What's up!
 

Hello all! I could use some tips on what to do to my Gen 1 (R53) Mini Cooper S. For some ideas, I do like to autocross and the car could use some interior love. I'm a student in high school on a tight budget; so the less money the better!

Thanks all!

Welcome to the forum and MINI ownership. Wow a MINI Cooper S in high school. I had an AMC Concord as my first car and that was after high school. Life is not fair.

I recommend that you enjoy your Cooper S as it is before you invest the money in modifying it and racing it. Some of us think the fist generation is the best. (Others have legitimate reasons to think their generation is best and they are right as well.) The first generation is the purist generation and the most extreme at the go-cart handling that MINI is known for.

We need pictures and more details.

Welcome.

Loads of information in the GEN 1 section and Racing and Competition section, share some photos list what you want to MODs you want to build.

Motor On!

Hi and welcome to NAM, Jamman1989.
Congrats on your Mini!
First thing you need to do now, is work at earning some money, so you can afford to drive and maintain your Mini.before modding starts, I am sure it needs deferred maintenance work.I am guessing it is a 6 speed manual, in which case you need to change the trans oil. Use something like Redline MTL. It takes about 1.7 quarts. Change the engine oil (100% synthetic only) and filter. You will need a 36 mm short socket to get the filter off.
Do not keep the clutch pressed, while waiting at a traffic light, or slip the clutch for a long time on a hill, as this will kill the clutch and your fun! Learn to use the E brake!
The most important thing about a Mini, is the driving fun and the co-cart like drive it has. Hone your driving skill, before getting too crazy. Mini cooper really hold the road well, but when they slip out, things can get hairy.
Have you done any autocross? if so, I am sure you know, what I am trying to say.
Show us some pics!

Welcome

Start with a sway bar if you are AutoXing as that will be the best bang for your buck. Then some camber plates to save tires.

Yes, an R53 in high school. And here's the story if you're interested hearing about it. I found the car with around 119k on the clock with a horrible knocking noise. This turned out to be the connecting rod bearing on cylinder number 1 bouncing around on the crankshaft. The price was beyond right; so I bought it. I found an engine out of another R53 that was mysteriously parked on an inclined driveway, and was flooded. Happily enough, the only pieces that were underwater were the front seat. The drivetrain was in perfect condition with about 83k on the motor and transmission. I compared the heads on both vehicles and found out that my car with rod bearing failure had all of the valve seals, cam seals, and the valve springs replaced. They must have thought the noise was coming from the top end. Either way; with a new short block (block, crankshaft, connecting rods, pistons and new freeze plugs) I went about putting humpty dumpty back together. I've put about 5ish thousand miles on the engine and it's chugging along happily.

Do you guys know of any tuning software for stock Minis? Like just so I could a savefile to a tuner and have him clean it up and then re-flash my ECU. My friend has a 2003 GT Mustang and he bought a handheld tuner from BAMA Preformance. Something like that?

Yes the handbrake is my best friend, but luckily I live in the Midwest; so I really don't have to deal with too many hills. But traffic is deadly and all my transmission maintenance has been done. I used the Redline MTL when I had the engine out and it has a Clutch Masters Stage 2 clutch. Annoyingly, both oil filter housings were cracked on my car, so I had to buy a new one (overpriced Genuine MINI). But yes, I treat Lilo with respect as I know how the Minis handle when they lose grip. It's fun on the AutoX, but not in the streets. :)

Welcome. Start with looking in the gen 1 area. Sway bar and some good lightweight wheels/sticky tires are a good start.

Welcome to NAM young grasshopper.

Most people have no idea how well a MINI handles in stock form. IMO you don't need a tune and I would save up for a stiffer rear sway bar that can help eliminate the FWD oversteer and a smaller supercharger pulley that can add some good boost. Sounds like you are turning you own wrenches so would think these are both within reach. If you have not already down so, suggest you check out the Gen1 Modification section for more ideas and "opinions."