First Drive In My 17% Supercharged MINI R53 Cooper S! The Sound Blows My Mind!

[@stephenweenink7485]

If you ditch the 17" wheels and go down to a 16" lightweight wheel with a standard (not run-flat) tire, it will change the handling and acceleration noticeably!

[@donatocannatello]

this is somethink I also was thinking...

[@AmaanKhan-te8ll]

💯 agree with you ,got 16 inch wheel on the r56 and it's very difficult to get it to understeer in the dry.

[@Peginafication]

Completely agree! I switched to a set of (standard mini) lightweight 16s and the difference was staggering. Braking, handling, acceleration and steering feel. Must be done imo

[@lepriconsauce4317]

I actually moved to 15s with an offset and comfortably is insane

[@Infini327]

That's exactly what I did with my R53! Even the dealer was impressed with the way it rode after the change.

[@blackkeymaestro]

Have exact same ride with 17% and 2% crankshaft pulley, except it is the convertible (R52). Had the same hesitation, which went away as soon as I installed the Bypass Valve from Detroit Tuned. The tighter spring made it so that the supercharger would stay engaged. I consider the BPV upgrade a must if you are going 17%+ on the S.C. Also be mindful of possible lean mixture at wide open throttle (WOT) causing excessive heat in the compression chamber and melting valves/piston. At WOT, the R52/R53 does not do accurate mixture readings due to the O2 sensor being a narrowband sensor and therefore won't issue "engine too lean" codes when it is lean. This can occur most often when you are pulling 17.5+ psi boost (cold days/nights) and not providing enough fuel due to small injectors or hickups from fuel pressure regulator (vacuum line problem), fuel injector (dirty or faulty) or fuel pump / filter (dirty or faulty). Lastly, if you are a fan of the whine, install a cold air Intake that grabs the air from the windshield cowl vents. The sound is phenomenal. And don't forget to turn off DCS 😁

[@MrRoyck10]

This car is well sorted with that epic whine from the supercharger, very sensible modifications, well done Stef.

[@StefABtv]

Thanks buddy!

[@brendandrives]

Did a track day a decade ago with a slew of these supercharged minis on track and they sound incredible in person

[@ccleve7849]

So glad to see more people doing this, put a 17% and a CAI on my r52 jcw last summer. Best decision of a lifetime!

[@StefABtv]

It’s a great mod :)

[@georgesandiford1141]

The hesitation is the same as what i had, totally identical, it is a sensor unplugged under the supercharger snoot on the left hand side, there is another video on youtube about this, but it can easily be knocked when changing intercooler and boots, you will also notice another significant power gain when it is plugged back in.

[@tehmorbias]

I think you're referring to the vacuum pipe to the fuel pressure regulator

[@BigCol78]

I love the sound of these things. I’m looking at doing similar mods to mine when money allows….. Just had to have a clutch and flywheel that’s eaten away at my fun pot :( it will be good to see how the mods improve the standard car though. With the higher bhp you mite want to look at upgrading your stopping power to some r56 callipers etc or something more spicy like the green brembo’s on the Abarth you had.

[@darrenlucas2768]

I did the same here, and then fitted a plus2 super light crank pulley from GTT, binned the Aircon compressor for less drag and fitted a shorter belt and to balance it up went plus5 on the alternator pulley. Still on standard map,injectors and cam but it's so lively now and spins up so fast I'm not even sure it needs more power....but once you start,it's hard to stop. Biggest fear is that two much power might turn the steering to a nightmare.

[@NotDecided420]

I got mine adjusted to 11% 200bhp. She flys! Got MoMo quick shift too. It's like a rally car.

[@eurothrasher2823]

My stock 2003 R53 manual stick with only 17% SCP achieved 34mpg highway all day long....Wasn't until after adding 380's, JCW exhaust and JCW tune did it drop down to mid 20's. Frm the factory is was a true Jackal and Hyde car depending on how heavy your foot was.

[@johnhibbs6508]

I just bought a R53 checkmate. Installed a 15% pulley. Many more mods.

[@MrAshleydickens]

Sounds bloody fab Stef!! Love the sound of a supercharger!

[@StefABtv]

Thanks!

[@stefanlee2152]

It's very happy to see the same car as mine, the same model and color except for year, the transmission and mileage. In korea, the only automatic transmission Minis have been imported and mine is 2006, automatic transmission and 53,000 miles. Anyway, you customized yours very well. Mine is the factory state, not custo izing at all. I envy you so much, especially supercharge whine. Bye!

[@Muzzaa]

I do love mine I've had it for 3 years, but the time has come to trade it in.

[@ianturner9894]

1) 16" wheels and non runflats 2) r56 front calipers and disc's (check the 16" alloys clear them first) 3) for the road at least, bilstein b4 dampers new springs and bushes (not necessarily poly ones all round) 4) stealth airbox mod or JCW airbox (anything JCW is heavily taxed!) 5) bigger injectors and a map, plus colder plugs if you haven't done so already - ties everything together and makes sure the engine is fuelling correctly when you give it some, stops something melting in the engine... 6) fix all the oil leaks! 7) enjoy!

[@ianturner9894]

Oh yeah forgot, 2a) get the standard exhaust one balled. If it's not rotted through its fine power wise for those mods and will sound much better plus save weight 👌

[@StefABtv]

Got the cooler plugs when we did the pulley upgrade

[@1BLUEMEANIE]

Stef it Probably needs a by pass valve mine did Also fit a manifold and air intake makes a big improvement 👍

[@PetrolPed]

Sounds epic 👌👍

[@StefABtv]

Thanks buddy! Need to arrange for you to have a go :)

[@seizedkeyboard]

There is the law of diminishing returns when tuning, but I went the whole hog at 1320 and got a millteck exhaust, headers, airbox mod, 550cc injectors, an more aggressive cam and a custom map. 225+bhp at the wheels and 6 seconds to 60 mph. Drank fuel like anything - was actually better when thrashing it than economy driving. Think I saw 30 mpg once on a long run. 99ron as well :( Loved that car - felt like it could keep with anything on a winding b-road.

[@EvanXDev]

Why did it drink fuel like anything? I thought it was 23 mpg in town. Did the mods make it less fuel efficient than that? I'm seriously considering one the only thing puts me off is the way petrol prices are heading...

[@seizedkeyboard]

@@EvanXDev Supercharged cars are famous for poor economy. The display would say 20-30 mpg but if you checked at the pump vs miles it was always less. It was no better or worse when tuned but a tuned car is always going to be driven harder.

[@seizedkeyboard]

Mpg aside - That car was amazing. Handling was something special and power and sound so good. The panoramic roof was great. Would have it back in an instant.

[@tim1king]

That noise!!! Intoxicating - little Go Kart

[@StefABtv]

Sounds so good mate 🙌

[@minimanadam]

You absolutely should go 1x step colder sparkplugs too when installing anything over an 11% pulley

[@rare6499]

I wouldn’t recommend changing the leads or coil pack, both the stock version are more than adequate. Uprated plugs would be helpful. The JCW 210 and the GP both had an uprated plug from factory. I would also recommend changing the bypass valve, as they’ve given me similar hesitation and yo-yo like problems in the past where they aren’t operating correctly. 1320 sell a modified OEM unit for sensible money. I would suggest looking at that. At this point I’ve had 2x R53 GP’s, 1 Cooper S, 1 JCW 200 and 2 JCW 210. The amount of money I’ve spent on R53 maintenance over the years is sickening 😅

[@dominicwenzel1948]

What do you recommend far as modifying a jcw 210?

[@rare6499]

@@dominicwenzel1948 depends what you want to do with it, road car or track? Whether it still requires some level of decent compliancy. Ultimately though the single biggest upgrade you can make is suspension, the best you can afford. That will transform the car more than additional power (at least with a supercharged engine).

[@dadabooey]

Wow! That supercharger whine!!!!

[@simonbrown2131]

Swap the coil pack and leads. That cured my hesitation under full throttle.

[@fredspekvet8533]

550cc injectors, 1360pk belt And a good tune

[@LearnToRace]

I took my standard checkmate on a rolling road, no mods apart from a pre installed cat back exhaust and got 178bhp, should definatly go and get yours on a Dyno

[@StefABtv]

Awesome might be more than 190ish then defo feels it lol

[@LearnToRace]

@@StefABtv did you change the spark plugs too? I'm gonna be taking mine down to mod a mini soon to get the pulley changed over for a 17% then it'll be back on a Dyno so I'll let you know what it makes then

[@therealbacon3384]

@@LearnToRace what did it make with a 17%?

[@LearnToRace]

@@therealbacon3384 I haven't had the 17% fitted yet, will be done start of next month so will be able to find out after that

[@BillyJo44]

Great review mate, they are so much fun mini 👍 ❤

[@r53caspar]

Did you turn off your traction control? If not maybe it's kickin in and reducing power. But second idea of rooster bypass valve.

[@rv9990]

🥰 i love the cooper S videos!

[@StefABtv]

Thanks!

[@BigPerformance]

Good morning chap. Another great video. Keep up the HARD work my friend

[@StefABtv]

Thanks buddy! Appreciate it 🙌🙌

[@raymondmumford6255]

It’s absolutely awesome Stef, love it.

[@StefABtv]

Thanks buddy!

[@grahampearce6486]

Beautiful Sound ! Get a Milltek Exhaust now!

[@harryodling4898]

put on the Ram Air filter, makes a huge difference to the noise.

[@The_BenboBaggins]

R53 for the win! :)

[@paulob05]

I had exact the same issue with my 2005 R53 Cooper S. It as a the exact same modification as yours. I think that the "hésitation" is purely an Electronic issue. You have to "tell" your ECU that your car is sucking way more air than the default settings. A ECU Map should solve the problem and add a great amount of power too ! Around 210 BHP

[@StefABtv]

Turned out to be dodgy spark plugs

[@HuggybearFezzy]

Great video, can't wait to do this to mine.

[@StefABtv]

Thank you

[@c-los4630]

Will the 19% pulley make a difference in power or is it to much and possibly harm engine. Thnks great video.

[@Milkymustangting]

19% does make a difference, your torque will be easier down the Rev range. I went from 17 to 19% and felt a bit of a difference, but stock straight to 19% is a huge difference. You risk overheating the charger if you sit at high revs all the time but you don’t need to, as your power will be a bit power down the Rev range 👍 if anyone can add or correct me with something please do 🙂

[@DanR32gtst]

Do you not need a retune after these mods?

[@robertscott8227]

my sons has the mods .we are running 16" tires and coil over struts . it screams . its a very quik little car . the only problem were are having is the belt we had one break then i replaced it with a stock belt now that the stock belt has been on awhile its slipping when the ac is kicked on. i think i am going to have to replace it with a shorter belt .

[@leviborntreger]

You need to ditch the standard air filter housing and get a cold air intake that feeds through the cowl. Even more supercharger whine!

[@StefABtv]

Defo need to do that :)

[@stiggy82]

3:06 - the 17” pulley 🤣 That’s massive! No wonder you have hesitation 🤣

[@antohooper6996]

There shouldn’t be any lag 17” pulley is the best by far 19” is too easy to burn out and the 15” doesn’t have the same power output the 17” is the best to have overall.

[@stiggy82]

You’re thinking percent not inch mate 🤣

[@JustBurnOil]

Remove the cabin air filter and take it for a drive

[@waterlover]

Add a 2.5 exhaust system and the power could be heard and felt for miles

[@ChuckyDoll79]

Dish those wheels, they are heavy. I got 17lbs - 17inch wheels from a 2004 Mazda MSM. Needed to boreout the centerbore from 54mm to 56mm, but it does worth it.

[@therealsharps]

Have you had to rebuild the engine yet, as the smaller pulley will kill it eventually

[@JonSheppardsells]

Sounds nice mine has the same mod but got uprated filter and exhaust just pops and bangs

[@thomashead3902]

How does it compare to the abarth ? Iv always preferred the seating position in my Mrs mini

[@keithevans5667]

Sounds fab. Roll on the next mods ;-)

[@StefABtv]

Yep yep!

[@huwjones5879]

Nice condition example. The R53 has Coilovers as standard. Did you fit cooler spark plugs?

[@StefABtv]

Yeah we did. But one was dodgy it’s sorted now and car runs fine

[@bowservr6]

Hi buddy ,what phone holder do you use as I don't know which to use ...

[@555jaybo]

Don't need to go Airtec either , I've tested theirs against a Hobo and almost identical results

[@DavideGTI86]

Well, it doesn't really need coilovers, unless you want to lower it o use it on track. Try to upgrade the rear anti roll bar first, with a 19mm or 22mm and maybe some new sticky rubber.

[@EvanXDev]

Needs coilovers unless you want become crippled by the stock suspension on Britians atrocious roads.

[@lordbutler482]

Get it remapped !

[@gavinivers8941]

This is interesting, as you have moved from a Fiat 500 Abarth, to a Mini Cooper, which, I think, are the direct opposition to one another. Will be interesting to see which you rate.

[@singlendhot8628]

The real question is: How do you compare the feeling on the first day of getting the Mini back vs. the Smart Brabus?

[@trevorjarvis3021]

Fantastic stuff, 👏👏👍

[@Jonathan-qz9kd]

Get the stealth air box mod and you will get even more supercharger noise….

[@StefABtv]

Oh will have to have a look at that!

[@antonpalohonka476]

Thinking about geting one of these as a daily, does anyone have any experencie? Especially in the snow?

[@kaoriisdriving]

stef, love your videos, been a fan for over 4 years now... im currently shopping for an r53 and ive had 2 abarths, how would you compare the two cars to each other? would love to know your input!

[@StefABtv]

Thanks dude! Both are great for different reasons. The Abarth is more torquey lower down, it’s more modern. The R53 is ultimately a BMW so it’s good build quality for an 18 year old car. I wanted one as a supercharger in a car is hard to find nowadays so was something different :) both sound great but for different reasons. Both handle great! I feel you can abuse the Abarth a bit more though lol

[@equaliser2265]

Did you get one step colder plugs.

[@itsmetimmee]

love your car Stef

[@StefABtv]

Thanks dude

[@hakankepil6915]

Great video, sounds amazing really glad where you’ve come, can i ask where you’ve bought your phone mount on the dash from? i’ve been looking everywhere for something like that. thank you

[@StefABtv]

Found the seller on the mini R53 owners Facebook page. 🙌

[@hakankepil6915]

@@StefABtv is there no way i can find it online? thank you again

[@simonupex2628]

Hey steff did you change the spark plugs for fresh ones when you did the mods?

[@StefABtv]

Yep for cooler ones. One was dodgy which caused the hesitation. All sorted now

[@alessandrofiorentino4384]

i have the same car, so great! but...CAN U PLEASE LINK ME the phone holder ? thanks a lot

[@StefABtv]

Google Roadie Designs. That’s where I got it

[@Camelhooof]

Great video mate and cant wait for the next one 😁👍. Makes want to go and buy another one lol 😂😂

[@StefABtv]

Thank you!

[@tredfxman]

Beautiful Video! My definition of some of the hottest hatches now. Give me: the Ford ST's chassi, the Toyota's GR86 body control, the BMW's gearbox, the Hyundai's suspension, the Subaru's BRZ's rear wheel drive, the Skoda RS wagons spaceyness, the Mazdas Miata's looks, VW's Dynamic Chassis Control, and the engine of an *Jaguar F-Type V8* to fit in small form factor! (oh heck, make it the looks of the Shaguar as well..) 😄 👍

[@StefABtv]

Cheers man

[@Blortoblorto]

You prattling queen. Shut up!

[@n.r.c.w]

That whine is bonkers! Not sure if you already installed a CAI? Mine arrives tomorrow (from Orranje) and I can’t wait to get it installed. Adds a couple of hp, but it’s mostly the extra noise that does it for me😎

[@StefABtv]

Never heard of a CAI lol will have to research!

[@bluegoosecommuterline]

@@StefABtv CAI stands for Cold Air Intake

[@marcust123]

Great video mate whats mpg like?

[@StefABtv]

It’s pretty pants to be fair lol

[@lewisspringate]

Great video mate, can't wait to see where it goes. What dash phone mount do you use?

[@StefABtv]

Roadie Designs one 🙌

[@dutchminir5318]

Lose those snoot boots and get the oem ones back, these ones tend to get false air. The oem ones are the best

[@leevermiglio8701]

How does it sound on a motorway run ? Thanks

[@StefABtv]

It’s fine on the motorway pretty standard

[@jdmkills12]

Are you going to map in the mods and see what you get

[@StefABtv]

Prob not to be fair

[@nickdonaldson4130]

I am curious to know what is that phone holder?

[@StefABtv]

Google Roadie Designs. That’s where I got it from. It’s a 3D printed one

[@klasseact6663]

It's kind of hard to get used to seeing you in a Mini Cooper

[@mauroizolirani8107]

1:35 what u came for

[@waterlover]

So why the hesitation on the power band?

[@StefABtv]

Dodgy spark plug

[@waterlover]

@@StefABtv so it was a spark plug?

[@waterlover]

@@StefABtv how did you find that out?

[@jeremyocampo1529]

0:54 What's the phone holder you got there?

[@StefABtv]

Rodie designs 3D printed holder

[@teleblack2069]

Bro is a hell cat 😭

[@gemsizer846]

What exhaust is that

[@StefABtv]

Standard exhaust

[@AmbientElectrical]

Where's the mini I can see a BMW but no mini

[@dawiddalomis576]

have you considered using larger pulleys for the crankshaft and alternator? as the supercharger is spinning quicker there is more strain on the crankshaft and likely the battery will overcharge. Read up on it

[@StefABtv]

Haven’t considered will have a read 🙌

[@ianturner9894]

Shouldn't be an issue, the supercharger spins up quicker due to the smaller pulley but the smaller belt means the ancillaries should be as they were. I believe in the early days of tuning them you could only get the bigger charger pulleys, people used to change the other pulleys to amplify the effect of having a smaller charger pulley (thus affecting how fast the crank etc span round) - nowadays most tend to have 15 or 17% and leave it at that

[@elek101]

That doesnt matter because its just the supercharger that spins faster. The alternator still spins at the same speed

[@robertlloyd7493]

Hope you have told your insurers ?

[@ronukepixels9629]

Change rims those rims are heavy

[@mrporsche4236]

From supercharger mini went to boring turbo.Every car manufacturers went to turbocharging and thats why all modern cars are boooooring because of it so sad.

[@elek101]

Turbos offer better power gains, more efficiency (youre not using engine power to spin the supercharger) and are arguably more fun

[@grahamsherlock261]

Could go faster if you could change gear faster I have same but auto In sport it is faster than manual the way your granny shifting

[@dopernautzofficial1504]

why didnt you 100% supercharge it?

[@StefABtv]

Lol it is one 100% supercharged. It’s got a 17% reduced pulley from stock so it’s faster :)

[@DOBS13]

God i couldn't listen to that on a long drive😅 turbo anyday

[@BlahBleeBlahBlah]

Cruising on the highway under light loads you won’t hear it at all unless you’re accelerating or going up a steep hill. It’s also not so bad at lower revs - the supercharger is spinning slower so the whine is a lower pitch. 👍

[@Simonpepsi]

there is no hesitation is you pulling from 2000rpm on second gear without a tune air/fuel..... and you dont know how to drive a supercharger.... or in fact any car.... ill help you out dude... that mini cooper s engine max torque is at 4200rpm so to get the best of it is to shift under 5000rpm and no go under 4000 rpm after you shifted ... with a supercharger you got boost at low and high rpm so basically you should shift all gear at 4500rpm to 5000rpm and burn the clutch so that the rpm does'nt go under 4000 rpm after you shifted ... the way i saw you shifting is newbie driver .. and as for your 2000 rpm hesitation ... if you wanna get the thing go farward burn that clutch from start on 2 second gear and fallow what i just said .

[@andrewmann3787]

Its not a mini its a bmw

[@BARON.SAMEDI.]

Mini?!? Sorry but😕👎