Hi,

I am hoping for some guidance.

I am looking at modifying a Mini for the track/autocross. Not a daily driver.

- Better to start with a JCW? Or is it not worth doing because you end up changing suspension and the motor only needs a cylinder head and a few other parts to be equal with the JCW?

- how difficult is it to remove the sunfoof? Many good cars have sunroofs.

- Who sells a cage that goes through the dash?

- Bilsein coilovers? The price is good. I relize Motons would be great but not worth the price. I assume Bilsteins can be revalved and given heavier springs?

Thanks for any and all help.

-

 

Don't bother with a JCW unless your racing class would allow the performance mods it comes with (while simultaneously NOT allowing an S to get a smaller pulley, better exhaust, etc.). The JCW does benefit from some larger exhaust ports on the head, but that's the only thing that isn't a quick swap with better available parts anyway.

Sunroof comes out easy once the headliner is out. Unfortunately that requires a lot of the interior to come out (which isn't hard either, just takes some time).

http://www.agi-precision.com.au/prod...mini/mini-bmw/ - These are the most comprehensive cages that I've personally seen for sale, and they don't go through the dash. You may entertain a custom cage for that requirement.

Bilstein is always a good decision, and if you know what you're doing with setup / modification and tuning. AST/Moton is absolutely on another level, but Bilstein can make you anything if you contact them directly. Just be prepared to open that wallet pretty wide. Most coilovers these days (the not-crappy options, that is) can be re-valved and accept spring changes. Gone are the days of Koni Yellows and GC perches off of eBay, thankfully!

Personally, I purchased H&R Street Perf. coilovers because they're Bilstein HD struts which allows for later modification / tuning. FatCat Motorsport in SoCal will eventually get my shocks so he can modify the valves. His services are $$$$ though.

 

Dragon Slaying RaceR50! (Owed for almost 14 years, only “slightly modded”, 160k miles and counting!)

Really depends on what type of autoxing, track days or racing you are planning on doing. Check the rules and regulations before you spend money. Roll cage for autox is overkill and could throw you into a class that you would not be competitive in. Track days do not require full race cars, just safe cars. Better brakes, suspension and tires can help, but you can build on what you buy.i. Enjoy the journey!

 

Good idea to find a standard Cooper S and build it for what you are doing. Mainly find the class and specs for what you are doing and work toward that.

For sure though find a non sunroof car to start with as it will make your life much easier long term. Also those cars will usually tend to have less options so they will additionally be lighter to start with.
Likely not needed to spend JCW money as you will remove the JCW stuff for more power unless the class you run only allows JCW upgrades.

I have a non sunroof car that has a rod knock that is a project car if you are able to come to Atlanta for it.

For a cage have a cage builder build one for your car and your specs. The bolt in stuff just isn't ideal and I feel less safe as most kits your knee will hit the A pillar part of the cage.

Then we'll move onto coilovers and such when you are ready as there are a ton of options and budgets.

 

Having gone thru this whole process already...your best bet is to find a car that is already done. Find a car with a cage installed and the majority of the things your wanting in the car. It will be way cheaper (don't ask me how I know). It may seem for expensive up front but you will save $$$ in the end.

Sunroof delete is nearly impossible to do well because of the size. Best bet is to start with a car without the sunroof. Second best solution is to replace the whole roof ...you can buy a complete roof from an R50 for around $200 and replacing it is a bunch of work, but not too bad. The other advantage is that cage installation/welding is greatly simplified.

Cage--best to get a custom install.
Suspension---all depends on what you want to spend and what your ultimate goal is and how fast you want to go. I would spend more money on suspension and less on engine mods...makes the biggest difference.

BTW --BIG BRAKES are money well spent

 

Thanks for the replies!


Great input. The price difference in the JCW and S ins not really very much. I found one that is sunroof delete. You still think it is better to get the S?

 

Get the JCW if the money is good. You can sell the head/injectors etc for some good money and put it towards the car. Alternately you can concentrate the initial build on suspension etc, add a 15% pulley and a tune and go have a lot of fun without dropping silly money on a built engine, TVS or turbo....the list goes on.

Unless your going to race door to door...just put a roll bar in the car, do suspension, brakes, pulley/tune and go enjoy the car for a year before you decide to blow the budget to go 2 seconds a lap faster.

 

It is difficult to find a sunroof delete car. The JCW I found is sunroof delete. Thanks to all who replied. I will update if I find/pay for a car. Thanks again.

 

There's a few companies that make CF delete panels, and I'm sure if you live somewhere decently-populated, there's a local MFG as well.

I personally wouldn't be turned off of a sunroof car because it's easy to remove the assembly and plate the hole (carbon is best, but riveted aluminum works too - or bust out the welder and get cutting!).

Oh - yeah regarding brakes. If you're going to swap pads to any regularity, just get Wilwoods up front and be done with it. Standard pad sizes, large availability, lower prices. Someone here mentioned spending $400 on some pads for their JCW "big" brake kit... that's abysmal.

 

That sunroof delete still looks like a headache. That said, it is difficult to find a good 05/06 S or JCW that does not have a sunroof. Also, I may actually like them one day.

So.....this part is not pure performance, however it may be. With the Porsche 911's a car will be faster with with wider flares and wheels. I have always loved the classic Minis with the flares and the Minilites. I do not see that many wide minilites on the R53 and R56 cars. What kind of offset can be done? I see 15x9 et0 wheels. I would want a square setup.

 

exactly who sells a CF delete panel ? do you have a link? I also heard some clubs are banning CF inserts now (BMWcca) I will soon cut up a non sunroof roof and rivit it to my roof

I would avoid sunroof at all costs

I run 15x8 with 225 hankook rs4 on my track car

 

I can certainly understand some clubs banned CF sunroof panels. CF and all composite laminate can cut you head off clean like an oversized razor blade. Even FG body shells when dislodged can severe the neck open with minimal force. Think of what happen when one come off at triple digit speed and you are the car behind it. This is very similar why kite line laced with egg and ground glass is banned when it was once childhood aero combat game.

 

MrBlah, Calabogie? If so, what is your best time at Mosport?

Do you think the 245 tirees would be faster? I cant see why not but I know nothing about these cars. I actully have two some 275/35-15's in my garage.

 

OK.....story continues.

1. I found a VERY nice 2004 . SUNROOF DELETE. I do not know if it has the short gear ratios. Condition is vey good. I do not know if it has LSD.

2. 2006 S. SUNROOF DELETE. I believe it wil have the shorter gear ratios. I do not know if it has LSD.

3. JCW. 2006. VERY far away. SUNROOF DELETE.

Cheers!

 

That car is gorgeous!

 

wider is faster for autocross that's why the smf cars all run 275 up front, not sure about track

 

I have owned an Autopower and a SAfety Devices roll cage. One for a 944 and the other for a 911. The SAfety Devices cage had the base plates on structural parts of the car. The Autopower roll bar I had bolted to the floor. It was easier to install, but did not look to be as structurally sound as the Safety Devices cage.

where does the Autopower roll bar bolt to?

 

I must have gotten lucky and not really known it. Bought an '06 JCW R53 without a sunroof!

 

Since this is track car 101, can someone advise on preferred wheel tire combos? Not interested in ho hos. Something 100-200TW.

Also a pad combo would be appreciated for the above tire.