Mini Coupe as track car???
Discussion
Done quite a few days over the years in the Spyder and recently the GT4 but always have in the back of my mind the financial cost if it goes horribly wrong; and also limits where i can go due to my insurance.
Now I've a bit of free time fancy getting something I can not worry about so much and do some spannering on it myself with my father. Perhaps then do our ARDS and get into something basic but competitive with it.
Started looking at Clio's, but decent Renaultsport ones seem to be few and far between - the couple i drove seemed to be starting the synchromesh issue, but also have a soft spot for the current generation mini
Initially started looking at early JCW cars, but then thought if I'm going to be tweaking I might as well save some money and go with a Cooper S - initially was looking at hatches c £4-6k (R56), but have recently seen a couple of coupes similarly priced - thinking these might be a better bet - lighter, lower centre of gravity etc, but same mechnicals.... does anyone know someone who's running one - apart from the challenging looks think these could be quite fun....
Now I've a bit of free time fancy getting something I can not worry about so much and do some spannering on it myself with my father. Perhaps then do our ARDS and get into something basic but competitive with it.
Started looking at Clio's, but decent Renaultsport ones seem to be few and far between - the couple i drove seemed to be starting the synchromesh issue, but also have a soft spot for the current generation mini
Initially started looking at early JCW cars, but then thought if I'm going to be tweaking I might as well save some money and go with a Cooper S - initially was looking at hatches c £4-6k (R56), but have recently seen a couple of coupes similarly priced - thinking these might be a better bet - lighter, lower centre of gravity etc, but same mechnicals.... does anyone know someone who's running one - apart from the challenging looks think these could be quite fun....
I don't think the coupe will offer as significant an advantage as you may think, I could be wrong.
The better car to drive is the last year of the R53 Cooper S and they can quite easily (DIY definitely) be taken up to 230 to 250 bhp.
Out of the box they handle great & I am in the process myself of converting one to dual (track/road) purpose use with a total outlay of under £4k.
It should have around the middle of the band above & be good for both uses.
The better car to drive is the last year of the R53 Cooper S and they can quite easily (DIY definitely) be taken up to 230 to 250 bhp.
Out of the box they handle great & I am in the process myself of converting one to dual (track/road) purpose use with a total outlay of under £4k.
It should have around the middle of the band above & be good for both uses.
I can't help you on the question of what's a coupe like, though I have an R56 that's been "improved" for occasional track use - I've done a thread in the Readers car section. The coupe might have a couple of significant possible downsides, depending on how tall you are, namely head room with a crash helmet on & the body panels could be more expensive in the event you make contact with the scenery whilst doing a track day (as the cars aren't as popular/widely available).
Though in brief, mine's running important bits such as KWv3 suspension, Ferrodo DS2500 front pads, uprated fluid, uprated intercooler, decat, Akrapovic cat back exhaust, remap (about 250 bhp), Cobra Suzaka Pro bucket seats with harness/harness bar & lastly Yokohama AD08R tyres.
If you're after a partially done R56 Cooper S hatchback project, there's one on the Minitorque forum for sale that's had a decent amount of bits done to it that's on at £4.2k (I have no association to the seller though am aware that Millsy who'se looked after it knows his Minis) - that car might be a good starting point & for the asking price has a serious amount of £s already spent on it. It just needs uprated pads/fluid, tyres (& geo), intercooler, decat & decent remap (in that order) & that'll do 250 bhp (all for probably about £1.5k ish) & you'd have a car sorted for under £6k & save a fair amount of time/money.
I'd suggest you head down to somewhere like Sussex Road and Race who are a respected Mini specialist, or if you're passing through the Midlands go to Lohen - both will have an uprated R56 to try ( Lohen Mini have aka "Chilli" is running about 280 bhp and 400 nm torque),
Though in brief, mine's running important bits such as KWv3 suspension, Ferrodo DS2500 front pads, uprated fluid, uprated intercooler, decat, Akrapovic cat back exhaust, remap (about 250 bhp), Cobra Suzaka Pro bucket seats with harness/harness bar & lastly Yokohama AD08R tyres.
If you're after a partially done R56 Cooper S hatchback project, there's one on the Minitorque forum for sale that's had a decent amount of bits done to it that's on at £4.2k (I have no association to the seller though am aware that Millsy who'se looked after it knows his Minis) - that car might be a good starting point & for the asking price has a serious amount of £s already spent on it. It just needs uprated pads/fluid, tyres (& geo), intercooler, decat & decent remap (in that order) & that'll do 250 bhp (all for probably about £1.5k ish) & you'd have a car sorted for under £6k & save a fair amount of time/money.
I'd suggest you head down to somewhere like Sussex Road and Race who are a respected Mini specialist, or if you're passing through the Midlands go to Lohen - both will have an uprated R56 to try ( Lohen Mini have aka "Chilli" is running about 280 bhp and 400 nm torque),
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