust kit

the jcw is a damm good conversion and if you can afford it worth every penny but the S is a pretty quick car from standard have a look at lohen or GTT for aftermarket conversions as thats who most folk on here use also west tunning at thruxton comes well regarded

[Richard Crofts]

OK bang for buck its a 15% reduced supercharger pulley and belt thats best. It Will give the biggest power boost for least expense and can be run on the stock map, but it works better if the map is revised...lohen do one specifically tailored for the 15% pulley (JCW is between 11% and 14% reduction, theres some debate over its actual reduced size but its around that mark).

Next is a good cold air induction kit, GTT and Alta seem to be the aftermarket leaders in this area (The JCW CAI is also pretty decent but GTT do a kit to change the insert which makes it even better).

Last of all is exhaust or even a full exhaust and manifold set-up, GTT (manifold) and Milltek (full system) seem to be firm favourites but there used to be a JCW option from the JC garages.

After these basic items your into remap and some more major work around the head, injectors and other engine parts to obtain preformance increases...Oh but GTT do a bypass valve optimisation which can help add a bit of boost and a new supercharger intercooler always adds a bit.

JCW is good quality and retains warrantees but is expensive and not the best stuff for maximising power...but it does give aboost and look very tidy and original. Aftermarket voids warrantees on those parts but is cheaper and will get you more power for your cash if you buy the right stuff.

TBH IMO before major power the S really see big benifits in making it better in the bends than anything else...the car already beats a lot of stuff out there for pace but traction and handling can make even TDi Audis give it a run. Get some lightweight wheels (if your not worried about warrantee). Strutbrace for front top and chassis brace for the bottom. New thicker antiroll bars and either a coilover kit or some lowering springs will make the car really unbeatable in the bends (except by a lotuc exige )

Once this is all done your well on the way to have a flying machine.

[Mini Princess]

Alta CAI. Increases power (not majorly) and sounds mint

[futureal33]

Agreed, the Alta CAI was my first mod and I was lucky enough to pick one up on eBay for £100. Would NEVER go back to the original one now, its added loads more power and as the last post said - it sounds fantastic.

If you can afford it, get an Alta or GTT CAI - both are considered the market leaders, a 15 or 17% reduced supercharger pulley and some Iridium Spark plugs - that should give you upto 200bhp, from there 'the mini is your oyster' so to speak

Enjoy!"!!

[Haggi]

you wont get 200 bhp out of that lot im sorry maybe 10 -15 at the most but in terms of improvment to the car it will be worth it as richard said 15% pully is the way forward as it give the best results at this stage of tuning

[marc-s]

The car is an early model s. Read a little bit about these pulleys but not that up to scratch with them. What sort of cost should i expect to pay?
I liked the sound of the jcw box but then read it needs programming to make the flap work or something, as you can tell im quite new to forced induction.
How much would i remap cost?
I will look into the tuning kits as a package but think i'm ginna put a few miles on the car as in the last 3 and abit years its only overed 13k.

[Haggi]

a good start point for many seems to be the GTT 220 conversion i know a few folk with this and none have been dissapointed where are you based about ? as if your close to emim sure they would take you out for a spin

[marc-s]

Im based in easst london/essex

[M1OY CS]

I live in woodford east london/Essex!

[Haggi]

Quote: Originally Posted by marc-s (original)

Im based in easst london/essex

roland GTT is based down in blanford in dorset and lohen are up in eccallshall staffordshire bit of drive i know but you wont regret it

[marc-s]

Quote: Originally Posted by M1OY CS (original)

I live in woodford east london/Essex!

How bout that, thats where i live Woodford!

[Richard Crofts]

The JCW box just bolts straight into an S. There are some wires to connect that allow the flap to open but they are supplied in the box and are easy to connect up. I believe there is a how-to page somewhere on here for it.

GTT are excellent, I have a friend who has a car thats a mix of JCW and GTT stuff and he swears by it. Lohen also appear to have a decent rep with some folk, both Cooper and S owners. Much of this work can be done bit by bit in your garage or on the drive the only really bugger is the removal of the old pulley and the fitting of an exhaust without ramp or pits...but its doable.

R

[marc-s]

Cheers def gonna be looking into the gtt kit as it looks like a good package so mite purchase a miltek first, and i'll keep an eye on the classifieds to see if anything comes up in the mean time.

[iggy]

the best bang for the buck first mod is a pulley. If you want a cheaper first mod, a intake is a good choice.

[marc-s]

What intakes have the best rep with users?

[Haggi]

GTT cold ram or Lohens ALTA kit both are very good imo and most folk on here rate them well

[M1OY CS]

well mark id be happy to take you for a spin if you like?

You can have a listen to the Milltek or the GTt cold air induction

PM you address or phone number and ill sort something with you.

[Richard Crofts]

The GTT and Alta CAI have good reps and have been shown to produce some of the most significant improvements to power/flow of the many options available....there are some better ones but they are extremely expensive and difficult to fit carbon options...and TBH the increases are not massive anyhow considering the cost that these specialist race types ones carry.

[Bhozar]

I have a JCW that was 200bhp. Fitted the GTT CAI kit myself in half an hour. Was a great upgrade and easy to do. I then took it down to Roland @ GTT to get a whole load of swanky things done. All of the JCW level 1 stuff and some of the level 2 stuff. Fitted a GTT manifold myself at a later date and a GRS intercooler. Would have fitted a GTT IC, but the GRS was so cheap for me it was an offer I couldnt turn down.

After all that she does the 1/4 mile in 15.2 seconds. The 350bhp Monaro in the other lane did the 1/4 mile in 16.2 seconds. I'm quite happy with those results. The car is a lot of fun.