R53 Cooper S to tinker with ...
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Quite a big one actually as i was at 1320 all day yesterday!!
Since "sparkpluggate" i've compression tested it (160ish across all 4, so perfectly fine), then fitted new OEM ignition leads and some colder NGK BCR8ES spark plugs. Got a coil pack as well, but it wouldnt fit, so will be sending that back instead. So onto yesterday:
Got there at 9.30am, strapped the car to the dyno & Thomas removed the ecu to be read:
Engine bay needs a clean. Meh.
At this point, the ecu didnt want to be updated/read, so Thomas pulled it apart & soldered some things so that he could essentially re-boot it/wipe it/load the last tune back on & start afresh. Note the previous fixing that Richard's dad did to the board (hidden by the tape), things are never easy with this car lol:
By 11.30 ish, after much swearing, the eco was sorted & the car did a base run:
At which point the map tinkering started (took some advance out/more updates/other tinkering):
Once that was done, AFR's were sorted etc, ended up with slightly more power & torque than previously. Happy days:
And compared to my previous GP:
Once the map was sorted, the rattly cam chain tensioner was changed and it got a quick oil change.
Now all ready for Bedford on Feb 28th, just need to bolt the R888's on and go for a play!!
Since "sparkpluggate" i've compression tested it (160ish across all 4, so perfectly fine), then fitted new OEM ignition leads and some colder NGK BCR8ES spark plugs. Got a coil pack as well, but it wouldnt fit, so will be sending that back instead. So onto yesterday:
Got there at 9.30am, strapped the car to the dyno & Thomas removed the ecu to be read:
Engine bay needs a clean. Meh.
At this point, the ecu didnt want to be updated/read, so Thomas pulled it apart & soldered some things so that he could essentially re-boot it/wipe it/load the last tune back on & start afresh. Note the previous fixing that Richard's dad did to the board (hidden by the tape), things are never easy with this car lol:
By 11.30 ish, after much swearing, the eco was sorted & the car did a base run:
At which point the map tinkering started (took some advance out/more updates/other tinkering):
Once that was done, AFR's were sorted etc, ended up with slightly more power & torque than previously. Happy days:
And compared to my previous GP:
Once the map was sorted, the rattly cam chain tensioner was changed and it got a quick oil change.
Now all ready for Bedford on Feb 28th, just need to bolt the R888's on and go for a play!!
So Saturday 28th Feb was the Ford/Renault Bedford trackday on the SEN circuit, & happily, the car was 95% faultless all day long.
Engine pulled like a train, no spark plug/misfire issues (even at over 50IAT) so the new map from 1320 has cured all problems.
Handling wise, in the morning (damp) on the Continentals (Meisters set to 17fr/9r), the car was incredibly playful, good front end turn-in, but the ability to steer on the throttle whenever i wanted, oversteer on demand basically. Perhaps not the quickest way round the circuit, but certainly epic fun!! Myself & Tom were quite simply driving around giggling. Turn-in, lift, oppo, power. Brilliant!! In the afternoon (dry) the R888's went on & the rear dampers were turned up 2 clicks (now at 17f/11r). Compared to the morning, soo much more grip, incredibly turn in, at any speed, similar properties to previously re: LOOS but obviously at much higher grip thresholds. It was genuinely rapid.
Only issue all day was the brake pedal went a bit long (Minispeed didnt use the high temp fluid i gave them), so they need re-bleeding before the next trackday. Actual braking power was superb, there is simply no need for anything more than R56S fronts with XP8's imho, no fade at all, even after some seriously late braking lol.
In conclusion, i think ive now created something better than my beloved Trophy, the handling is the same (if not slightly more direct steering wise) and it has the power to overtake things that would previously have held me up on the straights. The extra bhp is also very useful for straightening the car up when staring out of the side windows :tearsofjoy:
Some pictures, im awaiting the proper MSV ones, so just some iPhone ones for now ..
Hotel the night before:
At Bedford:
What next? More track days. The Mini needs absolutely nothing else doing to it.
Engine pulled like a train, no spark plug/misfire issues (even at over 50IAT) so the new map from 1320 has cured all problems.
Handling wise, in the morning (damp) on the Continentals (Meisters set to 17fr/9r), the car was incredibly playful, good front end turn-in, but the ability to steer on the throttle whenever i wanted, oversteer on demand basically. Perhaps not the quickest way round the circuit, but certainly epic fun!! Myself & Tom were quite simply driving around giggling. Turn-in, lift, oppo, power. Brilliant!! In the afternoon (dry) the R888's went on & the rear dampers were turned up 2 clicks (now at 17f/11r). Compared to the morning, soo much more grip, incredibly turn in, at any speed, similar properties to previously re: LOOS but obviously at much higher grip thresholds. It was genuinely rapid.
Only issue all day was the brake pedal went a bit long (Minispeed didnt use the high temp fluid i gave them), so they need re-bleeding before the next trackday. Actual braking power was superb, there is simply no need for anything more than R56S fronts with XP8's imho, no fade at all, even after some seriously late braking lol.
In conclusion, i think ive now created something better than my beloved Trophy, the handling is the same (if not slightly more direct steering wise) and it has the power to overtake things that would previously have held me up on the straights. The extra bhp is also very useful for straightening the car up when staring out of the side windows :tearsofjoy:
Some pictures, im awaiting the proper MSV ones, so just some iPhone ones for now ..
Hotel the night before:
At Bedford:
What next? More track days. The Mini needs absolutely nothing else doing to it.
Really interesting read. I'm having some track prep done on my R53 JCW soon so this is very useful for me. Had already pencilled in R56 front brakes and Meister R's as the best bang for buck. Thinking of 1320's catcam stage 2 and FX400 clutch setup as mine needs replacing anyway. Can't wait to see how she goes at Goodwood end of April 
Vroom101 said:
Any more updates or pictures?
Yes as it happens 
So, as i cleaned the M135i yesterday ...
I thought i had better give the mini some love.
After all, ive owned it since last August, done two trackdays and a few thousand miles without it seeing a sponge:
So i went to see these chaps:
And they made it look like this:
Cosmetically, bar a carbon JCW gearknob, the car is finished. I'd like the roof black, but i dont want to pay any money to do it. Mechanically its running very well, i fitted new rear discs/pads after Bedford, but the brakes do need a bleed before the next trackday i think - if only for a bit more pedal feel. Long term plans are simply to enjoy it on road & track, i might fit a Quaife at some point (& possibly a facelift gearbox), if/when it needs a clutch, but that very much depends on how much money gets spent on the car to replace the M135i over the winter.
And so to Donington, finally managed to do it in a car without any problems!!! Wahoo lol.
A couple of friends came up for passenger rides in the morning (Tom was supposed to be doing the day in his clio, but it stiiiiiiilllll isnt finished), then Sarah's parents came up in the afternoon as well. Taking your future mother/father in-law out on track? Brilliant lol.
The day started early with a very happy looking me swopping the tyres over, at 7.30am, argh so early
Then onto sign on & the drivers briefing, where the first giggle of the day occurred, with the instructor saying to Sarah "are you driving as well?" in a kinda of "surprised" voice. Giggles.
All ready:
First time out:
Swarms of clios!! They were literally everywhere!! Although some need reminding that a trackday isnt a race
And then it was Sarah's turn
Nearly there:
Weeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FxP-OSMSa-c
Sarah is now addicted to trackdays lol. She genuinely loved it!!! Like proper proper loved it, knew she would, she's been passenger on pretty much every other day ive done (except her driving a little at Haynes). We then came home & looking for the next day to do, must be a weekend/half-term so she's not teaching ...
Roll on the next one
A couple of friends came up for passenger rides in the morning (Tom was supposed to be doing the day in his clio, but it stiiiiiiilllll isnt finished), then Sarah's parents came up in the afternoon as well. Taking your future mother/father in-law out on track? Brilliant lol.
The day started early with a very happy looking me swopping the tyres over, at 7.30am, argh so early
Then onto sign on & the drivers briefing, where the first giggle of the day occurred, with the instructor saying to Sarah "are you driving as well?" in a kinda of "surprised" voice. Giggles.
All ready:
First time out:
Swarms of clios!! They were literally everywhere!! Although some need reminding that a trackday isnt a race
And then it was Sarah's turn
Nearly there:
Weeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FxP-OSMSa-c
Sarah is now addicted to trackdays lol. She genuinely loved it!!! Like proper proper loved it, knew she would, she's been passenger on pretty much every other day ive done (except her driving a little at Haynes). We then came home & looking for the next day to do, must be a weekend/half-term so she's not teaching ...
Roll on the next one
Edited by Sir_Dave on Monday 20th July 09:18
Feirny said:
How did she get on Dave? Knew she was looking forward to it. Was there much traffic for her or was it quiet enough she could coast round?
Bought an Elise yet?
lol, not yet, although she did say last night i could have a Lotus for track/another Golf R32 for daily if i gave her the mini for trackdays Bought an Elise yet?
not sure the money tree stretches that far though!! The neighbours patience certainly wouldnt Was fairly quiet when we went out at about 4ish, probably another 10 cars on track, so she got to have a good hoon without worrying about swarmed around by loonies! Not sure she much coasting though, was certainly testing the limits of the car on occasion ... & my passenger floorpan tbh (as my foot was trying to go through it on occasion) ...
Lgfst said:
Great car there 
Been thinking of one of these when the countryman goes.
Do it, they're brilliant vaue these days, & quite easily turned into something useful for day to day/quick enough on track.Been thinking of one of these when the countryman goes.
Sir_Dave said:
Feirny said:
How did she get on Dave? Knew she was looking forward to it. Was there much traffic for her or was it quiet enough she could coast round?
Bought an Elise yet?
lol, not yet, although she did say last night i could have a Lotus for track/another Golf R32 for daily if i gave her the mini for trackdays Bought an Elise yet?
not sure the money tree stretches that far though!! The neighbours patience certainly wouldnt Was fairly quiet when we went out at about 4ish, probably another 10 cars on track, so she got to have a good hoon without worrying about swarmed around by loonies! Not sure she much coasting though, was certainly testing the limits of the car on occasion ... & my passenger floorpan tbh (as my foot was trying to go through it on occasion) ...
Lgfst said:
Great car there
Been thinking of one of these when the countryman goes.
Do it, they're brilliant vaue these days, & quite easily turned into something useful for day to day/quick enough on track.Been thinking of one of these when the countryman goes.
McSam said:
helix402 said:
The strut tower modification looks a little scary. These cars often suffer from "mushroomed" turrets, chopping part off will have weakened them. I suppose the more solid top mounts may compensate to a degree.
I was thinking the same. Whenever someone starts cutting body metal, I wonder how little appreciation they must have for the huge amount of analysis, modelling and testing that goes into designing such critical hardpoints. Certainly I'd never even consider buying a car that had that sort of thing done to it.Shame as the rest of it looks nicely kitted out and it sounds like a good fun tool, though perhaps a little too highly strung!
Better late than never, but the December track day was awesome!!!
Actually, no in the morning it was awful as Team HARD had 30 billies flying (re: crashing) around doing timed laps in their Golf's (rather naughty), but once they had buggered off in the afternoon i got some decent laps in
My fiance Sarah was supposed to drive, but was a little weary as so many people were using it as a test-day and the driving on occasion (see above) was pretty terrible. Shame really, hopefully things will be better at our next day, Bedford at the end of February.
Apologies for the swearing:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bJ6XCx_492I
Actually, no in the morning it was awful as Team HARD had 30 billies flying (re: crashing) around doing timed laps in their Golf's (rather naughty), but once they had buggered off in the afternoon i got some decent laps in
My fiance Sarah was supposed to drive, but was a little weary as so many people were using it as a test-day and the driving on occasion (see above) was pretty terrible. Shame really, hopefully things will be better at our next day, Bedford at the end of February.
Apologies for the swearing:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bJ6XCx_492I
Altrezia said:
I am not sure why I hate my r53 so much - it's the same colour as yours, and yours looks great! Ha ha.
Cool thread. I really like the wheels.
Yours looks very standard, so possibly running the sCool thread. I really like the wheels.
tty runflats still?Some decent coilovers and 16's transform the car, so perhaps you need to do a little tinkering
Your name/profile looks familiar btw, i think my fiance worked with your mum at Bishopswood Junior school, Tadley circa '07/'08.
Few major purchases at the weekend, meaning that the mini will be becoming quite "serious" over the coming weeks.
Facelift gearbox (shorter ratios) with Quaife LSD
Safety Devices Roll Cage, to include:
Rear Cage: Rear cage, x diagonal and harness bar (backstay trim requires modification) for single door bars
Door Bars (Nearside): Single door bar nearside (LHS)
Door Bars (Offside): Single door bar offside (RHS)
Front Cage: Front cage, for single door bar
Colour: RAL 9005 MN201D Black Matt Smooth
Diff is being fitted by 1320 on the 9th Feb, then the cage will go in whenever it arrives, hopefully all done in time for Bedford on Sat 27th Feb!
Facelift gearbox (shorter ratios) with Quaife LSD
Safety Devices Roll Cage, to include:
Rear Cage: Rear cage, x diagonal and harness bar (backstay trim requires modification) for single door bars
Door Bars (Nearside): Single door bar nearside (LHS)
Door Bars (Offside): Single door bar offside (RHS)
Front Cage: Front cage, for single door bar
Colour: RAL 9005 MN201D Black Matt Smooth
Diff is being fitted by 1320 on the 9th Feb, then the cage will go in whenever it arrives, hopefully all done in time for Bedford on Sat 27th Feb!
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