RACING - Breakages
4th Gear
Joined: Jul 2002
Posts: 560
Likes: 0
From: Chicago, IL
I just raced my first auto-x this weekend, with lap times for the field running 65 seconds and had no issues, and have not heard of any issues what so ever. This topic was discussed with the other minis there also.
One potential issue is the little fan (power steering cooling fan?) that is on the underside in front, it has no protection from rocks and such, a Z3 racer pointed that out to me and said it does become a problem for them. It is just something to look out for.
-Carl
One potential issue is the little fan (power steering cooling fan?) that is on the underside in front, it has no protection from rocks and such, a Z3 racer pointed that out to me and said it does become a problem for them. It is just something to look out for.
-Carl
1st Gear
Joined: Aug 2002
Posts: 28
Likes: 0
From: MD
Ian, there's only two issues that I know of or heard about.
MINIs can have a problem with the power steering cooling fan - rolling over a cone or picking up debris could potentially jam it and blow the fuse. On '02s and early '03s the circuit that fan was on included the radiator fan. I know that MCSs run pretty hot (mine runs at 90-98 C & my wife's at 95-100). The radiator can handle the heat exchange without the fan with good forward speed, but on tighter courses the temp may get too high and result in a boilover through the reservoir.
Three possible fixes. A - Install a screen over the power steering cooling fan (or avoid cones
). B - Put a lower amperage fuse inline between the fan and the main fuse. C - Trade for a later model MINI that has separate fuses for both. If you're in a stock SCCA class and running national events you may run the risk of some jerk protesting you if they find out about A or B and you've beaten him (or her).
The other issue concerns rear swaybar links breaking or bending. This has occured most frequently with MCSs running in STX with bigger rear swaybars and stock links. I think there has been only one case where there was a problem in stock but this was with a nationally competitive driver. He drives A LOT harder than the other 99% of us so it shouldn't be a problem. I carry a spare just in case lightning should strike one of my links while I'm on the course or the fast guy bends another one.
MINIs can have a problem with the power steering cooling fan - rolling over a cone or picking up debris could potentially jam it and blow the fuse. On '02s and early '03s the circuit that fan was on included the radiator fan. I know that MCSs run pretty hot (mine runs at 90-98 C & my wife's at 95-100). The radiator can handle the heat exchange without the fan with good forward speed, but on tighter courses the temp may get too high and result in a boilover through the reservoir.
Three possible fixes. A - Install a screen over the power steering cooling fan (or avoid cones
). B - Put a lower amperage fuse inline between the fan and the main fuse. C - Trade for a later model MINI that has separate fuses for both. If you're in a stock SCCA class and running national events you may run the risk of some jerk protesting you if they find out about A or B and you've beaten him (or her). The other issue concerns rear swaybar links breaking or bending. This has occured most frequently with MCSs running in STX with bigger rear swaybars and stock links. I think there has been only one case where there was a problem in stock but this was with a nationally competitive driver. He drives A LOT harder than the other 99% of us so it shouldn't be a problem. I carry a spare just in case lightning should strike one of my links while I'm on the course or the fast guy bends another one.
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