2003 Mini Cooper S with lots of power
Discussion
A little job this weekend, fit my DRE Sequential Shift Light. I bought this back in 2016 for my Supercharged MK1 MX5 but I never got round to fitting it and it's laid hidden in a cupboard ever since. It was pretty simple to wire up off the back of the OBD port using pin 9 as the RPM trigger feed.
Untitled by Nicholas Horne, on Flickr
Untitled by Nicholas Horne, on Flickr
All lit up
Untitled by Nicholas Horne, on Flickr
Video of it in action: https://youtu.be/ONZrXhVqIsE
Since then I've tweaked the settings a bit so the lights and flashing happen earlier in the rev range to take into account my reaction time etc.
I'm going to get a good friend of mine to work with me to 3D print a mount that will make it fit better on the steering wheel cowl.
I also did some performance testing to see what numbers my Ultragauge thinks I can do.
Untitled by Nicholas Horne, on Flickr
Untitled by Nicholas Horne, on FlickrUntitled by Nicholas Horne, on FlickrAll lit up
Untitled by Nicholas Horne, on FlickrVideo of it in action: https://youtu.be/ONZrXhVqIsE
Since then I've tweaked the settings a bit so the lights and flashing happen earlier in the rev range to take into account my reaction time etc.
I'm going to get a good friend of mine to work with me to 3D print a mount that will make it fit better on the steering wheel cowl.
I also did some performance testing to see what numbers my Ultragauge thinks I can do.
Untitled by Nicholas Horne, on FlickrI went to Mods N Minis night at the Ace Cafe recently. A bit quite but it was a good night and I'd not been for a couple of years. It was good to catch up with a couple of long time classic mini friends who also now own Binis.
Untitled by Nicholas Horne, on Flickr
Untitled by Nicholas Horne, on Flickr
Untitled by Nicholas Horne, on Flickr
A few days later I lost the supercharger whine, about 90% of my horses and the dash lit up like Blackpool illuminations. This was the culprit. The crank pulley/damper that drives the charger had decided that being one part was overacted and decided to be two instead.
Untitled by Nicholas Horne, on Flickr
Rubbed a bit in the process.
Untitled by Nicholas Horne, on Flickr
I could have stuck a cheapo replacement on, or even a genuine BMW one but I figured what the hell, might as well do it proper and give the credit card a spanking.
Untitled by Nicholas Horne, on Flickr
Untitled by Nicholas Horne, on Flickr
Rated for over 800hp and drag racing. I think it should last OK in the little MINI.
So yeah, another weekend off it looking like this .......
Untitled by Nicholas Horne, on Flickr
..... but the new pulley is actually 0.8% oversized due to them not being able to make them any smaller. This means I now have more boost! OK, only 1psi, but every bit counts.
Untitled by Nicholas Horne, on FlickrUntitled by Nicholas Horne, on FlickrUntitled by Nicholas Horne, on FlickrA few days later I lost the supercharger whine, about 90% of my horses and the dash lit up like Blackpool illuminations. This was the culprit. The crank pulley/damper that drives the charger had decided that being one part was overacted and decided to be two instead.
Untitled by Nicholas Horne, on FlickrRubbed a bit in the process.
Untitled by Nicholas Horne, on FlickrI could have stuck a cheapo replacement on, or even a genuine BMW one but I figured what the hell, might as well do it proper and give the credit card a spanking.
Untitled by Nicholas Horne, on FlickrUntitled by Nicholas Horne, on FlickrRated for over 800hp and drag racing. I think it should last OK in the little MINI.
So yeah, another weekend off it looking like this .......
Untitled by Nicholas Horne, on Flickr..... but the new pulley is actually 0.8% oversized due to them not being able to make them any smaller. This means I now have more boost! OK, only 1psi, but every bit counts.
I competed at Motorsport At The Palace yesterday in the sprint. Such an awesome event and historic venue, I'll certainly be back next year.
I finished 6th in class and the 2nd fastest FWD car, seeing as the class structure was age based I'm happy with the result. Matt Bird of PH Towers with the EnduroKa was my paddock buddy for the day.
My brother and his wife live nearby to Crystal Palace so my niece and nephew came along as my pit crew.
Untitled by Nicholas Horne, on Flickr
Untitled by Nicholas Horne, on Flickr
Untitled by Nicholas Horne, on Flickr
Video: https://youtu.be/_YaIi-fKXLI
I finished 6th in class and the 2nd fastest FWD car, seeing as the class structure was age based I'm happy with the result. Matt Bird of PH Towers with the EnduroKa was my paddock buddy for the day.
My brother and his wife live nearby to Crystal Palace so my niece and nephew came along as my pit crew.
Untitled by Nicholas Horne, on FlickrUntitled by Nicholas Horne, on FlickrUntitled by Nicholas Horne, on FlickrVideo: https://youtu.be/_YaIi-fKXLI
As usual, not updated this in ages. Sorry.
Since the sprint at Crystal Palace I've done a few trackways.
First up, my first ever visit to Cadwell. What a circuit! Had an amazing day until limp mode kicked in at about 4pm. Limped it back home (6 hours!) and turned out it was a MAP sensor failure. Pics and vid:
Untitled by Nicholas Horne, on Flickr
Untitled by Nicholas Horne, on Flickr
Untitled by Nicholas Horne, on Flickr
Untitled by Nicholas Horne, on Flickr
Some good footage of me chasing my mate Brian is his MINI in this lot https://youtu.be/1pbeDoiWQ2c
Second up Castle Combe with my Dad.
2434 by Nicholas Horne, on Flickr
0748 by Nicholas Horne, on Flickr
0742 by Nicholas Horne, on Flickr
I have video from this, I still haven't got round to editing it!
Then I went to Llandow for a track day I organised. The exhaust Felxi went on the first session of the day. Damn it!
Untitled by Nicholas Horne, on Flickr
So only short video of the MINI but there is the added bonus of some MX5 content when I was thrown the keys to my mates MK3 MX5 (which he's just bought off my wife!). https://youtu.be/V-mzeN-7PAY
Time for some non track action and a weekend in a wet and windy field in Bristol for The International Mini Meet 2019.
Untitled by Nicholas Horne, on Flickr
Much Cider and BBQ meat was consumed. A great weekend despite the awful conditions.
The weekend after IMM? MiTP (Mini In The Park) at Mallory Park. Would be rude not to do a couple of track sessions!
Untitled by Nicholas Horne, on Flickr
Untitled by Nicholas Horne, on Flickr
Untitled by Nicholas Horne, on Flickr
Video: https://youtu.be/qYQ6FTa5p3w
Finally. Today at the Pistonheads Sunday Service at BMW HQ.
IMG_3145 by Nicholas Horne, on Flickr
IMG_3147 by Nicholas Horne, on Flickr
IMG_3187 by Nicholas Horne, on Flickr
Next up is a track day at Anglesey, Mini Action Day at Castle Combe and the FDMC Sprint Royale. Following that a well deserved winter break. Phew!
Since the sprint at Crystal Palace I've done a few trackways.
First up, my first ever visit to Cadwell. What a circuit! Had an amazing day until limp mode kicked in at about 4pm. Limped it back home (6 hours!) and turned out it was a MAP sensor failure. Pics and vid:
Untitled by Nicholas Horne, on FlickrUntitled by Nicholas Horne, on FlickrUntitled by Nicholas Horne, on FlickrUntitled by Nicholas Horne, on FlickrSome good footage of me chasing my mate Brian is his MINI in this lot https://youtu.be/1pbeDoiWQ2c
Second up Castle Combe with my Dad.
2434 by Nicholas Horne, on Flickr0748 by Nicholas Horne, on Flickr0742 by Nicholas Horne, on FlickrI have video from this, I still haven't got round to editing it!
Then I went to Llandow for a track day I organised. The exhaust Felxi went on the first session of the day. Damn it!
Untitled by Nicholas Horne, on FlickrSo only short video of the MINI but there is the added bonus of some MX5 content when I was thrown the keys to my mates MK3 MX5 (which he's just bought off my wife!). https://youtu.be/V-mzeN-7PAY
Time for some non track action and a weekend in a wet and windy field in Bristol for The International Mini Meet 2019.
Untitled by Nicholas Horne, on FlickrMuch Cider and BBQ meat was consumed. A great weekend despite the awful conditions.
The weekend after IMM? MiTP (Mini In The Park) at Mallory Park. Would be rude not to do a couple of track sessions!
Untitled by Nicholas Horne, on FlickrUntitled by Nicholas Horne, on FlickrUntitled by Nicholas Horne, on FlickrVideo: https://youtu.be/qYQ6FTa5p3w
Finally. Today at the Pistonheads Sunday Service at BMW HQ.
IMG_3145 by Nicholas Horne, on FlickrIMG_3147 by Nicholas Horne, on FlickrIMG_3187 by Nicholas Horne, on FlickrNext up is a track day at Anglesey, Mini Action Day at Castle Combe and the FDMC Sprint Royale. Following that a well deserved winter break. Phew!
Edited by HorneyMX5 on Sunday 1st September 22:08
New hoops. Some other updates later this week.
74705033_10162509711805322_2815740740615798784_o by Nicholas Horne, on Flickr
74674393_10162509711285322_368706935018487808_o by Nicholas Horne, on Flickr
73472785_10162509711220322_6113074398900518912_o by Nicholas Horne, on Flickr
74705033_10162509711805322_2815740740615798784_o by Nicholas Horne, on Flickr74674393_10162509711285322_368706935018487808_o by Nicholas Horne, on Flickr73472785_10162509711220322_6113074398900518912_o by Nicholas Horne, on Flickr
DaveyBoyWonder said:
Just read the full thread Nick and thats absolutely brilliant. Weirdly seem to be following a similar'ish path to you - had various MX5s, have a daily R55, had an R50 in the past and now looking at an R53 for the post-lowdown commute (no way I'm going back to the train 5 days a week!).
What would you reccommend I look out for if looking for an R53 S? A friend has mentioned that they had a slightl facelift around 2004/2005 which meant a bit more power and a better/stronger engine? Any good places to start looking? Would rather an enthusiast owned one rather than take a punt on something from Autotrader.
Cheers! What would you reccommend I look out for if looking for an R53 S? A friend has mentioned that they had a slightl facelift around 2004/2005 which meant a bit more power and a better/stronger engine? Any good places to start looking? Would rather an enthusiast owned one rather than take a punt on something from Autotrader.
The others have covered off most of your questions. The R53 Owners Club Facebook page is a good resource with a nice bunch of dedicated admins, unusual for a Facebook group I know! A few cherished cars come up for sale on there. Facelift cars command a premium as they're newer, have better build quality and generally better optioned. If you can, find one with an LSD as they were a free option on the facelift cars. Engines are pretty robust in standard trim but weak areas are front suspension bushes, noise cam chains due to worn tensioner, overheating as first stage rad fan resistor fails.
If you're handy with spanner most jobs are quite straight forward and there's a million how to guides.
hope that helps!
Gave it a clean and took it for a b-road blast.
Untitled by Nicholas Horne, on Flickr
Untitled by Nicholas Horne, on Flickr
Untitled by Nicholas Horne, on Flickr
Untitled by Nicholas Horne, on Flickr
Untitled by Nicholas Horne, on Flickr
Untitled by Nicholas Horne, on Flickr
Untitled by Nicholas Horne, on Flickr
Untitled by Nicholas Horne, on FlickrUntitled by Nicholas Horne, on FlickrUntitled by Nicholas Horne, on FlickrUntitled by Nicholas Horne, on FlickrUntitled by Nicholas Horne, on FlickrUntitled by Nicholas Horne, on FlickrUntitled by Nicholas Horne, on FlickrGassing Station | Readers' Cars | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff