Mini Cooper S 2003 MadULok

I am new to this site. I have been creeping around here for a few years but never really posted anything. I love the magazine and this site has always had good info. Little bit before the mini, I was into off road anything. The only vehicle worth sharing with you guys is my jeep wrangler. She was my baby.

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After getting a job in the city and having a far drive to work everyday I needed something better one gas. Then I got a 2000 RS2.5. This was a great car and I have always wanted one. Problem was the fact it was an auto ( To good of a deal to pass up) but it was my Daily. The subura got me addicted to autocross and wanted me to start doing track days. So then I found a nice project car. 98 Impreza Brighton with a swapped ej20 motor. Project wasn't running and had a bad trans. After getting it running and swapping in a new trans I had to sell the project due to moving for work. Plans for this car were track only

I have other pictures if you guys are interested in more pictures. I know the project car seems rough but I was slowly fixing all the crap the owner that did the swap.

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Got a new job and wanted something better at autocross and something funnier. A 2003 mini cooper S and yes it has a 6 speed.

Here is day one I got the car from the dealer.

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First thing I did when I got it home was to start removing all the chrome I can.

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These are old pictures. I have since painted the door handles and a few other things black.

Not to long after buying the car the clutch went.

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Had to remove more parts but it was easier then dropping the Subaru trans. I put in a stage 1 clutch master clutch and resurface the flywheel.

I will get updated pictures on the car soon. I play on ordering a bunch of new parts for it soon.

I have put in a ALTA intake so I could here that amazing superchager. Best noise in the world. Installed a new coil, NGK wires and some NGK cooper spark plugs.

The only weight reduction I have done was removal of the headlight washers which didn't work and the rear wiper system. I just didn't take the motor out. I removed all the wiring and hose that runs the whole length of the car. Same with the headlight washer.

I have done other things but my mind can not think of it.

Goal for this car is to be driven as my DD for another 2-3 years. Slowly gather parts up and when I get a 2nd DD. This will be track only car. I need to start going the HDPE Schools and more events. I only got one event with this mini and holy crap what a difference.

I will soon post what I plan on getting this month for it. rear sway bar and a new pulley I'm thinking.

Do these have a dual mass flywheel? I was told the Getrag trans in my Focus SVT is the same as these?

EDIT: Where abouts are you in PA? Your back yard looks like a Western PA back yard.

I've read that the guts of the SVT transmission can be slipped into a MINI housing. The gear ratios aren't all the same either, but the basic internal parts can all be swapped. Housings are different.

The mini does have a dual mass flywheel. It sucks I know. I was looking at doing the switch to a single mass but due to funds and the surprise of the clutch failing I did not do the swap :( . I just started to read about the focus SVT limited slip fitting into the mini trans and they do and for a lot cheaper. When I do the limited slip Ill change out my flywheel. I am in eastern PA. I live right outside of philly. I am lucky to have nothing but woods next me. No one to piss off when I'm working on my cars haha.

A new rear sway bar is almost mandatory for a tracked R53. That and more camber up front.

I have a H-Sport Comp rear bar and love it. It may be overkill for a track car. Most lean toward stiffer springs, more front camber and a 19mm solid RSB.

chili_head wrote: A new rear sway bar is almost mandatory for a tracked R53. That and more camber up front. I have a H-Sport Comp rear bar and love it. It may be overkill for a track car. Most lean toward stiffer springs, more front camber and a 19mm solid RSB.

Agreed. Of all of the things I've done to my Mini, with the exception of ditching the run flats for decent summer tires, the rear sway bar made the best improvement.

I already ditch the run flats in the front and plan on replacing the rears after winter. Why did you go with the 19mm sway bar and not the 22mm swaybar?

I have the 25.5 (Hollow) - equivalent to a 22 solid- Hsport Competition bar. Sorry if that was unclear.

It's pretty much the largest bar you can put back there. I have no aspiration to run the car on an open track, just DD and Autocross, so I wanted the bigger bar. Some say the bigger bar can induce a good amount of over steer when on a track. Higher speeds, greater weight transfers, etc.

I have read that the 19 is fine, but I can 'dumb' down my 25.5 if need be. You can't up a 19.

yea I am getting the ALTA 22mm solid sway bar, with some adjustable sway bar ends. plan on lowering the car in the future. I am going to run it on the softness setting for now and then get stiffer till I'm use to it. worst comes to worst I am sure I can trade it with someone.

Adj ends on the rear are not mandatory. Fronts are if you lower it. Could save some cash.

The welded ends on the ALTA scared me off

After an hour I got the damn drain plug out. After doing some research this is a common problem for minis haha. [URL=http://s341.photobucket.com/user/trx450r1989/media/IMG_1149_zpsd708aef3.jpg.html][/URL]

For around 2 weeks I kept findng water in my battery compartment in the rear. Then it got worst and worst and pretty much my car flooded in the back. After dropping the rear half of my headliner I found this. Sunroof drain hose.

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Random picture of my motor bay.

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I just got a carbon fiber NGR shift knob. I will show a picture later.

I did not know that about the rear adjustable sway bar ends. Ill keep them stock and if they break then replace them.

The welded ends I was little worried about but I haven't seen anyone break one online yet. I know the hallow sway bar saves 2 pounds. Idk I can't make my mind up haha

In reply to chili_head:

New shift knob. Very easy to get the other one off and this one fit perfect. So much better then my worn out factory one and feels very nice in the hand.

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So did some stuff to the mi I since my last post.

First I changed out my turn single switch. Every time I would turn right my high beams turned on.

I added a mesh grill. I was not a fan of the factory one. Still haven't finished it yet. Just did the top part of it.

I had to replace my belt tensior. Since I had a alta 15% pulley it was a perfect time to install it.

The last upgrade was my hotchikc 25mm hallow rear sway.

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What setting does most people set there rear sway bar at. I am at the softness and think I can more out of the car.

When mine still ran, I would a run it at full stiff. That bugger needed some rotation on the ass.

It has been a long time since I've updated this tread. I just picked up some enkies rfp1. I started to peel off the ugly grey plastic dip and start restoring these wheels.

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I just got in the mail all the parts I need to thermostat so I will make sure to take pictures of everything.

I have not have a chance to autocross her this year. My lemons team has been sucking up my weekends.

Nice work so far!

Whenever I do Mini clutches at work I find it quicker to pull the engine + trans together, they'll both come out the front if you move the trans end out first. There are very few electrical connections to undo and the whole harness comes out with it all. Basically the ECM and electric PS connectors and a few grounds are it IIRC.

Nice Jeep too! I came from the 4x4 world too with an 03 TJ I sunk too much money into.

In reply to flatlander937: I was thinking about doing that but didn't have a engine puller at the time. But next time which I hope isn't for awhile I might try that. I did notice that much was connected to the motor.

I miss my jeep every day, but that jeep was one hell of a awesome money pit haha

In reply to pav5069:

Yeah an engine hoist is somewhat helpful for that.

Here is basically what you're left with pulling it all at once, don't have a pic of an R53, but R50 and R56. Only difference is you want to pull the intercooler on top so you have room to chain it to.

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http://i.imgur.com/Soe02js.jpg This IS an R53 but it was the first Mini I did a clutch on several years ago and did it just dropping the trans. Big pain in the ass. Biggest benefit to pulling it all is no dicking with the subframe and steering gear. And no PS fluid loss as it all stays on the firewall :)

I have my RSB full stiff as well. What are the specs on the RPF1's? I have been thinking about 16x7 or 16x8 for autocross.