21 replies to this topic

[oliver122]

hi guys was wondering if any of you could recommend the best stage 1 kit ive seen kits at :

minisports : £175 : http://www.minisport...fo_T-KTK01.html
huddersfield spares : £155 : http://www.minispare...amp;prod_id=450
mini spares : £216 : http://www.minispare...aspx?ty=pb&pid=
plminishop : £187 : http://www.plminisho...on=full&id=2173
minispeed : £208 : http://www.minispeed...re-exit-exhaust

but them seem vary in price , but look all similar , also alot of them say like 2.25 inch exhaust but i read someher that for the best power increase on a 998 was not to go over a certain size , so i am confused :S , please help

[Mayfair_Bateson]

I will be keeping an eye on this as I am after a stage 1 kit too!

[Dan]

You haven't actually said what Mini you have but you have suggested it's a 998 so...

The whole point of a Stage 1 kit is to get the maximum possible out of your standard engine. To that end you should be using the components best suited to your specific engine. So immediately ignore the Shuddersfield garbage, there is no such thing as a Stage 1 kit 'for all carb Minis' because they are all different and have different requirements. Ignore anything that uses an LCB manifold because 998s prefer a Cooper Freeflow. Ignore anything with an exhaust layout other than a twin box, side exit, 1.75" system because decades of testing and use has shown that to give the best results.

Bascially most of those kits are pretty looking, pretty sounding, not all that performance enhancing ways to get money out of young people. Mini Spares have always done the best Stage 1 kits because they actually develop them properly and package different kits for different engines. Of the kits you have listed, Mini Spares is probably the best and the P&L one looks to be the older generation of Mini Spares kit. The difference being that it uses a classic mild steel RC40 exhaust while the new version I believe uses a stainless RC40 Millenium exhaust. The link you posted to it doesn't work so I can't be sure which one you've selected.

Actually I've just noticed that P&L list that kit for 1275s which it isn't as it has the wrong exhaust manifold. It also uses a Torquemaster inlet which is a good but outdated design. The latest Mini Spares inlets outperform them and that's what will be in the Mini Spares kit.

[m0useYy]

I'd reccomend the Minispares one! Very pleased with it, the car's running much better, is more responsive and sounds soo good

[twrminisport]

Dan's reply is good here it was what i was about to write
Mini Spares sell the best.
One thing i would add is that you can go for a single box system. you lose 1-2bhp at the bottom of the rev range but gain it up the top and have a slightly sportier sounding exhaust note.
Just a thought for you

[oliver122]

cheers guys , sorry forgot to mention is was a 998cc 88-89 year

i want a decent stage one kit to start of with so i can go from them and do more mods
but i dont know in what order i want to do these mods , or specifaclly what mods ,i wanted to start of with the easy stuff to get at, ive read that 1:3:1 roller tip rockers are best suited for the 998 but dont know if there worth it :s

thanks again guys

oh and dan , have you got a link to that sort of kit , the cooper freeflow

Edited by oliver122, 03 March 2011 - 01:25 PM.

[[email protected]]

http://www.minispare...ty=pb&pid=37334 is the most popular kit

[twrminisport]

Good old mini spares to the rescue as always eh Simon

To be fair they do the best stage one kits by far and they are properly developed.

Oliver. Would you like a copy of my guide to tuning the small bore motor

Cheers

[oliver122]

mine hasnt got the original airbox , think it might have a k and n on already :S , not to sure though , aint to actual delerivy of it yet , as the bloke needs find another car

[oliver122]

Good old mini spares to the rescue as always eh Simon

To be fair they do the best stage one kits by far and they are properly developed.

Oliver. Would you like a copy of my guide to tuning the small bore motor

Cheers

i would be greatful if you dont mind oh and do you need my email adress or not ? thanks again

Edited by oliver122, 03 March 2011 - 01:42 PM.

[Dan]

You will get the best results by getting a new original air cleaner, drilling the front face if you feel you need to, and putting a K&N in there.

[KingCraig]

Oliver. Would you like a copy of my guide to tuning the small bore motor

I Could Use that guide if you wouldnt mind
got the "how to tune the A Series engine on order but the more knowledge the better

[oliver122]

You will get the best results by getting a new original air cleaner, drilling the front face if you feel you need to, and putting a K&N in there.

so i should buy the original housing for the mini then , and get the k and n to fit in there , and what do you mean drill the the front face :S , i was under the illsuion that removign the standard air box and replacing it with a k and n filter would improve it

[twrminisport]

Yeah if you PM me your email address i will foward it over
Its literally a guide that ive just finished. Be interested to see what you make of it

Cheers

[Dan]

i was under the illsuion that removign the standard air box and replacing it with a k and n filter would improve it

Lots of people assume that. Just because a part is aftermarket doesn't mean it has to be an improvement.

Drilling 5 or 6 20mm or so holes along the front facing part of the air cleaner, outside the filtered area, improves its airflow. Ruins the hot air supply system but that's not all that important, most Mini's hot air valves don't work anyway.