Mpi tuning options
Discussion
Hi,
I have just brought a 97 mpi cooper and am looking at options for a little more go and grip.
The car is in good shape but had over sills and a post repairs and a respray, is factory standard and only done 43k.
The top engine mount has movement and knocking so have got the bits to repair and replace with poly bushes. The tracking is a out pulling to the kerb but will come on to thoughts on this.
Engine tuning I understand the ecu restricts anything to aggressive which is fine with me. I have looked at the 90bhp kits out there and am not convinced this is the best route for moderate road performance desire but am still considering it. I am considering a stage one kit but also upgrading the throttle body to 52mm and looking to achieve similar gains to the 90bhp kits would this be viable and cheaper option? The car is currently good lower down the rev range but feels strangled above 4K.
Handling wise I do not want anything too low or hard as this is a road car for fun not a street racer (I have others for this!). I am looking at leaving the suspension standard but putting 5.5 x12 with 048 tyre on and perhaps negative camber lower arms. Then I will get the tracking sorted.
If it goes faster it needs to stop so was looking to go for grooved disc and Green stuff pads which should do the job as I think the standard brakes are pretty good.
Finally after a bit of reading a diff change could well be a good idea but do still want to be able to cruise at comfortable revs on the motorway/dual carriageway.
Would like to get the best performance, in the real world not paper figures, for a close to a grand as possible.
what sort of combinations would work best?
Ps the SRS light doesn't come on after I pulled the fuse while trying to sort the radio out, I believe I can disconnect the battery for 30min plus and it should reset?
Jim
I have just brought a 97 mpi cooper and am looking at options for a little more go and grip.
The car is in good shape but had over sills and a post repairs and a respray, is factory standard and only done 43k.
The top engine mount has movement and knocking so have got the bits to repair and replace with poly bushes. The tracking is a out pulling to the kerb but will come on to thoughts on this.
Engine tuning I understand the ecu restricts anything to aggressive which is fine with me. I have looked at the 90bhp kits out there and am not convinced this is the best route for moderate road performance desire but am still considering it. I am considering a stage one kit but also upgrading the throttle body to 52mm and looking to achieve similar gains to the 90bhp kits would this be viable and cheaper option? The car is currently good lower down the rev range but feels strangled above 4K.
Handling wise I do not want anything too low or hard as this is a road car for fun not a street racer (I have others for this!). I am looking at leaving the suspension standard but putting 5.5 x12 with 048 tyre on and perhaps negative camber lower arms. Then I will get the tracking sorted.
If it goes faster it needs to stop so was looking to go for grooved disc and Green stuff pads which should do the job as I think the standard brakes are pretty good.
Finally after a bit of reading a diff change could well be a good idea but do still want to be able to cruise at comfortable revs on the motorway/dual carriageway.
Would like to get the best performance, in the real world not paper figures, for a close to a grand as possible.
what sort of combinations would work best?
Ps the SRS light doesn't come on after I pulled the fuse while trying to sort the radio out, I believe I can disconnect the battery for 30min plus and it should reset?
Jim
I have sold my MPI now, but the engine was re-built and maintained by Slark Race Engineering near Salisbury. The issue with tuning is getting the car through the emissions at MOT time. But he did a great job and also changed the ratio in the gearbox for a bit more go, but obviously revs more on the motorway. Neil who now runs SRE knows his minis and has raced a lot, so good for advice and he is a good guy.
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