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 Help with Beginner performance mods. 2005 Cooper S r52

 Created by: Shawzy
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 Posted: Dec 11, 2019 09:13AM
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I agree with that. Mine is 17%, no issues at all, but rarely track the thing. However, you won't see much difference in 15% if any. Best upgrade ever for sure. Another cheap(ish) upgrade is some decent coil-overs. Watch here: https://www.northamericanmotoring.com/forums/ for some used ones or spend about $800+ on adjustable ones like I have. Another good upgrade is smaller rims and sticky tires. With coil overs, pully, and more pliable tires, you will be good! 

...oh, and when your order the pulley, make sure you rent the pully puller (sp?). Oh, finally, last thing I did was a heavy rear anti-roll bar. My car now is somewhat stiff, but not horrible (depending on how old you are of course!)

 Posted: Dec 11, 2019 04:10AM
 Edited:  Dec 17, 2019 05:26AM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Shawzy
Thank you very much for your help. I think I will start with the supercharger pulley upgrade and the one ball mod. Eventually I will upgrade air intake and maybe a ECU upgrade.
Forgot to mention that we only offer the 15% reduction pulley upgrade because anything smaller will spin the supercharger beyond its rated maximum rpm when at redline. (We were the first company to come out with the pulley upgrade for the MINI after extensive testing.)

We don't recommend you go any smaller than 15%.

 Posted: Dec 10, 2019 01:31PM
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Thank you very much for your help. I think I will start with the supercharger pulley upgrade and the one ball mod. Eventually I will upgrade air intake and maybe a ECU upgrade.

 Posted: Dec 10, 2019 12:51PM
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The supercharger pulley upgrade is the best $$ per hp upgrade. The parts are cheap but it may take 2-4 hrs of labor depending on who does the work. ECU software upgrade is recommended to optimize the performance with the pulley upgrade, but it is not 'required'.

Intake upgrades can add about 3-6 hp and the variation between brands is a very small percentage compared to the stock 172hp total - get the brand that you like or a brand that you are familiar with.

Many owners have removed the secondary resonator and/or performed the one-ball mod. Either will increase the sound volume (make it louder) but not over the top. Manual v Automatic shouldn't make much difference.

Good luck and let us know what you decide!

 Posted: Dec 9, 2019 03:34PM
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Hello, I've had my 2005 Mini Cooper s convertible (r52, automatic) for about 2 years now and have decided i would like to add some performance mods, but to be honest i don't know very much about which modifications i should get and what brands. I was hoping i could get some recommendations, advice and tips from some people that know their stuff. I have been doing a ton of research but am still unsure of what to get. From a mechanical standpoint im pretty sure the parts work the same as the automatic r53.

Im looking to add a bit of power and sound to the car, a bit louder, more aggressive and a few pops here and there  but nothing that will piss off the neighbors too badly.

Some of my current ideas are:
1. Supercharger Pulley Reduction: not sure about all the different sizing and do i get 15% or 17%? what brands are good and what belt sizes? and if I do a pulley reduction do i need to worry about temps? will i also need to buy spark plugs and new wiring?

2. air filter and air intake: looking for something that performs good without breaking the bank, would like to hear more supercharger whine! I saw the M7 air intake and Alta air intake for around the same price.

3. I really want to but a cat back exhaust like the milltek (non res) or borla, but everywhere i look they are about $800+ which is a bit too expensive for me right now. I also looked at doing the One Ball Mod and removing a muffler, but everytime i saw someone do it online it was with a manual and am worried that it will sound tinny and "ricer" with an automatic transmission. 


Thanks to everyone that sees this and helps. Have a great day