Hello All,

Getting started on modding my new to me 05' Cabrio S. First up, exhaust. After lots of reading on the forums, decided to go with Milltek. Here's a look:

Out of the box, quality looks great. I did not weigh both exhausts, but the Milltek felt quite a bit lighter.




On the car




A few shots of those gorgeous tips...







First impression...exhaust has a great handmade quality about it. Sound is fantastic. Butt Dyno, feels like it's pulling just a little harder

JCW Strut brace, nice bling and can't hurt to stiffen things up It also has that great hand made look/feel to it.

 

That looks great. My mods are still just in my mind, but I will enjoy watching you mod yours. So keep the posts coming. What intake are you going to go with?

 

Thanks, will do. Great fun to get started on this. This is the intake, Daves Hybrid. Are you familiar with it?
Here's some pics:

 

Like I always say you can't go wrong with the Milltek, glad you like it so much. I may have to steal those pics for my website, they are some nice pics.

 

Thanks Way! After the initial burn-in, the exhaust is sounding even better. I've got about a thousand miles on it now. You've got my permission to us the pics for your website

 

Looks great, i also have the Milltek Sport exhaust on an 05'cabrio with spacers to lower the bracing. In your pics I noticed you removed the bracing. Did you notice any difference in the handling or feel of the car.

 

The Miltek is a nice exhaust for sure. Hope you continue to enjoy it.

But, turning to the strut brace, I don't consider adding something that is totally useless, but makes it harder to access the oil filter a mod, but if you think the strut brace adds something to the stiffness of the front end of the R53, then go for it. After 5.5 years with an R53 that ended up being as modded as any car I've ever seen, but without a strut brace, I'd put the brace in the total waste of money category. By the way, it's not alone in that category.
Good luck with your continued pursuit of the modded Mini. It's a drug...

 

We re-installed the chassis brace, I only posted that pic because it shows the exhaust well. On the topic of the brace, I couldn't believe how heavy it was...easy to see were the Cabrio pics up the extra 200lbs.

 

Hey Dr., I appreciate the comments. Point well taken about the strut brace. As stated, nice bling factor and can't hurt trying to stiffen up a Cabri Exhaust is sounding even better with the new intake installed.

It's definitely a drug!

-Steven

 

I ordered Way's 15% pulley package which includes new belt, colder plugs and a Detroit Tuned tensioner stop. I had a local garage do the install for me. The process is pretty straight forward, providing you have the right tools. Here's a look:
Too bad it gets hidden, the pulley is a beautiful piece...


Out with the old...




In with the new...


A quick systems check...

How does it feel? It's no secret that this is the performance mod with the best bang for the buck. The stock motor is really brought to life with the extra boost. Power feels great, engine revs faster, more low end grunt...fantastic Too bad I don't have access to a dyno, it would be great to document the effect of each mod. Looking to do 380cc injectors and then a tune next.


Next up, my Dave F Hybrid air intake. I found out about these after doing a lot of research on the various forums. I liked the idea of using the stock airbox, as it is not as prone to heat sink. This is very similar to the JCW airbox, but flows even better. Also, after reading many of the results of these on mini torque, I knew this was the direction I wanted to go with my intake mod. Here's a link to more info on the intake:
http://www.minitorque.com/forum/f608...s-airbox-2826/
Here's a look-
This is the top half of the airbox.


Nice big K&N filter


After removing the stock air box lid and filter, I drilled 2 3/4" hole through the back of the box. There is a supplied foam gasket to help seal around the hole where the intake tube enters the bulkhead. The bulkhead is fed air through the two black grills at the base of the windshield. A nice side effect is an increase in supercharger whine that, combined with the Milltek is mechanical music.


A look at the finished install. Clean and simple...


Total install took about twenty minutes. So how does it perform? Initial impression: Throttle response is improved, engine is now revving easier, pulls hard right through the rev band with smile inducing magic happening from 3k-5500 rpm. Combined with the pulley and the Miltek, the Cooper has suddenly had a character change...so much more fun to drive. Also, I can't get over how much I love the sound of the supercharger whine

 

Looks great, I like your approach. When are you planning the injectors and tune?

 

Thanks. Next I need an in depth conversation with Way at WMW regarding injectors. Will they be a good next performance upgrade, even if I don't have it tuned? I don't know. I hear/read so many good reports on RMW tunes that I want to contact them about a midwest tune party. I've got some homework to do. Stay tuned

 

I love the pic of our pulley installed.

 

HaHa...I expect you would Good hearing from you Way, now educate me on what injectors I need...please

 

Your mods are helping me hang in there...can't wait to start modding my r53! Will begin with an intake first...just not sure which one. Would love to have the milltek but out of my price range at the moment

Keep the posts comming! Awesome pics btw

 

Thanks Speed. Definitely hang in there! Take a good hard look at the Dave F Hybrid intake I just installed. Here's a link: http://www.minitorque.com/forum/f608...s-airbox-2826/ I think next for me will be suspension and brakes.

 

Nice and good start up project.

 

Hay Blue,
Very nice mods - looks great. If you are considering a header, the Milltek header is very good. As well as increased perfomance, it takes away any high pitched noise your exhaust may have. Nice job.

 

Thanks!
Thanks Newt! I will definitely be look into that. I was just looking at your signature...looks like I will be following in your footsteps. Tell me more about your Wilwood BBK, still love/recommend it? Running 380cc injectors, did you get a tune? Really appreciate hearing from someone who's been there Could you share a pic of you car? Thanks!!!

 

Blue,
Don't follow too closely in my steps or you'll end up with an MCS on stands in your garage.
The ACT clutch kit and flywheel came with the wrong flywheel bolts. After driving 5 or 10 miniutes, the clutch would stop disengaging. Took close to a year to find out what was causing the problem. Follow NAM member Trickle had experienced the same issue and was kind enough to contact me - Thanks Trickle. By the way, if you have not checked out Trickle's work with a turbo you should. Crazy good stuff.
The brakes and clutch were done at the same time, so I've had only limited time with the Wilwoods. I will say even with the short time with the brakes, I'm impressed. I was scheduled for a Jan tune after the install was finished, but the clutch problem stopped that. I have 440cc injectors that were going in with the Jan tune but that didn't happened as well.
Due to health issues, I am no longer able to do much myself. So I'm saving my allowance till I have enough to have a local garage finish it up. Still have the Wilwood rear brake kit to add and a set of SSR type C-SR 17x7.5 with Dunlop Star Specs to put on. Should be on the road by next spring and I can't wait.
Even with the issues I've had, Fizzgig has been the most enjoyable car I've owned. The Mini is the only car I've ever owned that has exceeded my expectations.

Believe it or not, I've owned Fizzgig since new and only have a few pictures taken on delivery.

Kevin

 

Kevin-

Thanks for all the info., really appreciate it. I know how you feel about these cars, nothing like them. I'm dropping my Mac off for service right now:( I will be down for a few days...talk soon.

-Steven

 

Does anyone know how to get your hand on the Dave mod airbox? thank you

 

Here's how, Dave is an Englishman, and produces them in batches of 10-15. Follow the links below to get your name on the production run. He was great to deal with, and did all he promised. My airbox arrived in the mail from England.
Here are the links: http://www.minitorque.com/forum/f607...ovember-14515/ this is the November build.

This link will get you info on the CAI, design, performance, etc.: http://www.minitorque.com/forum/f608...s-airbox-2826/

Hope this helps