What did you do to your mini today?
Doesn't rain much where you live huh ?Which horns btw, Hella's, compact air or OEM ?
4th Gear
Joined: May 2014
Posts: 472
Likes: 4
From: Nashville
In the speedo..it's part of the dash kit. You get a new piece that lowers the a/C and switches plus fillers for the controls 95 the speedo
2nd Gear
Joined: Mar 2014
Posts: 100
Likes: 2
From: PDX area
Let's see... drove in pouring-rain to get Lola dyno'ed today. So far, the only mod I have is Alta intake, result no HP ( 180 hp as per Mini) gain at all, just the cool sound of turbo but for the next dyno, magnaflow and JB+ will be add it on....
6th Gear
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 1,980
Likes: 2
From: Eastern Long Island, NY
I'm actually in the Albie Garage doing something that pales in comparison to the rat rod project, but wondered about something. Long story short, I de-badged the MINI badge on my boot. I'm getting ready to finish my stripe. I filled the holes, primed, first base coat applied. Once my second coat is applied, should I wet send and then clear? All of this is rattle can since the vinyl stripe will be covering. Which is lucky since I'm not you! 
6th Gear
Joined: Feb 2010
Posts: 2,836
Likes: 6
From: North Denver Colorado
Best way to do it with limited experience is to, give it a good scuff with either a red Scotchbrite, or if you cant find any at a paint supply store, be careful but use 600 grit wet. If using the paper, keep the panel saturated and when the paper sticks its flat... Let it dry and use a good wax/grease remover (body shop type, not a household chemical), then clear with some healthy coats leaving a minute or two between. Let it sit a night, and wet sand with 1000, then finish with 1500-2000, and buff it. 
6th Gear
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 1,980
Likes: 2
From: Eastern Long Island, NY
Sounds good. I have some 800 grit so I'll hit it with that wet, degrease, clear, sand with the really fine stuff and see what comes out!
Thanks, bro! Glad you threw in the 'limited experience'. That would actually be a compliment.
Thanks, bro! Glad you threw in the 'limited experience'. That would actually be a compliment.
6th Gear
Joined: Feb 2010
Posts: 2,836
Likes: 6
From: North Denver Colorado
No problem. There are other ways, but that is the easiest.
800 Grit will do good, and if your clear orange peels, or fisheyes go ahead and use that to get the fine paper started, or you will be at it a while!
800 Grit will do good, and if your clear orange peels, or fisheyes go ahead and use that to get the fine paper started, or you will be at it a while!
6th Gear
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 1,980
Likes: 2
From: Eastern Long Island, NY
Ha! I'm going to be at it awhile anyway, me thinks. I'm looking at this being done this weekend - I taped off to be within the the stripe so anything I do will be under vinyl. But as I understand it, I needs to be smooth. Real smoooooooth or it will show through.
4th Gear
Joined: Jul 2012
Posts: 401
Likes: 0
From: Memphis
Do you have a thread devoted to your upgrades? I'd be very interested in following your progress, especially if you're backing it up with dyno numbers.
4th Gear
Joined: Apr 2013
Posts: 377
Likes: 15
From: Salem County, NJ, USA
Drove it 360 miles today, surprising several "superior" marques along the way.
And now the fun really begins: 2 weeks of driving on the twisty roads of New York state's Adirondack Mountains.
From iPad / 2013 MCS Hardtop
And now the fun really begins: 2 weeks of driving on the twisty roads of New York state's Adirondack Mountains.
From iPad / 2013 MCS Hardtop
1st Gear
Joined: Mar 2012
Posts: 31
Likes: 0
From: Long Beach, Ca.
Oil Change- A Great Way to Spend a Sunday Afternoon
Oil Change this weekend for the R56. I do oil changes every 6K miles regardless of what the OBC indicates. Perhaps other Mini Maniacs knew this but I discovered a trick. Before I drain the engine I remove the Oil Cap. The theory here is this would create a vacuum affect for sucking oil from the filter. It seemed to have worked well because I drained the engine completely then removed the filter. There was merely just a couple of drips from the filter which avoided a greater mess. Also cleaned the K&N air filter. Within 6K miles I have to change the Coolant. I think I'll leave this for my mechanic! Happy Motoring!
5th Gear
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 1,025
Likes: 40
From: Phoenix, AZ
Oil Change this weekend for the R56. I do oil changes every 6K miles regardless of what the OBC indicates. Perhaps other Mini Maniacs knew this but I discovered a trick. Before I drain the engine I remove the Oil Cap. The theory here is this would create a vacuum affect for sucking oil from the filter. It seemed to have worked well because I drained the engine completely then removed the filter. There was merely just a couple of drips from the filter which avoided a greater mess. Also cleaned the K&N air filter. Within 6K miles I have to change the Coolant. I think I'll leave this for my mechanic! Happy Motoring! You could go one step further and stick your mouth in the oil cap opening (not literally but close) and blow! haha create enough air to "help" push the remaining oil out! Wife thinks I am weird so I recommend that you do that when no one is watching! hehe
