I've been picking up parts on sale, used, etc to mod my MINI...and I've got a few things to install now and I'm a little overwhelmed at how to proceed. I can leave my car on jacks for a few days, if need be...

Which order to install? (to maximize efficiency of not redoing the work)
Here's my guess--what 'cha think?

Helix shortshifter
Quicksilver Exhuast
Alta Rear Swaybar
Moss Skidplate (already installed the oil drain plug)

I wish I hadn't waited, its a little intimidating all at once, but I kept thinking--wait till you only have to jack her up and get under there one weekend! Now i'm like--holy cow! what was I thinking? ... have to wait till next weekend for the exhaust gasket anyways...and I should really use red locktite on the shortshifter? I thought that was un-undoable?

I've got the DIY instructions in hand, but any enlightenment/tips for doing this all at once would be MUCHO appreciated....

 

Well, you DEFINITELY want to do the Short shifter before the Quicksilver, and you probably want to do the skidplate AFTER the quicksilver, so the only real issue you have is whether to do the swaybar with the exhaust on or off. I did mine, and the exhaust was on, and I don't remember it being in the way, but it MIGHT be easier to get to things underneath with the exhaust off? I am not sure. But definitely,

1) Remove the old exhaust
2) Instal the Helix Short Shifter
3) Instal the Quicksilver
4) Instal the Skidplate

You could do the swaybar at any point, but if you are concerned about obstruction, do it with the exhaust off of the car, before you do the quicksilver.

My $.02

Have FUN!

_________________
Lean, Mean, British Green, MINI Cooper 'S' Machine!

(G.I.R.)

 

Ditto above!

 

thanks Verruckt,

thats what i was thinking, but wanted to make sure.

 

what those guys said, put it all back together, then the swaybar. in my world, accumulating nuts and bolts only leads to trouble! The fewer things you have to reinstall at a given time the better, but you'll want to exhaust out of the way for the short shifter and the skid plate. you'll have to fiddle with rear subframe bolts with or without the exhaust installed, so avoid the "what the...? where the hell does THIS bolt go?" phenomenon that bites me in the *** from time to time.

M

 

Good point Marty...no matter how I carefully keep track of 'em, one bolt always seems to disappear right when everything is going easy...(probably the same bolt that didn't want to come off easy...)

If I had found HSport springs for a great price, which I haven't...yet....I should install those at the same time as the swaybar, right? But irrespective of the other mods in this bunch?

Makes me think I'll either hold off on the swaybar a wee bit longer, though its the thing I'm most looking forward to testing...well, maybe the QS....or was it the shortshifter?

anyways, thanks all for your thoughts...hope you're around when Im in the middle of this!

 

You got in Jenni - installing the swaybar and springs at the same time is a good call. But I'll tell you this: you'll be wondering just WHY you didn't install that swaybar before you got the springs because it makes a WORLD of difference! One of my many, many quirks is the desire to do one mod at a time and appreciate each one for its improvement. Even if I have a header and a cat-back sitting in front of me, I'll do the exhaust first, then the header. Kinda silly like that...

There's a reason behind it...but that's another story for another day!

Have fun, and do the swaybar ASAP!

Marty

 

jmoser,

I agree with the above install order.
Yes, keep the nuts and bolts clearly in separate areas if more than one thing is being worked on at once.
Maybe have a bunch little boxes clearly marked for things that are removed from each upgrade.

One word on the pulley install if you are considering it. Some upgrades like the skidplate or a tower strut bar tend to block access to just about everything else so if you are considering the reduction pulley then plan carefully. It just seems the pulley install on a stock MCS is so much faster and cleaner than in one that has just about every mod and the pulley is last.

 

Jenni,

These are all solid recommendations from guys who have been doing some tinkering over the years. Good stuff! About the only thing that I can add is that if you have a camera (preferably digital), take some photos of the work areas before you commence with dismantling. I can't even begin to tell you the number of times that has not only helped me on the project at hand, but future ones and brain-storming sessions as well...

Glad that you finally got a QS exhaust. I'm finally selling mine (exhaust project recently completed), but I guess to late for you

Enjoy!