Brought it back from the near dead.

https://www.northamericanmotoring.co...uired-r53.html

^ This is when/where I started.

Here it is now...





ST Coilovers
Milltek non-resonated catback
Powerflex front bushings
Powerflex trans mount bushings (push in)
Fan resistor fix
BSH lower motor mount
TSW upper motor mount
Aluminum coolant tank
Replaced valve cover gasket set, power steering hoses, CPS sensor and gasket, fuel filter, brake rotors
New clutch, lightweight flywheel, clutch slave
Alta 17% reduction pulley
JCW plugs
NGK plug wires
Bride racing seats (reps) on planted mounting brackets w/ universal rails
Misc. cosmetic fixes (badges, trim, etc)

Currently running 100 octane until I can get JCW injectors and a tune, because its pulling timing without. Shitty ACN91 :( Waiting on stud conversion and 5mm spacers all around.

Open to suggestions on tuning, would like your feedback. I'd rather not use shark. Looking for eTuning, ECU flashing (giac, ess), or something well respected. I've also read that tuning isn't mandatory once JCW injectors are installed... can anyone back that up?

 

Nice car! The go to tuner for R53s is RMW Tuning. He is based out of Cali. If there is enough people in your area that want a tune he will come to you. Or you can do a remote dyno tune with him.
As for the JCW injectors the car will run better with them but will still need a tune. Some dealers will do a JCW ECU flash and you can simply run that. The RMW one is much better though. Either way you will need at least the 380 JCW injectors. There is no harm running the uprated injectors until you get a tune also.

 

RMW tune +1

 

Mynes / Bytetronik is another popular option.

 

RMW tune

 

If you have already spent $$ on the car....Tune it with the injectors.
Will run better...more HP, more MPG and be safer.
I have a RMW custom dyno...About $350 last time I checked....
I was 185 no tune...200 with the tune (good return on $$ spent for me...but WILL VARY BASED UPON THE MOTOR), with better drivability, smoother, and less annoying DSC.

 

Thanks for the recommendations, RMW appears to be widely accepted. Mynes used to have a place local to me, which would have been great... but it appears to have closed its doors.

 

So you are located in the Phoenix area? Yea Mynes moved to SoCal, however they are the people who use the Bytetronik software for tuning R53's, which seems to be the kind of tuning software you are looking for.

Its either that or contact Jan at RMW or Way at Waymotorworks for a remote tuning tool.

 

Where is is the mythical "Jan" located lol?? Is RMW in socal? I'm looking to get my R53 tuned and I live in Los Angeles but I'm willing to drive as far as San Diego for a true dyno tune. I heard Jan comes to MiniWorkx in Laguna Hills and tunes as well. I don't want a remote tune. Whats the rough cost of the tune and the upgraded injectors?
-thanks

 

R53 tune $350 dyno time usually $100 injectors $400+ good for a 20-25whp increase.

 

Ok! I Have read all posts about the Tune! I Live in South Florida and of course Tune is the first thing I want to do. I just purchased the 09' cooper s Trip tonic spell check..
so its really jerks hard when shifting. Not as smooth as my TT :(
Will the tune smoothen it out? Exhaust cold air etc will follow with lowering springs..
any and all suggestions please its my first Mini! best tune...is? and what HP and Torque is expected?