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Rowingscot View Drop Down
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    Posted: March/28/12 at 4:50pm
I have an 08 Mini and would like to upgrade my exhaust and possiblly begin to get some better performance of my engine. I believe in going to those who have loved these cars and not asking a dealer for their recommendation. 
 
I not exactly a "car man" ,so are there Mini owners out there that could assist on these tasks before I end up putting things in the wrong place . I have been klnown to find several parts lying in a box after I have put everything together----Wow they gave me spare parts routine
 
thanks  Dave
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Cooper or Cooper "S"?
I wish there was a local MINI Dealership, like our Honda, Subaru, Mazada and VW.
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Points: 1960 		Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Sanderskog Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: March/28/12 at 5:48pm
Originally posted by SMOG SMOG wrote:

Cooper or Cooper "S"?



That's the key question.  Plus, exhaust is an expensive place to start.  There are many other options that can be had to eek some joy out of the motors prior to the exhaust.

A good burble is hard to pass up though... Drool

Todd
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Points: 4296 		Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote SMOG Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: March/28/12 at 5:52pm
Good luck getting a burble out of an '08!

My '09 Cooper got the biggest acceleration boost by changing the tire size from a 195x55x16 to a 205x50x16.  It changed the gear ratio's to a lower final drive and gave SMOG-1 a big boost in acceleration around town.  Gas mileage is still very good.
I wish there was a local MINI Dealership, like our Honda, Subaru, Mazada and VW.
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Points: 8612 		Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote johnf36 Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: March/28/12 at 6:08pm
Dave start by breaking down the mods into like engine, suspension/braking, interior and exterior. Also pick a goal of where you would like to end up with your car and what you will be wanting to do with it. Example would be daily drive and some fun runs with PS Mini or Watkins Glen, the Glen my take some time and money.

John
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With out head work, cams, throttle body and other mods an exhaust is the least bang for your buck.  Follow John's advice, map a plan the keeps engine, suspension, brakes, and personalization mods in balance.  Tires and wheels are a great place to start. 
 
Smog - what was the circumferential change in the tires ?
Jack -

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I'd be happy to sit down and plan this stuff with you.  I work in Tacoma, live in Renton.  Let me know if you want to talk over options.

Pat
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Something to keep in mind is the only real restriction on a R56 with a n-14 engine is the necked down downpipe and 400 cell cat.

Thanks Jack.
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johnf36 View Drop Down
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Pat is a Great resource with a lot of knowledge and a great Guy.
If everything seems under control, you're just not going fast enough.
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SMOG View Drop Down
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Originally posted by CINIMIN CINIMIN wrote:

With out head work, cams, throttle body and other mods an exhaust is the least bang for your buck.  Follow John's advice, map a plan the keeps engine, suspension, brakes, and personalization mods in balance.  Tires and wheels are a great place to start. 
 
Smog - what was the circumferential change in the tires ?


Without doing the math I can't say but the 205x50 is 24.1 dia and the 195x55 is 24.44 dia.

When I went to a 215x17 from the 205x17 in the mcs I noticed a more sluggish performance off the line.  The dia diff there was 24.2 to 24.6 I believe.  The OEM runflats have a smaller dia than the comperable non-runflats.

My N-18 engine had a necked down pipe from after the first Cat and necked down again after the second CAT!!!





Edited by SMOG - March/28/12 at 9:15pm
I wish there was a local MINI Dealership, like our Honda, Subaru, Mazada and VW.
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Rowingscot View Drop Down
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Points: 64 		Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Rowingscot Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: March/29/12 at 8:15am
It's a cooper
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Stick shift or automatic?
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johnf36 View Drop Down
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Suspension, lighter wheels, reusable air filter and Brakes Thumbs Up
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light wheels = less unsprung weight and more torque. Made a huge difference on my R53 when I dropped 6lbs per wheel.
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Points: 4296 		Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote SMOG Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: March/29/12 at 1:59pm
Yes, my R-56 Cooper had a noticeable increase in zip when I was using lighter wheels.  For the 205x50x16 wheel/tire combo I am using Rota RB wheels and they are considerably lighter than the stock wheels.
I wish there was a local MINI Dealership, like our Honda, Subaru, Mazada and VW.
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New wheels made a huge difference for my MINI as well. I still use the wheels for my snow tires and it feels like the car is 300 pounds heavier. I really notice the difference in off the line performance and there is a noticeable turn-in delay as well. 

Plus they look great! 

Kurt/04 R53 Check out My MOD MINI repair videos channel @ YouTube
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Stephen,

I really like those Rota RB wheels. What color are the centers, hyper black, or gunmetal?

Dave
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Dave:

Thanks.  Those WERE gunmetal and I thought them to be to dark to I sanded and resprayed them Dark Bronze with DupliColor rattle cans from Westbay Auto in Port Orchard.

S.
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Auto  thanks for getting back to me    I running 205/45zr-17    in the spring and summer    
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Points: 4296 		Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote SMOG Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: March/30/12 at 9:04am
I had that tire combination on my Cooper Automatic and liked it.  They were the Bridgestones Summer Performance tires RE-760 205x45x17 with an overall diameter of 24.3", BUT I had lite weight wheels.

These are the wheels I had on it.

http://www.upgrademotoring.com/wheels/PIAA/euro_tech.htm







Edited by SMOG - March/30/12 at 9:08am
I wish there was a local MINI Dealership, like our Honda, Subaru, Mazada and VW.
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Rowingscot View Drop Down
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Points: 64 		Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Rowingscot Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: March/30/12 at 1:34pm
Pat,   I live in University Place and work on JBLM. Perhaps we could meet sometime next week. I have a few days off the first part of next week during the day and evening till Wednesday evening. If you have time maybe we could meet after you finish work or I would gladly meet you in Renton. My regular email is Rowwingscot@gmail.com.
 
Thanks    Dave Robertson
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Points: 64 		Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Rowingscot Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: March/30/12 at 1:37pm
At least I'm in the ball park with the tires . I guess the suspension or reusable air filter next- I'm still feeling the need fora little noise out the back end.
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