Lohen Performance Pack 2
Discussion
Rather than changing my Coupe JCW I've embarked upon some upgrades...
I've just fitted an AEM induction kit and already have a set of Micelin Pilot Super Sports boots but I'm really smitten with the idea of the Lohen Performace Pack 2 :-
http://www.lohen.co.uk/shop/gen-2-mini/engine-ecu/...
And to pre-empt any clutch problems, one of their new TTV organic clutches :-
http://www.lohen.co.uk/shop/gen-2-mini/drivetrain/...
And possibly, one of these to allow switching of ecu maps :-
http://www.lohen.co.uk/shop/gen-2-mini/engine-ecu/...
No power / torque figures are quoted for the upgrade, but from what I can deduce from their dyno leaderboard, a similarly equipped R56 was putting out 272.7 bhp and 407.3 nm torque. Dyno chart here :-
http://www.lohen.co.uk/images/dyno/leader-board-gr...
Well as you have probably guessed by now, I'm looking for someone to reassure me this is the best use of my funds and will put a big smile on my face. All in, the cost is looking like ~£3,590 fitted, so not cheap but it does sound like big fun for a small car.
Your thoughs / experiences are very welcome on this potentilly foolhardy errand / brilliant wheeze - delete as appropriate.
Thanks.
I've just fitted an AEM induction kit and already have a set of Micelin Pilot Super Sports boots but I'm really smitten with the idea of the Lohen Performace Pack 2 :-
http://www.lohen.co.uk/shop/gen-2-mini/engine-ecu/...
And to pre-empt any clutch problems, one of their new TTV organic clutches :-
http://www.lohen.co.uk/shop/gen-2-mini/drivetrain/...
And possibly, one of these to allow switching of ecu maps :-
http://www.lohen.co.uk/shop/gen-2-mini/engine-ecu/...
No power / torque figures are quoted for the upgrade, but from what I can deduce from their dyno leaderboard, a similarly equipped R56 was putting out 272.7 bhp and 407.3 nm torque. Dyno chart here :-
http://www.lohen.co.uk/images/dyno/leader-board-gr...
Well as you have probably guessed by now, I'm looking for someone to reassure me this is the best use of my funds and will put a big smile on my face. All in, the cost is looking like ~£3,590 fitted, so not cheap but it does sound like big fun for a small car.
Your thoughs / experiences are very welcome on this potentilly foolhardy errand / brilliant wheeze - delete as appropriate.
Thanks.
One half of me says: Perhaps it would make more sense to upgrade piece by piece so you can decide what mod makes most financial sense each time, depending on how you feel about the car, power, chassis, amusement etc.
But the other half of me says: DO IT!!!!!!
Life’s too short for baby steps. Strap on your big-boy trousers and go for it.
But the other half of me says: DO IT!!!!!!
Life’s too short for baby steps. Strap on your big-boy trousers and go for it.
Lohen don't quote accurate bhp figures these day for their various tuning packages as cars differ in maintenance & therefore performance, although they mention circa 70-75 bhp gains. Before you make the decision, I'd speak to Lohen & visit them & drive their demonstrator cars (Chilli is the one you should try & was tested by Evo as well a while back with a favourable write up).
Candidly, as long as you appreciate that the mods you are proposing to your car make it a more specialist/limited appeal car when it comes to resale, then it's down to your budget.
FWIW, my R56 MCS (which I've done a thread on) is running about 250bhp with most of the mods you're proposing, though I did it using my contacts & in small stages (I'm not running a LSD & uprated clutch) - the upgrade clutch is something you need to try apparently before committing as some have a different "feel" & there's supposedly a noticeable difference between a 4 & 6 paddle clutch. It's unfortunate you didn't post this 2 weeks ago as you could have gone down to Goodwood as there was a Mini day where Lohen we're exhibiting & also took their cars on track I believe for customer demonstrations.
Candidly, as long as you appreciate that the mods you are proposing to your car make it a more specialist/limited appeal car when it comes to resale, then it's down to your budget.
FWIW, my R56 MCS (which I've done a thread on) is running about 250bhp with most of the mods you're proposing, though I did it using my contacts & in small stages (I'm not running a LSD & uprated clutch) - the upgrade clutch is something you need to try apparently before committing as some have a different "feel" & there's supposedly a noticeable difference between a 4 & 6 paddle clutch. It's unfortunate you didn't post this 2 weeks ago as you could have gone down to Goodwood as there was a Mini day where Lohen we're exhibiting & also took their cars on track I believe for customer demonstrations.
Thanks for the replies guys.
On the clutch front, I did speak to them and they recommended this new organic jobbie which is supposed to feel like a factory OEM clutch and perfect for every day road use and very capable of handling the uprated power and torque without the downsides that can come with a paddle clutch. I won't be taking it on track.
I'm in NI so it's not so easy to pop over and try a demo - I'd probably just take the car over with the intention of having it done and try out thier car on the day just to be absolutely sure.
It does sound like it could be a lot of fun. The gearing is already so short and tightly stacked that the torque on twisy roads makes it a complete hoot to drive. I can only imagine what another 60ish bhp and shedload of torque would bring. Possibly some problems with torque steer / getting the power down?
Does anyone have these mods and can comment on drivability / fun factor?
Also, do you get much in the way of pops and bangs with the high-flow Akropovic cat?
On the clutch front, I did speak to them and they recommended this new organic jobbie which is supposed to feel like a factory OEM clutch and perfect for every day road use and very capable of handling the uprated power and torque without the downsides that can come with a paddle clutch. I won't be taking it on track.
I'm in NI so it's not so easy to pop over and try a demo - I'd probably just take the car over with the intention of having it done and try out thier car on the day just to be absolutely sure.
It does sound like it could be a lot of fun. The gearing is already so short and tightly stacked that the torque on twisy roads makes it a complete hoot to drive. I can only imagine what another 60ish bhp and shedload of torque would bring. Possibly some problems with torque steer / getting the power down?
Does anyone have these mods and can comment on drivability / fun factor?
Also, do you get much in the way of pops and bangs with the high-flow Akropovic cat?
GaryF said:
Also, do you get much in the way of pops and bangs with the high-flow Akropovic cat?
Just had the Akrapovic downpipe installed on my GP2 and it’s awesome. A little more throaty and ‘zingy’ without sport mode than the standard pipe, proper popping and banging in Sport. I can only imagine how hilarious it would be with a remap and the other mods. Great investment. 
Gunk said:
A lot of torque steer is what it would feel like.
You may be surprised.I don't know how true the effect of this is but I do know the engineering fact is true.
So the story goes an acquaintance of mine was (on an engineering level) invited to the original roll-out of the original new mini & much was made of the geometry of the final drive & drive shafts to effectively "engineer out" any torque steer.
Mine will shortly be on the road with a 60/70 bhp improvement on standard so if there is a difference I will hopefully feel a step-change in this direction.
E-bmw said:
You may be surprised.
I don't know how true the effect of this is but I do know the engineering fact is true.
So the story goes an acquaintance of mine was (on an engineering level) invited to the original roll-out of the original new mini & much was made of the geometry of the final drive & drive shafts to effectively "engineer out" any torque steer.
Mine will shortly be on the road with a 60/70 bhp improvement on standard so if there is a difference I will hopefully feel a step-change in this direction.
FWIW, I think the geometry settings on tuned cars makes a massive difference - mines running about 250bhp & has adjustable suspension. It's pointy and of course on an uneven road surface will tug a little under power, but then again it's a short wheelbase car.I don't know how true the effect of this is but I do know the engineering fact is true.
So the story goes an acquaintance of mine was (on an engineering level) invited to the original roll-out of the original new mini & much was made of the geometry of the final drive & drive shafts to effectively "engineer out" any torque steer.
Mine will shortly be on the road with a 60/70 bhp improvement on standard so if there is a difference I will hopefully feel a step-change in this direction.
I have recently had something akin to the performance pack 1 installed at Lohen. It might run around 30 bhp short of what you're looking to have done.
My only thought is that the extra £2,400 you're looking to spend over what I've had done is a hell of a lot of money to spend to solely chase that little bit of extra straight line performance. I would be conscious of the extreme diminishing returns you're suffering there when for that money you could revise the suspension and brakes too if only you were to settle at a Manic Stage 1. When I had my Stage 1 done I very nearly pulled the trigger on the PP2 but am glad I didn't. Currently starting the process of making suspension changes with the cash saved, as discussed in my recent thread on here.
My only thought is that the extra £2,400 you're looking to spend over what I've had done is a hell of a lot of money to spend to solely chase that little bit of extra straight line performance. I would be conscious of the extreme diminishing returns you're suffering there when for that money you could revise the suspension and brakes too if only you were to settle at a Manic Stage 1. When I had my Stage 1 done I very nearly pulled the trigger on the PP2 but am glad I didn't. Currently starting the process of making suspension changes with the cash saved, as discussed in my recent thread on here.
- Edit to mention mine is not a JCW!
Edited by Complex on Tuesday 14th November 12:37
Agree with that, I have spent £1650 on the car & a bit more on what is now a car with a full set of upgrades top to bottom & will be 230/240 bhp with better suspension/brakes/seats/etc.
But then I have th luxury of a garage & the space & time to do it over the last few months, not all have that luxury.
But then I have th luxury of a garage & the space & time to do it over the last few months, not all have that luxury.
Listening to your warnings, I think I'd really need to try a car with the PP2 and set just what it drives like. If it's unusable, then it would be totally pointless and expensive.
On the other hand..... it might be a complete riot
Any PP2 folks out there who can comment?
Being able to switch from standard map to the madder ones also may also be useful for when you don't need to have your pants on fire 100% of the time.
I don't want to have to fork out further again for uprated suspension on top of this kaboodle just to keep it out of the hedges.
The child in me thinks this is still a fun prospect!
On the other hand..... it might be a complete riot
Any PP2 folks out there who can comment?
Being able to switch from standard map to the madder ones also may also be useful for when you don't need to have your pants on fire 100% of the time.
I don't want to have to fork out further again for uprated suspension on top of this kaboodle just to keep it out of the hedges.
The child in me thinks this is still a fun prospect!
Mine is a standard S and I've been running ~240bhp for 4,000 miles or so now with plenty of spirited country road drives.
The overwhelming problem I have on standard suspension is the lack of traction coming out of corners with the huge torque now on offer, without an LSD/E-dif I think it's going to be difficult to put down 270bhp out of anything but a longer sweeping bend until straightened up. The car has to be very poised and power applied delicately. This is half just the nature of driving a fast FWD and half an imbalance in that power > chassis/suspension.
I don't think you're going to be as much at risk as ending in bushes as you are just spinning the fronts and not putting that extra £2,400 to good use. You'll also find yourself tearing up and down the gearbox as the torque will rip through what will feel like short ratios (not necessarily a bad thing).
Maybe I'm being somewhat preescriptive and it's true that I haven't driven a PP2 on stock suspension but I can't see past the huge improvements forgoing that extra bit of power would buy you elsewhere in the car.
The overwhelming problem I have on standard suspension is the lack of traction coming out of corners with the huge torque now on offer, without an LSD/E-dif I think it's going to be difficult to put down 270bhp out of anything but a longer sweeping bend until straightened up. The car has to be very poised and power applied delicately. This is half just the nature of driving a fast FWD and half an imbalance in that power > chassis/suspension.
I don't think you're going to be as much at risk as ending in bushes as you are just spinning the fronts and not putting that extra £2,400 to good use. You'll also find yourself tearing up and down the gearbox as the torque will rip through what will feel like short ratios (not necessarily a bad thing).
Maybe I'm being somewhat preescriptive and it's true that I haven't driven a PP2 on stock suspension but I can't see past the huge improvements forgoing that extra bit of power would buy you elsewhere in the car.
Just to throw a bit of a spanner in the works, if you are looking at getting the car mapped/modded then speak to the guys over at DervTech in Manchester. James really knows his stuff and they have a couple of deals on at the minute(stage 1 for an F5x model is £325) and are getting more reliable and higher gains than Lohen.
I am sure I saw them post up about doing stage 2 packages but you may want to drop them a call and see if they are able to advise on costs and estimated gains?
Regarding the handling, I can't comment!
I am sure I saw them post up about doing stage 2 packages but you may want to drop them a call and see if they are able to advise on costs and estimated gains?
Regarding the handling, I can't comment!
Gassing Station | New MINIs | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff