We both know my MINI's hood has its fair share of real and functional holes.

I do like function! :D

 

Thanks!

How? I borrowed the idea from Helix.

After that, it was acquiring the proper vent louvers, a lot of measuring and re-measuring, and a little roto-zipping. Measure twice, cut once FTW! I measured off the window squirters and the edges of the intercooler scoop, so that I had reliable lines to use for proper placement. As it turns out, the vents line up about perfectly with where bonnet stripes would be placed.

Seeing someone else report having successfully done the mod and posting stats to prove its usefulness is a big encouragement toward doing it, especially considering the ridiculously hot summers here in Phoenix. Heat soak is *greatly* reduced, as even natural convection provides pretty good airflow even when not moving, and when moving, airflow really increases, keeping *everything* under the bonnet cooler and happier. I bet it prevents me from losing *at least* 20 HP to heat soak on really hot days, if not more....

C ya,
Dutch

 

I made a Vertical Blind Lateral Sun Visor Extension to stop getting "hot face" from the gap back to the door post that isn't protected.

 

gave her a wash. then went over some more plastic with Kiwi black scuff stuff. works great not only on the wheel arches, but even on the roof line, side view mirrors, front grill, and even the faded plastic / metal on the windshield wipers! car looks almost new

 

i just noticed your avatar name!
made me laugh!

 

Thanks... Those black things are functional. They are purge vents for the NOS system. I wanted something different. I had other choices where to put the purge vent but selected to put it back in the rear. It required a lot more work to route the hoses but it was worth the extra effort for my liking.

 

Keep an eye on your water temps.......

To a degree having the bonnet not completely "flow thru" aids in engine/radiator cooling. Providing tighter/sealing bonnet gaps or increasing flow out reducing/increasing positive pressures can actually reduce the performance of the radiator....

 

I want to do this real bad!
How did you attach the louvers to the hood? Glue? Rivets? Bolts?
...I'm still too scared to cut bigass holes in my hood. So afraid of being off by half a centimeter, or less even, and not being able to do squat about it

 

Changed the oil with Mobil 1 0w40. Finished removing the air bag stickers from my visors. Cleaning Benni up for a euro cruise this weekend.

 

Did you use the goo b gone method or whatever? Where you remove the visors, slather that stuff on, and let it sit for a while? Any issues with that?

 

Did you take the back roads over Storm King? That would be a blast in a Mini!

 

I searched for "visor sticker" and there was a thread a member posted with an attached PDF on how he did it. It took me a little longer than ten minutes per side.

 

Water temps have been normal, and if there's anyplace that tests radiator efficacy, it's Phoenix in the summer....

If increasing the airflow through the radiator doesn't increase cooling, why do the manufacturers put a fan on the radiator to do just that in order to ensure adequate cooling even when sitting idle?

C ya,
Dutch

 

The mounting flange is about 1/2" wide, so there's a *little* room to play.

"Measure twice, cut once" applies....

It was almost a year ago, but from what I remember, I put down a wide stripe of painter's blue tape, using the outside corner of the window squirter and the bonnet scoop as my alignment for the tape, then I used the forward outside corner of the window squirter as a pivot and traced a 2" (IIRC) radius on the tape with a Sharpie to ensure clearance of its hardware. I used the inside edge of the tape as a guide, and traced a parallel line on the tape to intersect the radius, then used that point as the inside rear corner of the rectangle. I traced the vents themselves, aligning them parallel with the inside edge of the tape to ensure placement was correct, then cut on the Sharpie line. I will not lie and say that the moment applying the Roto-Zip blade to the factory sheetmetal was not endowed with a very high "pucker factor"....

HTH!

C ya,
Dutch

 

Covered the headlight washer covers in vinyl. Super easy to remove from the car with 2 easy release fasteners. They now match my black plastic headlight rings.

 

I went wild on the interior this afternoon. It's shocking what hides beneath a booster seat. Cleaned 'em up and then a little Mother's and we're looking clean again.

 

Buy some Prima Infinity. Do it now.

 

$20. Ouch. Any idea how long it lasts?
What's wrong with the kiwi treatment? My arch trim has held up great so far. Gets darker with every kiwi application. I've done maybe 2 passes now.

 

First hand wash of the new Mini. Looking good! Rather upsetting, however, when the bottle of car wash I bought tipped over and drained almost a gallon onto my passanger seat and ran through on the rear floor. I guess they didnt bother to put a peel off cap under the obviously loose plastic cap. I was not pleased! Did I mention the car looks good?

 

Back in my VW days, the Kiwi dye was popular. Always ran though. No issue for you? Or do you have dark paint?

 

installed my Invidia Q300 Dp back exhaust

 

This early in the AM? Man you are brave... I normaly wait until the sun comes up. :P

 

LOL I meant to post that yesterday.

 

I finally got my 15% reduction pulley and appropriate belt installed and not a moment too soon. The mechanic showed me my stock belt, which had a split down the middle. I knew it needed replacing soon but I didn't know it was that bad. It's a wonder I made it to the shop at all!

 

today.. i'll be remotely coding my Mini Coupe and enable some good ole VIM, led for DLR lights, remote windows up and zero nag screens on my navi

so excited to hack my car