AEM Intake experience and what FMIC upgrade? R56 2007 Coop S

[Steven_RW]

Hi All,

Thanks for reading.

I am carrying out some basic tuning mods to my 2007 MCS with the aim of releasing some bhp and also giving it scope for going a bit faster round the Nurburgring and similar roads.

So far, I have carried out a standard power run and analysis and have ordered a Milltek cat delete downpipe to reduce backpressure and also a Quafe ATB LSD to help it put down whatever power I have. Next step is a std re-map and will measure intake temps after the intercooler post remap to see how the standard intercooler is getting on.

Some quick questions from me, that I would welcome any opinions on.

1: The AEM intake is quoted as making an extra 20+bhp on a 2010 MCS works via the Lohen website. Has anyone else done a before and after power run with the AEM intake vs standard? That sounds like a solid increase

2: Often ‘upgraded’ intercoolers are quite the opposite and don’t really do much better than standard regardless of size. Does anyone have any solid experience of which one works well and fits well, rather than how it looks?

3: Suspension upgrades. I am used to barrelling around the n.ring in an M3 with good coilover upgraded suspension and ap 6pots/4pots. What are peoples experience of tracking the Mini and what suspension upgrades and brake upgrades worked really well? I was thinking of sourcing some works callipers as the setup on the M3 was about 5k which is too big a proportion of the value of this car.

I’d welcome any tips or views and will share my findings as we modify the car. The aim being to be able to really measure any differences that come as a result of the mods with no bias towards sales pitch as the place I am measuring the performance of the car does not sell mini parts.

Regards,
Steven_RW

[rigga]

Been a report from the state's about the heatshield on the AEM melting the cam cover under extreme use due to keeping the heat from escaping from the Turbo area, might he worth bearing in mind if track use is your thing, probably fine for general road use.
For brakes and suspension mods you really need to look here
http://www.minitorque.com/forum/forum.php

[FuryExocet]

I've got BC racing fully adjustable coilovers on mine (no idea how they are on track, but they have a lot of adjustments to them)
Bought from minitorque.com

Also check these sites
http://www.trackmini.com
http://fullonminis.co.uk/forum/viewforum.php?f=9#

[Steven_RW]

Thanks Gents.

I will log on to the more active forum as suggested.

I have sourced an Escort Cosworth intercooler with integrated water chargecooler. If I can figure out how to fit this, I expect it will easily cover the needs of the small cc boost machine :-).

The remap and downpipe combo worked well and am now on 198bhp at the wheels which on the rollers I use is about 215bhp. In-take temps are a limiting factor even in the current conditions so the intercooler will be uprated asap :-)

Best Regards,
Steven_RW