Bolan - DS R53 - Long overdue mods!

[Moleatrude]

Right, I thought I would take this opportunity to to update you all on the history so far.

For those of you who don't know me I'm Alastair AKA Mole/Moley :thumbup1: I've been here since day 1 and on my site Surrey New MINI. I can be mostly found causing trouble, bullying Aston and taking reputable threads off topic

I got my '02 DS R53 a couple of years ago and have obviously loved it since the day I got it. I love the fact it can hold its own through the twistys against my mates S2000 and VX220.....although that could be my driving

Why is he called Bolan I hear you ask? Marc Bolan from T-rex died when his girlfriend crashed into a tree in a mini....sick joke, but then that's me through and through!

The first mod I did was the Aero Grill - Was a must really as that chrome stuff is nasty, we can't have that!





I wrote a guide here: 1st Gen - How to fit the Aero Grill to a 1st Gen Cooper S - totalMINI Forums if anyone needs it


With the aero grill installed I was happy with my new car, getting used to it was good fun, but I soon realised (as everyone on here already has!) that Runflats sucked more.......than.......someone who sucks a lot. Top Gear 09 proved the point with muchos sliding and no warning of grip loss. Also, stopping was a bit of a joke, especially after a few hot laps and the smell...well, it was horrible. Took 4 hours for me to get feeling again in my brakes! I spent a long time looking for wheels with the criteria of being light, black and simple but I couldn't afford exactly what I wanted. I settled with the std TD Pro 1.2's in matte black with Proxies 4's on for all round use.



The change was immediate with much faster responses and more grip. About 2 weeks after I got them the obligatory trip to Wales with Aston and Rich (richcoopS). Now Rich is the bane of my life. Ever since I met him I have started spending more and more money when I can't afford it! At the same sort of time my job went very iffy and I wasn't paid for a while then went on reduced salary and if all looked a bit bleak! So obviously I chose to move to London (expensive) and spend money I don't have on Bolan!!

Now Wales was an eye opener. I don't drive slow at the best of times but I realised quite how much stock brakes sucked. We had to make regular stops to allow everything to cool down as the fade was just silly. As soon as I got home I went out and found some R53 JCW callipers. These then sat in my garage as I had no money to do anything with them

After reading on mini Torque for a bit, I went and got a dave.f airbox and fitted it at a dyno day @ Surrey Rolling Road. Car made bang on 164bhp at stock and 171bhp with the new box. Loved the sound though....slightly addictive!! Rich also dropped off the GRS intercooler I had got from Rivet (Luke) that was waiting for a pulley to be fitted

Next up was a couple of cosmetic changes including a 3 spoke leather wheel (sat in my garage for 6 months before I got the time to fit it and spray the inserts!) and a new gear knob (my dog decided it would be a great idea to chew the old one off at Christmas!) I also got some R56 rubber mats as there was quite a large heal hole in mine...oops! I went with some new scuttles too as the old ones sucked and looked awful!







A few weeks ago I found enough money to buy the parts to install my brakes including mintex 1144 pads and std discs. Castrol fast response fluid and goodridge hoses are on and boy can I feel the difference, even before they have fully bedded in. I am as happy as a lamb (if they are happy) at the moment.







At last, the rest of my mods have been acquired and will be going on next Wednesday

This little gift arrived today from Slovenia Thanks Ambroz!!





Looks better this way round








So now I have behind my desk at work, in my parents garage and in the boot of my car the following:

17% KMT Reduced Pulley and shorter belt (in black, obviously!!)
GTT Upper Strut Brace (In Black....duhhhhh)
GRS 'Motorsport' Intercooler (In....you guessed it.....black - can you see the common theme here!)
Miltek Cat Back (in Black.....oh no, thats not black....yet!!)


I am getting the Pulley and Exhaust fitted next Wednesday @ SVG in Dorking and at the same time, I am hoping to borrow a corner of their workshop to swap the intercooler over and fit the Brace All ready for Thursdays journey to Wales to show the sheep how the English drive

So at last I have the car modded to the standard I wanted. The only other things I would think about doing are Coilovers and More Braces, although for now I am happy and love my wheel gap :tongue_smilie: Its needed for Wales anyway!

Not sure what power I will end up with, I haven't got the strongest car in the world, as you see earlier in this post it made stock +1 BHP and torques! I will be taking it back to SRR soon to get Dyno'd (makes sense to use the same machine rather than have incomparable results) but not sure what I will be at. Maybe 200? We will see later this spring.

For now this is all. Not sure I am going to go down the cam/head/injector route as I'd rather save for a Caterham instead

So yer, now I can challenge Jon's driving in checkie


Alastair

[MiniMpi]

Looking brilliant dude

Great mod's and lovely R53

[Astonian]

Finally decided to write about Bolan eh

Keep on going me lover Looking fresh


P.S. Richard has got a better S than you

[Moleatrude]

Originally Posted by Astonian

Finally decided to write about Bolan eh

Keep on going me lover Looking fresh


P.S. Richard has got a better S than you

Its kinda a copy of what I wrote on MT but shhhhhhh don't tell anyone!




Pffttt, Bolan will be mechanically faster than Rich's for a while.......but with me driving he will always be faster!

[pee]

nice looking ride

[tcbw]

nice mods

I'm very pleased with my dave-f, I'm sure I don't need so many revs at a cruise now...

[Big Go-Cart]

Great work there Alastair

[Moleatrude]

Thanks SI

[Fartin Martin]

I loved your write up! Was pretty amusing!

youv done pretty much what I'm planning for mine..I can't wait but like you..it's down to money!..butttt hopefully I've just saved 800 sheets on my insurance soooo..might free up a few coppers!..but then again..I do have Ibiza this year funds permitting!

[Moleatrude]

Originally Posted by Fartin Martin

I loved your write up! Was pretty amusing!

youv done pretty much what I'm planning for mine..I can't wait but like you..it's down to money!..butttt hopefully I've just saved 800 sheets on my insurance soooo..might free up a few coppers!..but then again..I do have Ibiza this year funds permitting!

I didn't worry about actually having the money......we ignored that little problem!!

After all this work, I have a new insurance quote from greenlight who have quoted me £200 less than the next best which was based on a stock car. GL is with all the mods!! BONUS! What to do with the extra £200.....!!