1st Gen R50 Cooper Most liked posts in thread: Upgrades

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  1. Dave.0

    Dave.0 Helix & RMW Powered
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    #15 Dave.0, Sep 16, 2014
    If you want a Turbo it would be much cheaper to trade in your MINI for a turbo car. That's the honest truth unless you have unlimited funds.
     
  2. Crashton

    Crashton Club Coordinator

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    #13 Crashton, Sep 16, 2014
    You MINI being an R56 with an N12 engine means there is little you can do to it. Intake & exhaust. That's not bad news you won't have carbon issues with that engine. (no plug wires on your engine)

    Baseline your engine, make sure all the maintenance things are done & up to snuff.

    Take your $200 & buy a rear swaybar. It will help your handing & remove that $200 from your pocket, it's a win win.

    Welcome to M/A
     
  3. DneprDave

    DneprDave Well-Known Member
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    #29 DneprDave, Sep 16, 2014
    Last edited: Sep 16, 2014
    I wouldn't get a cold air intake for your car. Most add nothing but noise, no extra horsepower. You could just get a free flowing air filter, that would do the most good on the intake side.

    A performance exhaust header wouldn't hurt, though I don't know who makes one for the N12 engine, there must be someone. These engines are already tuned well from the factory, your money would be better spent on suspension mods.
     
  4. Metalman

    Metalman Well-Known Member
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    #2 Metalman, Sep 16, 2014
    Put it towards suspension and handling....
     
  5. GokartPilot

    GokartPilot Well-Known Member

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    #7 GokartPilot, Sep 16, 2014
    Agree, handling upgrades will make better use of the power you already have. You said you had a base model? That would be a R50, if its an "S" it is the highly prized R53.
    Good luck with your MINI. :Thumbsup:
     
  6. MCS02

    MCS02 Moderator
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    #22 MCS02, Sep 16, 2014
    Welcome to MA! I should have said that on your other thread. Always handling first. I know when your young and full of piss and vinegar you want speed but remember the biggest speed improvement a car can have is a good driver. Each car is different the MINI is momentum car not a red light racer. My son has a fire breathing Mustang he may get me in a straight line but no dice in the corners. He just thinks he can keep up with the old man.:D

    Power wise a CAI and nice exhaust is about it, maybe a ECU tune. I too am a R53 guy so I'll leave it to the R56 guys if there is more.

    I like Steve's signature "straights are for fast cars, turns are for fast drivers" that says it all
     
  7. Metalman

    Metalman Well-Known Member
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    #4 Metalman, Sep 16, 2014
    Well..... I'm guessing street not track for you and with only $200 to spend...

    Maybe a stiffer rear sway bar.... But I would go with Ireland Engineering fixed camber plates and a good 4 wheel alignment.... That will make your MINI quicker...
     
  8. mrntd

    mrntd Well-Known Member
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    #11 mrntd, Sep 16, 2014
    Welcome Aboard!

    A good tune up depending on the miles on your car. A high flow filter like a K&N, some new or cleaned plugs, and a fresh oil change. If you have a lot of miles plug wires are a good idea too. But you don't have to get the $90 set. Jegs has 8mm Taylor for less than $40.

    While you at it change the belt. If you don't know if it has ever been done do it now so it won't break on the road. It's an age thing more than miles and it's cheap.
     
  9. Rangerx

    Rangerx New Member

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    #20 Rangerx, Sep 16, 2014
    Oh my bad yeah I think everything before 2006 I believe is supercharged
     
  10. Dave.0

    Dave.0 Helix & RMW Powered
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    #23 Dave.0, Sep 16, 2014
    I like Crashton's signature:

    "If you can't go fast with 90hp, 900hp won't help you...."
     
  11. Mr. Jim

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    #25 Mr. Jim, Sep 16, 2014

    Cold Air Intake but most are really Hot Air Intakes if you look at design.
     
  12. MCS02

    MCS02 Moderator
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    #31 MCS02, Sep 17, 2014
    It depends on witch one you get. I have a R53 I think they are around $800.00. If you know a good muffler shop they might be able to build on cheeper. There is a thread that had a link to an article on how to build your own, I'll see if I can find it. If I can't someone here will.
     
  13. Rangerx

    Rangerx New Member

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    #3 Rangerx, Sep 16, 2014
    Thanks what would you recommend for strut/ suspension company wise?
     
  14. Rangerx

    Rangerx New Member

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    #5 Rangerx, Sep 16, 2014
    Yeah street for now lol
    Yeah I was gonna get a alignment before winter hits
    So what exactly if I may ask does a fixed camber plates do for performance ?
     
  15. Rangerx

    Rangerx New Member

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    #6 Rangerx, Sep 16, 2014
    Yeah I'm just starting out with modifications before this I was driving a scrappy little Malibu lol
     
  16. Rangerx

    Rangerx New Member

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    #8 Rangerx, Sep 16, 2014
    I have the R56 cause of the year of the R50 body style ended in 2006 mines a 2007 sorry my mistake
     
  17. Dave.0

    Dave.0 Helix & RMW Powered
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    #9 Dave.0, Sep 16, 2014
    Welcome to M/A the FUN Mini site. :Thumbsup:
     
  18. Rangerx

    Rangerx New Member

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    #10 Rangerx, Sep 16, 2014
    Thank Dave.O
     
  19. Dave.0

    Dave.0 Helix & RMW Powered
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    #12 Dave.0, Sep 16, 2014
    ^^^ Good advice here. Maint over modding first.

    If you don't know when a part was last changed or serviced consider it never serviced.
     
  20. Rangerx

    Rangerx New Member

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    #14 Rangerx, Sep 16, 2014
    So what could I do other then intake and exhaust or is that basically all I can do. I was wondering if a stage 1 turbo could fit in the engine bay or is that just hopeful thinking
     
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