Crap coils: Eibach multi-pro r1. Worse thing I ever bought for the mini by far. Even worse than those Alta parts I had which they have since discontinued.

Great coils: AST 5100 single adjustable with 450 in/lb front and back in race configuration.

Will write a review after a few track days and if I have the time.

 

Say, how do you guys handle the Trackmaster tech inspections? I don't have a problem with having a shop check the car, but the brake pads all have to be at 90%. At $200 a pop for Carbos on the front, that could get expensive. Right now it doesn't matter as I need new fronts anyway but I had to by backs also just so there would be no question. The backs should last at least 10 years with the way they wear but one year puts them beyond 90%.

 

I go to a local shop that I trust. They’re realistic about how much break wear you are allowed to have.

If I remember correctly, most tracks require the minimum pad thickness for driver’s education events 5.5 to 6mm. (90% doesn’t make sense unless they assume that all brake pad manufacturers start with the same thickness.... anotherwards, what is 90% on a porsche may not be 90% on a mini)

Mark

 

Ok, my bad...I went and rechecked the form and it says 75% to 100% of the original pad thickness
...https://www.trackmasters.com/2011doc...Inspection.pdf

I guess they must think that if a Mini uses a thinner pad than a porsche, then it must not wear as quickly. But at least this makes more sense than what I thought originally. I'll use the rear pads eventually

 

TM's does not do an actual tech inspection, it's on you. Just bring the form filled out.... Do it yourself or have a shop do it. I had a shop do it the first couple times I went and thereafter I did the checks myself. You start doing these events enough you'll know what to look for.

 

Hey guys,

I will be fixing my CVs next week so I think it would be possible to sign up for TM. My friend from work is also going with his bimmer.

So TM also does "big boy" techs.

 

Remember to bring extra pads. Those stock size pads only last 3 normal track days at the most.

I think I am going to buy an extra set for my Wilwood FSL (7420) from Dustin at autoxcooper.

 

Hey OC,

you thinking of joining us?

 

Not even "big boy' tech! They won't even look at your car..

 

Sounds like Bill P. with the no look tech.

 

Ya, already have an extra set of Carbo 12s that I got from someone I wonder who that nice guy is . Only a little used but slightly over heated That's not you, slinger, burning up a set of brakes is it, or is that just me

 

Hope you have a spare (one session only) when you need it. May be a little track worn.

Eddie, s-driver, gkp, VV, suss, OC, claymore are you guys interested in ti-shield heat shields for brakes? Supposed to bring down the temperature of your brake fluild with a Ti insulating layer between the brake pistons and the pad backing plate. Take a look at this:

http://hardbrakes.com/

We may be able to get a GB together.

 

Maybe.....what's the cost?

 

$85 retail with free shipping for any brake caliper. That is for the 5mm thickness. Not sure what the GB would be, but on their website, they said they would do a GB.

 

Just a slight correction - the shims are 0.5 mm thick or 0.020 inch by their web page. If I remember correctly Ti and SS have about the same thermal conductivity although Ti might be stronger. I was thinking of making a set from some SS sheet that I have

 

Yep, you are correct. 0.5 mm. You want to make some for us too? Since you are making them, can we get them in TI?

 

Change of subject to LRP - does anyone have any idea as to how loud an exhaust system can be and still meet their "quiet" system requirements? This is a quote from the SCDA page: " Please note that cars will need to be muffled to 86dB at all Lime Rock Park events". Does this mean that only factory exhausts are allowed?

I don't think my Invidia system will make it. 86db is really a pretty quiet system. Is there any way to test a car out? Or do you know if anyone has run an aftermarket system there?

 

There is no problem with many aftermarket exhausts. I ran an Stage 2 exhaust with my Lotus there and still managed to get it under the noise limit. And that was pretty loud in my judgment.

However, that said, there have been a few cases of cars that have been pulled off due to noise.

 

I have a Magnaflow and haven't had any problems there..

 

Instead of doing events with COM Sports Car Club, I am going to do events with SCDA. I've already Registered for 3 events. Plan on doing a total of 5 events.

Here's the events I'm going to sign up for. * = Registered for this Event.
6/6 - NHMS*
7/11 - WGI*
8/8 - NHMS
8/29 - LRP*
10/27 - NHMS

I started doing track events last year with COM Sports Car Club. I did a Total of 3 days at NHMS.

According to the E-Mail I received from Ian Prout, I'll be in the Intermediate 1 Run Group for the Events I registered for.

I'll be using my GP, which will have a Stratmosphere Cat Back, WMW 17% S/C Pulley Package, New-Man Camshaft, Retune, Hotchkis 22mm Adjustable Rear Sway Bar, and Safety Products such as an Autopower Race Roll Bar. I'm going to change Harnesses. Currently using a Schroth Rallye Cross 4-Point but I will be changing to a Schroth Profi II FE 4-Point, which I'll add a Anti-Sub Cam Lock and Double Anti-Sub Straps to, for Track Events. Will also be purchasing a HANS Sport Model because I prefer to be Safer than Sorry!

I can't wait until I get to go to WGI and LRP!!

Just curious...Roughly, how many MINI Owners go to SCDA Events??

Thanks.

 

OnefastgoCart,

Not a lot of minis go the SCDA but there are a few. Sometimes when we have a planned meetup, there will be our usual crowd; s-driver, VV, GKP, suss, Eddie and myself. Sometimes we get the mpg crowd and claymore.

We are all track fanatics so it would be nice to meet up with you.

I have done comscc but find that they dedicate too much time to time trials, which entails lots of waiting around.

Ps: WGI and LRP are much better tracks than new Hampshire.

You have put in a whole bunch of stuff for three track days. Just worry about the line and seat time first and btw put in some good brakes.

 

Yeah..Forgot to mention, I'm also planning on getting a Wilwood 11.75 Race BBK. If not that one, then TSW MDM BBK

One thing I've noticed when it comes to COMSCC vs SCDA, is that the SCDA arranges drivers by Experience, and not by what Modifications they have, which COMSCC does.

Be nice to meet up with some other MINI owners who love to track there MINIS.

 

I can’t comment. For the last 3 years, I’ve only run with groups that run by experience level regardless if you’re in a stock car or highly modified.

I think as a rule of thumb, typically with higher experience, more mods come with the car anyways.


According to that thought, I should be one of the most advanced drivers here....lol.


Mark

 

That is because COMSCC runs time trials so they classify the participants in car classes similar to those used in SCCA. They award prizes at the end of the time trials to the faster drivers by car class. You cannot have a supercharged viper running in the same class as a plain Miata if you have a prize on the line.

SCDA just runs DE with no prize for coming in first or last or anything in between, so they run by experience.

 

Yeah.....brake upgrade is a must. Since you have a GP you can route the ducking as well without having to ditch the factory fog lights.

The 11.75" brake kit is nice as it will allow you to run 15" rims...that's what I do. Lighter and cheaper...

Also.....we're trying to get 6 people to sign up for a track day @ LRP on June 22nd with CART. If we can get 6 then the cost will be under $300. It's 3 run sessions, a TT, and then most likely an open track after that.