Hi folks! I've been on these forums as a lurker for far too long and I've learned a ton from all of you great people out there sharing valuable information with the community. Figured it was time to be part of the community, not just a beneficiary. I look forward to my continued learning as well as hope to contribute to the community as a member :D. More so, I look forward to some mini events and joining folks for a track day or a mountain drive here and there. LETS GO!

 

Hi and welcome to the NAM family, GotGrit!
You will get much help here if you need it and this is the premier site, for all thing Mini, in the USA and elsewhere!
Tell us a bit about your R53!
And again welcome!

 

Thanks!

Purchased my 2006 R53 in 2015 with 68,000 miles. Currently has 79,000 miles and spends most of it's time in the garage, not driven in the rain. This car was originally meant to replace my commuter (2002 Mazda Protege5) but the car just keeps going LOL (232,000 miles currently) and the more I changed the mini, the less I wanted to beat it up (track is an exception!). Plus, the freeways around her are awful! My goals is to get the most out of the car without making it illegal on California streets. I plan to enjoy my purple street legal go-kart for many years. So far, so good - no issues.

Performance:
- K&N CAI
- Borla (aggressive version) cat-back exhaust
- Megan Euro Series full coil overs w/ adjustable dampers
- Hotchkis adjustable rear camber arms
- Drilled/Slotted rotors


Cosmetic/others:
- Rear smoked tails
- Tinted windows
- Projector door lights (mini logo on ground)
- Aluminum coolant reservoir tank
- Aftermarket flexible (Cravenspeed) dipstick
- Generic tow hook.
- DIY headrest go-pro mount

Pending upgrades:
- Airtec Intercooler (in the mail to deliver 5/18!)

Future thoughts:
- 15% pulley kit (on the fence about this one, weighing risk+tune)
- Front strut brace
- Wheels and tires for track only
- Big brake kit

 

Get the strut tower braces, sooner than later, as the towers will mushroom, if you are racing it and if you are, I would get adjustables.

 

Adjustable braces?

 

So that it will also hold camber plates like these, or better:
https://www.ebay.com/itm/Camber-Plat...sAAOSwIJlaHO6W

 

ahh, gotcha - will have to do some measuring and make sure they are compatible. There are new top mounts with the coil overs I have in place, but not the pillowball adjustable camber ones shown in the link. is the mushrooming more a concern with the OE top strut mounts?

 

The strut brace will fix the mushrooming from happening. If you plan to race it, I would get the adjustable brace on the bottom side, if you are going to track it.
Example:

Strut braces with bar

 

Link?

 

Welcome good to find a low mileage R53.
A 15% pulley kit is a no brainer as it will be great and still be reliable. We have installed over 600 pulleys and you shouldn't be afraid of it as it is tried and true.
We actually also offer a solid bar brace with billet plates to protect from mushrooming if you are looking for a good brace.