2nd Gen R56 Cooper S Mini Newbie - Please make sense of engine mods

Discussion in '2nd Generation: 2007+ R55 through R61' started by fastrack1, Aug 17, 2010.

  1. k-huevo

    k-huevo Club Coordinator

    May 6, 2009
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    Mynes Tuned R56 with only a drop-in K&N filter, 25hp and 38 ft-lb torque delta.

    To get more out of the stock IC, a few holes in the lower trim will net more air for the bottom rows of the IC.
    [​IMG]
     

    Attached Files:

  2. TGS91

    TGS91 New Member

    May 8, 2009
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    Sales Dude
    St. Louis, MO
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    Let me chime in with a obeservation I have made several times in threads like this.

    All valid points about where to add power

    What about suspension? Power is cool and MINI's have a pretty good stock suspension but so much of our cars fun is in the handling.

    Address suspension and then add power so you can enjoy that power is what I did and don't regret it
     
  3. fastrack1

    fastrack1 New Member

    Aug 12, 2010
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    Okay, lets keep learning :D:D What is your recommendation on suspension, given the fact that I still want to maintain a comfortable daily driver that I can run through the mountain roads on the weekends?
     
  4. YesIFit

    YesIFit New Member

    May 25, 2009
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    Springs and rear sway bar. If you're not going to track the car (or even if you want track occasionally) and you still want it to be livable on a daily basis, that's about all you need.

    I'm running TSW/WMW springs & 19mm sway bar ... easy DIY install and <$500.
     
  5. fastrack1

    fastrack1 New Member

    Aug 12, 2010
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    Can you explain what that accomplishes for me? The springs drop the car some? The sway bar pushes more force to the wheels? And what does an adjustable sway bar mean? Sorry, again....a newbie :D
     
  6. TGS91

    TGS91 New Member

    May 8, 2009
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    Agree with YesIFit

    Rear Sway Bar (Way would be a good recommendation source). I have a JCW one that works well but in retrospect would have done a little beefier one

    I too have the TSW Springs and I like them allot. Only regret here is not getting coilovers so I could lower the car a bit more. That convenience would cost me about $1K more than what I have so it's pretty low on the Mod List.

    The above would put a big smile on your face.

    Other considerations

    -Adjustable Camber Plates

    -Front Sway Bar , expensive to install and there is a debate as to their value. I have the JCW one and noticed a immediate improvement

    -Variant on the front sway bar would be the TSW cross brace (Way carries them now). Much lower on the install cost, 4 bolts

    -Rear Control Arms
     
  7. TGS91

    TGS91 New Member

    May 8, 2009
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    yes, about 1 to 1.5 in

    Not sure on that but it makes the rear end more stable or less squirrelly in tight turns, adjustable means you can adjust the degree of stiffness

    No worries, we all have asked this and similar questions, thats what MA is about :Thumbsup:
     
  8. fastrack1

    fastrack1 New Member

    Aug 12, 2010
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    Does dropping the car an inch improve handling at all or is it just a cosmetic thing? I do image that car would look better dropped an inch or two as they ride high.
     
  9. TGS91

    TGS91 New Member

    May 8, 2009
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    It will improve handling as it is a higher quality steel and design than OEM and yes it does look cooler!, Check out my garage to get a idea
     
  10. Dr Obnxs

    Dr Obnxs New Member

    Jun 11, 2009
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    A Man of Wit and Charm! (Just ask my wife!)
    Woodside, CA, up in the hills and trees.
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    I'm not a fan of lowering stock dampers much

    as you will be riding on the bump stops much sooner. My recipe is a bit different.

    Fixed front camber plates.
    19mm rear bar.

    These two help address the factory understeer approaching neutral from the safe side.


    Good tires and wheels.
    This drops unsprung weight so the wheels can better follow the road, drops rotational mass so you can use a bit more of your power moving forward instead of spinning heavy parts around thier center, and the tires will increase overall traction increasing adhesion limits in all turning situations.

    Driver training.
    Bolt-ons or fixing one car up can make that car perform better. Improved skill makes all cars you drive perform better. Most under-rated performance aid there is.

    After this, it gets expensive fast.

    On the R53, if you lower more, you're going to need a lot more spring or bar because you start to move the roll center down and the roll couple increases. This increases the twisting torque on the car in turns. Don't know if it's the same on the R56, but I'd guess that it is.

    Get a book on handling, or work with a good suspension shop. Even if you don't become an expert (and very few on the internet are, I'm surely not, it's just I know that!) you will learn the concepts so you can have an intelligent conversation with the person who is helping you with your set-up.

    another thing that is true but not often admitted is the stock chassis set up is better than most know how to take advantage of. With good mods it's better than all but the very best of drivers I've known. My car is capable of much, much more than I ever can get out of it. Probably will be for a long, long time.

    Matt
     
  11. Way Motor Works

    Way Motor Works New Member

    May 4, 2009
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    Call me at the shop, an R56 Quicktune is $450, R53 is $225, R50 is $250

    WAY
    317.201.8670
     
  12. k-huevo

    k-huevo Club Coordinator

    May 6, 2009
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    Pipe Creek, Texas
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  13. Dr Obnxs

    Dr Obnxs New Member

    Jun 11, 2009
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    A Man of Wit and Charm! (Just ask my wife!)
    Woodside, CA, up in the hills and trees.
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    Wow!

    The JCW bar is just under $61. Keith, do you know it's diameter?

    Matt
     

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