1st Gen R53 Cooper S Most liked posts in thread: Supercharged vs Turbo

Besides the info shared above, there are other considerations between the R53 and R56. Run over road debris ...like a groundhog with the R53 and you risk knocking out the fan on the power steering pump. Of course you can install shields to protect it. On the R56, the hood scoops tend to melt from the heat of the turbo just beneath the bonnet. The R53 is easier for the shade tree modder to swap out pullies...speed up the SC. On the R56 most mods involve reducing pressure drop into and out of the turbo....which are also typical mods for the R53.

 

06=1st gen SC

07=2nd gen turbo

 

Fat is a relative term. For me, "fat" means carrying an extra 50+ lbs. For a supermodel, it means carrying an extra 5 lbs.

(Though I agree... the R56 looks like an R53 that took a few too many trips through the buffet line)

 

:biggrin5::yesnod::wink2

hahahaha Damn you are right! :wink::frown2:

 

HERE HERE!!!

 

:cornut: Go get'em Redbeard. Don't take any stuff off of those Stupor Charger people.:lol::devil:

Jason

 

SC cars get about 8 mpg at the track.

 

Yep. I only get 12 MPG in my R53 on the track if it is raining !

 

Might want to try Clint at Defenders of Speed / American MINI Mates too. They do some badges. Also try Johngo of Mind the Curve, he made some badges for me for the MINI of the Month that came out great.

 

R53 vs. R56

Very interesting thread. Thanks for all the opinions.

RE: Mileage aspect. Sites discussing Turbo vs SC point to better mileage for turbo because the SC is a power parasite all the time. I average 26 MPG all the time, about 80% city driving 40 MPH or so when the RPMs are around 2K. But on open road, it only increases to about 30. I even get 25 MPG on club runs when WOT is more frequent such as coming out of corners etc.

I'm guessing that the parasitic losses of the SC are keeping the mileage down at higher speeds. Any other opinions?

2006 R52, 46K miles, 15% pulley, CAI, DOS copper intercooler, Alta inlet tube, Borla Street Catback, Pulstar Plugs, Amsoil 0-W30. Yes, I know, I need JCW 380s and RMW custom tune. Maybe next spring. Already talked to Jan on the phone.

 

Nah, you guys are overthinking it, it's simpler than that. People with Superchargers drive their cars harder.:biggrin5:

 

That is what I like about the Supercharged MINI. The power and torque is linear from 2000-2500 all the way to redline. Despite the powersitic loss the power comes on immediately and doesn't have to wait for the turbo to spool up, the Supercharger comes on immediately as the R.P.M. increases in a linear fashion. In the old world of high H.P. Drag racers the Supercharger on that American V8 at the Drag strip is still King. How many Turbocharged Funny Cars are there in the winners circle?

 

The Forge POV and a CAI fix a lot of those peaks and the fall off of torque. I was pretty surprised how much they helped, actually.

 

not going to happen without some major help with the valve train

 

On my old rally car we used valve float as a rev-limiter. Worked well too. :smilewinkgrin:

 

Like any tool, it depends on who is using it.

 

^^^ You've got that right.

 

Understood. I don't think the Prince cylinder head components are up to the task for the redline I would like. Besides the cylinder head components need to be entirely reworked for a higher max engine speed, the next obstacle would be the restriction of the small turbo past 6K rpm. I just don't have thousands to blow on experimenting with crap like this. That is a true test, tune, and burn up cash task.

I can say that I had the chance to compare my R56 experience to the R53 at Grattan Raceway last year. I got a ride in my buddy Roger's '04 R53 JCW and absolutely envied how he could wring the engine out and not have to shift as much. My tuned R56 had great gusto out of the corners but I had to shift from 3rd-4th on almost all my accelerations to the next corner where he could just hold that baby out in the same gear. A little more footwork on my part is no problem, but I think a driver that isn't good at heel-toe can get irritated with. Oh yea, that supercharger whine at 8200rpm is FANTASTIMUNDO!!!!