[NigelStap]

Hi

In October 18 I bought myself a Mini R53 as a budget busting wheeler dealers style project second car, to keep the miles and worst of winter off my other car, a pristine Focus ST225 running 320BHP. Of course, despite my intention not to, I have spent some time, money and twice as much effort smartening up my Mini and it is turning into a Mini (ahem) project of it's own.

Done and/or fitted/fixed:

• Good clean up inside and outside
• Binned ghastly mirror covers
• Polished headlights - Now swapped for face lift lights
• Silver repeater bulbs
• Removed window tints
• DAB mech less stereo and new speakers
• Lubricated gear linkage
• Face lift steering wheel
• Replaced broken passenger door lock mechanism
• Valeo rear wiper upgrade kit
• Front bushes fitted by local garage
• Four tyres all of the same, non budget, make
• Tidied up scuffs on wheels
• Recovered roof liner myself
• Modify air box to fit cone filter inside - DONE 26/04/19
• Rear lights with clear indicators and diadem (blue effect) indicator bulbs - DONE 13/05/19
• Install sub woofer - DONE 15/05/19
• Face lift projector headlamps - DONE 02/06/19 (wasn't even on the to list!)
• Silicone induction hose - DONE 22/06/19
• 17% pulley & remap & cooler plugs - DONE 22/06/19
• New coolant expansion tank - DONE 22/06/19
• New radiator and condenser - DONE 22/06/19
• Supercharger oil service - DONE 22/06/19
• Cam chain tensioner - DONE 22/06/19
• Drivers door check strap - DONE 26/06/19 - DONE AGAIN 08/08/19
• New air con pipes and re-gas - DONE 07/08/19
• New headlight levelling sensor - DONE 05/10/19
• Get body shop to fix rust below rear light - DONE 11/01/20
• Rocker cover gasket - DONE 06/03/20 - DONE AGAIN 20/06/20
• Remove decals from roof - DONE 31/03/20
• Prepare and fit aero side skirts - DONE 10/04/20
• R56 front brakes and new rears - DONE 07/05/20
• New wheels - DONE 07/05/20
• LED strips inside boot - DONE 16/05/20
• Passengers door check strap - DONE 29/08/20
• LED number plate lights - DONE 11/10/20
• New belt tensioner and idle pulley - DONE 04/11/20
• Clear third brake light - DONE 06/11/20
• New external o/s a pillar trim - DONE 01/12/20

To do/fit:

Jobs for 2021 (unless some miracle happens)

• Replace low speed fan resistor (relay in the shroud so I can't bypass)
• Replace alternator (noisy when cold and unused for a while)
• Paint centre of all brake discs and rear callipers

I'm sure there will be more to do...

...I will update and add to the list.

 

[NigelStap]

Here's a picture of both cars together, little and large and picture of the Focus on it's own.

I'm lucky to have the chance to have a choice of two different cars to use.

 

[JohnJohn]

Here's a picture of both cars together, little and large and picture of the Focus on it's own.

I'm lucky to have the chance to have a choice of two different cars to use.

Blimey, mini looks like a hot wheels car next to the focus! Both look very clean though :thumbup:

 

[Dave^]

Blimey, mini looks like a hot wheels car next to the focus! Both look very clean though :thumbup:

 

[CarsOrBikes]

cone air filter won't help you, keep it plastic enclosed

fit a cam … from me ;O)

focus looks smart

won't take much before the Mini is quicker haha

 

[KeithyCoop]

Not bad that....

 

[NigelStap]

The cone is going inside the airbox Dave F style.

The Focus is on another planet performance wise compared to the Mini.

 

[airhead_irl]

The car looks fantastic ! I'm curious - what is the Valeo rear wiper kit ?

 

[NigelStap]

It is fitted to newer Minis from the gen1 facelift onwards and replaces the dire old trico kit.

 

[JohnJohn]

Lol, yeah fair enough ::getcoat::

Although currently downloading Father Ted now :w00t:

 

[E-R53]

The cone is going inside the airbox Dave F style.

The Focus is on another planet performance wise compared to the Mini.

https://www.minitorque.com/forum/f273/new-copied-build-195945/#post2356049

Did something like that on mine.

 

[NigelStap]

Airbox done. Cone fitted and happy with results. Only difference outside are four black bolt (button) heads. Didn't touch the bottom half or attempt to add a feed to the back of the lid.

Only took one hour, start to finish. Simple job.

 

[Astroboy]

Nice one! Get some pics up

 

[NigelStap]

As you asked nicely, I will oblige!

Only one picture of the finished article. All you can see are four bolt heads (hence using black button headed bolts).

The cone is mounted into the lid. I did not touch the bottom half or add a rear feed to the lid.

Going to finish it off with a new silicone induction hose.

 

[JohnJohn]

Looks rather OEM :thumbup:

 

[Maccmike]

Welcome to the Dave F world.
Good job, looks exactly like mine lol.

 

[Maccmike]

This is the hose I fitted https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Mini-Cooper-S-R53-02-07-Silicone-Hose-Intake-White-Red-Green-Yellow-Blue/152343882521?ssPageName=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AIT&var=451571219232&_trksid=p2060353.m2749.l2649

 

[Astroboy]

Much easier modding the bottom half than pissing about with the top and potentially making a pig's ear of it

 

[NigelStap]

This is the hose I fitted https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Mini-Cooper-S-R53-02-07-Silicone-Hose-Intake-White-Red-Green-Yellow-Blue/152343882521?ssPageName=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AIT&var=451571219232&_trksid=p2060353.m2749.l2649

That's the one!

 

[NigelStap]

Having driven the Mini a few times since the air box mod, I can only say 10 out of 10!

Much better mid range pull, slight increase in charger whine and a nicer exhaust note. All for £55, £43 of which as the air filter! Only took me one hour from start to finish (including getting tools out and putting them away).