MINI Coopers engine (base model)

[Miniphobea Teen]

What do think of the MINI Coopers powertrain(engine)? Eventhough it is a very small engine, it still gets the job done. Sometimes I wish there was more power in the lower rev range, but once up to speed above 4000 rpms the car really pulls hard. What could I do to my MINI Cooper to improve on that? I have no engine work done. I also wonder why the MINI engine has such a deep tone to it. I do not find it buzzy like some 4 cylinders out there. Example (Honda Civic) I think it sounds good, like the car has more power than it does. Just reply and tell me what you think!!!!

[dansmini]

Your assessment of the engine is dead on, IMO. Supposedly an intake and exhaust mod will help the lower end "issues". I will know soon enough, as my Pro MINI intake and Rspeed exhaust will arrive today or tomorrow!

[obehave]

Intake, exhaust and ECU upgrade will all help to some degree.
Lighter tires and rims.
Not cheap
Just adding a higher flow filter will help a little bit.
Cheap

[dmholmes]

Quote: Originally Posted by Miniphobea Teen

What do think of the MINI Coopers powertrain(engine)?

Let's just say I bought the car anyway

Personal assesment is that it's "ok". I like the peakiness of it but wish it was smoother overall and didn't start to gasp before hitting the rev limiter. Low end torque is not great, but hey, it's a 1.6 liter, of course it's not going to be great. A little more refinement and I'd be a happier camper, but overall the car is still a blast to drive.

[minisoopercooper]

I think it's pretty good overall - just keep the revs up.

Will be interesting to see what the new engines will be like next year.

Paul

[rfibanez]

I have a moss mini intake and magnaflow exhaust and it has made good power over 3k rpm's. I have the 15" 7 holes and that helps acceleration too! I'm going to start focusing more on the handling now, if I can't beat a car in a straight line then I'll beat them in the corners!

[Burnout]

Quote: Originally Posted by rfibanez

if I can't beat a car in a straight line then I'll beat them in the corners!

That was my plan! I ran my lil' Mini at the strip the otherday, to many peoples amazement I managed to keep up with a halfass 18s.
I was thinkn maybe an egin swap would help out but its costly and I really dont know what engin would fit :-/ any thoughts?

[rfibanez]

An engine swap would be costly. You could go with Nitrous, like the M7/Venom kit. I know someone with a cooper running the venom kit and he beats all the ricers in his town haha. You could wait for a turbo kit to come out. M7 is also working on one which gives the cooper 150-200HP depending on boost. Theres other companies comming out with good stuff too...or you could buy a JCW engine off ebay and make a cooper sleeper.

[Burnout]

Yeah i looked at a turbo but it was like $3000 way more then i wana pay for a cool sounding horsepower booster. How ever this nitrous sounds very cool aswell, never heard of a coop blasin a shot of nitro, isnt it like hella bad for your pistons though?

[rfibanez]

The M7/Venom nitrous kit is pretty safe, its computer controlled so if it senses anything wrong it will automatically shut down.

nitrous cooper

[Burnout]

That Is the coolest thing ever!!! Hmm can u tell me where I can get my hands on one of these handy computer controlled throttle in a bottle?

[rfibanez]

Check out M7 tuning

or

Mighty Miniz

Peter is a great guy, give him a call he can help you out!

Mini Mania also carries the M7/Venom kit I believe.

Good luck with your mods!