Built a chamshell for the MINI

 

Received my WayMotorWorks Powerflex Rebuilt Lower Engine Mount Assembly today and already swapped out, took about an hour. Definitely was needed, stock one was torn.

 

Full send “dirty” mode… and terrible lighting



Ride height is currently the lowest adjustment setting in the Bilstein B14

 

That's pretty low.
How does the ride quality feel?

 

Per the expression: "how low can you go", I'm showing results from combo of too low springs plus -1 tire size (please ignore bug splatter not yet removed after washing). New center spoiler and air deflector dam, aka "trim panel" are now on order and soon to be replaced, so then this is more like - what "will" you be doing to your MINI.

As another expression goes, "be careful what you wish for" considering resulting side effects. I didn't choose the original mods meant for tracking, however subsequently restored to OEM equivalent ride height thus recurrence should be avoidable when and where prudent..

 

I scrape the front lip trim piece every time I leave my driveway, I guess I need to raise it but it looks so good. Im almost maxed out on regular bc coilovers in the front but Ill be raising it this summer because its been chewing through axles. I guess its also a what will I do to my mini like @MCS4FUN

 

Yeah, it’s lower than the Megan Racing coils that were on the car. Ride quality isn’t harsh, but firm. It could probably stand to be raised maybe 1/2” front and rear.

 

While I spent most of the morning to mid afternoon at a salvage yard getting acquainted with the hydraulic system on a couple of junk Mini's...
Today I replaced my center steering wheel/airbag emblem with a better new/used one from a salvage Mini.


My old worn and tiered center airbag emblem.


Covered my old center cap emblem with an old but better condition emblem pulled from a junkyard Mini.
(steering wheel is slightly clocked but I assure you that the wings are parallel ).

 

Applied last coat of permashine to the summer tires and replaced fuel filter, which looked like my oil filter. Last bit of maintenance has been completed. Shake down weekend, on the dragon, in 6 days, but who’s counting. Time to start scrubbing everything, tomorrow might be pulling seats, vacuuming and steam cleaning interior.

 

Replaced outer tie rods. The cheap set from RockAuto lasted maybe 1-1/2 years. Bought the Lemforder set from FCP Euro this time. What a difference in quality! Threaded right on, full adjustment available, galvanized pinch bolt and ball joint nut. Then, performed a quick string alignment with the help of this site:
https://robrobinette.com/DIYAlignmentCalculator.htm
That calculator made it so much easier to get the numbers, since I didn’t have to spend so much time trying to get the strings parallel to the car.

 

Pulled my seats, grabbed the vacuum and steam cleaner and went to town. 5 hours of vacuuming, steaming, some wiping down, some more vacuuming, some leather conditioner and the interior is done. Florida car yields sand and sun screen, anywhere sun screen used to be, the steam brought the smell back out. Every time I would hit a spot, I chuckled a little.

 

Nice job - looks great! Did similar a few weeks ago when I replaced front seat back panels (both badly scratched by MINI dealer tech during fuel pump/filter R&R). Hope you disconnected the battery before unplugging those airbag connectors...

 

Yes I did, and no lights. When I installed my race seat, I forgot too, and got lucky. Schwaben is in the glove box as well, as a former n14 owner, don’t leave home without it. I did the fuel filter yesterday, which led to the interior cleaning today. Blew the top of the cover off with air and stuff everywhere, 18 years of dirt.

 

I keep my Foxwell NT510 scanner in the boot plus OBD+ Bluetooth scanner and dedicated tablet in the cabin as well. I could (easily) be mistaken but I read somewhere that airbag codes resulting from those connectors being disconnected can't be cleared with such devices but instead, requires a trip to MINI dealer to clear. I wasn't taking any chances! And neither did you...

 

I know I cleared the airbag codes on the clubman with the schwaben, but like you said no chances taken. I did find the mini tool kit while I was back there, looks like the screw driver only thing missing.

 

^^^ My OEM tool kit was still in its styrofoam holder next to the battery when I bought it. Decided I wanted a 2nd OEM threaded tow ring in case the car ever needs to be secured at both front and rear, so bought this used (seems not actually ever used) kit from eBay seller for not much $$. Considered buying one of the spendy Raceseng tow rings but I prefer the stealthy appearance.

 

Packed her up and 4.5 hours down to Tennessee. Quick bath, wheel swap, dragon time, pretty much how my next couple of days will be like.

Daughter is with me, spring break started after school.




Yes she’s dirty, drove in and out of rain on way down.

 

Bath and wheel swap before playing.

 

Looks great!

 

I’ll doing mine once my lawn turns that green…

 

CravenSpeed came through; after having to re-order a new oil temp sending adapter since my original one snapped while preforming an oil change last weekend.

Installed the new adapter today.


BTW: Happy DEVO DAY Ohioans!

 

Down by the lake right before the dragon





Dragon hill climb overlook

 

Now here’s a guy who loves his car

 

Only had her 2 months, put every weekend in doing something to her and finally the weekend to enjoy all the hard work. What a blast the R53 is, don’t miss the R55s after today.

 

So back in the fall I found the leak. It was the antenna base. So I removed it and gooped clear silicone. Tested with water from hose and it seemed good to go. Now with the nice weather I pulled the cover off and found water still getting in. What I really wanted to do was redo the headliner so that’s on hold…
Here are some pics for folks curios what the sunroof drain tubes look like exposed and where the water comes in from the antenna base.

Finally, I’ve seen inquiries about accessing the factory roof rack inserts when headliner is out (BMW “let’s just drill holes in the roof”- so dumb). Sadly you cannot. I was hoping that while the headliner was out I’d remove the inserts, welding the holes shut and repainting the roof. I fear the airbags could be compromised while welding. Ugh.

Let’s find the leak

Headliner out

Rear drain tubes exposed and were secure

Harness wet. Behind them, the antenna base (slotted bolt)

Front drain tubes exposed and were secure

Stock wheels just used while sitting for winter

17x75 Rota RBs with Firestone Firehawk Indy