Just signed up today, had my R-53 for about 4 years now. Its not your grandmas R-53, I have since replaced, engine, supercharger, power steeing pump, fuel pump, etc. Yup, champagne taste an a meager beer budget (bought used off private seller with about 70k mi). Upgrades include, New Eaton Supercharger, Alta lightened crank pulley, Dinan cold air intake, Dinan cat back exhaust, 18" Breyton's wrapped with BFG's, All Infiniti speakers, JL Audio clean sweep, JL Audio, 4 channel 1000 watt amp. Pulled my Alta 15% when i replaced the charger. Latest addition was, Wilwood big brake kit, front only Red callipers with cross drilled and slotted rotors. Wow come to think of it, its come along way and it has been a fun money pit. I would love to get to know fellow enthusists, as I still am planning for many fun upgrades and putting expensive rubber to the pavement!

 

Still to come, and I need some of your feedback, looking for a nice large intercooler, since I live in OC, CA, its generally hot out here and my mini is a dog in the heat. Currently looking into a GRS, would love the front mount but need the AC here in Cali. Can any of you help me? Not interested in the Forge or Alta.
Also considering the rear big brake kit from Wilwood to match, but my mechanic says the way the parking brake cable is ran, it would have to be somewhat Jerry rigged? Can anyone disprove this? I would like to match, to the fronts.
Certainly would like the JCW aero kit, sleek and not too transformer, lets keep it classy America.
Is their anything that i am in dire needs of that I forgot?
For sure if anyone knows where I can take my Mini hopefully here in Cali, I certainly need to tune it, have not done since i opened up the breathing. I heard Church down in LBz did but the grapevine told me he does not anymore, I need to adjust air to feul mixture and certainly more BOOST as always?
What about a chip? Any worthy chips?
Other then my mechanic, I am the only one of my friends who I know who have mini's and like to have all your feedback

 

The new issue of MC2 magazine had an article on a new intercooler from Defenders of Speed. It is supposed to be the best out there, highly engineered.

 

Curious why @ 70K you replaced the engine and the blower?

 

Being the only one to offer the 'matching rear kit' for the R53....the cable issue is not such a big deal. In this case the stock cable is retained but requires some effort.

You must release the cable from the stock mounts under the tunnel and you will need to grind a bit of a pocket for clearance where it will run over the rear trailing arm box. The cable will appear tight when it's all assembled but when no longer in full droop (off the ground) the jacket will be more relaxed and fit/function just fine. The kit comes with a cable spacer also to balance the amount of throw required to activate the lever on the caliper. Most cars do pick up one or two more clicks on the handle.

While some folks may have an issue with all of this mod, I can assure you it's much easier than it reads. With dozens of them in service today I think most folks would tell you it was far easier than they expected. *You may also be able to fit the Cables from the later (07+) Wilwood factory kit but you'll toss another $100 at it and the hassles to get at this....oh..not for me thank you.



Look closely at the middle of the cable jacket bend and you'll see where there's a coping in the trailing arm sheet steel box.

 

thanks so much, By the way that "DOS" intercooler looks ohh, so OG!!!

 

@Todd thanks a mil, this is all very helpful, I must say this should ease the pain I constantly put my mechanic through, which should in turn ease the pain on my wallet.