Lightly Modifying My F56
#101
Replaced the headlight and tail light trim rings with Black parts. Used Outmotoring's belt line blackout kit and just received a new grill trim ring from my dealer. I'm having my body guy prep, prime, and paint it gloss black. He's also painting the JCW Pro spoiler extensions red to match the top. New stripes are still in the works. I'll have some pictures this weekend.
#102
Replaced the headlight and tail light trim rings with Black parts. Used Outmotoring's belt line blackout kit and just received a new grill trim ring from my dealer. I'm having my body guy prep, prime, and paint it gloss black. He's also painting the JCW Pro spoiler extensions red to match the top. New stripes are still in the works. I'll have some pictures this weekend.
#103
#104
Wasn't too bad. I think the key is prep work. Clean it well with acetone before applying the tape. Helps to have an extra set of hands reaching across the hood too. Settled on the stripes so just waiting for them to be shipped to me. I want to get my body man to install them. He did the challenge stripes and hash marks on my R56 and did a great job.
#105
Just got back from the body shop. They're almost finished. He's painting the hood scoop black and installing the stripes later today. Everything is blacked out now except for the Mini emblems. Installed the JCW spoiler extensions today too. With them painted to match the roof they are very subtle, but add a nice finishing touch to the spoiler. Should be ready for pick up tomorrow. Until I get it cleaned up and some better pictures, I'll post the few quick pics I took at the shop. I'm really liking the way it's coming along.
EDIT: Looking at the pictures of the engine compartment It hit me that it would look much better with the intake ducts painted gloss black. Especially after I re-install my AWE carbon fiber intake. Might not be able to pick it up tomorrow after all. :(
EDIT: Looking at the pictures of the engine compartment It hit me that it would look much better with the intake ducts painted gloss black. Especially after I re-install my AWE carbon fiber intake. Might not be able to pick it up tomorrow after all. :(
Last edited by vetsvette; 08-11-2016 at 08:43 AM.
#110
Added the blacked out grill surround and the custom stripes. My body shop managed to remove the grill trim without breaking any tabs or clips to prep for paint. Now I can return the new one I bought from my dealer for backup. Took months to decide what kind of stripe I wanted to go with. Ended up sourcing it from two places. I got the black from a member of my Mini Club (THMMC), but he didn't have the right shade of red for the accent. Luckily my body man, who does a lot of restoration and custom work, has a large selection of pin striping tape. He had a roll that is the perfect size and color for the application. Oh yeah, we decided to paint the hood scoop the same gloss black as the grill trim so it would go with the whole blackout thing. I think it looks better with the stripes now.
#112
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#120
That looks good all blacked out.
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MINI Guru/ MINI Owner Since 2004 | NEW Lifetime Part Replacement | Local Pickup
Milltek | Genuine MINI | Forge Motorsport | NM Engineering | ECS Performance | M7 Speed
Customer Service Hours: 8am-8pm EST|Sales Team Hours: 8am-11pm | SAT 10am-7pm 800.924.5172
#121
Took care of a couple of odds and ends and installed a new intake and shift ****.
Sneed4Speed Billy Club Pro. This **** in combination with the CravenSpeed short shifter is amazing.
Replaced the last bit of chrome. I know, it's dirty, I'll get around to it.
Added a little bling to the engine cover.
And last, but not least. New ARMA Speed intake. So far, I like the intake. Couldn't ask for a better looking setup, but it was a real pain to get it installed. Instructions are all pictures and one of them showing the orientation of the MAF tube is backwards. If my neighbor hadn't stopped by I would have never got it done. High degree of difficulty for a 1 1/2 armed man. Very little intake noise since it's a closed system. Very happy with it so far.
Sneed4Speed Billy Club Pro. This **** in combination with the CravenSpeed short shifter is amazing.
Replaced the last bit of chrome. I know, it's dirty, I'll get around to it.
Added a little bling to the engine cover.
And last, but not least. New ARMA Speed intake. So far, I like the intake. Couldn't ask for a better looking setup, but it was a real pain to get it installed. Instructions are all pictures and one of them showing the orientation of the MAF tube is backwards. If my neighbor hadn't stopped by I would have never got it done. High degree of difficulty for a 1 1/2 armed man. Very little intake noise since it's a closed system. Very happy with it so far.
#122
Any idea from your BUTT dyno on what type of gains you have gotten from the Helix intercooler? I have been on the fence with adding it as I want to keep my warranty in tact, I know mods and warranties don't always play nice together, but an I/C is only moving air so it can't hurt anything, right?
I am getting itchy to try and add more power and fun into the car. I don't want to mess with the suspension too much as I drive it too much (3,000/month average). I did add the NM end links and 25mm sway bar. For extra juice I have the NM power module, AWE cold air intake, JCW Tuning kit and JCW exhaust, what else is out there? I/C and perhaps a down pipe? I know the down pipe could throw a red flag at the MINI service counter.
I enjoy the car but I always want more.
Thanks
I am getting itchy to try and add more power and fun into the car. I don't want to mess with the suspension too much as I drive it too much (3,000/month average). I did add the NM end links and 25mm sway bar. For extra juice I have the NM power module, AWE cold air intake, JCW Tuning kit and JCW exhaust, what else is out there? I/C and perhaps a down pipe? I know the down pipe could throw a red flag at the MINI service counter.
I enjoy the car but I always want more.
Thanks
#123
My butt dyno is in dire need of calibration so can't really say one way or another. I've been swapping intakes and running with and without the NM module so often that I can't remember what part did what. I do know I'm making a heck of a lot more power than when I started. I also noticed much cooler intake temps during the heat of the summer. One of the main reasons I went with the Helix IC is it will be needed when I finally get a Manic tune. I figure they'll have a tune for the F series by the time my warranty runs out. At that time, all I'll need to do is install a de-cat DP and colder plugs for a stage two tune.
I wouldn't worry about your warranty as far as the IC goes. The only way they'll know is if they pull the front end off and it plays a passive rather than an active part in the operation of the motor. The Helix unit is a quality piece of gear. Now the NM module's a different story. Mine comes off whenever I go to the dealer.
I wouldn't worry about your warranty as far as the IC goes. The only way they'll know is if they pull the front end off and it plays a passive rather than an active part in the operation of the motor. The Helix unit is a quality piece of gear. Now the NM module's a different story. Mine comes off whenever I go to the dealer.