[3rdpillar]

I am taking this opportunity to extend my public thanks to the boys at Lohen for the excellent service provided during my visit to their premises yesterday.

I had been looking for service provider with whom to commence modding my MCS.
After making a few; exclusively at this stage, relatively local contacts, I was initially impressed by the feedback and prompt replies to my queries from Lohen. Thus decided upon using them to advise/procure and fit the first stage of my modding plans.

Stage 1: Manifold / cat back.

Decided by extensive use of the MINI2 forum, that the Janspeed / Milltek combination was the one for me. This based upon the port size, the 4 – 1 and the reported non-chav exhaust note.

Thank you people, you were right. On several counts;

1, exhaust is NOT intrusive under 3000.
2, with WOP, the sound is akin to a welsh baritone choir
3, sounds like a tuned race car NOT nail hole in the back box of a nova.
4, power delivery is smoother, (latest BMW map)
5, People notice. People smile.
6, Pound for Pound, more smiles per gallon.

Day of fitting:

Pleasant drive to Lohen headquarters’ met and greeted politely and introduced to the team. (nice touch).

Made to feel welcome, offered refreshment while you wait in an almost “front room”, of a waiting area. (get a license then you can put the telly on !) (XBOX/DVD available)

Work took the same time as estimated (3 hours), during which time I was updated upon progress and estimated completion time.

Work was tested by taking car out for a drive, then adjustments made. All done.

Not the least expensive mod I could have started with nor would Lohen have been the cheapest fitter, nor the cheapest supplier. BUT

My MINI is not cheap, my MINI deserved quality, and received it.

My MINI and I are Delighted.

Service providers like Lohen deserve to be in business cause they provide a quality service… just think about that next time you browse the WWW!

David / Milton CR/W MCS

[MINIdriver85]

That's good, I'm glad you are pleased with them and with your purchase! Keep us updated on your next step! lol

[BigShow300]

I too have the Janspeed/Milltek combo and agree with you, IMO its the best sounding combo and was perfectly fitted by the boys at Lohen.

Lohen fitted all my other mods too so if you want some advice on what's worked and what hasn't I can give you the benefit of my hard spent experience

[MINIdriver85]

bigshow did you fit a ported head too? if yes, which one?

[Nath316]

sounds good and is always good to see positive feedback

if you dont mind me asking how much was all this?

Cheers

[lucachiarelli]

Im glad you like your new mods. Cant wait to hear them on the next run

[3rdpillar]

Quote: Originally Posted by lucachiarelli (original)

Im glad you like your new mods. Cant wait to hear them on the next run

2 MINIs with these systems through Blackburn/Darwen town centres would be lets say rather loud!

[3rdpillar]

Next Step being considered: Replacing the K&N57i with a more obtrusive sounding KIT. ALTA ot GTT? any recomendations and why....

The sharpen up the handling; up the breaking spec, then pre dyno - power upgrades - post dyno .. Aero Kit....will it ever end? What I have decided though, as I suspect a few on here have is that the R53 will be staying in their ownership for a good while to come.

[3rdpillar]

Quote: Originally Posted by Nath316 (original)

sounds good and is always good to see positive feedback

if you dont mind me asking how much was all this?

Cheers

You have a PM

[Rigsey]

Quote: Originally Posted by 3rdpillar (original)

2 MINIs with these systems through Blackburn/Darwen town centres would be lets say rather loud!

Glad your enjoying the addition

Note: the sound improves during the first 2 weeks as I'm finding out with my GTT manifold

[3rdpillar]

Quote: Originally Posted by Rigsey (original)

Glad your enjoying the addition

Note: the sound improves during the first 2 weeks as I'm finding out with my GTT manifold

IMPROVES

From what to what ? ......Please tell

[k m s]

The Janspeed/Milltek was the first performance mod I made to my car, also fitted by the chaps at Lohen. You made an excellent choice all round

[Rigsey]

Quote: Originally Posted by 3rdpillar (original)

IMPROVES

From what to what ? ......Please tell

See this thread:

http://www.mini2.com/forum/engine-dr...en-broken.html

[BigShow300]

Quote: Originally Posted by MINIdriver85 (original)

bigshow did you fit a ported head too? if yes, which one?

No, however I've got to make a decision on which I'm going to fit so be good to hear what others have fitted as I really can't decide what route to take...

Have looked at the all singing all dancing Lohen Performance Head with bigger valves, new cam etc but I'm also going to have a chat with Paul at 1320 about what he's got planned. The problem is I need to get everything else done at the same time to cope with the extra power... so far the list looks like this:

Remove air con
Ceramic coat the inside of the janspeed
New Head, Cam, Valves
Bespoke Remap
Quaiffe
Exedy Clutch
Short shift kit
Lightweight (fatboy) seats
Coilovers
Oil cooler
Aero kit
Pro Race 1.2's (ordered 2 months ago but will be a miracle if they turn up before next summer!)

Don't think I've missed anything off the list... partridge in a pear tree perhaps... but I'm on a mission to get it all done by the latest of April next year

[Darthbladerni]

Ok first of all how much and where did you get it done??

I live in northern ireland atm but i am driving to Dervy over easter for a car show, i would love to get something done but dont know where to go.

Also do they deliver?? has anyone got anything delivered and got it fitted by a third party?

Thanks Colin

[MINIdriver85]

Quote: Originally Posted by BigShow (original)

No, however I've got to make a decision on which I'm going to fit so be good to hear what others have fitted as I really can't decide what route to take...

Have looked at the all singing all dancing Lohen Performance Head with bigger valves, new cam etc but I'm also going to have a chat with Paul at 1320 about what he's got planned. The problem is I need to get everything else done at the same time to cope with the extra power... so far the list looks like this:

Remove air con
Ceramic coat the inside of the janspeed
New Head, Cam, Valves
Bespoke Remap
Quaiffe
Exedy Clutch
Short shift kit
Lightweight (fatboy) seats
Coilovers
Oil cooler
Aero kit
Pro Race 1.2's (ordered 2 months ago but will be a miracle if they turn up before next summer!)

Don't think I've missed anything off the list... partridge in a pear tree perhaps... but I'm on a mission to get it all done by the latest of April next year

lol, I'm on a mission too...my list of things to get fitted is:

This spring:

Gruppe M airbox
4-2-1 header + sport cat(still not decided which one, the minimania one which Paul has tested is tempting me...he got 10 bhp out of it on a cooper!)
cat-back (probably JCW)
remap

Next winter:

6-speed getrag gearbox (with all the conversion needs, which is quite a lot...)
Quaife
Exedy clutch+lightened flywheel kit (or Fidanza flywheel and Helix clutch, not decided yet)

2009 Fall:

Ported head (maybe big valve one, still trying to understand what's better)
Schirck cam
possibly injectors and ported intake manifold
remap to armonize everything

so, you see...I've got quite a lot of things to fit too

I'm pretty tempted by the Lohen big valve head too, I'm wondering why they use the exhaust big valve head and not the one with bigger intake valves too in their conversions though, which is what is keeping me oriented toward only exhaust bigger valves, or no bigger valves at all!

There are so many heads on the market it is pretty confusing!

Darthbladerni, yes, they ship the pieces to you so you can have them fitted by a third party.

[3rdpillar]

Quote: Originally Posted by Darthbladerni (original)

Ok first of all how much and where did you get it done??

Also do they deliver?? has anyone got anything delivered and got it fitted by a third party?

Thanks Colin

There are 2 parts to my thread.

1st being the delight in the results of the Manifold/Exhaust upgrade in both power delivery and tone.

2nd being the quality of service provided by Lohen and no doubt of MINI focused tuners.

Either arrange to have done what you wish for when you are over. Lohen not too far from Derby..

OR better still find a local MINI specialist, talk to them about what you have learnt from these forums, then check their advise back here... That way youre expectations will be met and even bettered.

[BigShow300]

Quote: Originally Posted by MINIdriver85 (original)

lol, I'm on a mission too...my list of things to get fitted is:

This spring:

Gruppe M airbox
4-2-1 header + sport cat(still not decided which one, the minimania one which Paul has tested is tempting me...he got 10 bhp out of it on a cooper!)
cat-back (probably JCW)
remap

Next winter:

6-speed getrag gearbox (with all the conversion needs, which is quite a lot...)
Quaife
Exedy clutch+lightened flywheel kit (or Fidanza flywheel and Helix clutch, not decided yet)

2009 Fall:

Ported head (maybe big valve one, still trying to understand what's better)
Schirck cam
possibly injectors and ported intake manifold
remap to armonize everything

so, you see...I've got quite a lot of things to fit too

I'm pretty tempted by the Lohen big valve head too, I'm wondering why they use the exhaust big valve head and not the one with bigger intake valves too in their conversions though, which is what is keeping me oriented toward only exhaust bigger valves, or no bigger valves at all!

There are so many heads on the market it is pretty confusing!

Darthbladerni, yes, they ship the pieces to you so you can have them fitted by a third party.

Those are some choice mods and nice to see a long term project... good to see Snowie getting some serious HP from the head change which has cemented my decision to fit one.

[3rdpillar]

Update

Just been advised that the MINI could be heard reverbrating round the hills. This is seriously LOUD! ( when you you want it to be ).

Let me find a tunnel

[lucachiarelli]

Trust me tunnels are immense if you can find one long enough