Hi to all.
I am new here and not too familiar with your abbreviations so be patient please.
I am German, live in China and bought a R52 convertible, automatic new at BMW in Dong Guan, China in 2008.
I changed too 19x10 inch wheels, 255/35 back (hit the fender on big bumps), 235/35 front, some Taiwan racing shocks (good), adjustable "swingarms" at the back (sorry i dont know the english word), K&N Filter-replacement, some tuning chip (no good), Taiwanees center Muffler (no good). Body-Kit.
However, i would like to go for about 180HP or so.
What should i do first, cylinder heads, cam etc or turbo????
I am not aiming for speed but for lots of torque and acceleration.
Whatever way you recommend, it seems getting a complet KIT seems difficult.
Thanks for your help
Frank

 

A cheap mod that adds a good bang for your buck is changing the supercharger pulley for a 15% or 17% reduction pulley.

 

Hi Jeremy
Sorry for a correction, My Minni is Cooper, not cooper S.
But reducing moving weight is in general a good idea which i want to proceed.
Thanks
Frank

 

Might Wanna Rid Of Those 19's And Go With Some Good 16's If Caliper Clearance Is Not A Problem That Will Reduce Some Weight Greatly .... Got Some PIcs Of Your Car ? Wanna See That Nice Set Up

 

yeah sounds like a huuuge tire... in for pics!

 

SOoooooo No PIcs?

 

Get lighter rims.....and narrower tires.....huge ones look cool, but they are slowing you down a-lot. Generaly if you want big rims....then spend $$$$$ to get light 2 piece rims and light tires. It is so hard to make more power on a regular Cooper, that would be my 1st thing.

 

Also if you want a regular Cooper to make more HP than a S, just get an S. Don't try to reinvent the wheel!! You can make some more hp on a Cooper, And improve you driveability, but what you want is difficult if not impossible unless you rebuild you car...IMO.
There is a reason that there is a differnt head, pistons,and a supercharger, and then a differnt transmisson to handle the hp on an S. To make power, relalibiliy from such a small displacent, long stroke, lower reving motor makes is a nessasity.