[watt]

Dear all:
Seems that the preivous posted subject was mainly focused on MCS, so I tried to open a new subject here for all the MC owner.
I'm planning to hv my babe modified but I hv no idea what should I do first? So, any suggestion?
Actually, the original plug wire & those spark plugs of my MC were replaced, maybe I will upgrade the air-intake of my car. I wonder if anyone here had changed the air-intake kit from Promini, pls give me some advanse!
Nice Driving!
Allen

[Hubert]

Allen,
I've just been through this stage.
In terms of performance mods, IMO, the best mod is to get lightweight wheels in 15" or 16" and some performance tyres. It's expensive but it makes a big difference in terms of acceleration, cornering and braking. I can tell you that it's worth every $$$. (I took SMG's advice!)
The panel filter is also a good idea, since you can always switch back to the stock paper filter when you need to go back to BMW for servicing,and it'll only cost you a few hundreds.
The exhuast is more for the sound than anything else.
Try a search in the peformance and tuning disucssion group.
You'll find some useful comments on this.
Hope this helps.
Hubert

P.S. Are you coming tonight?

[ERdoc]

Allen,

There are fewer modification options for the Cooper. Hubert is right about lighter wheels and tyres - you should aim to keep the unsprung weight to minimum. You cannot run fast with a pair of lead shoes, can you?

I doubt the standard Cooper engine will benefit much from a replacement air intake, which is not a cheap option. My suggestion, in additon to tyres and wheels, would be a panel filter such as K&N, and a Superchip upgrade. A friend of mine had his Cooper fitted with K&N plus Superchip last month and he is well pleased. The engine now produces a slightly deeper tone as well as being more responsive. Acceleration is also smoother and requires less effort.

Hope this helps.

Joseph

[watt]

Hubert & Joseph:
Thanks for the tips!
Allen

[watt]

Hubert & Joseph:
Let's talk abt the wheels, in my opinion, I think that it will affect the consistency of the outlooking if I change to some other manufacturer's wheels, besides, I'd like to know more abt the panel filter and of coz' the chips. where can I get those stuff then?
Thanks for your kindly help.
Allen

[watt]

Hubert & Joseph:
And the exhuast pipe, I've read a magazine which's showing a MC with its exhuast pipe modified. It's a twin pipe seperated on both sides at the back. should I call this is a "swallow pipe"? not the centred one like MCS, any comment on it?
Allen

[jerjermy]

Very interesting, any suggestion on the place for super chip? I'd like to have mine done as well
Jeremy

[Hubert]

Allen,

Wheels:
If you want better performance, then I guess you'll have to sacrifice the looks (that's if you prefer the looks of the stock wheels). You can check out the wheels and tyres discussion board for some pics of what wheel choices you have. I've recently purchased a set of 11Lb 16"s and I've got a few photos of it in my gallery
FYI, stock 15"s weigh about 15Lbs, stock 16"s at 20Lbs and stock 17"s at 25Lbs.

Panel Filter:
It's just a drop-in filter. I'm sure the salesman will install it for you for free when you buy it. It's just a matter unfastening a few screws to open up the air filter box, exchange the filter, and then put the screws back. It's the easiest DIY mod IMO. You'll get a slightly deeper note than before when you rev your car above 4000rpm.

Exhausts:
As far as I know, there're 3 companies selling the swallow pipes:
AC Schnitzer http://www.acschnitzer.com - $6500 directly from BMW. This one will not void your warranty.
Remus http://www.remusexhaust.com - list price is 600 Euros (I think they made that AC exhaust)
Laser Exhaust http://www.laserexhausts.com - This one "looks" lighter and is probably cheaper, available from BMWorks.

Chips:
I don't know anyone who chipped the MC, so I can't help you there.

Hope this helps.
Hubert

[watt]

Hubert:
First of all, thank you so much for da useful information, somore? :P, and where can I find the panel filter, then?
Allen

[ar75]

Watt,

BmWorks, TW Auto, Invo and Improve will do. It costed about HK$550 a few months ago. It could be cheaper now. Hope I can help.

Manho

[Hubert]

Oops, I left that one out. The BMC panel filter is actually $700 if you purchase alone. K&N should be cheaper though.

Manho,
You've got the swallow pipes installed. Don't you?

[ar75]

Hubert,

I just put on roof decals and an aftermarket antena though I've got K&N filter, Magnecor wires and Denso plugs because I'm lazy. They wiil be in the right place soon...I hope.

BTW, did you join the night parade last Saturday? Enjoy it?

[Hubert]

Yeah, I was there, and I think my car was behind yours for a while. Maybe there're just too many Minis. I can't remember exactly who is who

We were very lucky that the rain didn't last very long

[AL912]

Did anyone try the supersprint exhaust, the manufacturer claimed that exact horsepower could be increased by installing the exhaust system.

Andrew Lee (AL912)

[makeric]

According to the EVO, janspeed seems very good for MC. Does anyone know where can I install this tuning kit in Hong Kong? TW sports or BM works and what's the price?

The following is what i recap from the janspeed website:
MINI Cooper 140PS Performance Package

Cylinder Head Conversion

Tuned Length Stainless 4-2-1 Manifold

Sports Catalyst

Stainless Steel Exhaust System

Serial Port & Re-Programming Available For MINI One/Cooper & Cooper S

Exhaust System Available For Cooper S

£1499.00


Thanks for your help.

Eric KZ708

[watt]

Hubert:
Would u mind to tell me abt the oil consumption after installating those products?
Nice driving!
Allen

[watt]

Andrew:
Where did u get those 17" stock wheels? It's not the factory's standard for MC, right?
Nice driving!
Allen

[ERdoc]

Superchips' website:

http://www.superchips.co.uk

The upgrade for the Cooper will gain 8bhp. However, this is actually not the most important aspect. I find the modified car smoother and more responsive, and more willing to accelerate. There is also less hesitation on moving off.

The conversion is non-physical: there are no parts to be installed or removed. New software is uploaded to the engine ECU and the stock program is stored on a 'key' and can be re-loaded if necessary.

Superchips is represented by GTI Engineering in HK. They are in Chai Wan and their phone number is 2560 8775.

I have had Superchips upgrades for my cars since the late '80s and I am generally pleased with them.

As for aftermarket exhausts, my limited experience with them has taught me not to be too optmisitc when it comes to power gain and I won't be too disappointed. I only replace a stock exhaust system if I am not happy with the stock sound. Any power gain is a bonus rather than a matter of course. More often than not, the power gain at the high end comes at the expense of low end loss. In terms of 'bang per bank', after market exhauts do not rate very highly, IMHO. Again, for our road conditions, I value low and midrange torque rather than outright power.

Just my 2 cents, of course!

[Hubert]

Oil consumption? You mean fuel consumption?

The lighter wheels should improve the fuel consumption a bit. I never measure the mpg so I really don't know. There's one thing for sure though. My car's significantly more thirsty when I had those stock 17" S-spokes on.

As for the filter, I don't think it'll make any noticable differerence to fuel consumption.

[AL912]

Hi Allen,

My rims and tires are from BMW vendor which are located at Chai Wan and To Ka Wan and it's name is Kam Wai. They can help you to search for new rims and tires.

Regards,
Andrew Lee (AL912)