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1st GearNew members: make an initial post and introduce yourself as you shift from Neutral to First Gear. Current members: meet some of the new members.
Here's my new to me R53. Previous owner says she dynoed at 266whp and I believe it. I flew to LA to buy her. She's at my buddy's house and hopefully will join me here in Chicago in a few weeks. She might be disappointed that we don't have roads like Angeles Crest Highway. FYI, I'm "ChiR52" because I joined when my wife got a convertible.
She doesn't need a thing power wise and I might even bring that down some. It looks a little cleaner in the picture than up close. Could use some suspension mods.
Hi and welcome to nam. What kind of mods were done to the motor? (engine for those that think motor is not proper!)
Show us the engine and others pics when you have it home!
Here's a list of mods and some recent maintenance. Lots of goodies here.
-Freshened 2006 engine block with 60k miles
-2006 limited slip transmission and fresh fluid
-OS Giken GT racing clutch and flywheel
-RMW (Revolution Mini Works)big valve "Jesus" performance
-RMW dominator Cam
-RMW 550cc fuel injectors
-RMW match ported intake manifold
-Greene performance High performance fuel pump and new fuel filter
-Alta 17% reduction supercharger pulley w/belt and fresh supercharger fluid
-Mini mania Cold air intake
-RMW shorty headers with cat
-jcw exhaust system
-megan racing coilovers
-front carbon fiber and rear upper stabilizers bars
-solid poly control arm bushings
-new thermostat and waterpump
-new drive belt and jcw spark plugs
-jcw carbon ebrake and shifter
-Speedy 17” Lite-5 Wheels
-Michelin Pilot Super Sports 17 205/45
Congrats. Looks very clean. Nice and rust free out there. The only problems are paint fade and plastics need to be replaced.
Southern Cal car so no rust. A lot of things can be dealt with but rust is evil. I've ordered some Black Wow. I'm hoping it lives up to the hype. On the inside there are entire interior panels I'll just replace. I've got your site bookmarked for some more of the obscure stuff!
Any thoughts on what to do with this up here separating the glass from the roof? The rubber or whatever it is has disintegrated down to bare metal. beltline needs attention too. Should I post in a different section?
That's the rain gutters. 51137112079 & 51137112080 They fade out and crumble for MINIs down south in AZ, CA, TX, and Florida over time. Maybe you can sand and paint them? Most people just replace them.
That's the rain gutters. 51137112079 & 51137112080 They fade out and crumble for MINIs down south in AZ, CA, TX, and Florida over time. Maybe you can sand and paint them? Most people just replace them.
added to the cart! Those rain gutters are probably that's the worst thing on the exterior.
I want to look again before I started ordering stuff. Any thoughts on the beltline? The easiest solution is the blackout tape everyone does but on a black R53 I like having the chrome line.
Here's a list of mods and some recent maintenance. Lots of goodies here.
-Freshened 2006 engine block with 60k miles
-2006 limited slip transmission and fresh fluid
-OS Giken GT racing clutch and flywheel
-RMW (Revolution Mini Works)big valve "Jesus" performance
-RMW dominator Cam
-RMW 550cc fuel injectors
-RMW match ported intake manifold
-Greene performance High performance fuel pump and new fuel filter
-Alta 17% reduction supercharger pulley w/belt and fresh supercharger fluid
-Mini mania Cold air intake
-RMW shorty headers with cat
-jcw exhaust system
-megan racing coilovers
-front carbon fiber and rear upper stabilizers bars
-solid poly control arm bushings
-new thermostat and waterpump
-new drive belt and jcw spark plugs
-jcw carbon ebrake and shifter
-Speedy 17” Lite-5 Wheels
-Michelin Pilot Super Sports 17 205/45
Wow, impressive mods to it for sure! It does not sound like you need anymore power! Congrats!
Thanks! Do you still have all the cars in your signature?
The are all gone except for the R52. The s2000s were great cars but at my age I need something to get into and out of easier. Between the JCW package and the other mods that I have, car is pushing 240 bhp, you are at the 300 bhp mark so I can imagine the smiles you are getting. Just watch the clutch and the radar guns.
Last edited by Whine not Walnuts; Apr 25, 2017 at 08:45 AM.
The are all gone except for the R52. The s2000s were great cars but at my age I need something to get into and out of easier. Between the JCW package and the other mods that I have, car is pushing 240 bhp, you are at the 300 bhp mark so I can imagine the smiles you are getting. Just watch the clutch and the radar guns.
My other car is an S2000 which I think is the most incredible machine. I need a four seater and hardtop for the winter and picking up the kids. Maybe the rare good weather day where I don't want to listen to the radio. I only drove the car for a day and half. Its in LA. Will go to RMW and then transported to Chicago. I wondering if I needed that power. It gets going so fast that I don't feel like I can push it or get it high in the rev range. At least that's what the S2000 is for. I'll do a post at some point comparing the two. The power delivery in the S2k is linear except for the VTEC change over at 6k. The Mini feels exponential like the power grows at a faster rate with the revs. The dyno sheet shows linear, but it doesn't feel it. The opposite of my tuned 135i (I see you had one of those!). The was like a rocket above 2500 rpm but then died at 5k.
That should be a pretty fun with that amount of power in a 2600lb frame.
I used to live in Oak Park about a year ago. Blizzaks for you in the winter LOL.
winter tires for sure! I've heard good things about Blizzaks.
I'm curious to get her on a scale. A lot of the mods are lighter than stock. The wheels/tires alone should be about 40 lbs lighter than stock S-Lites and run flats. Giken Clutch is another 10lbs. JCW exhaust is lighter than stock. I'm guessing the RMW header/cat is light too. Could be 80 to 100 lbs lighter than stock. Also, this car stock was pretty much a stripper. It doesn't have sunroof, convenience pack, or heated seats. Does have HK and cruise control and that's pretty much it. I think your figure of 2600 is in the ballpark.
Post a video of exaust note when you have a chance! I've never seen such a modded mini with a JCW exhaust. I'd love to hear how the mods have effected the sound. IMO, the JCW exaust sounds best, but it's too quiet.
love the chrome grill on black, everyone murders them out. This looks classy (maybe sans side mirror chrome?).
Post a video of exaust note when you have a chance! I've never seen such a modded mini with a JCW exhaust. I'd love to hear how the mods have effected the sound. IMO, the JCW exaust sounds best, but it's too quiet.
love the chrome grill on black, everyone murders them out. This looks classy (maybe sans side mirror chrome?).
Nice Cooper! See you around Chicago!
Cool. I'll try to get some sound. Mostly I hear engine and lots of supercharger whine, but only when I get get on it. The exhaust is very quiet but there's enough going on with the engine to make me happy. 3k rpm cruising down the highway there is no drone and I like it that way.
I like the chrome too. To each their own but I think murdered out cars lose their lines and look like a blob. The chrome beltline especially on a black Mini is a nice touch. Frank Stephenson knew what he was doing. I love seeing cosmetically modified Minis and they take well to changes in colors, stripes, etc.
