What did you do to your mini today?
Better pic of the bonnet vent mod edited in above, but reposting here so the notice will go out to those following this thread....


Last edited by joe_bfstplk; Aug 30, 2012 at 10:39 AM. Reason: forgot the photo link....d'oh!
Nice idea. I've been thinking of a way to do a small (4-5 inch) scoop/louvre/whatever over my cai.
The same company that made my vents also makes both shorter and longer vents. The shorter one would likely work for your application, just turn it around backwards so the thing grabs air, and position it appropriately.
I had to trim the bottom of the things in two places where they stick through the bonnet--the inboard rear corner and the inboard side, more or less underneath the center mounting screw--to clear the bracing underneath. The vents require an inch of clearance beneath the opening, but the bottom of the things can be trimmed a bit in a spot or two without losing structural integrity.
Gotta love the Roto-Zip with a diamond cutting wheel....

C ya,
Dutch
Had a nice, un-cracked new windshield put in. My view out is much improved BUT now my airbag light is on 
https://www.northamericanmotoring.co...d-install.html

https://www.northamericanmotoring.co...d-install.html
Dunno yet. Might mask off the mounting flanges and just black out the vent louvers.
C ya,
Dutch
C ya,
Dutch
& belt line BO
I "get" the vents and heat removal, but as a homeowner they kinda look like soffit vents (sorry!). Darker color would help! Glad they work, though - and keeping heat out of a boosted-motor engine bay is a really good thing.

You should see the heat rise out of 'em at a stop light....
I've been thinking of Plasti-Dipping the top side of the vent louvers black, but leaving the mounting flanges shiny. We'll see what happens. Right now, I'm just happy to enjoy 80 degree engine performance on a 100+ degree day....
C ya,
Dutch
Tonight..."I" installed new Headlights in Molly...Hubby held the Flashlight!!
Except when I had to tell him he was shining it @ Me!!
Monday Morning I had a Headlamp Warning Light, Tuesday Ordered PIAA Xtreme White Bulbs from Alex @ TireRack for both Molly and SMAUG (2010 Kia Soul Shadow Dragon SE#3), they arrived today. Will work on replacing the Fogs in Molly, then attempt SMAUG's Headlights and Fogs...I'm thinking this may be a Dealer install!!
Except when I had to tell him he was shining it @ Me!!
Monday Morning I had a Headlamp Warning Light, Tuesday Ordered PIAA Xtreme White Bulbs from Alex @ TireRack for both Molly and SMAUG (2010 Kia Soul Shadow Dragon SE#3), they arrived today. Will work on replacing the Fogs in Molly, then attempt SMAUG's Headlights and Fogs...I'm thinking this may be a Dealer install!!
Last edited by RJKimbell; Aug 31, 2012 at 10:16 PM.
Full blackouts look like cheap (old) KIA crap to me. MINI's need a little chrome to keep that class that we all fell in love with IMHO. The side vents, beltline, and emblems are all that should be black, then you are really taking away from the car.
Added a backup lamp... :)
When I bought my 2005 Justa, it had OEM tail lights. I replaced them shortly after getting it, but the new ones didnt have backup lamps.... I knew I needed to correct that, but had to do a little planning.
I learned from someone else on this list that the 2004 tail lamp would fit right into the blackout panel spot below my bumper.
So, I got on the phone to my buddy at Willis Mini Cooper in Des Moines and had them order me a 2004 backup lamp and wiring harness... it took me several months for it to get to the top of my priority list, but today was the day.
Here is what it looked like before I started:

I did a nice, professional install (IMHO) and it took me about two hours to do. Best of all, it looks good and works GREAT!

Thanks for whoever it was on this list that gave me the idea and clued me in that the 2004 lamp would indeed fit... Now what do I do with this blackput panel I took out?
Happy day!
p.s. I still have one big project left: I need to install the 4 PIAA driving lights I bought last Winter for my little Justa buddy... but its a pretty significant undertaking and I'll have to wait til I can devlote a whole day to it... Anyone in Cedar Rapids done it before that can give me a hand?
I learned from someone else on this list that the 2004 tail lamp would fit right into the blackout panel spot below my bumper.
So, I got on the phone to my buddy at Willis Mini Cooper in Des Moines and had them order me a 2004 backup lamp and wiring harness... it took me several months for it to get to the top of my priority list, but today was the day.
Here is what it looked like before I started:

I did a nice, professional install (IMHO) and it took me about two hours to do. Best of all, it looks good and works GREAT!

Thanks for whoever it was on this list that gave me the idea and clued me in that the 2004 lamp would indeed fit... Now what do I do with this blackput panel I took out?
Happy day!

p.s. I still have one big project left: I need to install the 4 PIAA driving lights I bought last Winter for my little Justa buddy... but its a pretty significant undertaking and I'll have to wait til I can devlote a whole day to it... Anyone in Cedar Rapids done it before that can give me a hand?
I have the MINI-Do-More hitch hiding behind my light, and I've been looking for one of those for an upcoming mod on my MINI - namely, putting in a pair of 27W driving lights under the bumper to replace the one centrally-located backup light. You interested in selling it?
C ya,
Dutch
C ya,
Dutch
I have the MINI-Do-More hitch hiding behind my light, and I've been looking for one of those for an upcoming mod on my MINI - namely, putting in a pair of 27W driving lights under the bumper to replace the one centrally-located backup light. You interested in selling it?
C ya,
Dutch
C ya,
Dutch
I'll give it to you for postage. Send me your info via PM.
Wayne






