Just bought this

Hopefully will be getting it fitted later this week, has anyone got any tips for installation? I believe its easier to fit than the Alta because it doesnt require any cutting etc. It is so lightweight, its weighs practically nothing

Comes with a replacement lower grille and a full instruction bootlet in colour - nice!!

Will report back once its fitted later this week, hopefully with positive news!

 

I installed mine, it was very easy, I didnt install the upper bolt and I havent got any problems because of that. I installed mine removing the bumper my friend installed his only removing lower black part of the bumper.

This fmic is great, I am very happy with mine.

The only thing that I did was on each side of the plastic support holding the radiator I cut an extra space so that the bigger boost tubes that I have doesnt touch that plastic because they might get damage.

Let me see if I found the pictures so you can see a better example.

 

Awesome - how easy was it for your mate to fit it by not removing the whole bumper, that sounds much easier!!

I dont mind removing the bumper, but I bet it would save hours doing it that way?
Would you advise doing the intercooler boost tubes at the same time?

 

At least install the M7 or the Forge hot side boost tube. Alta also has this hoses in a kit but after I installed mine I thought that th extra price and extra time to install the cold side boost tube is not worth it. But it looks nice.

I dont know how long took him because the guy that installed his intercooler is a mechanic at the local Mini Service dealer so he has a lot of experience that I dont have.

 

Did the forge install earlier this year, and just reversed it couple weeks ago to bring the car back to stock. takes about 20 mins to remove the bumper, 20 mins to reinstall it. The first time probably a little slower because the first time everything is different, but really isn't that difficult. It is far easier to do the install with space to manipulate the parts. I had a thread somewhere, but the two big things are: keep track of all the snap connectors, remeber to disconnect nad REconnect all the wiring for the lights and temperature probe. If you have any questions in particular ask...

 

I was going to take it to a local garage to get them to do it, but would you suggest trying it myself?

 

I would try it yourself. The only thing that would worry me is getting the bumper off, after that the instructions make it look simple.

 

Honestly the answer to that would depend upon what your comfort level is with doing your own work. I have pulled motors and done rebuilds in my garage. I do everything on my toys myself. ( However my daily driver, I do not even add washer fluid myself, it goes to the shop for everything. ) Part of the fun of owning toys is playing with them, working on them. That however is me. If you have enough experience and are comfortable doing your own work, then yes do it, as I said the job is very easy. However you can potentially do cosmetic damage to the bumper, working in tight quarters to remove and fit the tubing is tough. There are some challenges that require either patience or prior experience.

If you do decide to do it yourself... one other tip, use a little hair spray wiped around the id of the tube just before you fit it on, will help it slide together, as well as help seal it.

 

Try it yourself it looks more difficult than it really is.

 

Realistically how big a job is getting the bumper off? It takes up 3 pages on the instructions... but what about when it actually comes down to doing it?

 

Bear in mind i've never done it before lol!

 

Make sure you have some extra fender flare clips to replace the ones you break taking them off off. But its not too bad just undoing stuff....

Glad you didnt put the top bolt in I didnt either. Didnt see a need for it really.

 

Do the front wheels really have to come off?
Accordiong to the instructions, I must rmove both front wheels, all of the inner arch lining!?!?, and the complete front bumper?
This seems a bit excessive to just get access to the intercooler?

 

Front wheels hell yes, makes it 500% easier to access the screws for the flairs, and liners. You just need to remove the lower and front screws and can flex the liner out of the way, hence the need to remove the wheels.

 

in that case i'll have to get it done at a garage as I have no way of holding rhe car up in the air!

 

Im with JAceMin on this one. You dont 100% have too to get the job done but it makes it so much easier to deal with. And you must have small fingers and hands to get into all the spaces to get the plastic holding plugs out.

Some have even done this with removing the bumper. I dont know how they did it but it has been done. With the JCW aero kit you have to period.

 

Sears has jack and jackstand combos for pretty cheap these days as well. Always a good investment.

 

regarding the jack stands... how the heck do you lift the front end high enough to place two jack stands on the two forward mounting points?

where do you jack? because there is no mount on the front (middle, underneath) of the mini

i know there was a write up using pieces of wood but if someone could clarify it... it would be very helpful in a lot of applications

 

If you have the money get someone else to do it. If you're clumsy like me you might puncture your AC condenser.... It's usually just better to let the pros do it.

 

I did this when I changed my suspension. I had two hydrolic jack stands and a hydrolic jack.. I'd place the jack center right next to the mounting points and lift the car one side at a time just enough to fit the stands at the mounting points.. then once both stands are in place i'd jack them up slowly and equally from both sides.

 

Great purchase. I'm more than happy with mine. Definitely one the higher quality aftermarket parts I've bought.

 

hey yo where did you get yours installed?
garage 5?

 

Are there any noticeable performance gains?
Sorry for asking you, but after one page of installation discussions, what is your impression performance-wise?
Thanks!

 

Hi. I actually bought this Forge intercooler from futureal33 and have had it on my car for almost 2 weeks. Im going to make a post with pictures etc but for now i can tell you immediately there is a very clear power gain, more importantly the mid-range felt more torquey however its at high revs i noticed the best gains as my car flys to the redline much better than before. I have a road local to me (private road) and theres a bridge just passed half way up and previously 100mph was achievable without too much bother however now after forge intercooler has been fitted i saw 105/107mph without really trying (it was actually raining like mad that day and so flying through first 2 gears was only going to cause wheelspin so i went slow until in third) and i was amazed to see 107mph after only using 2 gears for such a short time. I started watching my rev clock and its clearly rising much quicker than before and you can def feel it in the cheeks

The reason im holding off making a post about the forge intercooler is because on January 5th im away to get my car re-re-mapped Im getting the stage 2 software from P-Torque and my car will be before/after dyno'd so i will be getting even more potential from all my bolt on parts and i will be sure to make a post asap!

Heres where i keep my pictures : http://photobucket.com/coopman