Stock Problems/Issues Discussions related to warranty related issues and repairs, or other problems with the OEM parts and software for MINI Cooper (R50), Cabrio (R52), and Cooper S (R53) MINIs.

A Stupid Woman Question

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
  #1  
Old 11-01-2006 | 12:08 PM
ladydi's Avatar
ladydi
Thread Starter
|
1st Gear
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 37
Likes: 0
A Stupid Woman Question

I would like to improve on my engine electricals..........spark box, wires, and sparking plugs. Any help in which way to go. My S has an intake that puts in cold air, and the muffler system has been upgraded. Are there different numbers for the sparking plugs for my engine configuration.
Many Thanks,
Cheers,
Di
 
  #2  
Old 11-01-2006 | 12:08 PM
valcom111t's Avatar
valcom111t
4th Gear
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 497
Likes: 0
Just curious, why do you want to do this?
 
  #3  
Old 11-01-2006 | 12:10 PM
minimusprime's Avatar
minimusprime
6th Gear
iTrader: (1)
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 1,429
Likes: 1
From: Flying My Roflcopter
Originally Posted by valcom111t
Just curious, why do you want to do this?
Agreed... It's not a stupid question by any means but changing the coil and plug wires isn't something that is usually done until further down the mod path.
 
  #4  
Old 11-01-2006 | 12:22 PM
ladydi's Avatar
ladydi
Thread Starter
|
1st Gear
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 37
Likes: 0
Thank you for you responce

A bloke I met on MTTS was showing off under his bonnet and he had changed his and I thought it was the thing to do.
di
 
  #5  
Old 11-01-2006 | 12:44 PM
agranger's Avatar
agranger
6th Gear
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 3,054
Likes: 9
New plug wires are a nice way to upgrade the look of your engine bay. The Kingsbornes are on sale at Outmotoring: http://outmotoring.com/kingsborne_8_mm_plug_wires.html

You can also upgrade your coilpack (a favorite mod of 02-03 MINIs to overcome the 'stumble'), but this is a mod that usually isn't done first (or even second). It's the same with spark plugs. You can eek out a few more HP, but you have to keep an eye on the proper torque... something that most folks (by most, I mean most folks not on NAM everyday ) don't want to hassle with.

Several places sell a complete upgrade kit with the 3 components mentioned above: http://outmotoring.com/out_motoring_...n_upgrade.html
 
  #6  
Old 11-01-2006 | 12:54 PM
Gromit801's Avatar
Gromit801
6th Gear
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 11,600
Likes: 1
From: West French Camp, CA
Moss Mini has a very nice looking set by NOLOGY.
http://www.mossmini.com/Shop/ViewPro...eIndexID=49605
 
  #7  
Old 11-01-2006 | 01:37 PM
valcom111t's Avatar
valcom111t
4th Gear
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 497
Likes: 0
If you're simply looking for more power you should look into 15% supercharger pulleys.
 
  #8  
Old 11-01-2006 | 01:39 PM
batgirlwildcat's Avatar
batgirlwildcat
6th Gear
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 8,404
Likes: 0
From: San Diego, CA
That's not how we roll here...

The title of your thread makes me sad. NAM women aren't stupid, and your question isn't stupid.
 
  #9  
Old 11-01-2006 | 01:47 PM
Motor On's Avatar
Motor On
6th Gear
iTrader: (1)
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 20,848
Likes: 15
Originally Posted by batgirlwildcat
The title of your thread makes me sad. NAM women aren't stupid, and your question isn't stupid.
+1
 
  #10  
Old 11-01-2006 | 01:57 PM
MGCMAN's Avatar
MGCMAN
6th Gear
Joined: Jul 2002
Posts: 4,293
Likes: 1
From: Cincinnati, Ohio
Di,

Any plans to add a reduction pulley to your S? If so, you may want to add Irridium spark plugs, both NGK and Denso make them, and depending upon the pulley you choose, you may want to go colder than stock. If you don't know what the 'ell I'm talking about, check out some of the threads on the drivetrain modification forum for the S here on NAM. Great to see more folks interested in modding.

p.s. I know many women, none of them stupid, all with questions.
 
  #11  
Old 11-01-2006 | 02:27 PM
kenchan's Avatar
kenchan
6th Gear
iTrader: (3)
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 31,439
Likes: 2
i read the title and thought a poor lad got dumped by his girl.
 
  #12  
Old 11-01-2006 | 02:34 PM
batgirlwildcat's Avatar
batgirlwildcat
6th Gear
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 8,404
Likes: 0
From: San Diego, CA
Originally Posted by kenchan
i read the title and thought a poor lad got dumped by his girl.
Well, in that situation, it probably would be appropriate. (And posted in OT)
 
  #13  
Old 11-01-2006 | 02:44 PM
lilcoopr's Avatar
lilcoopr
3rd Gear
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 294
Likes: 0
From: Toronto, Canada
Originally Posted by batgirlwildcat
The title of your thread makes me sad. NAM women aren't stupid, and your question isn't stupid.
Yeah I am also pretty offended by the title of your post...
 
  #14  
Old 11-01-2006 | 02:52 PM
agranger's Avatar
agranger
6th Gear
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 3,054
Likes: 9
I don't think she intended to imply that all women asked stupid questions... just that she thought her's wasn't up to par. It's probably less a 'woman' thing than a 'new to MINI thing".

I ask stupid questions frequently, but it doesn't mean that I'm stupid (despite my wife's amazing ability to recall, at the drop of a hat, all of the cases that prove me so )
 
  #15  
Old 11-01-2006 | 02:54 PM
kenchan's Avatar
kenchan
6th Gear
iTrader: (3)
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 31,439
Likes: 2
Originally Posted by batgirlwildcat
Well, in that situation, it probably would be appropriate. (And posted in OT)
yah, and my reply was going to be... 'sorry bud, no OBDII scanner's going
to be able to diagnos that problem.' jk
 
  #16  
Old 11-01-2006 | 03:01 PM
Suji's Avatar
Suji
3rd Gear
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 169
Likes: 0
From: Dallas, TX
Originally Posted by lilcoopr
Yeah I am also pretty offended by the title of your post...
I don't think she wanted to generalize women with her title, it was just a self impose thing, no reason to get offended for.
 
  #17  
Old 11-01-2006 | 03:07 PM
batgirlwildcat's Avatar
batgirlwildcat
6th Gear
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 8,404
Likes: 0
From: San Diego, CA
Originally Posted by agranger
I don't think she intended to imply that all women asked stupid questions... just that she thought her's wasn't up to par.

I ask stupid questions frequently, but it doesn't mean that I'm stupid (despite my wife's best attempts to document the cases that prove the case )
I agree that I don't think she meant any harm at all, but it is disheartening when it's a legitimate question posted in a legitimate forum; especially since, IMO, NAM is so welcoming to car-enthusiast women. We're not just "ornaments" but full-fledged participants!

Also, it was just ironic, given that in the How Many Posts thread, Heather was complaining about a condesending salesman's treatment of her during a tire purchase. We face enough misplaced assumptions in the "outside world," no need to further that here.
 
  #18  
Old 11-01-2006 | 03:09 PM
kenchan's Avatar
kenchan
6th Gear
iTrader: (3)
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 31,439
Likes: 2
ok, so lets see some picts!
 
  #19  
Old 11-01-2006 | 03:10 PM
ladydi's Avatar
ladydi
Thread Starter
|
1st Gear
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 37
Likes: 0
Oh Nooooooo!

I am sorry that I have offended so many, I would never suggest that all woman are stupid................I am not stupid, just really not up on all that goes on under the bonnet like most of you are. I will be more careful when I make my posts, I am new to this.
Sorry,
Di
 
  #20  
Old 11-01-2006 | 03:15 PM
62Lincoln's Avatar
62Lincoln
5th Gear
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 855
Likes: 1
It's okay Di, some folks get bees in their bonnets very quickly around here. To the finger waggers: Oh good grief, don't scare off the newer members with all the cranky posts. Wait until she has at least 100 posts to do that.
 
  #21  
Old 11-01-2006 | 03:41 PM
batgirlwildcat's Avatar
batgirlwildcat
6th Gear
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 8,404
Likes: 0
From: San Diego, CA
Originally Posted by 62Lincoln
Oh good grief, don't scare off the newer members with all the cranky posts. Wait until she has at least 100 posts to do that.
Oops. My bad. I forgot the 100th Post Witch Hunt doesn't happen until the 100th post. Since I didn't drown at mine, I clearly am a witch.

I wasn't trying to scare Di. I just wanted her to know that when someone posts a "Stupid Woman Question" here, it's usually the kind kenchan was talking about.

Side note: Legitimately stupid questions can be posted in the I Am An Idiot thread(s).
 
  #22  
Old 11-01-2006 | 03:47 PM
Motor On's Avatar
Motor On
6th Gear
iTrader: (1)
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 20,848
Likes: 15
Originally Posted by kenchan
yah, and my reply was going to be... 'sorry bud, no OBDII scanner's going
to be able to diagnos that problem.' jk


You tryin to kill me I laughed so hard I choked!!!
 
  #23  
Old 11-01-2006 | 03:53 PM
kenchan's Avatar
kenchan
6th Gear
iTrader: (3)
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 31,439
Likes: 2
Originally Posted by motor on


You tryin to kill me I laughed so hard I choked!!!

everything's fine with your smilies except the one with "you go girl!"



ok, so i want to see some picts of this blingin' mod.
 
  #24  
Old 11-01-2006 | 03:54 PM
herbie hind's Avatar
herbie hind
6th Gear
iTrader: (1)
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 2,339
Likes: 1
Originally Posted by ladydi
A bloke I met on MTTS was showing off under his bonnet and he had changed his and I thought it was the thing to do.
di
it can't hurt . a plug needs only 18000 volts to fire . (old days) . todays gaps are much bigger . so a 40000 volt coil isn't money wasted anymore. plug upgrade is always good . wires even better. just spend the money ; who cares , have fun . 20 ft. lbs . on the plugs use anti seize!! and do them cold . your head will thank you . cheers.
 
  #25  
Old 11-01-2006 | 04:24 PM
DrPhilGandini's Avatar
DrPhilGandini
My little dose of LITHIUM
iTrader: (1)
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 2,435
Likes: 2
From: Albuquerque New Mexico
Thanks herbie for getting back to the OP's question. I have a fancy red MSD coil and even fancier Nology spark wires, and they are totally bling IMHO. I have done a lot of mods and by far these are at the bottom of my list having changed nothing (a few HP? yeh, I'd like to see the evidence for that!). There are many threads on NAM that LadyDi can benefit from listing mods in order of impact. While many could argue over small changes in the order, few would agree that wires and coil come any where near the top of that list. In the list of mods done on my car they represent dollars 9,000 through 9,250...
Geez, the Schroth harness I just installed this morning is a far better mod than wires and a coil.
Enough, I need to go sit in my car...
 



All times are GMT -7. The time now is 12:22 AM.