[batou]

Well Saturday I finally "finished" my planned engine mods at 1320, big thanks to both Chris and Paul both very funny top blokes. Had a really good day and the car finished on a good note too!

Previously I had a 15% Pulley, NKG BKR7EVX Plugs (asked for Iridium though) fitted by Minispeed and Alta Panel Filter and made a modest, if not a little low 167whp (200bhp) at the Surrey RR shootout. Happy but wanting more.

When doing the leak down and compression tests Paul found the previous plugs were not tightened correctly. We also noticed at that point they weren't the plugs I expected. This may explain the modest output at Surrey due to lost compression.

The leak down and compression tests showed a strong engine so all is good! The car (anAug 2003 car) is now as follows:

15% Alta Pulley
NGK Iridium Plugs
Stripped JCW Airbox with ITG filter
JCW 380cc Injectors
JCW Catback Exhaust System (without the flat bit)
JCW GP Intercooler
MCS 2005 Software

We managed a very respectable 199 whp, Chris had some serious determination to break the 200whp barrier but it just wasn't happening (even with Pauls attempt on making the air denser lol ). All in all a corrected 234bhp is not exactly something to sniff at with those mods, whats 0.7whp between friends anyway lol

For the amount of cash spent I'm so happy, I am so, so glad I went this route rather than buying an off the shelf numbered kit. It's so much more rewarding when research pays off, you feel more involved in the whole process.

The exhaust is exactly what I wanted. It no longer drones and only when you plant it do you get a awesome aggressive rasp and lots of pops and bangs on overrun the note is just right. Perfect fit too with no problems with centring it. Perfect.... if a little quiet, however I was planning on getting a manifold at some point.

Next on the list are the suspension bushes as they are shot, Chris was saying the car should feel like a go-kart when not only are they replaced but also uprated.... slightly confused as the car already feels like go-kart..... **** knows what it will feel like to me then!!!!! . After that I need some more stopping power I think, not sure which route to take yet though.

Oh and on a side note, I love the car BigShow! The coilovers and brakes certainly look the part. I love the colour combo, as much as I like my car the white and BRG is such a perfect combination .

Also had the JCW carbon scoop fitted over the weekend, lovely piece of kit...

[Matblack]

This sounds like a very interesting set of mods, the kind of thing I'd be wanting on my 06 Works, did the car start off as a Works or an S?

Congrats on the power increase, I'm darn sure my output is nothing like 200WHP!

What kind of money did you need to spend to get that performance boost? I presume that all the parts being JCW mean that a car which was in warranty would still be eligable?

I am also considering Roland's basic JCW pack but using non OEM parts this obviously carrys some risk to warranty so I have to decide if I just keep standard until 3 years or risk the warranty, of course there is also the option to change to the new Works

Sorry for all the questions

MB

[batou]

The car started out as a Standard 163bhp MCS with an old generation blower. Since standard In total I have spent £1.9k on engine mods including fitting. Considering most JCW make 165-170whp and cost £3k can you really afford not to spend that money

My car has a non manufacturer warranty but I'm sure the JCW parts help if you have a BMW warranty.

I highly recommend 1320Autos, faultless friendly service and their prices are almost too reasonable... to the point where you almost feel guilty not spending more lol. You certainly won't end up wasting money on things you don't need.

[Matblack]

Thanks, it certainly sounds like any Works would benefit from a visit to 1320 to take its abilities for under the quoted spec to at least what it should be. I'll drop them a line and see what they suggest

Thanks for the input

MB

[batou]

To be honest wouldn't just fitting a 15% Recduced Pulley & plugs (approx £280-310 fitted) and maybe a Manifold (approx. £600-650 fitted) push your car beyond my spec. Under the assumption the engines strong it would make more

[Matblack]

Quote: Originally Posted by batou (original)

To be honest wouldn't just fitting a 15% Recduced Pulley & plugs (approx £280-310 fitted) and maybe a Manifold (approx. £600-650 fitted) push your car beyond my spec. Under the assumption the engines strong it would make more

I'm not sure to be honest, the done thing with the Works seems to be changing the crank end for a +3% rather than the pully for a -15% due to the interface on the JCWs pully and the chance of wrecking it if you have to change it back.

I'd certainly consider the manifold, maybe a JCM to keep the car as stock as possible

I've put a post on 1320's forum and we'll see what they suggest, might have to take a wizz up there at some point

Thanks again

MB

[Rigsey]

Quote: Originally Posted by batou (original)

Well Saturday I finally "finished" my planned engine mods at 1320, big thanks to both Chris and Paul both very funny top blokes. Had a really good day and the car finished on a good note too!

Previously I had a 15% Pulley, NKG BKR7EVX Plugs (asked for Iridium though) fitted by Minispeed and Alta Panel Filter and made a modest, if not a little low 167whp (200bhp) at the Surrey RR shootout. Happy but wanting more.

When doing the leak down and compression tests Paul found the previous plugs were not tightened correctly. We also noticed at that point they weren't the plugs I expected. This may explain the modest output at Surrey due to lost compression.

The leak down and compression tests showed a strong engine so all is good! The car (anAug 2003 car) is now as follows:

15% Alta Pulley
NGK Iridium Plugs
Stripped JCW Airbox with ITG filter
JCW 380cc Injectors
JCW Catback Exhaust System (without the flat bit)
JCW GP Intercooler
MCS 2005 Software

We managed a very respectable 199 whp, Chris had some serious determination to break the 200whp barrier but it just wasn't happening (even with Pauls attempt on making the air denser lol ). All in all a corrected 234bhp is not exactly something to sniff at with those mods, whats 0.7whp between friends anyway lol

For the amount of cash spent I'm so happy, I am so, so glad I went this route rather than buying an off the shelf numbered kit. It's so much more rewarding when research pays off, you feel more involved in the whole process.

The exhaust is exactly what I wanted. It no longer drones and only when you plant it do you get a awesome aggressive rasp and lots of pops and bangs on overrun the note is just right. Perfect fit too with no problems with centring it. Perfect.... if a little quiet, however I was planning on getting a manifold at some point.

Next on the list are the suspension bushes as they are shot, Chris was saying the car should feel like a go-kart when not only are they replaced but also uprated.... slightly confused as the car already feels like go-kart..... **** knows what it will feel like to me then!!!!! . After that I need some more stopping power I think, not sure which route to take yet though.

Oh and on a side note, I love the car BigShow! The coilovers and brakes certainly look the part. I love the colour combo, as much as I like my car the white and BRG is such a perfect combination .

Also had the JCW carbon scoop fitted over the weekend, lovely piece of kit...

Nice bhp number; what was your max torque?

[batou]

Quote: Originally Posted by Rigsey (original)

Nice bhp number; what was your max torque?

I forgot to take a scan / pic of the graph or even bring it with me but I've got a feeling it's starts about 140ft/lbs and peaks at 173ft/lbs.

One reason I was considering the manifold was for sound and torque but to be honest the car feels brilliant to drive atm. I understand the whole hp is what it can do and torque is how quick it gets there but I drive this car on the power band anyway so I'm not really in any rush .

[BigShow]

Congrats on the new power mate, that's an awesome achievement for the £'s spent and again confirms 1320's theory of modding to be spot on. It's looking mint too, love the scoop!

Thanks for the comments on mine, very pleased with it but still got plenty planned, just can't wait to get it back!

[batou]

Quote: Originally Posted by BigShow (original)

Congrats on the new power mate, that's an awesome achievement for the £'s spent and again confirms 1320's theory of modding to be spot on. It's looking mint too, love the scoop!

Thanks for the comments on mine, very pleased with it but still got plenty planned, just can't wait to get it back!

No problem... more!!!?? Mate, I'm starting to wonder if you'd have been better off buying a Challenge car and making it road legal!

[Hugo]

Thats the same as myself, I can't afford A works kit tho the car has loads of Works extras, JCW seat, steering wheel, etc with bonnet scope, mirrors etc.

Currently I'm running with;
Milltek cat-back
Denso idrium Plugs
Stripped JCW Airbox with ITG filter which went in last week and has made a big difference.

I'm looking to do more tunning. I was looking at a challenge kit but couldn't afford £3800 plus gettting the car to england

[BigShow]

Quote: Originally Posted by batou (original)

No problem... more!!!?? Mate, I'm starting to wonder if you'd have been better off buying a Challenge car and making it road legal!

Lol, probably right... however the challenge car hasn't got enough grunt will defo be copying its lightweight awesomeness though and I am going to move hell and earth to get the R56 challenge cars rear diffuser/venturi onto my car along with a flat undertray and front splitter, I want that so bad!!!

[Damo]

Quote: Originally Posted by BigShow (original)

Lol, probably right... however the challenge car hasn't got enough grunt will defo be copying its lightweight awesomeness though and I am going to move hell and earth to get the R56 challenge cars rear diffuser/venturi onto my car along with a flat undertray and front splitter, I want that so bad!!!

That diffuser looks the muts nuts doesn't it!

[DaFlake]

What is MCS 2005software?

[batou]

Quote: Originally Posted by DaFlake (original)

What is MCS 2005software?

BMW flashed my ECU with the latest MCS software map used on 2005 models. It's made quite a difference, however the torque curve has changed quite a lot from what it was before. It did feel immediately better to drive, it was previously running very rich.

[tickler]

Uhm, I was on a dyno yesterday and got 156hp at the wheels. How much do you guys add to get the correct HP from engine?

[BigShow]

Quote: Originally Posted by tickler (original)

Uhm, I was on a dyno yesterday and got 151hp at the wheels. How much do you guys add to get the correct HP from engine?

Oooh, you're opening a can of worms here ... 25bhp on top?? But that would be a complete guess.

[Paul Webster]

We've seen anywhere between 29 and 45, we see most Mini's in the mid 30s though. Bataou's was 35

Our dyno measures the losses on the run down through its TAT computer system.

[batou]

Quote: Originally Posted by 1320autos (original)

We've seen anywhere between 29 and 45, we see most Mini's in the mid 30s though. Bataou's was 35

Our dyno measures the losses on the run down through its TAT computer system.

My knackered bush probably didn't help lol

Keep me updated on the Manifolds Paul as I'll probably have that done when the bushes are changed

[DaFlake]

I wonder what you would pull with a custom tune rather than running stock software? The MCS software is fairly flexible, but it is very conservative.