Hey Guys/Gals,

I'm ready to start some power mods on my 05 mcs.
These are my thoughts, but I am not sure what else I would need to make it all work correctly.
Also any recommendations would be greatly appreciated!

~CAI (not sure of a brand yet.. any suggestions?)
~ 15% PULLEY
~ one ball exhaust
~ Injectors (brand/ model suggestion)
~ Giac ecu flash.

I'm not 100% sure on what to buy for the mini. I want an increase in power but I also want a good loud sound ( hince the one ball exhaust). Please help me out with some guidance

Ryan

 

Lots of opinions, but for me a one ball, pulley, CAI would be it, then spend the rest on a better (in my opinion) tune from Way or Jan (or anyone else).

They will send you a tune by email, that you load onto a device you buy, and the tune will be for your exact equipment, and you can change it over time.

If you have enough for injectors, get a good set of 450s that can be tuned to what you have now and have room for future upgrades. (Just skip the 380 injectors and move up...they are the same price)

Then get face cream for your smile lines you are bound to get.

 

Sweet, sounds like a plan to me
Where can I find some more info on the tune? you mentioned?
And is there any one in particular you would reccomend?
Oh.. and the face cream has already been purchased

 

Have you called Way at Way Motor Works? He can offer some good advice.

317.201.8670

 

Get yourself a Magnaflow! ....CAI, i have Alta, sounds great.

 

Second on the ALTA CAI. Love mine and the sound of that supercharger is amazing!!!

 

If you really want to improve the performance consider a cam or maybe a BVH. That will really put a "Joker" smile on you.

 

Whats a BVH?

 

Big Valve Head

 

Big Valve Head

As for first mods. Hands down the best first mod for an R53 is the supercharger pulley.

Do that first then drive the car and decide what you want after that. Many people get caught up in mod fever and buy a bunch of stuff all at once, then they can't appreciate each mod for it's true benefit.

Feel free to call us for any advice or just to answer questions.

 

+1 on way motor works

get the pulley, i suggest 15%, and if you want more think about exhaust, or cheaper route the "One ball mod" (search it)

If you want to get some great supercharger whine sound, get a CAI, Alta, Dinan, my favorite DDM Works, are all good and easy fit CAI's.

Again, I would recommend Waymotorworks, he will help you from questions, ordering, up to installing it!
Careful, once you get one mod your gonna want more!!!

 

What exactly does the BVH do?

 

Thanks for all the help!
I am deffinatly going to start with the pulley and CAI.
Will I need anything along with the pulley to notice a difference? Or will the pulley alone do the trick?
And I will for sure Hit up Way Motor Works for the tune and some advice sounds like an awesome place

 

The pulley alone will awaken your car. You will think its a different car.

 

This is so true... +1 on talking with Way and his pulley kit has everything you will need. Nice and simple

 

It puts a larger head on the engine.
It'll basically increase the size of the cylinders I believe (someone correct me if I'm wrong here), and literally turn your Mini into a beast of a new car.
New heads aren't cheap though. You should get a performance cam if you decide to have the head replaced. I've considered that for my Mini, but I can't really justify it....yet. :P

RMW sells them, as I'm sure Way does as well.
You could do everything else but the head, get it tuned, and it'll run like a little racing car. I <3 the power my Mini lays down.
3rd gear @ 60mph = <3 <3 <3 <3 <3

 

Hahah thanks, i guess ill look into it later down the road.

 

Big Valve Head or BVH

It is not a larger head.

It is a head that has been modified to accecpt larger intake & exhaust valves. Usually when doing a BVH the head is also ported and flow benched to improve the amount of air into the combustion chamber (cylinder).
When doing a BVH, a performance camshaft, valve springs, etc. are also done.
It's expensive but worth it.

 

I began with the DDM CAI - good build quality & sound. Plus, you can get stainless-steel or powdered coated in black if you want a more stock look which is what I went with.
The WMW pulley package is also a good 1st or 2nd mod.
One-ball is great for a cheap sporty tone - I like it.
These 3 things will completely change your mini's character; performance AND sound wise

 

I have the same vehilce with the same mods you discribed. An 05 R53 with Alta CAI, 15% pulley, one ball, 450 injectors, and a Revolution tune. You may want to consider an ignition upgrade as well with those mods. Coil, wires, and colder plugs will work well to improve your spark and fuel burn. These combined mods will wake up that car like you wont beleave. I keep going back and forth with upgrading with another exhuast but I am not sure the cost will make that much of a difference to be worth it. All the comments on the way it sounds with these combined mods are true, that baby will sing. Nothing sweeter the sound of that supper charger spolled up sucking in that big air!

 

The thing about exhaust systems are that the more power your making beneath the bonnet, allows the exhaust to extract more power. Put an exhaust on a stock car and you won't net much power but put it on one that has been modded (i.e., cai, pulley, etc) and it is able to extract a little more power.
In other words, you won't notice the true benefit of an exhaust until you do other major mods. That is, other than a nice tone

 

You will net power on a stock car. We actually got 8lbs of torque at the wheels on a bone stock car with a Milltek catback. We were using it for Gstock AutoX so the exhaust was one a only a couple things we could change but the engine and pulley had to be stock. The weight savings is also a huge thing to consider.

 

Way- I am post #20. You are one who's opinion I value. With the mods I have, will I notice a signifacant difference in performance between the one ball set up I am currantly running and a true cat-back system. Is the cost really worth it? Also, will I need to do a reflash on my tune if I change the exhaust? I always learn from your posts. Thanks for all your advice.

 

+1 on the Magnaflow. The magnaflow sounds even better when paired with the Milltek header.

Kevin

 

An exhaust isn't bang for the buck like a pulley. But I can't define what a signifacant difference is for you, and won't try. The car will gain HP and/or torque by going with a catback, but that will depend on what exhaust you use. The plan needs to be to make everything work together better. The larger diameter exhaust will help get the exhaust gas out and that is good.

As for retuning your car afterward. You might have to, but you won't know till you run the car with the exhaust.