Discussion
Finally gotten around to putting my car in the readers' car section. Bit of a lengthy post!
Some of you may remember the car from my buying advice.. See link below
https://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&...
Since owning the mini I have done some maintenance work:
New radiator as the old one had a slight leak at the inlet
Supercharger service for piece of mind
New water pump whilst the supercharger is off
New expansion tank
New thermostat and housing
The car was always intended flr weekend use and trackdays so a new cooling system was deemed a good investment.
Whilst the supercharger was removed I installed a KAVS 15% reduction pulley with new spark plugs and an Airtec top mounted intercooler. All the performance parts were ordered from Orranje. Exceptional customer service with fast delivery.
I have also booked 2 trackdays. The first being the novice group at Donington on August 17th and Pembrey on September 5th.
Once the trackdays were booked I started to look for some performance brake pads and a set of wheels and tyres. For the brake pads I went with Project Mu HC800+, I know this is an uncommon pad when compared to the mintex 1144/1155 amd Ferodo DS2500/3000 but i wanted to give them a try. Different car forums have good things to say about them, hopefully not something I regret. Braided lines and performance fluid will be done this weekend if the parts arrive.
I managed to source a set of TD pro race 3s second hand and these will be wrapped with some Yokohama AD08R tyres.
Some of you may remember the car from my buying advice.. See link below
https://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&...
Since owning the mini I have done some maintenance work:
New radiator as the old one had a slight leak at the inlet
Supercharger service for piece of mind
New water pump whilst the supercharger is off
New expansion tank
New thermostat and housing
The car was always intended flr weekend use and trackdays so a new cooling system was deemed a good investment.
Whilst the supercharger was removed I installed a KAVS 15% reduction pulley with new spark plugs and an Airtec top mounted intercooler. All the performance parts were ordered from Orranje. Exceptional customer service with fast delivery.
I have also booked 2 trackdays. The first being the novice group at Donington on August 17th and Pembrey on September 5th.
Once the trackdays were booked I started to look for some performance brake pads and a set of wheels and tyres. For the brake pads I went with Project Mu HC800+, I know this is an uncommon pad when compared to the mintex 1144/1155 amd Ferodo DS2500/3000 but i wanted to give them a try. Different car forums have good things to say about them, hopefully not something I regret. Braided lines and performance fluid will be done this weekend if the parts arrive.
I managed to source a set of TD pro race 3s second hand and these will be wrapped with some Yokohama AD08R tyres.
And I don't have one Great choice and colour! They make a great track/weekend car, if only just for the noise alone!
Had mine for 3 years now and spent far far more than I should have done but it gets addictive.
The standard brakes are pants though, you need to ditch them urgently. The R56 Cooper S Calipers are pretty much a direct fit, just need R56 brake hoses. I went full mental with mine though and added these.... I was going through a set of pads every trackday (ds2500's) with standard brakes!
These have transformed it!
Best of luck on your first trackdays with it!
Had mine for 3 years now and spent far far more than I should have done but it gets addictive.
The standard brakes are pants though, you need to ditch them urgently. The R56 Cooper S Calipers are pretty much a direct fit, just need R56 brake hoses. I went full mental with mine though and added these.... I was going through a set of pads every trackday (ds2500's) with standard brakes!
These have transformed it!
Best of luck on your first trackdays with it!
Maty said:
Great choice and colour! They make a great track/weekend car, if only just for the noise alone!
Had mine for 3 years now and spent far far more than I should have done but it gets addictive.
The standard brakes are pants though, you need to ditch them urgently. The R56 Cooper S Calipers are pretty much a direct fit, just need R56 brake hoses. I went full mental with mine though and added these.... I was going through a set of pads every trackday (ds2500's) with standard brakes!
These have transformed it!
Best of luck on your first trackdays with it!
Indeed, the brakes were utterly utterly woeful. I remember getting an R56 courtesy car and nearly head butting the winds the first time I used the brakes. I’d got used to literally standing on them in my R53 to make anything happen.Had mine for 3 years now and spent far far more than I should have done but it gets addictive.
The standard brakes are pants though, you need to ditch them urgently. The R56 Cooper S Calipers are pretty much a direct fit, just need R56 brake hoses. I went full mental with mine though and added these.... I was going through a set of pads every trackday (ds2500's) with standard brakes!
These have transformed it!
Best of luck on your first trackdays with it!
Court_S said:
Looks well that. Hyper blue?
I had a pre face lift Cooper S in Indi Blue metallic which I loved and was my first quickish car. Loved the noise from the supercharger.
Yeah it's hyper blue, its my third blue car I had a pre face lift Cooper S in Indi Blue metallic which I loved and was my first quickish car. Loved the noise from the supercharger.
The supercharger whine is addictive
Maty said:
Great choice and colour! They make a great track/weekend car, if only just for the noise alone!
Had mine for 3 years now and spent far far more than I should have done but it gets addictive.
The standard brakes are pants though, you need to ditch them urgently. The R56 Cooper S Calipers are pretty much a direct fit, just need R56 brake hoses. I went full mental with mine though and added these.... I was going through a set of pads every trackday (ds2500's) with standard brakes!
These have transformed it!
Best of luck on your first trackdays with it!
Thank you, I know what you mean, I've almost spent the same on upgrades as I did for the car haha.Had mine for 3 years now and spent far far more than I should have done but it gets addictive.
The standard brakes are pants though, you need to ditch them urgently. The R56 Cooper S Calipers are pretty much a direct fit, just need R56 brake hoses. I went full mental with mine though and added these.... I was going through a set of pads every trackday (ds2500's) with standard brakes!
These have transformed it!
Best of luck on your first trackdays with it!
Upgraded brake calipers are definitely on the shopping list. Hope to use my university machining facilities in September to make custom mounts made up for some radially mounted 4 piston calipers.
Really looking forward to the trackdays
Great choice of car.
I have had a 2006 R53 with the JCW areo kit in Black Eye Purple for about 4 years now, but I’ve not used it since November. It’s by far been the most reliable car I’ve ever had. I hope yours rewards you like wise.
I find myself on the fence about selling it. I haven’t used it a great deal but decent, well kept examples are getting hard to find.
It might be worth checking your charger belt, when they fail I am lead to believe they take the water pump out with it, having done one they’re not the best of fun I must say. Mine seemed fine but upon removal the belt had at some point split in half and lobbed the other half. If you’re anywhere near me in Kent you’re welcome to borrow my tensioner tool.
All the best with the car.
I have had a 2006 R53 with the JCW areo kit in Black Eye Purple for about 4 years now, but I’ve not used it since November. It’s by far been the most reliable car I’ve ever had. I hope yours rewards you like wise.
I find myself on the fence about selling it. I haven’t used it a great deal but decent, well kept examples are getting hard to find.
It might be worth checking your charger belt, when they fail I am lead to believe they take the water pump out with it, having done one they’re not the best of fun I must say. Mine seemed fine but upon removal the belt had at some point split in half and lobbed the other half. If you’re anywhere near me in Kent you’re welcome to borrow my tensioner tool.
All the best with the car.
Big Tomm said:
Great choice of car.
I find myself on the fence about selling it. I haven’t used it a great deal but decent, well kept examples are getting hard to find.
It might be worth checking your charger belt, when they fail I am lead to believe they take the water pump out with it, having done one they’re not the best of fun I must say. Mine seemed fine but upon removal the belt had at some point split in half and lobbed the other half. If you’re anywhere near me in Kent you’re welcome to borrow my tensioner tool.
All the best with the car.
I am really enjoying it so far. Keep it I find myself on the fence about selling it. I haven’t used it a great deal but decent, well kept examples are getting hard to find.
It might be worth checking your charger belt, when they fail I am lead to believe they take the water pump out with it, having done one they’re not the best of fun I must say. Mine seemed fine but upon removal the belt had at some point split in half and lobbed the other half. If you’re anywhere near me in Kent you’re welcome to borrow my tensioner tool.
All the best with the car.
hahaI've replaced the supercharger pulley with a mew belt and a new water pump so fingers crossed I'll be safe. Thanks for offering the tool.
Its been a few weeks since I first posted so here is a bit of a lengthy update.
I'll start with the pre trackday mods. Firstly my tyres, bit of a hassle but my own fault for being a bit cheeky on the width. I opted for a 215/45/17 on my TD pro race 3s. When I fitted them on the car the rear rubbed slightly... Great... On the drive home I swapped my rears and continued no issue. The different offset on the TDs was my issue. I swapped the ADO8RS onto the original mini 5 spokes and the rubbing disappeared. 205/45/17 should fit on the TDs.
Tyre issue solved. The next issue which I didn't expect was the brake pads. I planned to fit these Friday evening and then bed the pads in early Saturday morning and on the drive to Caffeine and Machine on Sunday. All was well until I went to fit the pads and I got sent the JCW version and not the Cooper S. The rears are the same but the fronts are different. Bullocks, many phonecalls on Saturday morning trying to source a set didn't work out. Looks like my first track day would be on standard pads. If I tried fitting them before and realised I could have called into demon tweeks on the way home from Crewe to Swansea. Never mind ey?
The drive to Caffeine and Machine in convoy with my brother in his Passat was leisurely. Both cars loaded with track day tools etc. First time I'd been to C&M, really enjoyed it. A good variety of cars there and the weather stayed pretty dry. After everyone had left I managed to get a few photos outside.
No idea who owns the other Mini but it made for a good photo.
A quick hour drive to the hotel after C&M. I'm really glad I booked a hotel. 10 minutes from the track and a BP station nearby.
Monday was an early start. The garages at Donington Park were on a first come first served basis. Knowing the weather forecast had given rain a garage would make the day more enjoyable. Plus who doesnt want to drive out of a garage and onto the pit straight.
I'd like to start by saying the MSV Novice Trackday was a really well organised event, only one or two idiots overtaking on corners. All the staff were helpful and cheerful.
A wide variety of cars attended the trackday, many Mini versions R53, R56 both cooper S and JCW guises. A personal highlight was the Radical which arrived in the back of a lorry.. I thought this was an amateur event ?? Haha.
With the sighting laps over and the track beginning to dry out the bold call with the AD08RS was paying off.
The Mini really held it's own on track humbling more powerful cars like a Cayman and Leon Cupra. The traction and balance through the corners was inspiring, the brakes quickly faded which I expected but this didn't dampen my fun. A slower cooldown lap was all that was needed. I definitely progressed through the sessions hitting higher speeds throughout the track.
The car performed really well with only a small boost leak uncovered during the 3rd session. I haven't had chance to diagnose this yet. The supercharger sounds louder than it should.. Hopefully get some time this week to look into it.
Going back a few posts I said I'd be upgrading the brakes. Many options here but having spoken to an R53 Cooper S owner at the track. His car was a pure track car. He said it's had well over £12,000 spent on it. He was running a big brembo kit. Looking at off the shelf kits was useful for brake disc sizes etc, these kits would always be way out of budget. I managed to purchase a set of Alfa Romeo 159 Brembo calipers with a rebuild kit for less than £200. Reyland Motorsport wanted £250 for the adapters for the Megane RS calipers.. A Megane RS caliper was considered but the cost was far more than the Alfa Brembo option.
Finding suitable calipers was trickier than I first thought. Not wanting to spend on expensive kits a lot of research was needed on calipers in budget, fitted the 330mm discs and had a good selection of performance pads.
The discs I will be using are from a Cooper S JCW GP from 2013 and will provide a big increase in disc size. This weekend will be a chance to mock everything up with some 3D printed adapter brackets before getting the actual adapters machined.
Hope you enjoy the update
I'll start with the pre trackday mods. Firstly my tyres, bit of a hassle but my own fault for being a bit cheeky on the width. I opted for a 215/45/17 on my TD pro race 3s. When I fitted them on the car the rear rubbed slightly... Great... On the drive home I swapped my rears and continued no issue. The different offset on the TDs was my issue. I swapped the ADO8RS onto the original mini 5 spokes and the rubbing disappeared. 205/45/17 should fit on the TDs.
Tyre issue solved. The next issue which I didn't expect was the brake pads. I planned to fit these Friday evening and then bed the pads in early Saturday morning and on the drive to Caffeine and Machine on Sunday. All was well until I went to fit the pads and I got sent the JCW version and not the Cooper S. The rears are the same but the fronts are different. Bullocks, many phonecalls on Saturday morning trying to source a set didn't work out. Looks like my first track day would be on standard pads. If I tried fitting them before and realised I could have called into demon tweeks on the way home from Crewe to Swansea. Never mind ey?
The drive to Caffeine and Machine in convoy with my brother in his Passat was leisurely. Both cars loaded with track day tools etc. First time I'd been to C&M, really enjoyed it. A good variety of cars there and the weather stayed pretty dry. After everyone had left I managed to get a few photos outside.
No idea who owns the other Mini but it made for a good photo.
A quick hour drive to the hotel after C&M. I'm really glad I booked a hotel. 10 minutes from the track and a BP station nearby.
Monday was an early start. The garages at Donington Park were on a first come first served basis. Knowing the weather forecast had given rain a garage would make the day more enjoyable. Plus who doesnt want to drive out of a garage and onto the pit straight.
I'd like to start by saying the MSV Novice Trackday was a really well organised event, only one or two idiots overtaking on corners. All the staff were helpful and cheerful.
A wide variety of cars attended the trackday, many Mini versions R53, R56 both cooper S and JCW guises. A personal highlight was the Radical which arrived in the back of a lorry.. I thought this was an amateur event ?? Haha.
With the sighting laps over and the track beginning to dry out the bold call with the AD08RS was paying off.
The Mini really held it's own on track humbling more powerful cars like a Cayman and Leon Cupra. The traction and balance through the corners was inspiring, the brakes quickly faded which I expected but this didn't dampen my fun. A slower cooldown lap was all that was needed. I definitely progressed through the sessions hitting higher speeds throughout the track.
The car performed really well with only a small boost leak uncovered during the 3rd session. I haven't had chance to diagnose this yet. The supercharger sounds louder than it should.. Hopefully get some time this week to look into it.
Going back a few posts I said I'd be upgrading the brakes. Many options here but having spoken to an R53 Cooper S owner at the track. His car was a pure track car. He said it's had well over £12,000 spent on it. He was running a big brembo kit. Looking at off the shelf kits was useful for brake disc sizes etc, these kits would always be way out of budget. I managed to purchase a set of Alfa Romeo 159 Brembo calipers with a rebuild kit for less than £200. Reyland Motorsport wanted £250 for the adapters for the Megane RS calipers.. A Megane RS caliper was considered but the cost was far more than the Alfa Brembo option.
Finding suitable calipers was trickier than I first thought. Not wanting to spend on expensive kits a lot of research was needed on calipers in budget, fitted the 330mm discs and had a good selection of performance pads.
The discs I will be using are from a Cooper S JCW GP from 2013 and will provide a big increase in disc size. This weekend will be a chance to mock everything up with some 3D printed adapter brackets before getting the actual adapters machined.
Hope you enjoy the update
I think the main problem with R53 front brakes is that the disks are very thin... although ventilated, they don't dissipate the heat effectively leading to brake fade. I found removing the front spots and putting some trunking (cooker extractor fan trunking in my case!) through to the brake area helped but using Carbotech XP10 pads basically solved the problem.
timbo999 said:
I think the main problem with R53 front brakes is that the disks are very thin... although ventilated, they don't dissipate the heat effectively leading to brake fade. I found removing the front spots and putting some trunking (cooker extractor fan trunking in my case!) through to the brake area helped but using Carbotech XP10 pads basically solved the problem.
The JCW GP discs are 6mm thicker I think. The carbotech XP10s are some nice pads. I'd like to keep the fog lights and fit some scoops under the front bumper. I'll need to see what the packaging is like closer to the time but access to a 3D printer should help me.
Edited by jordmcd151 on Wednesday 24th February 09:52
Latest update from this weekend - Brake mock up and little jobs
JCW GP discs and the159 Brembo calipers arrived.
The fitment is great with the TD pro race 3s but the standard cooper S alloys will need a spacer. There is enough clearance when fitted with the TDs and they should provide more than enough braking performance.
A few people may be wondering why go through the effort of 'making your own brake kit'. The mini will always be a weekend / trackday toy which I cannot justify spending thousands on modifications. BBK can be over £1000 and I hope to have the kit (calipers, discs, performance pads, discs, adapters and lines) for less than £550. I also enjoy the design process, I have a degree in automotive engineering with a couple of years experience in the industry.
I was hoping to have the brakes fitted for this weekend, I have a trackday at Pembrey. Rather than rush to get everything fitted I've ordered some EBC bluestuff NDX pads to cover my trackday. The standard pads I used last time took a beating and faded quickly. Whilst mocking up the Brembos I noticed the current pads in the Mini were cracked from the trackday.
The bluestuff pads should arrive Thursday and allow me to bed them in on the drive home from Crewe to Swansea. I will replace the brake fluid because it got cooked from the last trackday, I have some Motul RBF600 to replace it.
Other little jobs from this weekend included wiring in a new resistor for the radiator fan, those who know the Mini will know this is a common fault. It was worth the £12 resistor before getting a new fan from Euro Car Parts for circa £90. Managed to cure a slight boost leak at the bypass valve, gained a couple psi in boost and eliminated the annoying leak sound. IMO the Mini 'service mode' is well thought out and saves a lot of time.
JCW GP discs and the159 Brembo calipers arrived.
The fitment is great with the TD pro race 3s but the standard cooper S alloys will need a spacer. There is enough clearance when fitted with the TDs and they should provide more than enough braking performance.
A few people may be wondering why go through the effort of 'making your own brake kit'. The mini will always be a weekend / trackday toy which I cannot justify spending thousands on modifications. BBK can be over £1000 and I hope to have the kit (calipers, discs, performance pads, discs, adapters and lines) for less than £550. I also enjoy the design process, I have a degree in automotive engineering with a couple of years experience in the industry.
I was hoping to have the brakes fitted for this weekend, I have a trackday at Pembrey. Rather than rush to get everything fitted I've ordered some EBC bluestuff NDX pads to cover my trackday. The standard pads I used last time took a beating and faded quickly. Whilst mocking up the Brembos I noticed the current pads in the Mini were cracked from the trackday.
The bluestuff pads should arrive Thursday and allow me to bed them in on the drive home from Crewe to Swansea. I will replace the brake fluid because it got cooked from the last trackday, I have some Motul RBF600 to replace it.
Other little jobs from this weekend included wiring in a new resistor for the radiator fan, those who know the Mini will know this is a common fault. It was worth the £12 resistor before getting a new fan from Euro Car Parts for circa £90. Managed to cure a slight boost leak at the bypass valve, gained a couple psi in boost and eliminated the annoying leak sound. IMO the Mini 'service mode' is well thought out and saves a lot of time.
Edited by jordmcd151 on Tuesday 1st September 20:51
bobisimeonovvd said:
jordmcd151 - I have one question! I have the same calipers but mine is from Giullietta . I think they are the same with 159. The problem is that i cant find adaptors/brackets for them to put on my r53. Please tell me what u did to fit them.
I have done some searching on the forums and I have read that the same adapter bracket for the RS 197/200 will allow the calipers to fit. Definitely join the Facebook group "R53 Owners Club".
I haven't fitted mine yet, university has gotten in the way...I'm sure if you post the question they'll have the answers on the facebook group.
Its been a long time since the last update on the mini. With lockdowns and a total change in career direction, back to education to complete an MSc.
Not a huge amount has happened since my last post, thank you lockdown...
The bluestuff pads arrived in time for the Pembrey track day but I was waiting on a Covid test result. I set an alarm for 3:30 AM on the day of the track day, the latest time I could leave Crewe to make the track day. Negative result and I packed my car and left by 4 AM. I really wanted to make this track day haha.
I managed to make the track day with minutes to spare, for those who don't know Pembrey you need to cross part of the circuit to get to the paddock area in the middle of the circuit. I did not have enough time to change the brake pads before arriving at the circuit so some new pads and discs were fitted between the sessions and bedded in on the track, not ideal I know, but the braking performance was far better.
The Alfa Brembos are yet to make an appearance on the car, I have received a rebuild kit today and hope to have them done over the 3-week Easter break. I plan to set some time aside this weekend to mock up the brackets. Finding the time and weather has been a chore.
3 track days are booked this year, Silverstone in April, Thruxton in May and Anglesey in June. Hoping to be able to add some modifications to the suspension after April, pending job application success.
A simple oil, oil filter, gearbox oil and brake fluid (RBF 600) renew will be completed before the first track day. If I have the time I would like to make an exhaust, nothing anti-social but a bit more noise wouldn't go amiss. Whilst Milltek systems are a common add on the cost is too much for me at this moment in time, I'm not keen on the Direnza style exhaust and possible fitment issues put me off these system.
Not a huge amount has happened since my last post, thank you lockdown...
The bluestuff pads arrived in time for the Pembrey track day but I was waiting on a Covid test result. I set an alarm for 3:30 AM on the day of the track day, the latest time I could leave Crewe to make the track day. Negative result and I packed my car and left by 4 AM. I really wanted to make this track day haha.
I managed to make the track day with minutes to spare, for those who don't know Pembrey you need to cross part of the circuit to get to the paddock area in the middle of the circuit. I did not have enough time to change the brake pads before arriving at the circuit so some new pads and discs were fitted between the sessions and bedded in on the track, not ideal I know, but the braking performance was far better.
The Alfa Brembos are yet to make an appearance on the car, I have received a rebuild kit today and hope to have them done over the 3-week Easter break. I plan to set some time aside this weekend to mock up the brackets. Finding the time and weather has been a chore.
3 track days are booked this year, Silverstone in April, Thruxton in May and Anglesey in June. Hoping to be able to add some modifications to the suspension after April, pending job application success.
A simple oil, oil filter, gearbox oil and brake fluid (RBF 600) renew will be completed before the first track day. If I have the time I would like to make an exhaust, nothing anti-social but a bit more noise wouldn't go amiss. Whilst Milltek systems are a common add on the cost is too much for me at this moment in time, I'm not keen on the Direnza style exhaust and possible fitment issues put me off these system.
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