Even though the twin-charged MINI now produces nearly twice the horsepower and torque of a stock MINI Cooper S, the drivetrain and tranny have been left alone. Hubie is surprised by how well the stock components have held up to the hard launches the MINI now endures regularly.
The suspension, however, received some additional attention to accommodate the increase in power. Turn-in, while already decent in stock trim, has been dramatically improved with the addition of a set of custom-valved, KW Variant III race coil-overs, which drop the MINI's ride height by 2 inches.
Stopping was also given priority in this MINI gone mad. A StopTech Big Brake system does the trick up front with 13-inch slotted rotors, ST-40 four-piston calipers and high-performance street pads. Out back, a set of 10-inch SportStop slotted rotors sit sandwiched by another set of high-performance pads. Hubie replaced the stock rollers with a lightweight set of 18x7.5-inch Volk GT-7s, wrapped in 215/35-18 Hankook Ventus tires. The anthracite finish makes the MINI look as bad-ass as it is.
Clean, minimalist additions to the bodywork begin and end with SPI's carbon-fiber front and rear spoilers. That's it. No unnecessary drama. Together, the subtle changes warn only the more discerning observers that this is no ordinary MINI. According to Hubie, a couple of Supras have already learned this lesson the hard way.
Since the gauge cluster in a stock MINI already looks like ground zero of the great pod invasion, it seemed an ideal platform for SPI to showcase the Dff,fi-Link system. But strap yourself into either of the Sparco Monzas up front, and the only clue that you're not staring at an OEM gauge cluster is the Dff,fi-Link digital display sitting front and center on top of the dash.
In fact, the four Dff,fi BF 60mm gauges are so well integrated into the MINI's existing dash layout, you'd swear they were a dealer-installed option. Mounted alongside the tach on the steering wheel stalk are boost and oil temp gauges. Gone are the two center-mounted vents, and in their place sit 60mm gauges for oil and fuel pressure.
While the car was originally built to be a show car, this new direction has led to a focus on future competition in street class drag racing. SPI also has plans to run the MINI at Watkins Glen later this year to further tune the suspension and toy with the idea of road racing. What began as a platform to display four gauges led to the creation of a monster. Dr. Frankenstein would be proud.
So far this car has won first place in the European Car category at the 2004 SEMA International Auto Salon East show. By accident. "We never entered the car," Hubie says. "We brought it for our booth, and the next thing we knew, the judges were surrounding it." He said their goal was to do something different, to give a Japanese tuning flavor to a European car.
And the warranty? Fawgeddaboutit.
2004 Mini Cooper SEngineEngine Code: W11B16Type: 1598cc SOHC inline four, turbocharged, supercharged and intercooledExternal Modifications: Stainless-steel tubular manifold and downpipe, Garrett GT28R turbo, SPIcustom top-mount intercooler with aluminum 2.5-in. piping, two HKS Racing blow-off valves, upgraded supercharger inlet pipe, SPI custom 3-inch stainless-steel exhaust, dual A'PEXi N1 Turbo mufflerEngine Management Modifications: 440cc/min. fuel injectors, A'PEXi S-AFC II
DrivetrainLayout: Transverse front engine, front-wheel drive
SuspensionFront: KW Variant III Race coil-oversRear: KW Variant III Race coil-overs
BrakesFront: StopTech slotted big brake system with ST-40 four-piston calipers and 328mm rotors, steel-braided lines, high-performance street padsRear: SportStop slotted 259mm rotors, high-performance street pads
ExteriorWheels: 18x7.5-in. Volk Racing GT-7 anthracite with polished lip, +44mm offsetTires: 215/35ZR-18 Hankook Ventus