Modified Mini R53 Adventures: Having Fun on the Road!

Join me for a fun ride in my modified Mini R53! This little car has been souped up with some serious horsepower, and we're going to put it to the test on some winding country roads. Watch as we push the limits and have a blast behind the wheel of this pocket rocket. From the growl of the exhaust to the feel of the responsive steering, this Mini is sure to put a smile on your face. So buckle up and let's hit the road!

[@sleepercell9926]

Mate, i'm going through serious pain with my R53 at the moment. You're the guy that is motivating ne to keep on pushing with the project. I'm almost there.

[@DamoDrives]

Good to hear you want to get the car back to where she should be. The last bit of any project is always the hardest.

[@williamkrusejr1846]

My Mini R50 is fun to drive on the country roads that's what they are all about nice to see your having a blast

[@DamoDrives]

It’s great fun around where I live although there are potholes that would rip the front splitter of the car so have to be really careful.

[@darrencottrell5541]

Great cinematics, great vlog, great content. You're so at one with this car, great to see you happy. Video quality is also great, you seem much more comfortable in front of the camera than in your early days too, kudos Sir.

[@minioner5080]

It certainly sounds like it pulls much better now,and the scorpion sounds ace 👍🏻

[@DamoDrives]

It is a lot better , very enjoyable. Few more bits to do

[@minioner5080]

@@DamoDrives looking forward to the next uploads

[@Jonathan-qz9kd]

I run 550cc injectors with Newman ph2 cam and I rub 248bhp with a custom dyno same mods as you apart from you have a catcam 469!

[@DamoDrives]

248whp as mine is 58bhp behind yours , must have more goodies on yours as that seems a massive increase for a bigger injector and ph2 cam

[@b--rad]

Personally I would advise not getting the Bytetronik remap, although it's great to get you out the blocks you'll quickly come to some limitations if you want to take your R53 further. Seriously consider going for the Link ECU; it you go turbo this is something you will 100% need. As for other upgrades 550cc injectors with a Cat Cam 1302469 race camshaft will get you to a real solid position. It's great that you have the rs brake kit; helps keep the car balanced. I think the best upgrade you could go for at this current moment is the BKL gearbox (shorter ratio with limited slip diff) made a massive difference to mine. Grip was never a problem with the LSD especially running PS4 tyres. Have a think about what your plan with the car is over time and then have a chat with Tom at 1320. The guy is a genius and will help you down whichever avenue you choose. Seriously consider the Link ECU; talk about this with Tom

[@DamoDrives]

Long term is some changes to performance but not looking for big gains, LSD and lighten flywheel, would like to have either the entire Car wrapped or possibly just the roof, seriously thinking about changing the wheels. It’s going to be gradual changes , certainly creating more videos as well if 1320 have the time

[@MCS4FUN]

Enjoyable watching as "Damo drives" his R53 simply for fun! Unsure if larger than 440cc injectors prudent for non-tracking but deferring to Tom @ 1320 MINI on that (OEM-spec 380cc on my modded R53 seems quite adequate and practical). WRT your mention of traction and tires, I'm now running +1 Mich PS4S 215/45R75 summer tires with great results. Also noting, my own R53 was lightly factory optioned with just LSD and Chrono gauges.

[@DamoDrives]

I like the 2 extras you had on your car and I don’t think I have seen the chrono gauges in the flesh. Glad you enjoyed the video as well and was nice just having a blast and having a bit of a chat 😊

[@mikerichards9196]

I told you you'd like it. You've got that idiotic "supercharger grin" that everyone gets when you give it the beans - like a dog with its head out the window! 😂 Every time I press the - literally - loud pedal my partner looks at me and says "child"! You mention your wants v needs list; trust me, we all have one of those. Apart from the extra horses, my best upgrade so far has been a set of PS4s, they give so much confidence coming out of a bend

[@DamoDrives]

My wife won’t get in the car (but that’s due to arthritis) so you can only imagine a very firm mini and potholes lol. I do like the supercharger and once the top mounts are fixed I will be very happy and not sure about the entire wheel thing at the minute. Want wise new suspension , LSD, seats (reclining corbeau would be nice) and would like to get power to 240 whp

[@mikerichards9196]

The next 50hp are the expensive ones! At least you've got brakes and suspension (mostly) sorted

[@WalshEBoY]

I would recomend an OBX 4-2-1 manifold as you said you don't go much above 5k in your last video so that will help with more midrange power where you want it. I don't think you need 550s unless your running a bigger Cam. Tom will tell you if your running out of duty cycle on a 440s and need a 550. A facelift diff would make a world of difference and there alot less than aftermarket ones. I would consider that when replacing the clutch as there both a box out job.

[@DamoDrives]

Pretty new and learning about the car but Is the diff built into the gearbox or do you just get a diff ? , lightened flywheel would be nice as the throttle feels a little lazy although I am Guessing that reduces torque ?

[@Wartorment]

I know I'm a bit late but the diff is built into the gearbox on transverse mount 4 bangers. Lightened flywheel will make your car rev up and down faster, which can make taking off a bit more difficult in certain situations, but no you won't lose any torque, just think of it as a lighter wheel to spin up and down but attached to the crank instead of the suspension.

[@marcust123]

Great video mate looking to get myself a r53 myself sometime soon just wondering whats the rough price on a r53 at the moment as prices seems to be all over the price thanks

[@DamoDrives]

Really depends on the condition , age , spec are there any mods. I’m not an expert in this but it seems £2k would be a basic quite high mileage car, £3-£4K cooper S , quite good condition , 100,000 miles £4-£6k a good example (JCW or Cooper s), mods , nice spec car and after that special editions , lower mileage , Well looked after (cooper S, JCW, maybe the checkmate model at the upper end of the price) , a latter generation. GP1 are expensive. Join a few of the R53 mini forums as well as people are often selling them know the market. I would allows some money for maintenance , servicing as they are slightly older cars and petrol (they love petrol) try a few to get an idea of what they are like. Not saying what I paid but but it would be in the £6k bracket but I have a lot of mods and the wheels are expensive. Not sure where you are but finding a R53 specialist is a very good thing. 1320 in the south are 1 of the very best. Good luck

[@exgtt2061]

05 and 06 plate R53’s with the Chili pack came with the BKL gearbox. Has an LSD built in. Seen them for £350 SH. The normal box has code BKD. Might have got the codes mixed up but you can check via the sticker on the box

[@DamoDrives]

Thanks for the info , not sure how the in built lsd compares to a Quaif lsd ! I would assume you could have an entire new gearbox with built in for the same price as just the quaif

[@turbo_tyler_]

Hey man, great video, what supercharger pulley have you got on this to make 190whp

[@DamoDrives]

17% and 0% ATI Crank Pulley, other mods as well

[@johnhibbs6508]

Thanks!

[@lunlun2930]

will ur wheels rub? the specs of ur wheel is so nice.

[@DamoDrives]

They used to rub slightly on certain roads but Arkham performance change the setup and it’s a lot better

[@dominichills]

Car sounds great, what exhaust are you running?

[@DamoDrives]

I have a cobra manifold, cobra sports cat and a cobra none res exhaust

[@dominichills]

@@DamoDrives Oh nice, I've just got one but not released the info one my channel yet ;) But your videos will help with the build for sure!

[@DamoDrives]

@@dominichills that’s cool 👌

[@automotivediversity554]

I’m running 15% pulley, airtec intercooler, itg panel filter with standard box, colder plugs, miltek deresonated catback and Hayward remap. Next on list Is Newman phase 2 cam , airtec intake 440 injector purely because is selling his going up 550cc cheap and then re map . Car already pulls strong through the rev range but want a bit more mid range as I don’t use top end much. If you ever go type r go for a ep3 but be very wary of the tin worm as they facelift rot big time. Engine and gear box is the star of the car. I owned Hondas for years and have only just decided to try something different, my old ep3 is reviewed on KZbin by Jamie fyd ( spoon ep3) properly miss that car still. Keep the content coming and if you get time pop down ti the Isle of Wight for the mini adventure 2023👍

[@DamoDrives]

Love the idea of a project car and doing it myself but only the idea of it as I am not a hands on mechanic type and don’t have the time either. I wanted an civic EP3 when they came out so maybe in the future or a turbo integra

[@automotivediversity554]

@@DamoDrives you’ll have more fun in the mini being able to use the power. Ian mcutheon at the Worxs performance specialist has done all the work on mine. The Hayward re map has been spot on so far with nice smooth power all the way through to top end. If you ever come to the island I highly recommend seeing Ian. He even built a supercharged ep3 for a friend and that thing was stupidly quick but very stable.

[@DamoDrives]

I have been speaking with Haywood and he is going to tweak the map I currently have to change the slightly lumpy power band. Be good to see the difference on a dyno again before and after

[@ObsLevelCrossings]

Wow that was a major issue then with bypass valve as stock car in 2003 was 163bhp...

[@DamoDrives]

Not 100% but I think the 168 is at the crank and the 120 on mine was at the wheels (I think you can add on an extra 15-20) but even so it was terrible, obviously the exhaust made it feel quicker 😂

[@rfnrgj]

It would appear that you are running wheel spacers probably about 15-20 mm..... are you having any problems with wheel rub on the arches with rear passengers on board? If you had what did you do to resolve it? Thanks in advance buddy?

[@DamoDrives]

No spacers on the car as they are an 8J. Get some rub but got a geo setup to increase the ride height and make a few other changes.

[@ghost.driversuk]

How could you do that whole video and not stick that horn push back in 🙈 😂😂👍🏻

[@DamoDrives]

I had not even notice it and was not until I get to the other end lol

[@jasonharris2543]

How did you change your Speedo and rev counter from orange to blue?

[@leowood1105]

Hey mate, I saw you out and about today around uckfield. How long was the drive up to 1320? Needing to get supercharger pulley done!

[@DamoDrives]

A fellow uckfield mini person 🤜About 2.5 hours but cannot recommend them enough and if it’s great as you can watch them doing there thing and chat as well. You might end up with a list of other things but they don’t push it on you.

[@leowood1105]

@@DamoDrives Awesome! Can I ask what springs your currently rocking with? Like the look of your ride height.

[@DamoDrives]

Currently got Tein Street Advance Coil overs And Comp-brake Adjustable top mounts, they are average although from what I have been told better options out there. If you watch my previous video with Tom and myself having a drive he talks about suspension as he has a lot of knowledge about it. Either email 1320 , give them a call or have a chat if you go up there about recommendations

[@warwickdean]

That traction control is also the ever slightly more forgiving JCW/GP, still far too intrusive either way eh 😂. It's also not a generic map. The AFR is calibrated to near stock which is sensible as you're running more power than stock on stock pistons and valves but yes you can gain more by leaning out a bit. Absolutely pointless to upgrade the injectors if they're not nearing end of duty cycle, I'm on fully ported head and have more to spare (same injectors, exact same spray pattern as OEM). Check the duty cycle is all you need to do. For the tune, there's really only ignition advance to refine slightly in my opinion. Glad 1320 sussed out the issue though, about time eh 🔥

[@DamoDrives]

The car is so much better just running rich at high revs so keeping it below 5.5k but still feels plenty quick enough. The traction control is terrible , not sure if it’s because I am used to new TCS systems which are a lot more intelligent as it feels like you get any slip it cuts all power and is really unpredictable what the powers coming back lol. Have got some dull maintenance bits still to be done (maybe put a stock cat back in due to emissions and the MoT) it’s a fun little car although so different to every other mini I have driven which are all the turbo charged generations . Only mini I have not driven is a GP1

[@warwickdean]

@@DamoDrives they're cool man, I was even unsure about mine when I got it but the more I lived with it the more I ended up falling in love. When you say rich, what sort of numbers are you seeing? Admittedly since the cars fueling was calibrated when not making as much airflow as it is now

[@DamoDrives]

If you watch the video where 1320 did there work there is a dyno graph and Tom is talking about it How my Modified Mini R53 Surprised Me: Eye opening discoveries by 1320 Mini kzbin.info/www/bejne/rqS9iYuXgt-chs0

[@warwickdean]

@@DamoDrives 9.7, yeah it's still safe to thrash on, I hit 9.5 at 7200rpm it's more that curve that could do with tidying up but yeah man that makes sense as the car wouldn't hit the boost pressures expected and so I had to safely forecast the higher airflow columns. An easy tidy up to complete either way, wouldn't take long. Just a quick single tidy up on fueling and then an ignition advance check. Nice to see some attention on the 461 for a change

[@Jonathan-qz9kd]

Yeah agree with him only reason people go 550cc is mainly due to lots of dodgey 440cc fakes out there and Bosch 550cc is a popular choice but you have Porsche 440cc injectors they will be ok for the bolts on you have on a tune duty cycle will be ok yours are also plug and play and don’t need pigtails like the 550cc ones.

[@AlfredOberlechner-qu1xe]

If you upgrade injectors you’ll have to do remapping again, or car won’t run smoothly

[@DamoDrives]

As I found out in my latest video with 1320 on mapping and mods found this out an in fact will damage the engine burning out exhaust valves

[@dyermker250]

Horn button ajar.

[@DamoDrives]

It certainly is , it likes to slip 😂

[@johnhibbs6508]

Replace the sway bar with a stiffer one

[@DamoDrives]

It is very firm with a GTT Front Strut Brace , Vibratechnics mid and lower engine mounts, comp adjustable top mounts, Tein coilovers, everything is pollybushed. Top mounts need replacing

[@johnhibbs6508]

Accelerate into the turn. Don't brake.

[@DamoDrives]

Completely agree when you are pushing on 🤜

[@tonyedwards892]

Hi im new to channel whats the every day mpg regards tony

[@DamoDrives]

Welcome to the channel 🤜. I don’t have a read out for that so not tested it as such but think it’s around 28-30. Luckily it’s a weekend car so put petrol in as and when 🫣 it seems to be quite a lot

[@tonyedwards892]

👍I'm having that with my 2002mini one 🤣 mini cooper s for me then 😃