1st Gen R53 Cooper S Planned Modifications for my MCS

Discussion in '1st Generation: 2002–06 R50, R53 & 2004–08 R52' started by oldvet53, Nov 3, 2012.

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  1. Nathan

    Nathan Founder

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    #21 Nathan, Nov 8, 2012
    M7 Front Strut Tower Brace - Save yer money, they don't do anything. Not jsut the M7 one, but all the strut braces on a 1st Gen MINI are just eye candy.

    You'd be better off with the following.

    Some STDs from Craven.

    An X Brace
     
  2. oldvet53

    oldvet53 New Member

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    #22 oldvet53, Nov 8, 2012
    Last edited: Nov 8, 2012
    Thanks Nathan, How hard are they to install and do you need any special hardware to make the Craven Speed Strut tower Defenders work? I am also going to replace the tensioner damper with the teflon or neoprene bushing kit and I have read that I also need to add a stop in case the damper bushings let go to keep it off the tensioner pulley. What do you think or is this a waste?:idea:
     
  3. Jason Montague

    Jason Montague New Member
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    #23 Jason Montague, Nov 8, 2012
    :cornut: I agree with Nathan that the above is the Best/Expensive way to go but my experience with my Margi(08 R56 MCS/JCWm) showed me that Oldvet53's(I'm a 60yr old vet myself) option is a viable one also. Now, to explain, not having a large surplus of cash, I did the following. Margi has the factory Sport Suspension which is:1. larger anti roll bars(23.5mm front, 18mm rear)than standard(23mm and 17mm) 2. heavier shocks than standard(heavier still as Margi has A/C and moon roof which increases car weight). So in order to tighten this even more, I got light weight wheels(14lbs each) and non run flat tires dropping ~ 70lbs unsprung weight which tightened the suspension considerably. Now to strut braces. First of all, the rear strut brace does not actually attach to the struts, only the front one does so the rear one is more propperly called a frame brace(an Auto Engineer straightened me out on that one in no uncertain terms). I noticed NO difference with only the front strut brace. But when I added the rear frame brace, WOW! in the corners Margi was tighter than when she was new and I could feel a definite difference. Only with front and rear did I experience the difference. I hope that this 'different way to skin a rabbit' was helpful. :Thumbsup:

    Jason
     
  4. oldvet53

    oldvet53 New Member

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    #24 oldvet53, Nov 8, 2012
    Last edited: Nov 8, 2012
    Thanks Jason, My '03 MC S came with the sport suspension stock, not sure on the size of either sway bar but do like the adjustability of the H-Sport 19mm rear that has 3 different positions for adjustment. I will follow Nathan's advice and get the front tower plates and the X brace that goes underneath the car. I have looked at a Carbon Fiber rear brace and plan on deleting the rear seat as it is just me and the dog. I'm new to the MINI and like it pretty well stock but want to do some upgrades. I have found some 7 spoke black wheels in 16"x7" that weigh 16.9 lb and some non-run flat summer extra high performance tires that I want to add later down the line. I'm a 57 yr. old Army Veteran who draws 40% Service Connected Disability and S.S. so my money is tight also, so I just get what I can as I can. I have the factory White 5 spokes and all weather runflats now that are new 195/55-16", I like the white wheels but they show brake dust so bad that it's hard to stay ahead and keep then clean. I also have A/C but no sunroof so I know that adds weight and that the sway bars are heavier duty as are the springs and shocks over the basic MINI for '03. I just did some research and found out that the '03 MINI Cooper S came with the Sport Suspension Plus package that came with extra heavy duty springs, struts and shocks and a 24mm front sway bar and a 17mm rear sway bar from the factory. :thumbs up:
     
  5. Jason Montague

    Jason Montague New Member
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    #25 Jason Montague, Nov 8, 2012
    :cornut: Next Brake Pad change, get EBC RedStuff pads. Better stopping, last longer, minimal dust, and as they're ceramic any dust will be white.:Thumbsup: That dog will keep you young by the way. God forbid that you lose him but, if you do- get another.

    Jason
     
  6. oldvet53

    oldvet53 New Member

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    #26 oldvet53, Nov 8, 2012
    Last edited: Nov 9, 2012
    Thanks Jason, already had that in mind for the next time as the one's on and plan on replacing the brake pad sensor so the light will go off they don't look that old. And my little dog is a female who is now going on 7 years old which is not supposed to be that old for a Chi/Rat Terrier mix. :thumbs up:
     
  7. Nathan

    Nathan Founder

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    #27 Nathan, Nov 8, 2012
    I have the stop on the belt tensioner. I've shredded, lost and otherwise mutilated my fair share of belts. You want one. There is only one out there worth getting.

    Detroit Tuned Tensioner Stop
     
  8. oldvet53

    oldvet53 New Member

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    #28 oldvet53, Nov 9, 2012
    Thanks Nathan, that is much better looking and cost less than the one's I have seen that is a flat plate that goes under the damper with a slot cut for the damper. Added to my list!:)
     
  9. ScottinBend

    ScottinBend Space Cowboy
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    #29 ScottinBend, Nov 9, 2012
    One thing about the tensioner stop. Don't let the wire twist as you tighten the bolt. If it twists it will limit the travel of the damper and you won't get full pressure on the belt. just make sure that the ends are pointed at each other kinda like what is in the photo on the order page.
     
  10. oldvet53

    oldvet53 New Member

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    #30 oldvet53, Nov 9, 2012
    Will do ScottinBend!
     
  11. Crashton

    Crashton Club Coordinator

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    #31 Crashton, Nov 9, 2012
    Detroit Tuned Tensioner Stop FTW! :Thumbsup:
     
  12. Dave.0

    Dave.0 Helix & RMW Powered
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    #32 Dave.0, Nov 9, 2012
    Soooo true.:Thumbsup:

    I had Chad install one on my car at the Dragon last year.

    Detroit Tuned stuff rocks! :cornut:
     
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