Hello all!

Mini is currently in my garage for the approaching winter months. While he's in there, I plan to replace the front control arm bushings (with Powerflex), bypass valve (Detroit Tuned), and add Strut Tower Defenders and Underators. He's a 2004 from Canada with 124,000 km (~77,000 mi). What other tasks and modifications would you perform if you had three or four months to spare without your vehicle?

I don't like to assume all required maintenance schedules have been followed, so list off what you can. I have very little hesitation when it comes to "general maintenance" expenses with him. I'll answer any questions you have regarding condition.

 

Does it have a reduced pulley yet? That's a must have.

 

I do have a 15% pulley and an oil catch can from M7. Forgot to mention that, sorry.

A little more info while we're at it. While it isn't this year, next year it will probably be a winter driver. I think that will limit my choices on lowered suspension.

 

At a minimum for maintanance, replace the S/C belt, new plugs/wires (not a nessesity but I like to change mine often) inspect belt tensioner, and inspect the coil pack. Change, flush, and top off all the fluids, theres no time like now to get that out of the way. Inspect the brakes, and the rest of the suspension. Give it a good detail/wax and buff.

Typical winter storage list that I normaly go through.

 

Ooooo, what fun, spending someone else's money.
My picks...IE fixed camber plates (with these you won't need the shock tower defenders) and a 19mm rear sway bar, best handling mods for the money....With that mileage - shocks...maybe the best value for the money is Koni yellows with a set of TSW springs (only a slight lowering). If the money holds out, then a set of front brakes from a R56S (the JCW from Gen 1). Thinking of mileage again, all new bushings. Then to top it off...a short shifter.

Sounds like you are out to have some fun with your Mini...Have fun...let us know how it works out.

 

Little update and I suppose I'll turn this thread into a Summer Build Thread of sorts.

No further purchases, but I did install the Strut Tower Defenders and Under Tower Indurators. While it would have been better to wait for opinions on what to use to strengthen the flimsy towers, I'll use these for now. I'm sure I'll eventually move to fixed camber plates.



And a full shot just so we know what we're working on:



How I wish I could go out for a drive. However, after the installation of the Under Tower Indurators I figure I need an alignment, correct? Adding a spacer on top of the strut will add positive camber if I understand it correctly. That's aside from the severely cupped tires and nail in the front left tire. Guess what I'm buying before he goes back on the road.

19mm Sway Bar is definitely coming, new wires and coil pack, front brakes, timing chain tensioner, and oil pan gasket.

 

Stick with an OEM coil pack. They have prooven to be more reliable than the aftermarket units (MSD, Screamin Demon, etc.) and have been used on MINI's up to and beond 400HP.

The MSD is the worst pack, lots of documented issues concerning misfires, and total failures.

Also stick with regular low restance wires. The NOLOGY HOT WIRES also have the possibility of causing some headaches.

I did a little write up in a post somewhere on this board, about the drawbacks of different wires. I will see if I can find it and copy it over here.

 

Found it, really wasnt hard.


HA HA... It's a post in a post, not sure that has ever happened before.

 

Perfect timing, thanks for the info. I'll postpone this purchase of wires and coil pack until I get a price on the OEM pack from Mini.

Living in Colorado, have you driven your Mini during the winter months? If so, have you had any problems with your power steering fan? I was thinking of using the steel grill available from MiniMadness or OutMotoring along with my usual method of drowning all electrical connectors in di-electric grease.

 

Back a couple years ago when my MINI was a DD (and actually ran) before my rampage of mods, and building the car, Yeah I drove it in the snow occasionally.

Never had any problems with the P/S fan, but I can imagine if you get into loose powdery snow or deep slush, it could be a problem. Both of the MINI's I've owned have been '05's and both have had the OEM gaurd on the fan. The shield from MOSS looks like a pretty well made pice.

 

If u really feel like going at it I'd do some supercharger maintenance. Drain and refill with fresh oil on both the nose gear and water pump side. Can save u $$$ down the road. Definitely suspension and if you want, intake exhaust, header and cam for fun spending.

 

My .02 but will cost you more... cold air intake, easy install, great return on your investment.

 

If you are doing the lower controll arm bushings it would also be a good time to replace your front sway bar bushings with poly.
Steve

 

+1

 

Def would think about some Powerflex control arm bushings, and if you don't have it a rear sway bar is bang for the buck.

 

What's the consensus on supercharger oil? I've heard a few people say they use an equivalent oil from GM.

Way, or anybody else who may know, do you ship to Canada? I can't find anything on the site regarding that.

 

Screamin' Demon coil pack, wires, and Detroit Tuned Bypass Valve all installed in an intimate five hour session.

Don't worry. This will hurt so good.


I wound up ordering a non-OEM (Screamin' Demon) coil pack because it ended up coming out cheaper than an OEM one even after adding shipping from the States.

During the deconstruction, I found some damage on the air intake pipe. It doesn't sit well with the intake portion of the radiator support.



So I'll have to pick up a new one of those. Luckily my co-op placement is one off-ramp away from the closest Mini dealership.

The bypass valve was around a 5 on the install rating scale almost entirely due to the difficulty working around the compact nature of the engine compartment. Everything was buttoned up nicely during cleanup, so here's hoping he works as intended when Spring comes around.

Below you can see the power steering fan shield. I think it'll keep out the medium-sized pieces of ice and salt that would normally freely bounce off the blades of the fan. Who knows, maybe even some rocks and... paper bags... like the product description advertises it for.



You can also see the result of my oil pan gasket. Maybe I'll pick up one of those and what else else I need for not so routine maintenance. Tonight, his ankles marinate in flavour! Any by that, I of course mean his outer ball joints are soaking in the superfluous amount of PB Blaster I just sprayed on them.

Other than the control arm bushings, I'm fresh out of new parts. I wonder how horrid the shipping for a rear sway bar would be.