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Sep 27th, 2004, 11:07 AM
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 West Tuning 210/215bhp conversion review I recently run a group buy for West Tuning for 210/215 bhp MCS conversions at a discounted rate, amongst other products including brake conversions and Milltek exhausts: http://www.mini2.com/forum/showthread.php?t=68334 As soon as the group buy finished I was eager to get my 210/215bhp conversion done at the earliest opportunity, so a couple of weeks back I booked my car in with Ray to have the work carried out on Friday 24th September. After an early start and a traffic free 2 hour journey from my home in Essex, I arrived at West's at around 10am, parked outside his premises were various tasty cars including 2 tuned Cooper S’s (both wearing 18’’ wheels and huge brakes, which I am told both have the 240bhp conversion), a Noble M12 GTO and a BMW Z3M.Time for some introductions - After speaking to Ray many times on the phone it was good to finally put a name to a face and confirm what I already knew and what many others had told me - that Ray is quite possibly the nicest bloke in the Tuning industry  After our introduction I decide to leave Ray to work his magic on my Leccy Blue. The conversion takes around 5 hours to complete; the waiting time was made easier due to the fact that Thruxton Race circuit was a 5 minute walk away from his premises. After hours of watching Lamborghini Murcielago's, Ferrari F355 and 360's, Porsche 911 turbos etc blatting round the circuit it made me even more eager to get hold of the keys to my newly converted 'S'.  I opted not to have a before rolling road session as I pretty much guessed it would have been around the quoted 164bhp mark (before and after rolling road sessions are included in the price), however I did choose to have the after session which confirmed a healthy 210.8bhp @ 6710rpm and 192.2 lb ft of torque @ 4204rpm (see charts at the bottom of this thread). Ray went on to tell me that power output can vary slightly between S models, mine being a few BHP less than some others he had converted – still, I was more than happy with the final figure. After the rolling road session, Ray wanted to road test the car to make sure everything was OK on it. I decide to go along with him as the co-pilot. As soon as we get out the Industrial estate Ray proceeds to boot the throttle – first impressions are – WHHHHOOOOOAAAAHHHHHH!!!!!!!!!!  The car feels seriously fast, the extra 46 odd bhp being VERY noticeable. Ray proceeds to floor the throttle until we are traveling at unmentionable speeds (all on a private road of course  ). The biggest difference is the extra oomph above 4500rpm (not that it feels sluggish below this mark), this is when the car goes from being fast to feeling sub sonic all the way to the increased rev limit of 7250rpm – the extra 500rpm makes a really big difference and helps to get every last ounce of power out of each gear. We go around a corner at a speed which I would never dream of doing my self, yet the car just grips the road and power’s out of the corner with a slight chirp of wheel spin. A couple of things then come to my mind, firstly the sheer speed of the newly converted car, secondly the improved handling thanks to my newly fitted eibach springs (fitted a few weeks back), thirdly the impressive driving performed by Ray and lastly, why didn’t I bring a clean pair of pants with me!!!! Ray is used to test driving powerful machinery including Ferraris, Nobles etc so a 210bhp S must feels some what slow to him.Ray confirms what he had told me earlier ‘’The engine feels a lot tighter than some of the other cars I’ve converted. You drive the car too carefully don’t you? You need to rag the car a bit more – those are the ones which have loser engines and ultimately feel faster. The engines are near enough bomb proof and like to be redlined!!!’’. Due to the cars self learning ECU Ray reckons I could see around another 4/5bhp in a few months time. NICE! We return back to the workshop in one piece – me with a huge grin on my face, I can’t wait for the drive home. With the bill paid up and handshakes and thanks all round I leave his premises. The first chance I get, I floor the throttle in first gear – before I know It I snatch second and keep it floored – I look down at the speedo and see that I’m doing 70 odd mph in what feels like a few seconds. Now to test the higher gears, the journey home being the perfect proving ground as I eventually hit the M3 east bound. Once in the fast lane and with an open stretch of road ahead of me I floor the throttle in 5th gear, the car begins to accelerate like it is in third, this really impresses me. Looking down at the speedo is almost comical, the car just seems to leap forward in 10mph chunks – the needle looking like its going to burst out of the dial – seriously impressive stuff. Rep mobiles – move over !!!!!!! I rejoin the M25 in record time, only to be greeted with a massive traffic jam. Its Friday night rush hour and the rest of the journey home is a slow crawl – Doh!!!I Eventually I arrive home tired but elated and ready to take family and friends out for a test drive. My brother claiming that it doesn't feel far off the accelartion of a BMW M3 SMG (he used to be a BMW car sales man). Am I glad I got the engine conversion? – HELL YES, it’s the best money I’ve ever spent and gives the car the power it so rightly deserves at a fraction of the price of similar conversions. Subjectively it feels faster that the JC Works I test drove a few months’ back, the acceleration feeling more instant than the Works, with more power higher up the rev range. Above 4500rpm in any gear the acceleration is very impressive and doesn’t tail off even when reaching the increased rev limiter and the supercharger whine is noticeably louder . I can’t even begin to imagine what West’s 255bhp MCS must feel like (unfortunately I didn’t get to test-drive it as the car wasn’t at the premises). To me, 210bhp feels plenty fast enough!!!I can’t recommend this conversion enough. I am a very satisfied customer!!! Next on the list – Big brakes!!!!! Cheers, LB Last edited by Leccy_Blue; Sep 27th, 2004 at 12:14 PM.  |
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Sep 27th, 2004, 02:19 PM
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| This is with a stock exhaust right? You should ask if an aftermarket system will help. Sounds very nice. I'm envious that you guys have a selection of good tuners within a decent driving distance. |
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Sep 27th, 2004, 02:27 PM
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| Thanks mate Ray is a really cool guy - I have alot of respect for the work he does and also the way he drives - he shi  ed me up with his driving Yes, this is with a stock exhaust!! I was tempted to get a Miltek but my budget couldn't stretch to it. A cat back would probably add another 5bhp, a manifold would add another 8bhp or so. I kinda like the fact that I've still got the stock exhuast though - looks alot stealthier and gives no visual clues to the engine conversion. Cheers, LB. |
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Sep 27th, 2004, 02:31 PM
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| I had Ray's more powerful car for a day recently - twas stunning. I also had Ray take me up the same road in his 250bhp car, and remember, its got the big brakes too!!!! And the fact that he's an ex touring car driver, so he knows what he's doing. It was a stunning experience. Good review. Now get a sports exhaust and Rays 330mm brake conversion. |
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Sep 27th, 2004, 02:36 PM
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| Tony, I was a bit dissapointed that his demo wasn't there, but thinking about it, it probably saved me a few quid - I'm sure if he did take me out in it I would definately have been spending more money with him and I've promised the wife that I won't be spending any more money on the car.I didn't know he was an ex touring car driver - that would explain alot LB. |
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Sep 27th, 2004, 02:45 PM
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| I know, what the wife doesn't know won't hurt her  Ray mentioned to me that he may be organising a track meet at Thruxton for all his previous Mini customers. I'd be well up for it  LB. |
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Sep 27th, 2004, 08:28 PM
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| i'm not sure I'd be welcome back at thruxton..... See this thread as to why. http://www.mini2.com/forum/showthrea...light=thruxton It becamse a regular event, every weekend, with some of the other SCNM guys turning up too... Dabe, Jones, Buttons.... anyway, on the 5th occasion, plod turned up in force.... and we were, um, 'asked' to leave. Letters followed from the owners.... Then when I was down at Ray Wests last week even he mentioned it. Apparantly the owner of Thruxton came down and read him the riot act about abusing his curcuit.... Poor old Ray, had nothing to do with it. Don't regret it for a minute though, we had a blast. Still got some video of it somewhere to.... Very 'challenge Tony'....Way cool way to spend late Sunday evenings!!!!! |
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Sep 27th, 2004, 08:46 PM
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| Just read that post - don't think I would have had the balls to do that Still, if this meet does happen I would be very suprised if they remembered your car. Just went out for a quick blat, I feel like I'm getting used to the power already -NNNnooooooooo!!!!!!!! it still feels f'ing quick - more than enough to get you in trouble, I even got it to wheel spin chirp in 3rd gear on the whole it keeps traction very wheel though - can't wait to get the 18's though, I'm sure that will help with grip even more. Quite tempted by the idea of a cam as this apparantly gives around 12+ bhp in the MCS and improves bottom end power - NICE!!!! LB. |
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Sep 27th, 2004, 08:52 PM
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| Not recognise my car? Are you kidding. First they got the plates... G8 SSS, the, like the man said, Viper stripes, Jolly roger on the roof and the noise!!!! Drop me your email, I'll see if I can post you the movie.... |
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