Tuning a 998 Auto Clubman Estate

[clarko]

Hi Everybody,
I have a classic Mini Clubman Estate Automatic and I’m wondering if it’s possible to fit a Stage 1 tuning kit on it?
The original exhaust is blowing and I have never been happy about how it fits to the manifold, a ball type joint on the cast manifold, with a flare on the exhaust, for me it’s never sealed properly.
I was looking at a LCB manifold and exhaust system, which has bolted and gasket joints, but a tuning kit is not a lot more money?
Will the AP automatic transmission take a little bit more power? It states 20% more power and 12% more torque. I had a thread running on the forum regarding this engine and gearbox, my original gearbox stopped working, and I sourced this low mileage replacement which, touch wood, is a solid, reliable fault free gearbox, i’d rather leave it than blow it up!! John.

[69hcode]

A stage 1 kit would be a nice upgrade, I would find one with a maniflow freeflow manifold instead of an LCB. You will probably lose torque with the LCB on a 998. If your gearbox is fine how it is now, a stage 1 shouldn't be enough to hurt it. There not bad boxes as long as the correct oil is used and changed frequently. 

[limby2000]

What inlet manifold are you going to use?.

[clarko]

Hi Limby,
Apologies for the slow delay, I think a water heated/cooled inlet manifold comes with the kit, I presume it’s this there looks like water ports on it?