1st Gen R53 Cooper S Most liked posts in thread: Need Advise on Head Replacement

  1. Minidave

    Minidave Well-Known Member
    Lifetime Supporter

    Dec 22, 2009
    5,643
    4,599
    113
    Male
    Overland Park, Ks
    Ratings:
    +5,191 / 1 / -0
    #5 Minidave, Mar 26, 2014
    Or you could just have the one you have now fixed properly. One spark plug hole that needs a helicoil does not meant the head is junk.

    You need a better mechanic.

    Like Dave O suggests, find a better shop.....
     
  2. Dave.0

    Dave.0 Helix & RMW Powered
    Lifetime Supporter

    May 4, 2009
    25,021
    13,497
    113
    Burbs of Philly, PA
    Ratings:
    +14,644 / 10 / -4
    #4 Dave.0, Mar 26, 2014
    Helix is a little bit down the road in Philly may be able to help you out. They have older heads from upgrades and may have something in the "Bone Yard" that would work for you.

    They can also look everything over and install it with all the proper hardware correctly.

    They are the ONLY ones that do my motor work. :Thumbsup:

    Its worth the call and the trip to have it done right the first time.

    267-335-4337
    HELIX MINI Cooper Performance Parts
     
  3. rum4

    rum4 Club Coordinator
    Lifetime Supporter

    Aug 17, 2011
    4,568
    1,475
    0
    SC
    Ratings:
    +1,478 / 0 / -0
    #2 rum4, Mar 26, 2014
    No help here but I will bump it to the top.
     
  4. cct1

    cct1 Well-Known Member
    Lifetime Supporter

    May 5, 2009
    3,378
    3,368
    113
    Ratings:
    +3,369 / 0 / -0
    #3 cct1, Mar 26, 2014
    If you want a big bump in performance, call Jan at RMW--you can get a much better than oem head from him for much less than $5400; along the lines of more than half that. Otherwise a used head is fine; $500 is about right for one in good condition--but make sure you have someone who knows what they're doing check it before you buy it.
     
  5. Joker

    Joker New Member

    Feb 14, 2014
    57
    12
    0
    Automotive Euro Tech. TIS
    Phoenix,Arizona
    Ratings:
    +12 / 0 / -0
    #6 Joker, Mar 27, 2014
    Quick reply . Machine shop. Ive done it on a 1969 280 sl , look for a good machine shop. The local machine shop here used the rebuild adapter for an 02 sensor machined it to fit the head.installed the plug and it worked good check engine gone .. :crazy: of course MIL did not exist during 1969. Hope this helps.