1.6 cooper tuning
Discussion
Hi guys. I am looking into getting a new ( used ) car to take part in sprinting, but this one needs to be " cool " for my daughter and happy for my wife to take shopping too. I want to run it in the 1600cc class, only engine mods allowed are a panel air filter and exhaust is free but must retain the standard manifold, and a chip. What are the gains to be had genuinely from those simple mods? From what I can make out, the cooper 1.6 comes in 105 and 115 varieties as standard? Want to see if its a viable option, bearing in mind top power in this class is the 1.6 Honda V-tecs putting out 170 bhp. But they aint cool apparently. Can these make 130 bhp?
Thanks, Lee
Thanks, Lee
Are you hoping to win in your class or just have fun? I think the MINI Cooper is just too heavy and lacking in power to be competitive.
I've hillclimbed (up to 2 litre production roadgoing class) my wife's standard 115 bhp Cooper a couple of times and can complete the course in the mid 46 seconds. I've seen a Cooper S do it in about 42/43 seconds and they have a lot more than the 130 bhp you may get with a modified Cooper. Clio Cups can do the hill in 40/42 seconds and MX5s can do it in 38/42 seconds (some are more standard than others).
If you're not too concerned about winning then the Cooper is still great fun on the hill. How much would the modifications you are considering cost?
I've hillclimbed (up to 2 litre production roadgoing class) my wife's standard 115 bhp Cooper a couple of times and can complete the course in the mid 46 seconds. I've seen a Cooper S do it in about 42/43 seconds and they have a lot more than the 130 bhp you may get with a modified Cooper. Clio Cups can do the hill in 40/42 seconds and MX5s can do it in 38/42 seconds (some are more standard than others).
If you're not too concerned about winning then the Cooper is still great fun on the hill. How much would the modifications you are considering cost?
It well worth looking at the tyres and shock and brakes etc that you can use. You will never get over 130 v 170 hp but it all helps. And number one you, Your driving skills will make the most differences. Getting lessons from pros has seen my times drop but they are still quicker than me so I still have a lot to learn.
Hi guys, thanks for the replies. It's only a bit of fun while I rebuild my R1-engined car and my '71 cooper S hillclimb car, both will be off the road for 1 year while I make them faster..... :-) We have a 1600cc class with the Sevenoaks Motor Club and I run at the front end in a 115 bhp 1600cc Eunos, way down on the V-tecs power wise but somehow it just seems to work for me. I am not worried about winning in the MINI, if I was I would just buy a Honda VTi but they look s***! Just a fun day out for me with some friends. I will also use the MINI for autotests, Autosolo's and Scatter / 12 car rallies even maybe some trials? The sprinting bit will just be a giggle but with 130bhp I think I could no come last!!!
As soon as my Peugeout 205 Cti cabrio is sold I will hit the classifieds thanks!
As soon as my Peugeout 205 Cti cabrio is sold I will hit the classifieds thanks!
Furyblade_Lee said:
Hi guys, thanks for the replies. It's only a bit of fun while I rebuild my R1-engined car and my '71 cooper S hillclimb car, both will be off the road for 1 year while I make them faster..... :-) We have a 1600cc class with the Sevenoaks Motor Club and I run at the front end in a 115 bhp 1600cc Eunos, way down on the V-tecs power wise but somehow it just seems to work for me. I am not worried about winning in the MINI, if I was I would just buy a Honda VTi but they look s***! Just a fun day out for me with some friends. I will also use the MINI for autotests, Autosolo's and Scatter / 12 car rallies even maybe some trials? The sprinting bit will just be a giggle but with 130bhp I think I could no come last!!!
As soon as my Peugeout 205 Cti cabrio is sold I will hit the classifieds thanks!
Will definitely be fun in autosolos, I'm competing in one tomorrow in my S. I reckon a Cooper would be fairly competitive in its class, especially in the hands of a competent driver (that rules me out then As soon as my Peugeout 205 Cti cabrio is sold I will hit the classifieds thanks!
). The forced induction puts mine into the next capacity class up, usually > 1800cc, so I'm up against you name it!Furyblade_Lee said:
....We have a 1600cc class with the Sevenoaks Motor Club and I run at the front end in a 115 bhp 1600cc Eunos, way down on the V-tecs power wise but somehow it just seems to work for me.....
When you get the Mini Cooper it will be interesting to hear how it compares with the Eunos.DarkMatter said:
Furyblade_Lee said:
....We have a 1600cc class with the Sevenoaks Motor Club and I run at the front end in a 115 bhp 1600cc Eunos, way down on the V-tecs power wise but somehow it just seems to work for me.....
When you get the Mini Cooper it will be interesting to hear how it compares with the Eunos.Some handling similarities (the cooper had super mega sports suspension PLUS, or something), the cooper feels very tight for what it is as fast as the Mx5 too, bearing in mind the weight difference.
Dan Friel said:
What series are you looking at? Surprising that you can chip in the standard class...
........ :-) You'd be surprised what I have seen some do in a standard class!! You are allowed legitimately to change the exhaust from the manifold back, and put in a better air filter element and use Super unleaded fuel so I don't see putting your car on a rolling road to optimise those changes as illegal in any way, you are just tuning and optimising. I see it as safeguarding your engine longevity as it will be free-er breathing. There are no turbos to increase boost etc. NA tuning chip tuning is not in the ballpark of turbo tuning!In the series local to me (acsmc), that would be illegal..
"Cars are to be to manufacturers’ original specification, with modifications limited to safety items (see applicable sections of S10), including changes to brake pad material together with replacement wheels and aftermarket exhausts (not manifold). No other modifications (body, brakes, suspension, transmission or engine etc.) will be permitted (S10.10 modified)."
"Cars are to be to manufacturers’ original specification, with modifications limited to safety items (see applicable sections of S10), including changes to brake pad material together with replacement wheels and aftermarket exhausts (not manifold). No other modifications (body, brakes, suspension, transmission or engine etc.) will be permitted (S10.10 modified)."
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