Hi guys,
I am not sure if this is the right location to post but at least I have to start from somewhere I need help from moderators to address the post into right board ıf I am wrong.

I live in Istanbul/ TURKEY and a friend of mine will be in Texas for one week, and he will be able to buy some small parts to carry with his luggage. I have only one chance to have the items that’s why I want to get the best. So I need your experience and help as a starter to modifying my 2004 MCS. All the answers will be too much appreciated.
1.Alta %15 pulley version 2.0 : Do I have to get the belt? Which one is better? I dont want to have any problems after installing the pulley. Local service said that they have the pulley removal tool (they want 100$ to install) but they dont have the tensioner. Do I have to get the tensioner? Can I install the pulley without pulley removal tool and belt tensioner? What happened if I do not use belt tensioner? I will make one ball mod for my exhaust or use a REMUS exhaust not cat back. Which one do you prefer to earn some HP’s? I like the sound of the one ball mod than REMUS!
2.I am very concerning about the CAI’s after reading lots of threads on NAM. I do not want screaming CAI s or superchargers therefore I rejected the ALTA, am I right? Does ALTA offer too many horsepower comparing the other alternatives? Some friends said that no need to pay too much money for the CAI’ s, just DIY the OEM filter box and install a cone filter? Which one do you recommend? Or drop in filters like Alta or KN? What is the best DIY on the OEM intake? Is it worth to do that DIY or is it better to have a aftermarket CAI and why?
3.What is Denso colder range? I live in Istanbul and does not cause a misunderstanding, currently I am using NGK spark plugs. Do I need to replace the NGK with DENSO?
4. Which short shifter should I buy, cravenspeed or Alta or any other better alternative? I want to use with my OEM shift ****?
5.American spec. wheel arch covers with red light? Where can I buy these 4 of set? In european versions as you know plastic arcs does not include ligths? Do ı have to buy any alectrical circuit as well?
6. Any other recommendations like JCW injectors or others which will be able to carry in a hund luggage will be much more appreciated.

Thank you very much, greetings from Istanbul!!
Engin DULGER

 

You could run into customs issues if your friend tries to carry anything into or out of the country. I know things have gotten a lot more tight at the airports here since 9/11.

You might be better off talking to a tuner and having the parts shipped to you.

 

A lot of info has been posted on the board about what you are asking for. You might consider using the search function and it will turn up a wealth of information

 

You can also try and contact military members who own a Mini and are stationed in or near Turkey. Many navy ships port in Turkey.

 

You will be just fine. Check the bag at the gate. I fly internationally about four times a year and you wouldn't believe the items I take and bring back with out any problems. I take and bring samples for work. All look incredibly suspicious but I have never even been asked once. Hell, I bring some of these things in my carry on and have never been stopped.

Things are not better. Customs in other country's are way more stringent then the US.

 

• Avoid the V2, get the classic V1, NAPA’s 535 belt not the 539. Must have pulley removal tool, there are alternatives for the belt tension release tool but I suggest you get the right tool because it will be used many times, it can be purchased from your local MINI parts department. Do the one-ball mod.
• Keep the stock air box, purchase several OEM panel filters and change when dirty. Avoid aftermarket drop-ins.
• Keep using NGK plugs, avoid Denso plugs.
• Keep the stock shifter if you want to keep the OEM ****.
• Can’t offer any advice on the trim pieces.
• Larger injectors are not needed until flow is improved via head & exhaust changes, they will not provide power gains on their own. The bottom line here is unless you get a high performance head, have your friend bring the V1 pulley and six NAPA 535 belts.

 

maybe . . .
Some short shift kits, like Helix, allow use of OEM **** without further changes. Craven can be used with OEM ****, but requires a separate **** adapter (runs something like 12 bucks, I think)

 

You may want to get the TSW engine damper, very small and very helpful.
http://www.txwerks.com/servlet/Detail?no=18

 

Not really relevant to any of your questions, but I was just in Istanbul a few weeks ago and it was wonderful! Great city man!

 

Rustyboy 155,
What have been changed since 9/11? I had some electronic parts from USA before with another friend.
If a dealer ship the parts to Istanbul it wouldnt be allowed by our customs but if someone carry it would not be a problem for our customs.

Steve S,
Thanks for the way to find the info but I have been using the search button since august But there too many different choices, when I read one post I was happy that I found out the solution but after read another post I am totaly being the mood of searching again
But I am totaly agree with you that the search button should be used to have the ideas but for me there are too many solutions which are totaly different. Thanks for the reply anyway.

Charger,
Thanks for the great idea, if my friend would not be successful I try this way.

Longboard Mini,
Thanks for the positive feedback, I travel a lot to european countries but the parts in Europe are triple much comparing to US.

K-huevo,
Thanks for the technical post. That is what I exactly need.
Could you please explain why do I need to install the one ball instead of REMUS and using the OEM filter? Why do I need 6 napa belts? How many mile s should I use each belt?

eager2own,
Thannk you for the feedback too, do I need to change my oem to shorter shift? Do you think it is worth to do that modification? Will it be shorter that I can feel? Which one do you recommend? İf there will be too much difference no problem for me to use OEM **** or not?

AutoXCooper.com,
Thank you very much your recommendation is much appreciated

Thumper MCS and other guys,
Please inform me if you have a plan to come to Istanbul I can arrange city tour, hotels anything you need.

Kind regards.

Happy motoring.

Engin

 

All the times we have passed thru customs on international flights.. we had no issues with parts in the suit cases.. hell, I took a set of heads over one time!!

My suggestion is keep your mods to the work that can be done there... no sence having great mods and no help on install.. yes? Pulley/ CAI .. the increase of power will be great and the S/C wine rocks!!

Have fun... I did a few weeks over there with NATO in ASW ops back in the day, and Turkey is totally awesome!!

Just me..........................

Thumper

 

I can only speak as to the Helix. I had it and strongly recommend it. It retains the OEM look and does not change the height of the shifter (I didn't want a lower shifter 'cause I like where it sits now) . . . so it looks 100% OEM. The extension is added to the underside -- where the shifter connects to the linkage. It does shorten the throws and feels great . . . and I think it's the cheapest SSK out there.
Only reason I got rid of it: like all SSKs, the trade-off for shorter throw is added resistance (force needed to shift) -- I actually prefered the feel of the SSK (even the resistance), but wife abolutely hated it So it was either sell it or give up being able to make future mods.
Bottom line: for less than $50, well worth the money.

I haven't tried others like Craven, but have considered doing so. Craven's is much more expensive (especially if you also need the OEM **** adapter) BUT it is easily adjustable -- so you can easily change the throw height/resistance . . . and keep the wife quiet.

 

I spent time in Turkey in the early 70’s also, Ismir, Ankara, Konya, Silifke, Kara Kalisa, and some time locked remote areas.

Belt life depends on use and environment, belt stretch erodes performance, so to be on the safe side change belts for the 15% at about 20,000 miles. The complete part number is 060535.

I like the sound of both the Remus and the one-ball, so for sound it’s a toss-up. The one-ball weighs less and is inexpensive to make which is why it’s my recommendation.

The OEM filter is very efficient at being an air filter, it is easy to maintain, no need to clean, dry & oil, with the stock head and exhaust there is no pressure loss across the filter at OEM flow rates as long as it is clean. It is cheaper to buy many OEM filters than one CAI.

Let me be more direct about the short shifter, keep the OEM shifter if it is the later model. If it is an early model, I recommend a complete replacement adjustable version and use the least amount of shift lever extension. I have a non-adjustable Fidanza which has less extension (longer throw) than most, plus I have a height extension for the ****. My preferences are different than those who want a stubby SS.