I'm posting this as a sort of timeline of my car, this will be a slow and arduous process. I don't like to cut corners so I take my time. That and I'm a poor collage student.

This is my daily driver and future Autocross/HPDE car.

2005 R53 With the 6 speed Getrag (Same as the SVT Focus)

Here are some pics When I first got it.

 

So my low Brake pad light was on. The previous owner informed me that I needed new brakes.

I did.





That's not even the worst.

This one is.



You can see the groove on the backing plate the rotor made.

I don't have any pics of the new hardware but they were: New stainless braided hoses, brass caliper guide pin bushings, Centric NON-Cryo blank rotors from Tirerack and Hawk HP+ Brake pads.
I also needed a new right rear caliper as the boot was torn, didn't want to deal with rebuilding it.

These Brakes are fantastic for my application.

I could care less about Brake Noise Or dust, Especially during a Panic stop. I'll turn up my Harmon/Kardon Stereo if the noise is too much. :p (Or until the AMP blows up)

 

I've had this clunk every time I changed gear, and If I had any wheel spin (And I do considering the weight of the car and open diff) The drive-train would shake violently and bang around.

Culprit: Lower engine mount.





I replaced it with this BSH Mount.





However the Upper Hydraulic mount was leaking so I replaced it with this Vibra-Technics Poly upper mount. I chose this because I don't want another failure-prone hydraulic mount and I want a stiffer drive train.





Those two along with a Powerflex Black series Poly Gearbox Bushing insert translates to a good time :D.

The ONLY time I notice more vibration is when I'm taking off. That's it.

I've read reviews on how the vibration is so bad that sinkholes will appear and take you to Narnia.

Bull. The driving feel is more connected, but not NEARLY uncomfortable. But hey. That's just me. I guess I have a High tolerance for this stuff.

Oh. And I changed the Gearbox fluid to Redline MTL.

 

So in my paranoia infused preventative maintenance state. I replaced the Failure prone Harmonic Balancer with an ATI +2 percent overdrive Harmonic balancer, As I did not want to be stranded with a failed unit as they usually go at around 80k miles.

I also got it with the optional Titanium Hardware. Why? BECAUSE THIS IS THE FIRST TITANIUM ANYTHING I'VE EVER OWNED, AND NOBODY CAN TAKE THAT FEELING FROM ME.

.....anyways. On to the pics.





So purdy.





I also replaced the Belt Tensioner and put an Alta Tensioner stop on it.

 

I took it to a Dyno Day. Yay.













The only performance mods were a Hot air intake (With heatshield at least) and the 2% Overdrive pulley. Everything else is stock. Including the ignition system.

 

Until now.

I put in some new Denso Iridium Power Sparkplugs, Magnecore ignition cables and a Screemin Demon Coil Pack.









(I had the plugs and cables on first, which is why they are on with the old coil.)

 

Good to see you are doing basic maintenance first before posting "how do I get 600 hp out of this thing?!?!?" You will be much happier knowing that every time you start your car, it will get you where you want to go. You will make the car twice as fast as it is now just by learning how to autocross correctly and a couple of HPDE's.

 

I won't put a pulley on this thing for awhile. I already have more power than grip, I need to redo my suspension and put an LSD on before that. But ill do the LSD when I change my clutch.

 

Amen lmao

Great start, by the way!!! You're going to a have a great time owning your MINI.

 

The thread title said something about being poor... Hmm?

Great choices though. Best is the ATI dampened pulley. :Thumbsup:

 

I serviced my Supercharger. Time Consuming but very straightforward.

I noticed the car was quicker after everything was done, probably due to boost leaks that were fixed by changing all the seals and dried out hoses. Neat.

I also Replaced the Water Pump behind the Supercharger, Replaced the leaking plastic thermostat housing with an aluminum one and a 180 degree thermostat, new forge REDDDDDDDD (Because theY were CONSIDERABLY cheaper than Black) Silicone Coolant hoses and a CSF Aluminum Radiator. Which looks AWESOME.

 

I don't mean it to be a ****, this took place over a period of 9 months. Not all at once.

 

I'm a "While I'm in there" Kind of person.

The previous owner already replaced the Oil filter housing gasket and Crank sensor o-Ring so they do not leak.

However...Being as **** as I am, that wasn't good enough. So I took out the Crank sensor o-ring and replaced it with one made from Viton so make sure it won't leak for a LOOONG time. And if it does, it's a Good thing I bought two :p.

While I was in there I replaced the Leaking oil pan Gasket.







Not bad. But wait there's more.

While I was in there with the pan removed, I installed this...









RMW Baffled oil pickup. Extra insurance through the corners.

I was going to use this with the SneedSpeed Windage tray but it would not fit, Oh well, the tray will wait for now.

I'll be using this next oil service. Currently running Rotella T6.

 

I'm lost by the title of this thread lol.

 

I usually see people getting coilovers and exhausts all at once lol. This took place over 9 months.

 

I know I almost didn't read it to the thread, I figured it was a cry asking how to get all these cheap parts to make their car at 300 hp =)


glad this is being done the right way, poor may be right, but your still doing a lot more over 9 months than people do over 5 years!

 

Congrats and great progress... You're doing what most OCD, **** people will do since they would never let their new toy to break down... ever.

Keep going!

 

Poor college student is not poor.


Nice work, though! I like that you've got maintenance in mind with modest performance.

 

Lol. I won't even put a pulley on it, I have more power than grip at this point.

 

Good stuff. Keep up the good work

 

Nice progress. Good to see someone not only doing regular maintenance but also preventative.

 

Good God man reinforce those strut towers!!

Nice work though, I'd say poor was a "poor" word choice lol. Slow would be a better descriptor.

As for better traction, good tires will make an amazing difference in putting power down.

 

Update pic under the hood, You can see the shameless rice stickers on the front bumper to alert dudes on what Junk I have cooling my other Junk :p. I will get it cleaned again in the next wash and hopefully add a stainless IC Dirverter from DDM and change out those poopy looking IC Screws.
I have some other gaskets and O-rings in the mail, and brakes for the.....other car.



My evaporator is leaking so I have to figure out on how to change that, expecting the worst since it's pretty much a BMW.
At least the part's cheap, unlike the heater core for a Miata.
Although with this the A/C System will be brand new since I replaced the compressor awhile back :p

 

nice work being done so far car is coming along great!

 

Update:










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I'm rebuilding the front Subframe while I do the Clutch and LSD. Everything is pretty much going to be replaced. Powerflex Black series Front sway bar bushings and steering rack bushing. Alta PSRS FCAB's, new inner and outer tie rods. Ball joint spacers. Ect. Than I'll rebuild the rear suspension with the new R56 Aluminum Rear trailing arms and Powerflex COMPLETE (Not just the inserts) Black series RTAB's and some adjustable rear trailing arm bars. And then FINALLY coilovers. Still don't know which ones. I also found a nice R53 aluminum Slave cylinder to replace the Crappy Plastic one.