After running into Randy Terwilliger with his ’02 Cooper S for several years at numerous events, we finally arranged a photo shoot with the man and his Mini in the LA canyons.
The 61 year-old tuner was able to get his hands on one of the first US-bound Cooper S, which later became an R&D tool for his company and hobby, M7 Tuning.
Eventually taking the Cooper S to the racetrack and even a wind tunnel, the guys started developing a range of performance parts in 2003. These now include items like a sequential shifter system, which controls gear selection in the stock six-speed transmission with paddles or a bumpstick, and incorporates an LED gear display and a clutch.
As you’d expect, the sequential system provides lightning gear selection. However, it also allows you to stack gears. “For example,” Randy explained, “you’re in fifth gear, coming into a third gear corner. Simply disengage the clutch, use the paddles or bumpstick to go down two gears, then engage the clutch and the computer in the back commands solenoids to select the chosen gear in 400 milliseconds.” The system provides sequential shifting for the stock transmission and is thrilling in the canyons!
R&D
Randy and partner Peter Horvath at M7 also designed parts like their 16% supercharger reduction pulley that allows boost to start earlier and climb higher than stock. It’s combined with a 2% larger crank pulley that’s lighter to increase throttle response.
The intercooler and hood scoop on Randy’s car were designed to channel air more efficiently through the intercooler, exiting from an extraction vent on the hood – a solution that’s since been patented by the company.
They also used 400cc injectors and a 65/62mm throttle body. The extra power is then tempered by an Alky Control that triggers methanol injection at 8psi boost to keep intake temperatures consistent, avoiding detonation.
Steve’s Auto Clinic in North Hills, CA provided Randy with a shop to help with the heavy stuff. “If it’s not at M7, it’s being worked on at Steve’s,” Randy said.
Steve’s shop fitted a Quaife LSD, ported and polished both the head and supercharger, installed a Schrick cam and a Jackson Racing header before Vitesse Pro tuned the ECU with Dimsport software.
In total, the engine modifications amount to 230hp at the wheels and 190 lb-ft of torque on the LAPD dyno in Chatsworth, CA. Of course, this doesn’t include the meth or nitrous systems that kicks in at full throttle for extra punch!
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