850 modifications

[e13h]

My first car was the volvo 850 turbo estate. Since then I've moved on to BMW/MINI and begun to work in a garage that specializes in german automotive. During this time I've really gotten into the performance side of cars, however I'm afraid to do to much to my Mini for fear of ruining my daily driver. However, I do still have the wagon and am curious what all i can do to it while staying true to the five cyl engine. I don't wanna do an engine swap or anything of the sort, I've seen people talk about the 16t turbo and some ecu tuning and what not. Any suggestions or things not to try?

[Clemens]

If yoi wanna have fun get an 18t or an 19t turbo with spool control from ardideas (the stock 19t is known as the rodbender), a good downpipe with a racecat and a catback 2.5 inch system (or 3 inch of you like it loud), bigger injectors if you still have oranges, maybe an upgraded intercooler from do88, later model R exhaust manifold (or the so called japanifold). A good ecu tune from ardideas or vasttuning is a must for any of these upgrades. A 16t is kinda a waste of money IMHO if you start with a 15g (if yoi have a 13g the 16t makes sense).

The cheaper way is just a downpipe, catback exhaust and an ecu tune. Should be plenty fast either way.

[e13h]

The thing is it’s an auto box and I read somewhere that the 16t is as high as you can go.

[misha]

Automatic transmission on these cars is capable to withstand 300+hp.

[scot850]

They are rated to 320 bhp for autos.

Neil.

[Clemens]

So a mild tune with an 18T or a 19 T should still do. Get a spare tranny that you can pop in in case the old one is torn apart and everything is good.
Also, switching to fully synthetic ATF and adding an additional tranny oil cooler might help with longetivity).