[R99]

Hi folks.

This thread is purley out of curiosity, but hopefully it may help others aswell.
I am in no position to make mods to my car, as insurance is a big issue @ 19, plus I have borrowed the money off my parents to buy the car, so need to pay for it before I do anything!

Anyway... I was wondering what you can do to the engine to make it go faster, sound better etc.

I am aware of remaps taking the 88bhp to around 110bhp. Plus there are loads of threads about them on here....

But have read about air filters etc, do these affect the sound like they do on petrols?

So baiscally in a nutshell what can you do it it, without ugrading major components like the clutch etc. And what power can you expect from each mod?

Many thanks,
James.

[wheyaye2]

Modern diesels have long used efficient air intake systems, and as they deliver most torque at low RPM then changing the air filter will have negligable benefits. In addition to this, they're also generally designed to keep the noise levels down - diesels produce a lot of clatter, and don't return the nice sound you usually get from doing the same on petrols.

ECU upgrades and tuning boxes are by far the most common way to increase power. You get large gains, for generally a fair price and this is the best way to go initially. You can also upgrade your injectors, but gains may be limited on their own. You'd probably much better do this in conjunction with an ECU upgrade.

Changing the turbo boost pressure can increase power dramatically. But you'll also need to uprate the rest of your engine - heavier pistons, crankshaft etc, or your engine will generally break apart. Very expensive option to be honest.

Fitting a more efficient intercooler can improve your MPG and give you somewhat better power ratings. Somewhat expensive though for the gains given. Exhaust upgrades may give you a little more, but again there are better things you can buy first. Plus it'll make make the diesel clatter more prominent.

[R99]

Hi.

Thanks for the reply, interesting read. So an air box / filter upgrade wouldnt make any improvement really. I was interested by your comments about an aftermarket exhaust making the clatter more obvious.
I know its a completley different kind of car / engine but aparantly the Land Rover Td5 adopts an allmost V8 like tone with a new exhuast kit.

Once again, thanks for the reply.

[Ant FR]

Not sure i agrea with the above.

You can make the Diesels sound quite nice. Previous to my current MCS i had an Ibiza Tdi. i tuned that to 186bhp and just over 330lb/ft torque. It was an animal and was quicker 50-70 than acooby or any evo as i proved on quite a few occasions.

Anyway, i had a full milltek exhaust on that with downpipe and sports cat and it osunded the ****, crap on idle like a tractor but like an RS Turbo when on the go. Also lots of boost noise out of the exhaust too, cracking car.

Now obviously the one D is a lot smaller but same principles should exist, personally if possible i would do what most people on the TDi forums call a mufflerectomy on the One D if i owned one. Which is where you just have a straight through pipe from Cat to tailpipe and no exhaust boxes. This is a lot cheaper than buying a full system and to be honest would sound the same. Diesels do not need back pressure so remove it all.. in fact you could go as far as some of the SEAT boys have and remove the Cat too as Diesels do not have an immisions test.

If i ever need to do loads of miles i will Part ex my MCS for a One D and simply kit it out as an MCS. Plus the old One D is a lot quieter than the ugly new Cooper D

[Yellow/Black OneD]

Quote: Originally Posted by Ant FR (original)

Diesels do not have an immisions test.

Interesting, I bet your Ibiza was quicker than your Cooper S is, why did you trade it in?

Diesels do have to pass an emissions test for an MOT don't they? I've heard of a procedure of revving it to full revs before the test to clear all of the crud out of the system?

Correct me if I'm wrong........

[R99]

Ant FR: It sounds like that Seat was abit of a brute.

In about 18months I'm going to have to decide wheter I should stick with the ONE D and mod it (remap, aero kit and modify the exaust etc) or save the pennies and trade in for a similar aged, last of the R53 model, Cooper S's or if I cant get insured on that (should be able to though because I'll be over 21 by then), a Cooper. I just know that by then I will want more power Realistically does anyone know how much power could be got out of the 1.4 Toyota unit? I think a remap of the 88bhp variant can see it producing 110bhp, not sure on the torque figures though? Anyone know for sure? And what sort of 0-60 times are we looking at, just for a guide, to compare it to the 11.9 time that the standard 88bhp ONE D does.

Thanks,

James.

[JWF]

millteck to a turbo back exhust for the oneD but i would also look at some better suspension i know it sounds weird but some biltesin dampers would a good and a decent set of anti roll bars and have the brakes uprated and some decent light alloys (oem alloys are dam heavy) and good rubber goodyear eagle gsd3's or similar

[R99]

I really am a novice when it comes to exausts etc. But would the milteck option make the car sound better aswell as freeing it up? I have the R99 alloys on my car, which I *think* are quite light for OEM wheels. Like I say if I was to keep the ONE D for longer I would probably mod it once I am over the age of 21 and my insurance costs go down.

But then the sensible option as far as I can see would be to buy an MCS and avoid all the costs of modding for more power. But saying that I probs would end up modding the MCS or MC if I were to get one!

Glad I've got time to think about it! Still in the mean time, no harm in finding out what can be done to the ONE D.

James.

[JWF]

good part is when it dose come to modding your car sits in a very low insurnace group AFAIK as ive only been able to start on the cooper now im 23 as its group 8

i was looking at getting an S but thats group 15 to start with, and i love my cooper to much to sell. but i can now afford insrunace wise to have a fair ammount of fun with the cooper

as for the money of trading fit or a decent ish S iand insurnace on the s and mods i know i would do, i can have the cooper modded and get a westfeild to run for track days etc

[Ant FR]

yellow balck one D.

Yes the Ibiza was a brute, it managed a qtr mile in 14.8 best i could get out of the Cooper S is 15.8 standard. as for why did i get rid of it, well i don't honestly know, just got bored of the Diesel sound when driving round.

Yes it was faster than the Cooper S, but which is more fun well the Mini is. Lets just say i have had the Mini for 7 Months now and still the only thing i have done to it is full exhaust. Although only 163 bhp it still feels a lot more than that, i love it., plus the mini is alot more prestigious than a seat ibiza

[Yellow/Black OneD]

Quote: Originally Posted by Ant FR (original)

yellow balck one D.



Yes it was faster than the Cooper S, but which is more fun well the Mini is. plus the mini is alot more prestigious than a seat ibiza

Defenitely mate, the Seat was just a flippin' good engine but a boring car overall i'd imagine! Thats not to say it is a bad car!

[JOHN BAGLEY]

Madjohn here ! I have awell mod 1.4D mini 110-115bhp ! 60-----10secs 120mph nocat 2.5" pipe to twin rear back boxies remap the derv doc mmmm ? good but to really smoky
K&N filter . This year bigger intercooler and maybe turbo and injectors hope to get 125-130bhp

[JOHN BAGLEY]

ps check out my mini on Home of the Modified Mini Works Van 1.4 Td. The Mini was chosen over the Mini Cooper S works for economy, modifications are extensive to this working mini.

[R99]

Sounds good John!! Thats the sort of power I'd be looking for if I dont change to a Cooper S when I turn 21. When you say its smoky? Is that just when its cold or everytime you boot it?

Would you say that it gets up to 60 on a par with the Cooper D?

James.

[JOHN BAGLEY]

yes if my mini is empty .. smoky when i boot it ! remap .. having it demaped tomorrow run standard for aweek got afew probs with engine .... I think .... could be a valve
Taking it on a 1800mile trip friday night to the south of france , back early monday morning

[R99]

Impressive results then from the re-map...

[Yellow/Black OneD]

Nice figures there John, mine will only manage 113mph flat out, but I haven't done any filter or exhaust modifications. Never had it on the rollers, so I don't know what it is putting out, but I would rekon on about 90mph, considering the 88bhp OneD will do 112mph, book figures!

Your trip to the South of France sounds good, I love driving over there, have a good one, and please keep us updated, I'm loving your 'MiniVan' website!