Some news about MINI project : No race in France due to COVID pandemia in 2020 . Start of new season postpone begin of july . 3 month to finish all detail and real test on road .
Hi everybody , after few month , and the Coronavirus end restriction, We have check the engine before the race and we found 129.5 HP . This is the first step with this stock engine ( 90 hp before mapping )we are happy to start our 1st race with the MINI .We have start on the National hillclimb race ( 7 x 2.5 km ) with very good weather conditions and exept the low power of the engine( sorry but compare to 323 hp SUBARU ......) all the modification perfomed was on the right direction .. 3 Days after we start on the 1st Rally race ( 4 x 8.2 km ) with my daughter on the right seat . with all stage on the rain , and fog .We have test all type of tyre . And the MINI was very funny to drive . Now we saw where we can improve . 1/ The weight : 880 Kgs are teh minimum for our category , wer are on 1016 kgs i look for carbone parts : front bonnet / rear tailgate / makrolon side and rear glass 2/ The engine : 129.5 HP , we will work on second engine to improve capacity 3/ Improvement on shield anti fog ( heat shield available for R50 ? )
Beautiful car, and in all kinds of weather, Pascal. How did your daughter like the driving? I KNOW you are enjoying your MINI to the max!
@PascalR50 Its great to hear how your doing. The car looks great and it looks like great fun! Racing with your Daughter is just added fun.
Hi , question for Mini body racing expert : Except for supportig bonnet opening system , what is the fonction of this steel part ? Can it be possible to remove it without risk for front frame ( rigidity )? And other question as somebody upgrade R53 intake manifold (ported teflon coated ) on R50 engine ? Thanks for your support
I could be wrong but I don’t think I would remove them. The R52 convertible has extra bracing to make the front stiffer. Some people add them to the R53 to make it stronger. Here is a picture.
I'm not sure I would remove that metal either. That being said I did add those convertible braces to my R53. I felt no difference at all. Well the cash out of my wallet made it lighter & possibly faster.
Thank for your reply , i m agree , i have already find convertible brace , but not installed yet , Rigidity off roll cage is very impressive and not sure that these brace improve it .
I agree that roll cage has made your MINI shell ridged. Those convertible braces weigh very little so you might as well pop them on. I love your MINI it is a very nice build.
Hi MINI Team , has somebody upgrade R50 with R53 inlet manifold ( aluminium) , it seems that he is shorter than R50 Plastic manifold , so faster for air inlet , . I will test during winter time , with dedicated internal polishing .
R53 MANIFOLD swap launched !!! Interior polishing done with many tools and many working hours , interior alignment with adaptator plate to R53 valve. Addition depression pipe to brake and depression pipe for top Head installed. Adaptator R53 injecteur to R50 harness ordered . Waiting new Perfomance Head ordered to Robert Cox Engeneering ( UK ) to complete the new engine ( pictures when i will received it ) View attachment 46877 View attachment 46878
I hope so . In parallele , end of week , i will get new Getrag BKE gear box with specific -22% short ratio made in Belgium . Very impatient to received it See you soon
Hi Gen 1 teams, I wish you an happy new year with all the best for your MINI . Since last month , some modification are arrived , new R50 head performance NA from Robert Cox Engeneering ( UK ) with special rally cam and customised internal. *All internal volume in ligne with dedicated volume => throttle body(R53) / intake manifold( R53) / head / exhaust manifold *Crankshaft+ flywhell + pressure plate balancing =>done *Working on connecting rod : indiviual weigh / balancing and polishing . *New piston on 77.5 mm . *And funny customisation of engine block....... And question for race use : What will be the best racing motor oil for race engine ? First race was in standard configuration with 5W30 but i dont know what is the best for this NA engine ? See you soon with motor's assembly operations.........
Nice looking parts! The age old oil question. On all my Minis I use Mobile1. On my Exige I have been using Motul X-cess gen2. I am also using a zinc additive because the Lotus with the 2ZZ motors have a problem eating intake cams. I am not running a cat so I don't have to worry about the zinc hurting it. I dont believe you need the extra zinc. Given that you are racing this car I would go with Motul.
Yes , MOTUL is my favorite ( alreday used in 300V 15w50 in my SUBARU's ) but which grade do you use 5w30 - 5w40 or other for MINI ? It seems directly link to motor design ....
For the Mini I use 5w-30. I know some use different weights but that seems to work well for me. The Lotus I use 5w-40. I would think ether weight would be good for your Rally car.