R50/53 Just got a 03 S, What mods should I get?
Thread Starter
|
2nd Gear
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 113
Likes: 0
From: San Jose, CA
Just got a 03 S, What mods should I get?
So I just got a 03 MCS and I want to get some mods done. I won't be taking it to the track but I want to get an even more fun drive on the street and on back country roads. Looking to drop between $4k-$6k and I am not sure what to get.
Any idea on some good supsension, stage 2-3 kits, wheel setups, and whatever else is going to put a smile on my face?
Any info would be great, educate me!
Any idea on some good supsension, stage 2-3 kits, wheel setups, and whatever else is going to put a smile on my face?
Any info would be great, educate me!
4th Gear
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 415
Likes: 14
That depends on what you think the car needs help with. Modding for the sake of modding is a waste of money unless you want "bragging rights" or bling. Most people want a performance intake, exhaust, and pulley for the engine, a rear sway bar, lowering springs w/ new shocks, and a big brake kit.
The search feature will work wonders for you as this topic has been discussed an infinite number of times.
You could spend the 6K on drivers schools and probably be faster than a lot of modded cars. As a bonus, the skill is easily transferred between vehicles.
The search feature will work wonders for you as this topic has been discussed an infinite number of times.
You could spend the 6K on drivers schools and probably be faster than a lot of modded cars. As a bonus, the skill is easily transferred between vehicles.
Supercoop is right on the money; the biggest mod is the nut behind the wheel. Spend a large portion of your budget on HPDE and the rest on pulley, CAI, exhaust and a sway bar upgrade. If you really feel the need for more, look at a coilover setup. And brakes. You gotta be able to stop what you started.
it really does all depend wat "style" you want.
like if you want the 'i wanna go FAST' or a really FUN ride driving around turns and wat not.
MY opinion..i would do a little bit of both.
(but do sway bars and shocks make that big of a difference? O.o)
like if you want the 'i wanna go FAST' or a really FUN ride driving around turns and wat not.
MY opinion..i would do a little bit of both.
(but do sway bars and shocks make that big of a difference? O.o)
1st Gear
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 26
Likes: 0
From: Orange, California
+1 on Performance driving school!Things I've purchased that I would recommend to anyone w/ a MCS...
m7 USS & STB (make the car feel like new & prevent mushrooming)
m7 DDM intake (gives a great whine)
Any exhaust you like...
They're all good upgrades...Next on my list is a rear sway bar.
Sorry about the last post...don't know what happened there.
Trending Topics
Thread Starter
|
2nd Gear
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 113
Likes: 0
From: San Jose, CA
excellent, thanks for all the tips. I want a bit more pull and the pullies will definitely be upgraded. About to start the proces with A&E Perfomance in Campbell, so I am sure I can get just what I am looking for out of them.
Last edited by Mini Tyler; Apr 16, 2007 at 10:55 PM.
Banned
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 4,862
Likes: 3
From: Fresno Ca.
Hi, I also have a 03 Mini S. Check out my sig. and it will give you the few things i've done. It is a kind of all around, engine,wheels, brakes. The M7 USS and STB are next on the list as is a 2% crank pulley. Don't know about A&E, but you might also want to call the guy's at Custom Mini Shop here in Fresno, they are excellent!! They have a link in the vendors section here in NAM. Welcom to the Mini madness 
6th Gear
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 3,902
Likes: 2
From: SoCaL (Agoura Hills)
So I just got a 03 MCS and I want to get some mods done. I won't be taking it to the track but I want to get an even more fun drive on the street and on back country roads. Looking to drop between $4k-$6k and I am not sure what to get.
Any idea on some good supsension, stage 2-3 kits, wheel setups, and whatever else is going to put a smile on my face?
Any info would be great, educate me!
Any idea on some good supsension, stage 2-3 kits, wheel setups, and whatever else is going to put a smile on my face?
Any info would be great, educate me!
. PM me for more info. We're not really allowed to speak publicly about the tuner.
Thread Starter
|
2nd Gear
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 113
Likes: 0
From: San Jose, CA
I am thinking about purchasing quite a bit of the M7 products, (i.e. 16% and 2% pullies, strut plates, USS, rear sway...). Can't quite figure out what brake set up to get though....looking for something to go nicely with the Dinan S1 package
3rd Gear
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 180
Likes: 0
From: south orange county, ca
you'll find a lot of people on here don't like JCW parts. they even refer to it as "craptastic"
https://www.northamericanmotoring.co...ad.php?t=55819
https://www.northamericanmotoring.co...ad.php?t=55819
Banned
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 4,862
Likes: 3
From: Fresno Ca.
If your looking for full brake kits, your $4-6 thousand will be gone in minutes. If you are not going to race or anything like that, save your money, just upgrade your pads, rotors and get some SS brake lines. You did say you only wanted to spend that much right? New wheels and tires alone will run at least $1500. Just my .02.
Thread Starter
|
2nd Gear
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 113
Likes: 0
From: San Jose, CA
If your looking for full brake kits, your $4-6 thousand will be gone in minutes. If you are not going to race or anything like that, save your money, just upgrade your pads, rotors and get some SS brake lines. You did say you only wanted to spend that much right? New wheels and tires alone will run at least $1500. Just my .02.
looking at M7 cross drilled and slotted rotors, some EBC yellow stuff pads, and some SS brake lines...comes to roughly $530 before install....should be good for now, you think?
Last edited by Mini Tyler; Apr 17, 2007 at 03:28 PM.
3rd Gear
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 180
Likes: 0
From: south orange county, ca
I choose the Hawk HPS pads, with ss lines and I didn't have a problem when I went to streets of willow. My rotors were a little hotter than I wanted, but nothing they couldn't handle or brake ducts couldn't solve. Pads, lines and rotors aren't that tricky to install. Just an afternoon, a good friend, some beer, and the special piston tool is all you need and you can DIY!
Banned
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 4,862
Likes: 3
From: Fresno Ca.
Thanks Jiminni! The guys at A&E check my wheels and there is enough clearance for new calipers without having to change them out. unfortunately, I just got some new tires this past weekend so I will stick with them until they are shot and upgrade later.
looking at M7 cross drilled and slotted rotors, some EBC yellow stuff pads, and some SS brake lines...comes to roughly $530 before install....should be good for now, you think?
looking at M7 cross drilled and slotted rotors, some EBC yellow stuff pads, and some SS brake lines...comes to roughly $530 before install....should be good for now, you think?
I also went with M7 cross drilled & slotted rotors, but went with Hawk HPS pads as did littlecS. Didn't have the money to get the SS lines yet
. But I will .
Thread Starter
|
2nd Gear
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 113
Likes: 0
From: San Jose, CA
Alright, so after 2 days of neglecting work and doing nothing but reading your posts and researching what to get, here's what I have come up with so far:
ALTA:
17% S/C pulley
2% Crank Pulley
ALTA-nator
Intake system Version 2.0
Short Shift Kit
Cross Drilled and Slotted Brake Rotors
M7:
Under Strut System
Strut Re-Inforcement Plates
Strut Tower Brace
H-Sport:
Sport Rear Sway Bar
Hawk:
HPS for the front
Helix:
Camber Plates
SS Braided Brake Lines
H&R:
Coilover Suspension Kit
and some IK22 plugs to top it off.
Can't wait to start putting this stuff on.
ALTA:
17% S/C pulley
2% Crank Pulley
ALTA-nator
Intake system Version 2.0
Short Shift Kit
Cross Drilled and Slotted Brake Rotors
M7:
Under Strut System
Strut Re-Inforcement Plates
Strut Tower Brace
H-Sport:
Sport Rear Sway Bar
Hawk:
HPS for the front
Helix:
Camber Plates
SS Braided Brake Lines
H&R:
Coilover Suspension Kit
and some IK22 plugs to top it off.
Can't wait to start putting this stuff on.
Last edited by Mini Tyler; Apr 17, 2007 at 11:39 PM.
6th Gear
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 1,299
Likes: 0
Alright, so after 2 days of neglecting work and doing nothing but reading your posts and researching what to get, here's what I have come up with so far:
ALTA:
17% S/C pulley Check
2% Crank Pulley Skip....Very trusted tuner say to skip it...not enough gain vs. the risk you might take
ALTA-nator Indifferent
Intake system Version 2.0 Check
Short Shift Kit Indifferent
Cross Drilled and Slotted Brake Rotors Skip the drilled...have a rep to crack unless you are track only
M7:
Under Strut System Check...look for users with bad experiences that are running aftermarket exhaust systems before buying...
Strut Re-Inforcement Plates Check
Strut Tower Brace You can't do this and the one above...pick one knowing that the tower brace may cause your hood to bulge
H-Sport:
Sport Rear Sway Bar Check
Hawk:
HPS for the front Check...do the rears too
Helix:
Camber Plates Check
SS Braided Brake Lines Check
H&R:
Coilover Suspension Kit Check...looks like you're over 4-6k by now...
and some IK22 plugs to top it off. I'd go NGK...heard of fewer problems
Can't wait to start putting this stuff on. Good luck and have fun
ALTA:
17% S/C pulley Check
2% Crank Pulley Skip....Very trusted tuner say to skip it...not enough gain vs. the risk you might take
ALTA-nator Indifferent
Intake system Version 2.0 Check
Short Shift Kit Indifferent
Cross Drilled and Slotted Brake Rotors Skip the drilled...have a rep to crack unless you are track only
M7:
Under Strut System Check...look for users with bad experiences that are running aftermarket exhaust systems before buying...
Strut Re-Inforcement Plates Check
Strut Tower Brace You can't do this and the one above...pick one knowing that the tower brace may cause your hood to bulge
H-Sport:
Sport Rear Sway Bar Check
Hawk:
HPS for the front Check...do the rears too
Helix:
Camber Plates Check
SS Braided Brake Lines Check
H&R:
Coilover Suspension Kit Check...looks like you're over 4-6k by now...
and some IK22 plugs to top it off. I'd go NGK...heard of fewer problems
Can't wait to start putting this stuff on. Good luck and have fun
Contact Lord of the Flies or check in the Vendor Group Buys for the Engine /Motor Mount. Money well spent on a cheap, simple, do-it-yourself, improved throttle response mod!
Last edited by marco621; Apr 18, 2007 at 06:14 AM.
Banned
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 4,862
Likes: 3
From: Fresno Ca.
Problems with 2% crank? Like what? Tuners are saying changing the crank is like saving 100lbs. of car weight. If you go with M7 rotors they come cross drilled and slotted, no choice. M7 STB comes with the brace, its a package, and 03 MCS have the clearance. If your exhaust system is installed correctly, there should be no problem with the M7 USS. Mini Tyler, are you going to be doing all the labor yourself? If not you must be over your money limit? Also do you already have an exhaust system, didnt see that in your earlier posts?
Thread Starter
|
2nd Gear
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 113
Likes: 0
From: San Jose, CA
Problems with 2% crank? Like what? Tuners are saying changing the crank is like saving 100lbs. of car weight. If you go with M7 rotors they come cross drilled and slotted, no choice. M7 STB comes with the brace, its a package, and 03 MCS have the clearance. If your exhaust system is installed correctly, there should be no problem with the M7 USS. Mini Tyler, are you going to be doing all the labor yourself? If not you must be over your money limit? Also do you already have an exhaust system, didnt see that in your earlier posts?
I am curious as to the problems with the 2% crank, if there are any.