I've heard is that Optima moved their production to Mexico, but that the quality is still the same. Does anyone have proof that they are not as good as they used to be or is it just an opinion?

Dave

 

I worked for a dealer that sold them, but keep in mind this was years ago. I was not impressed with how many that came back for warranty.

The most common complaint was out of the blue the batteries would just crap the bed. I'm sure things have changed.

A number of people seem to forget they're stupid heavy and outside being spill proof and a few more cranking amps, it's just under boot bling. I have no time for that crap just give me a good ole Interstate battery.

 

Over my 2 days off I cleaned the engine. It was pretty dirty as I dont think I have ever cleaned it in the 2 years I have owned the car haha. Painted some of the interior dash pieces red. Beats paying some ungodly high amount for replacement pieces. Then today I got my ELM obd2 connector for the Torque Pro app. Thing is pretty awesome so far. Was able to clear a CEL that the actual diagnostic reader at Advance wasnt able to clear. I'm just curious how long it takes to come back on.

 

Tint! And new rubber this week.

 

Turned it into and advertisement

 

I began wrapping my girlfriend's dash on her '05 Justa. I had only wrapped an
R/C Rock Crawler Axial Wrath body before attempting this. Learned a few lessons on the first piece, but came pretty dang decent.

 

Major work just done to my 2003 MC:

Midlands 5-speed to Getrag 6-speed swap
Quaife differential
Milltek Header
Water pump
Rear brake job

 

Looking good! I'm getting ready to do the same to my '07 S

 

I bet that feels a lot better! 6 speeds always, to me a least, feels better than 5. Is your pretty loud with the header? Or did it stay relatively the same?

 

Thanks! The more hands you can get to help hold things, the better!

 

I already have a Milltek catback which is just a little louder than stock,
and a MiniMania (Ultrik) intake (no longer sold - basically a smoothed
intake box lid shaped much like the oem one with a larger feed tube and
deletes the snorkel resonator and has a drop in cleanable panel filter same
size as oem - I alternate between a foam and a K&N one to avoid having
to wait for it to dry after cleaning and before re-oiling).


The Milltek header is only a little louder than the stock one, and then only
when you stomp on the throttle and get the revs up. It pulls noticeably better up
near the redline than the oem header even with the heavier transmission and flywheel.


The shifter takes a much firmer and determined hand than the Midlands,
but the Getrag 6-speed should be much, much more durable.
I like the gear ratios. The Valeo Clutch and Flywheel is a good daily-driver friendly choice.
The Quaife LSD is not at all intrusive during regular or even aggressive driving.

 

My "modification." Cheapest one I've done yet.

 

Tried to mount a Curt rooftop basket to MINI rack base bars. Failed (cross bars seem too thick, or U-bolt too short).

Seems as though others have done this. :-(

 

NM Boost Tap:








And then I was able to re-attach my Water/Meth Controller and run some Boost Juice:

Controller Tucked away in the secret compartment


Tank in the Boot, with Pump stowed away out of sight out of mind


Lastly added a 315cc/min Micro Droplet Nozzle from Devils Own for a more efficient spray





My R56M!N!AC is loving it

 

Finished my gauge pod this week. Think I'm going to go with Glowshift tinted gauges.

 

Got a scare on the way to work this morning as a bird flew right into the center of my windshield! The poor thing didn't make it as I was going about 35 mph on a street road. Hopefully that's the first and last time that will happen.

Sent from my iPhone using NAMotoring

 

installed a JCW Aero grille on my 2013 Cooper (which required modifying a Cooper S bottom trim piece). only cost me $68 total for all parts and shipping!

 

Did you make the pod yourself? Or just did the marble effect to an existing piece?

 

Awesome, looks good one LCI+ Cooper font end.

 

The pod is made totally from scratch. Here's a photo essay of the entire process:
https://www.flickr.com/photos/126440...7645923602086/

The finish is Hydrodipped Screaming Skulls pattern with 3 coats of auto grade clear coat on top.

Here's a better look at the finish:

 

nice!

 

Bought MCS on 29 Jul 14 and front license plate hold and stubby antenna on the way and should be here monday/tuesday.

 

Replaced the passenger side strut mount again.

Moog strut mount lasted = 11,026 miles (junk)
KYB strut mount lasted = 1,977 miles (started bowing up; junk)

Lemfoerder unit installed. Hopefully, this will last a bit longer.

 

U lowered?

 

Washed it after the rain, then added the stripes and a mini power badge!