De-Cat Manifold Install before my first Track Day in the Mini at Donington Park

Welcome back to the channel! In this episode, we’re diving deep into the ongoing Mini R53 track car build following an awesome track day at Donington Park. The car performed well, but the session wasn’t without casualties… so today we’re tackling a range of much-needed repairs and upgrades to keep the R53 Cooper S sharp, reliable, and track-ready. 🔧 In this Mini R53 repair & upgrade session, we cover: Diagnosing and replacing a blown exhaust manifold with a Gravity Performance unit (now properly heat-wrapped) Fully removing, realigning, and refitting the full exhaust system with better clamps, sleeves, and sealing paste Installing a Vibra-Technics rear engine mount to reduce drivetrain movement and protect the new flexi joint Retrofitting a mint condition Momo steering wheel from my old Vauxhall Nova (keeping it period correct and race-inspired!) Plans for installing track-spec bucket seats (just waiting on the subframes) A sneak peek at a newly sourced rear subframe assembly complete with camber arms, upgraded anti-roll bar, and brakes—ready for winter prep and powder coating A look at the tricky areas around the power steering lines, heat shields, and mounting bolts during the manifold replacement—DIY tips included! 🚗 Mini Cooper S R53 Track Car Project This supercharged R53 is slowly becoming a dedicated Mini track day car, and this video captures a real garage-style approach to upgrading and maintaining one of the most fun hot hatches ever made. Whether you're building your own Mini Cooper S track weapon, learning how to fix common R53 issues, or just love homegrown car builds, there’s something here for you. 🎥 Track Day Footage At the end of the video, I’ve included some quick clips from our Donington Park track day. Keep an eye out for some fiery footage—literally—thanks to the blown manifold! Why follow this Mini R53 build? ✅ Real garage DIY content ✅ Common Mini Cooper S issues explained ✅ Budget-conscious but performance-focused upgrades ✅ No BS, real-world track day prep ✅ Content for R53 enthusiasts, first-time track builders, and home mechanics alike 💬 Got any suggestions for the next mods? Want to see more in-depth footage from future track days? Drop a comment below and let me know! 👍 Like, 🔔 Subscribe, and stay tuned for the next stage of this Mini R53 build.