It’s now 20 years since the revamped BMW version of the MINI marque first hit the road and its popularity shows no sign of slowing down. One of the enduring qualities of the MINI is its almost universal appeal for both regular driving around town or high spec track driving.
But for the team at Lohen, we’re all about the performance and getting the most out of your car. That’s why when the third generation of the John Cooper Works GP was announced we couldn’t wait to get our hands dirty and take the most powerful MINI yet to the next level.
Throughout 2020, lots of lucky UK customers have managed to get their hands on the limited release GP3 and many of these have been eager to modify the stock specification to make it truly their own.
There is a challenge though when applying modifications to a new model, as with most cars, tuning options can take months and sometimes years to fully mature.
Luckily, our team of on-site technicians have carried out lots of testing here at Lohen and with the help of other manufacturers, we already have many tuning options to help your GP3 go faster in a straight line, or around a corner.
To help you plan out the best tuning options currently available to improve your MINI GP3 spec, we’ve put together a short guide to get you started.
ITG Performance Panel Filter
With the help of ITG, Lohen can now offer a performance panel filter that suits the new airbox found on the GP3 and the new 306 bhp JCW engine. This panel filter will provide an increase in airflow to the engine whilst protecting the engine from harmful particles and debris due to its Tri-foam filter technology.
We’ve previously investigated whether performance filters make a difference to your cars performance, and now, with the help of ITG, Lohen can offer a high performance panel filter suitable for the airbox found on the GP3 and its new 306HP JCW engine.
By opting for a performance filter instead of the stock part, you’ll benefit from an increase in airflow to the engine whilst protecting against harmful particles and debris thanks to its Tri-foam filter technology.
Key Features:
- Improved performance
- Increase in airflow
- Re-usable and washable
- Suitable for GP3 and 306 bhp JCW models
Available from £70, with fitting at Lohen available - CLICK HERE TO BUY
EBC YellowStuff Brake Pads
With the GP3 being track-focused in its design many GP3 owners have already taken their pride and joy to the track to see what it can do, one thing stopping all the fun is how quickly the OEM brake pads fade and need replacing. To combat this, EBC has a solution.
The YellowStuff brake pads by EBC for the MINI GP3 not only work from cold making them suitable for road use, but they have a much higher brake fade resistance than OEM whilst also being a hard-wearing brake pad that can last lap after lap when out on the track.
Key features:
- Superb braking response & bite
- Compatible with MINI brake pad sensors
- Suitable for fast road use & track use
Available from £113, with fitting at Lohen available - CLICK HERE TO BUY
Goodridge Braided Brake Lines
Upgrading your brake pads away from the OEM parts will provide a noticeable difference in responsiveness and longevity, but to further improve the braking performance of your GP3, we recommend upgrading the brake lines too.
By opting for a braided variant, such as the Goodridge Braided Brake Hose Line, you’ll feel more in control of the brake pedal and will stop the brake hoses expanding, which can result in a spongy pedal when pushed hard on the track.
Key features:
- Responsive firm brake pedal
- Improved efficiency
- Stops expanding brake lines
Available from £90, with fitting at Lohen available - CLICK HERE TO BUY
Forge Motorsport JCW Intercooler
The final piece of the puzzle before remapping your GP3 is ensuring your intake temperatures are kept at safe levels. To do this we recommend a Forge Motorsport JCW intercooler that bolts directly to the GP3 without any modifications.
The large core ensures this intercooler does not suffer from heat soak even when used on a track and can lead to improved performance as cooler air can be forced into the engine at larger volumes improving the level of combustion.
Key features:
- Improve air intake temperatures
- Improve performance
- Fits F56 JCW and the MINI GP3
Available from £729, with fitting at Lohen available - CLICK HERE TO BUY
Lohen Stage 1 ECU Remap
After intensive testing on our Lohen dyno, we can offer an ECU tune for GP3 owners that will enable your GP3 engine to produce roughly 350 bhp and 500 Nm of torque.
Our remap will turn your MINI GP3 into an even more intense driving machine that offers improved throttle response and consistent power delivery throughout the rev range.
Key features:
- Available for both manual and automatic models
- Improved responsiveness and performance
- Carried out on-site by our expert technicians
Available from £420, and must be carried out at Lohen HQ - CLICK HERE TO BUY
Nitron NTR R1 Coilovers
To take your MINI GP3 to the next level on the track, Lohen recommends the Nitron brand, known for producing some of the best suspension equipment on the market.
The Nitron NTR R1 system is an adjustable 2-way coilover that comes with adjustable top mounts allowing for height, damper, caster and camber adjustment.
The Nitron R1 coilover kit offers incredible performance and reliability making it the perfect option for any MINI GP3 track day enthusiast, designed and built to last on both the road and the track.
Key features:
- Protects against corrosion in the winter months
- Fully adjustable for track use
- Designed and built to last on both the road and the track
Available from £2,700, with fitting at Lohen available - CLICK HERE TO BUY
Lohen Performance Pack 1
If you want more power from your GP3 and currently your GP3 is completely stock, Lohen offers a package that includes all parts, labour and the ECU tune itself to take your GP3 to 350 bhp.
This package includes:
- Pre tune check
- ITG filter install and fitting
- Forge Motorsport Intercooler and fitting
- Lohen stage 1 remap and dyno runs
This package contains all you need to get your MINI to a higher performance level with the best value for money, and can usually be completed within just one day.
Available for £1525, fully fitted at Lohen - CLICK HERE TO BUY
Summary
Although the GP3 might not have the extensive range of tuning options available like with the GP1 or GP2, it’s still very much early days.
Our technicians are already hard at work testing new upgrades to get the most out of the already powerful GP3, so keep checking back for more updates and keep up to date on our Facebook and Instagram pages.
Want to book your MINI in for performance modifications? Contact our team at [email protected] or 01785 859999
