VROOOM, VROOOM!!!

no, wait, wrong car company...

LET'S MOTOR!!!

I'm gonna paint my calipers and install my wheel studs today! Then motor tomorrow - cause I've already motored 700 miles this week...

 

Car is clean. Muuuuuuch better.

Met a local guy who has pulley pulling tools. He's going to come and join the party next week, but is going to be late (this handing them off to me).

It was fantastic to see such a different mini. Auto up/down windows. Re-wired keys, to lock and then close all the windows / run roof. Borla exhaust, Alta CAI, and other engine goodies. And a nice 35% tint (which I covet).

It's all got me thinking.....

 

Hey! Where's my pully party fizzled off to?

We're going to Dry Creek today to pick up some wine futures that we ordered last year (the future is here!) and satisfy Minx's spring fever. She is soooo twichin' to twist and show off her new DICE/HK sounds. Had a full day of errands with Cream, Led, Eagles, MCR, The Used and Lennox yesterday. It's all "wonderful!"

Next coveted mod (after pulley and CAI) are the KONIs. The country potholes are creating real havoc. Good thing I don't have kidney problems (yet!)

And, oh. I'm up to about 5 official MINI waves/smiles to date. Some more enthusiastic than others. I will never stop waving... even to those passing me on the other side of the highway, five lanes away. In fact my whole family spots them when they are with me. Look, mom! A yellow MI COO!

 

I've noticed that I get mostly half waves -- you know, fingers coming up off of the wheel and pointing straight up. Waving, but driving too.

Must be something about no speed limits, I suppose.

 

I sense a nearly subaudible murmer, deep from within the forrest of Bavaria....
I believe the mod beast is awakening....

 

Well, it might just be gas....

 

Did everyone else unlock the "perspectives" option on their OEM NAV? Please, please, please -- tell me that I am the last one to do this.

Also, long story story, I managed to roll back my NAV software, and then roll it forward again. Not as scary is it might sound. The X3 and X5 fans out there in BMW land are very detailed with their shared knowledge on this OEM NAV that we share with them....

 

Oh, and POW!, 4th gear.

 

Congrats!

So I painted my calipers yesterday, and they look GREAT. This is a great cosmetic mod anyone can do (if you have a jack and 4 jackstands). Lots of colors available, so your cowbell can be in any key you like...





I have a full writeup in my blog.

I also tested my Texas Speedwerks M14-M12 stud conversion, but that's not going to work for me. In my case with stock wheels, almost 1" of stud is left protruding from the nuts and the face of my wheels. Good for chariots, but not a good look for Blimey... So I'm seeking alternatives...

 

Don't you live deep in NASCAR country?

And didn't someone once say, "Rubbin' is racin'"?

I would think that the extended bolts would be appreciated in some of the seedier parts of town!

Oh, and the brakes look awesome. I am sooooooo surprised that you did not Union Jack them, though. What happened?

 

I can always go back and add some blue and white. Kinda cool idea. Except that each paint kit is $$...

 

And..... what?

Like that has EVER stopped you before.....

 

Piggy bank is getting pretty empty... and I have about $1000 worth of stuff to have done before MOTD...

 

Two words for you, Paul:

Child labor.

 

If I hurry, I think Kathie Lee's old shop in Honduras can have some Blimey brand driving shoes cranked out for me to sell at MOTD...

Just supporting the Central American economy... hey, those kids gotta eat, too...

 

"Homeland Security Raids MINI Gang"

Oh, I can see it now. It'd be a MOTD for the history books, though.

(Sheesh, who invited that guy, anyway?)

 

 

Go back to sleep Mystic MINIs. We are not to be awakened until the Spring Equinox. Do not look to the daily high temperature readings as a sign of the Four High Druid Priests approval of your modifications. The Lion of Winter may roar in just as you raise your Mystic MINI up on the jacks for that "minor" exaust mod or when your head is under the hood installing that easy CAI upgrade. The stars are not in proper alignment for any work to the esoteric ECU at this time. Rims and tire changes are risky at best.
But what do I know? I'm just the guy with a Greenman on the dashboard. (Not to mention my wife is not going for any more mods anytime soon)

Motor On
JJ Blue and Merlin

 

The Druids seem to have adopted local customs. I know in Colorado many are still leery of "False Spring".

But here in the Southeast, they're already sacrificing goats and stock supercharger pulleys....

 

This weekend is our local drive through the woods -- 140 and 180 km routes to choose from.

Wouldn't you know it -- rain on the forecast for Sunday, and snow Monday and Tuesday. The mildest, nicest winter in forever, and rain for the Mini run....

Yeah, winter tires are staying on, for sure.

 

(sad, sad violin music in the background)....

Yeah, it sucks being you.

 

Blimey
Looks like a little thunderstorm is heading your way soon, might be a nice time to head South to Fuquay-Varina and then West on West Academy Street to the rain slicked twisties of Avent Ferry Road. Do a little MINI hydroplaning.

 

Isn't that called water ballet?

 

Only in Europe. State side it's called the Hydro Slide and is generally done to Country Western music.

 

JJ - Dude, that's just creepy. Are you stalking me???

BTW, those ARE some of my favorite local twisties.