Mini Cooper Turbo Build Questions

[MINI]

Alright so, I am now to the point where I am looking to go turbo. My Coop is the base model (1.6L No supercharger) so I am looking to run 5-7 psi, nothing crazy at all.

There is only 1 aftermarket turbo kit for my car and it doesnt come with an intercooler, I would custom fabricate it to the system with no problem.

So my question is, should I buy this kit for around $2k or just peice together one myself?

The hardest part would be finding an exhaust manifold and that wouldnt be a problem.

Also, what size turbo? And is there a shop that is familar with BMW's and boost?


Sorry for so many questions, just trying to get everything together. Reps for any help! And again, thank you all. :goodjob:

[2rotor]

the motor in your car is actually based on the chrysler 2.0l used in the neons for so many years, the intake even looks like it.
the only real issue you would have is tuning, if the kit comes with everything, they arent cheapo parts, and it has a solution for tuning, i recommend buying it.
as far as turbo size, small. a ko3 like a 1.8t, or a td04 similar to an STi. t25 would be a good turbo. as far as trims and such, i couldnt really say, but you could size them similarly to single cam hondas.
good luck, i want to see some pictures when your done :goodjob:

[turbomirage]

My brother lives in Arizona and he went to a shop the other day that specializes in turbo Mini Coppers. I believe they are the sponsors for the world's fastest Mini Copper. I will get their number for you and I'm sure they can help you with whatever you need. :goodjob:

[MINI]

Awesome! Thanks to both of you!

[Dwisforme05]

gonna be a badass mini cooper dude. make a build thread.

[MINI]

It should be. I will once I get everything together

[XanRules]

the motor in your car is actually based on the chrysler 2.0l used in the neons for so many years, the intake even looks like it.
the only real issue you would have is tuning, if the kit comes with everything, they arent cheapo parts, and it has a solution for tuning, i recommend buying it.
as far as turbo size, small. a ko3 like a 1.8t, or a td04 similar to an STi. t25 would be a good turbo. as far as trims and such, i couldnt really say, but you could size them similarly to single cam hondas.
good luck, i want to see some pictures when your done :goodjob:

the WRX has a td04 - the STi has a VF34 :goodjob:

[Master Shake]

you turbo size will determine what kind of power output you are looking for.

but running 5-7 psi, IMO, i would go with a t3/t4 .50 trim and piece together the kit for the car. just get the manifold and whatnot and then get what else you are needing.

also, when looking for a turbo, make a decision of either water, or oil cooled, cause cause you might need some different hardware depending on whichever you choose.

if you go oil cooled, i would suggest in getting another oil pan to tap, and probably use the adapter for the oil filter to run one of the lines.

[MINI]

you turbo size will determine what kind of power output you are looking for.

but running 5-7 psi, IMO, i would go with a t3/t4 .50 trim and piece together the kit for the car. just get the manifold and whatnot and then get what else you are needing.

also, when looking for a turbo, make a decision of either water, or oil cooled, cause cause you might need some different hardware depending on whichever you choose.

if you go oil cooled, i would suggest in getting another oil pan to tap, and probably use the adapter for the oil filter to run one of the lines.


I can get the manifold and with that a Garrett T25 ball bearing turbo for fairly cheap. And I have noted getting another oil pan to tap.

As you know I have no room for a front mount intercooler. So I was hoping to get a small, DSM-like, intercooler and mount it where my battery is right now and run the hood scoop to it. Kinda like :ninja:

To make room for the turbo I have to relocate the battery and move the powersteering and coolant resevoirs over to the right alittle bit. Ill have half an engine bay once I move my battery :lmfao:

A very unique set up. :goodjob: Thanks everyone

[Master Shake]

is the t25 oil cooled?

and yea with the very limited space you have, a TMIC is probably the only way you're gonna get it in there, unless you do some modding to your front bumper with one really really small FM.

[Master Shake]

also, i just did some research on your car.


you could easily put a front mount on it, only downside to it is, you'll be paying more for the front mount then you would for everything else.

cause as of now, i'm seeing there for no less than about $600

http://www.outmotoring.com/images/P/ALT_r56_intercooler-stealth_md.jpg

[MINI]

Alta :nautjerk:

The T25 is oil cooled. And I think that intercooler is for the R56. There is no way in hell I can fit a front mount on my car without a shit ton of modification.

[Master Shake]

i don't know how much different the type s and non s models are, but i would think it would hook up with little mods.

[Master Shake]

after more looking around, the alta v 2.0 top mount should be easily be able to mount without relocated the battery.

LINK (http://images.google.com/imgres?imgurl=http://www.jscspeed.com/part_pictures/altav2_intecooler_150.jpg&imgrefurl=http://www.jscspeed.com/mini/intercoolers.htm&usg=___3Tk1WMWtv6cZEurLetBXL89Ffc=&h=92&w=150&sz=4&hl=en&start=16&um=1&tbnid=U6vgXol5JjkdtM:&tbnh=59&tbnw=96&prev=/images%3Fq%3Dmini%2Bcooper%2Btop%2Bmount%2Binterco oler%26hl%3Den%26sa%3DN%26um%3D1)

[green91]

Make sure to throw a handful of sand into the intake, it polishes the ports and lets the turbo come into boost faster.

[Master Shake]

^why you coming in here talking that stupid shit?

[green91]

LOL @ neg reps. fag.

[Master Shake]

yea you're cool.

[green91]

cooler than you

[Master Shake]

oh that hurt.

[Dwisforme05]

dont clutter up the thread take your cat fight to the pm's. mini if you want you can come over to look at the S and try to build yours ( mount everything up) in a similar fashion. might give you an idea of how to do it.

[MINI]

dont clutter up the thread take your cat fight to the pm's. mini if you want you can come over to look at the S and try to build yours ( mount everything up) in a similar fashion. might give you an idea of how to do it.

Mine is a single cam. The new S's are completely different, a new DOHC :cry:


And look at this fucker coming in my thread and bullshitin around :2up:

Take it somewhere else.


Heres an S with a turbo conversion:
http://image.automotive.com/f/images/8404288+soriginal/eurp_0712_05_z+fireballed_2005_mini_cooper_s+engin e_view_mad_mod_head_garrett_gt3071r_turbo_75_mm_th rottle_body_hks_blow_off_valve.jpg

[Master Shake]

dude, you could easily put that I/C in your car with the battery relocated.

i would shoot for that setup, for the I/C at least.

[MINI]

dude, you could easily put that I/C in your car with the battery relocated.

i would shoot for that setup, for the I/C at least.


Thats an air-water intercooler right? One more thing to deal with :no:

but do you see how I could mount a DSM-like intercooler?


Base Mini Cooper engine bay (Non-S)

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3010/2661822848_bcb77ddd0b.jpg

My intake is short ram now giving it alot more room and with the battery gone i should have plenty :goodjob:

[Dwisforme05]

Air to water intercoolers are the shit. but im biased lol

[sikfricks]

yea the water intercoler would help so you wont have to deal with mounting a intercooler and it makes piping easier

[MINI]

Air to water intercoolers are the shit. but im biased lol

Never really looked into them. But I have noticed they are commonly used on the mini's for big projects like the black cooper shown.


Shit I need to think things out more :rolleyes:

[Master Shake]

adding the air to liquid i/c would also add the weight of the water, plus he would have to find a place to put the reservoir.

i still think that one front mount i posted a link to would be sneaky cause not many people would really notice it, but downside is it costs like $700

[Dwisforme05]

oh god forbid he adds a few pounds to his car for water.

leave it to a honda guy to say that.

[Master Shake]

oh god forbid he adds a few pounds to his car for water.

leave it to a honda guy to say that.a few pounds? the reservoir will probably add like 15lbs, with water, plus the lines running to the A/L I/C so i'll say 2lbs, then the I/c itself full of water, maybe another 15lbs. so 30lbs of weight just from the intercooler setup alone, not the mention the rest of the weight from turbo kit, he would have better luck just running a front or top mount. so the hp gain over weight gain. car wouldn't be going much faster than it already is. just help it with top end. but thats about it.

when you got a car that doesn't have the acceleration of most honda's or whatever and the weight difference, i think he could save all the weight he could. it might add a few extra hp on the dyno, but will show no major performance gain over a standard front or top mount, on the street. with chances of possibly getting outran by another car with the same setup but with a FM.

car comes factory weighing around 2550-2750lbs and only pushing 118hp and 114lbs/tq. that would be getting my coupe, running a d15 and throwing in about 300lbs of weight. how fast you think its gonna be boosting a stock motor at 6psi?

i would be hanging with other stock d15's in hatches. boost doesn't mean shit if you have to haul a fucking anvil around.


edit: those mini cooper numbers are based off 2009 mini base model but i don't know the year of his car.

[Dwisforme05]

here is an article that better explains why i think a/w coolers are more effective/better.

http://www.superchargersonline.com/content.asp?ID=7 now this is talkin more specifically about vortech's powercooler but is the same for all air to water applications.

[SANDERS1]

I have a 06 mini S. And I would perfer in the future to run a air/water setup and there is a few places that offer good product, air/water is expensive, but worth it... You may be able to piece together a setup cheper by using random parts used like... Subaru air/water ic (on older legacys), Bosch water pump from a S/C cobra, and some type of slim heat exchanger.... Curious, how much power are you plaining to have? 6 psi on the S is like 168ish. I would almost suggest buying a factory s/c setup and save your self alot of time, money and agravation. I only plan to run a 17% reducer pulley,Alta intake,stage colder plugs in the near future. You might want to look at www.northamericanmotoring.com. I find all kind of good stuff for minis in there often.

[Master Shake]

here is an article that better explains why i think a/w coolers are more effective/better.

http://www.superchargersonline.com/content.asp?ID=7 now this is talkin more specifically about vortech's powercooler but is the same for all air to water applications.i know the air-water intercooler is better cause it allows colder air to the engine allowing more air to be inducted, but as far as the gains over the front mount and the weight difference, i would go with the front mount cause after the weight added compared to hp gained, it could possibly be just as effected as the front mount without all the water weight. cause i mean, hp doesn't do any good, if you have to pull a lot of weight with it. not to mention chase would have to find a place to put the reservoir in his car and i'm not sure but i don't think he would want it in the floor board of the passenger seat.



I have a 06 mini S. And I would perfer in the future to run a air/water setup and there is a few places that offer good product, air/water is expensive, but worth it... You may be able to piece together a setup cheper by using random parts used like... Subaru air/water ic (on older legacys), Bosch water pump from a S/C cobra, and some type of slim heat exchanger.... Curious, how much power are you plaining to have? 6 psi on the S is like 168ish. I would almost suggest buying a factory s/c setup and save your self alot of time, money and agravation. I only plan to run a 17% reducer pulley,Alta intake,stage colder plugs in the near future. You might want to look at www.northamericanmotoring.com (http://www.northamericanmotoring.com/). I find all kind of good stuff for minis in there often.what are the difference between the base and s model? me and chase were talking abotu it and it seems the head is different. but i don't know. he was telling me.

[MINI]

i know the air-water intercooler is better cause it allows colder air to the engine allowing more air to be inducted, but as far as the gains over the front mount and the weight difference, i would go with the front mount cause after the weight added compared to hp gained, it could possibly be just as effected as the front mount without all the water weight. cause i mean, hp doesn't do any good, if you have to pull a lot of weight with it. not to mention chase would have to find a place to put the reservoir in his car and i'm not sure but i don't think he would want it in the floor board of the passenger seat.


what are the difference between the base and s model? me and chase were talking abotu it and it seems the head is different. but i don't know. he was telling me.

The head and pistons are different

[MINI]

I have a 06 mini S. And I would perfer in the future to run a air/water setup and there is a few places that offer good product, air/water is expensive, but worth it... You may be able to piece together a setup cheper by using random parts used like... Subaru air/water ic (on older legacys), Bosch water pump from a S/C cobra, and some type of slim heat exchanger.... Curious, how much power are you plaining to have? 6 psi on the S is like 168ish. I would almost suggest buying a factory s/c setup and save your self alot of time, money and agravation. I only plan to run a 17% reducer pulley,Alta intake,stage colder plugs in the near future. You might want to look at www.northamericanmotoring.com (http://www.northamericanmotoring.com/). I find all kind of good stuff for minis in there often.


Im hoping around 140hp. Nothing crazy at all until I get a good hold on what all needs to be done.

I know about North American Motoring and I am on there quite often. Everyone in the Mini community are a bunch of lame guys that are afraid to try anything. :2cents:

[SANDERS1]

^ HAHA! I just started tuning in there for parts for the Wife's car... I would think that a T25 would make that kinda power with easy and give you alot of lower end tq. If turbo is your route, I personally would spend the extra for a air/water setup.

[Master Shake]

Im hoping around 140hp. Nothing crazy at all until I get a good hold on what all needs to be done.

I know about North American Motoring and I am on there quite often. Everyone in the Mini community are a bunch of lame guys that are afraid to try anything. :2cents:if you're only shooting for 140hp, then the t25 would be a good starter. is good for up to about 200+ hp. and running 6 psi you should be able to get that quite easily. i think with a good tune you should be able to hit possibly over that.

[turbomirage]

Hey man, the name of the company you need to call for all your questions about boosting your Mini is Myne's Performance. You can also go to their website to check them out. They are located just outside of Phoenix, Arizona. They are experts with Mini Coopers, and they can guide you in the right direction for what you need and want to do with your Mini Cooper. My brother lives in that area, and went to there shop and he was very impressed. Call them up, they will help you out! :goodjob: