Time to Mod my MCS

[jas_bhoy]

Hi everyone,

I'm new to this forum and I have been reading a bit about stage 1 engine upgrades on the MCS. I have had my '04 plate MCS for a little over a year now and think it's now time for some modifications!

Firstly, I would like to start with getting my MCS upto around 200hp. Do I require a full induction pack including reduced pulley, intercooler, cold air intake, new spark plugs etc, or is this possible with fewer mods. I quite fancy GTT as I have heard only good things about them, however, I am based in Glasgow so I think FOM Sport in Edinburgh is more likely.

Has anyone here had any experiences with FOM Sport in Edinburgh?

Also, I would like your views on informing your insurance company about such modifications. I'm 22, so I don't think it would go well with my insurer. How much increase in insurance premium am I likely to expect?

Cheers

[bennyx_o]

You don't necessarily need an intercooler for 200bhp, Lohen, for example, do a 210bhp package which consists of an Alta reduced supercharger pully, Alta Filter, iridium spark plugs and Bluefin. Cheap enough too at around £500. Check out the sponsers section of the site for other tuners and see what they offer. Not heard alot about FOM, but I think they have someone who posts on here, you could always PM them and ask for info.

Not sure about the insurance side, but you shoudl inform them of any modifications or you policy could be void in the event of an accident.

[batou]

DONT get a bluefin remap for a MCS, they are generic. I have seen a graph comparison and the bluefin/superchips map made more power... but only at the top where the increased rev limit is! (Great if you rev over 7,200 ) but the stock map was better everywhere else (just not as responsive). Plus is more picky with fuel meaning an increased risk of pinking.

The cheapest and easiest route to power (as proven by 1320MINI many times) on a MCS is:

Pulley (15%/17%), Plugs, GRS Intercooler, Manifold, Cam, Custom Remap, Head. You don't really need any other "shiny" bits inbetween...

200Bhp shouldn't cost you anymore than £320 (pulley & plugs) as long as your engine is healthy.

There are lots of posts on this in this forum btw

James @FOM seems a top guy and only heard good things but I thought he was just a parts supplier, not sure he does fitting. Anywhere from Edinborough seems a trek!

[bennyx_o]

Forgot about 1320MINI, I was reading stuff about them in the thread abotu the pulleys yesterday.

[JerzyBondov]

Depending on who your insurer is they may not even offer to cover you for those sorts of modifications. Quite a lot of insurers just have set modifications they cover (like ECU tweaks) and don't understand what changing the pulley and plugs mean.
If you have any issues, both Greenlight and Adrian Flux are good for modified cars and young drivers. I'd recommend giving them a call.
Of course, the third option - which obviously I can't recommend - is not to notify the insurer. Changing your pulley and plugs is a very stealthy upgrade, and not one that can be easily spotted. But that's your call...

[CJB_MCS]

Another option which is closer to you than GTT is West Tuning. They are based near the Thruxton race rack and have a great reputation. Their stage 1 is competitive and similar on price to most with the advantage of a custom map for your car. Ray is very knowledgeable and worth speaking to..........link is here West Tuning - Mini Cooper S

If you do decide to go with GTT then I can recommend them, I have been really pleased with my conversion.

Cheers

[Ant FR]

or why not try thinkmini who are an authorised GTT supplier and fitter and are based in worcester, a lot closer than south coast.

[jas_bhoy]

Thanks for the all the replies guys. I definately have a lot to think about there. I'll give my insurance company a call tonight.

Right now I'm thinking GTT reduced pulley, belt, plugs and induction kit. That should get me near 200hp, right?

If worst comes to worst, and the insurance won't cover for those sort of upgrades then I will try another insurer. Adrain Flux seems to be a popular one here. How much do you think they would charge for a 22 year old with 2 year sNCB? I'm currently payin around £800 with Virgin Car Insurance.

I basically want to to get as much power as I can on the cheap. the 210hp conversion kits at around £1000 is a bit steep for me.

[batou]

Quote: Originally Posted by jas_bhoy (original)

I basically want to to get as much power as I can on the cheap. the 210hp conversion kits at around £1000 is a bit steep for me.

Did you miss the fact I said "200Bhp shouldn't cost you anymore than £320 (pulley & plugs) as long as your engine is healthy"? Conversion kits are expensive because they are sold at a premium If you just fit the proven parts you need then you can do it on a much better budget.

You don't need the induction kit to make 200, all your paying for is the increased whine (no deep induction roar) maybe 2-5hp at best. Best bet for you is 17% alta pulley and GRS intercooler. That should be around £750 and give you around 220ish

My car had a 15% alta pulley, plugs, GP intercooler (smaller than GRS), JCW injectors, induction & cat back and made 235bhp. All that for £1600 ish... and thats expensive because I bought OE JCW parts!

[MINI-Morgan]

Quote: Originally Posted by Ant FR (original)

or why not try thinkmini who are an authorised GTT supplier and fitter and are based in worcester, a lot closer than south coast.

I second this! ThinkMINI for 15 or 17% pulley and plugs only if you want 200hp. Get a compression and leak down test too to make sure you are in a good state in the first place.

[kingoftherodeo]

Im thinking of having the pulley and plugs done too, anyone know anywhere within reasonable distance from Bedfordshire (2hrs max) that can fit the pulley and plugs for me?

I had a look at Lohen and GTT but they dont do a pulley and plugs package for the prices you guys are mentioning (£300)

Is it possible to do yourself? Im not amazing with cars but if its not too difficult I can manage.

Cheers

[Darrin]

Quote: Originally Posted by kingoftherodeo (original)

Im thinking of having the pulley and plugs done too, anyone know anywhere within reasonable distance from Bedfordshire (2hrs max) that can fit the pulley and plugs for me?

I had a look at Lohen and GTT but they dont do a pulley and plugs package for the prices you guys are mentioning (£300)

Is it possible to do yourself? Im not amazing with cars but if its not too difficult I can manage.

Cheers

Yes - It is definitley possible to do this work if you have good basic mechanical skills. Doing the work yourself also gives another level of satisfaction, plus you'll get a better understanding of how your little car works.

There are plenty of good "How To" guides around to change pulleys - you wont find any of them on MINI2 - and if you opt for an Alta pulley it does come with a pretty good set of fitting instructions.

However, if you do intend to do this work yourself you will need the following:
1. Jack stands;
2. Hydraulic jack - to lift motor;
3. Pulley tensioner tool;
4. Pulley removal tool & puller - Alta do a nice one;
5. Torx screwdriver & bits;
6. Torque wrench;
7. Spark plug socket;
8. General hand tools etc.

As you can see if you don't have a lot of the above it can be quite expensive to tool up and do the job yourself and probably cheaper to have a tuner install the pulley for you.

I chose to do the work myself and found it to be quite rewarding and I'm definitely no mechanic. But if you chose to do the work yourself make sure you research well and have all your parts and tools ready beforehand!

[batou]

Quote: Originally Posted by kingoftherodeo (original)

Im thinking of having the pulley and plugs done too, anyone know anywhere within reasonable distance from Bedfordshire (2hrs max) that can fit the pulley and plugs for me?

I had a look at Lohen and GTT but they dont do a pulley and plugs package for the prices you guys are mentioning (£300)

Is it possible to do yourself? Im not amazing with cars but if its not too difficult I can manage.

Cheers

1320 MINI are near St. Neots in Bedfordshire

1320MINI Product List - Mini Torque

[J u s t]

Am so jealous that you guys can just take your Mini's in to a work shop and get things done over there.

There isn't a single place here in Perth (apart from Mini directly of course), where you can take your Mini to get some work done.

[kingoftherodeo]

Cheers Darrin and Batou!

Darrin - i think that sounds like more work than its worth, and expense. As much as i'd love all that gear I live in a flat so have no where to store it

I know what you mean about the satisfaction part though I used to own old minis and did most work on that, likewise with my old motorbike.

Batou - thats prefect, i've pm'd them for some more details, perfectly close too