So I finally pulled the trigger on the construction of the "megalo-scoop". Here's some pics of the hood casting process..... first a couple layers of Glad press-n-seal (this stuff is the bomb! I use it to mask off for detailing and plastidip applications), a layer of painters tape and then waxed the hood (as a release agent).

 

Then I applied the first layer of woven fiberglass cloth and traced some shapes into it using common household stuff, then applied the resin.

 

So then I applied a second layer of the woven fiberglass cloth and resin. Let it sure for a couple hours and grubbed on some Outback. When I came back it was time to see if this bad boy would release from the hood...... worked like a charm. And now the fun begins...............

 

Sorry for the lack of progress y'all. I've been trying to work on it but my Northern Tools "Dremel" type product keeps breaking. I'm on my 3rd one now and have to take it back. POS! Soooooo......... I'll be returning it for a store credit and picking up some good ol' hand tools and get this project done. Hopefully by this weekend.

 

I need some help deciding on a distance up the hood. Please realize, I've already decided on the shape (using a 12"dia. split and stretched sonotube as the mold for the top of the scoop) and anything beyond the actual scoop hole is purely aesthetic. I put numbers on the distances, they're not actual measurements, just a number for y'all to go by when commenting. Also, the further up the hood the scoop goes the taller the "mouth" of the scoop. Please help. Thanks.

 

I'm most definitely interested to see how this turns out! I love custom fabrication and the MINI is an absolute perfect choice for it, easily inviting all sorts of styles.

Question: If you went with 3 instead of 2, how much taller would the "mouth" of the scoop be? Knowing me, I'm a "go big or go home" extremist, so I would go with 3. Of course, that's very dependent on how tall the scoop opening would be.

 

I went ahead and went with 3 due to lack of response after 300 views and no replies....... Thanks for replying, I was beginning to wonder if I was speaking piglatin or something? Of course, I know that this is an extreme attempt at a scoop improvement and not every MINI owner may be on board. It will definitely be "extreme" and one of a kind. I've done my research and nothing like this has been tried. Definitely a "velocity stack" kinda design to funnel the air into the existing scoop opening.....

Please stay tuned! Thanks.

 

You're talkin' to a guy who has a matte blue MINI with bolted on fenders flares, 15x8 et0 rims, etc. What I've done to mine probably isn't what a lot of other people would do. But that's the kind of stuff I love!

 

this seems like a cool project
looking forward to see the end result

 

The blue one with the black front end with the XXRs just posted in the wheels section (bolted on fender flares)? I love those wheels! I like wheels with some "dimension" to them.

 

So I've got a few more pics of my progress. Looks pretty unorthodox huh? I've always been the type to use common materials I see everyday instead of going out and buying/having the technically correct tool or ideal methods and materials for the job (back yard/shade tree installer). I see it in my head and just start making up a progress to achieve it. Yes, I'm rambling...... rainy Saturday....... I'll just keep posting pics and shut up. Mabey I'll get more done.

 

More Pics..... The 4" cardboard tube is there temporarily to keep the fiberglass base from flexing while trying to stretch the split sonotube over it.

 

And some more. Starting to see where I'm going with this yet?

 

This is gonna be awesome! Subscribed. Can't wait to see the final result. Gave me a great idea for rear diffuser.

 

 

I'll straighten out some of the kinks for the top portion hopefully by noon-ish tomorrow. I still have to stretch/mold the old scoop opening to the new opening (old tee shirt to the rescue!) Then it's time to "resin"ate everything and glass it.

Then the sanding process begins..... then the bondo glass.... then more sanding..... n primer...... fun fun! Here's the last pics for the night.

Oh, and rAte, thanks for mentioning the rear diffuser idea. Now I have THAT many more ideas going through my head! Awesome.....

 

Will you be at MINIPALOOZA? I see you're from Raleigh..... you can get a first hand look at the finished prototype.

 

First I've heard of it. Might not be too hard talking my wife into it, it's at the beach and all.

 

How much bonnet modification will be needed to attach the scoop?

 

It's molded to the original scoop so it uses the factory mounting for a solid fit. The edges beyond the original scoop will get the 3m automotive foam tape treatment to keep the edges planted to the bonnet.

 

Got everything trimmed up and added a center "grille/support" cause it just didn't look sturdy enough (who knows how much wind force this thing is going to have to stand up to at 1000mph.... ).

I'm going to pour in some resin into the interior around the edges for strength then let the rest pour over the sonotube interior for strength and some moisture resistance before resinating/glassing the exterior.

I also had an idea about adding another "hump" down the middle of the scoops top exterior (kinda like a Bazooka Tube subwoofer but way more subtle?) to kinda match the hump down the middle of the existing hood. Mabey it'll help tie it all together. Here's some more pics.....

 

Used a quart of resin poured into the inside and rolled around and around and around till then entire interior of the unit was coated. Its well sealed now and moisture proofed. Time to created the "funnel".

P.S. A funnel cake sounds damn good 'bout now.

 

Watching and waiting! :-)

 

No, wait what? Please don't do that to that poor car. It looks like something that was purchased at Autozone for a Honda.

 

You're either a "leave everything stock cause the engineers @ BMW couldn't possible get anything wrong" or "there's all the obvious subtle options (mostly M7, which I'm very fond of their products) that everyone and their uncle has had to use to get more air into their intercooler"? I knew this was going to upset the MINI purists. Just like PlastiDip over using actual paint or vinyl........ Going with one wheel over another...... the list is endless.

It's an experiment..... I got bored...... I feel comfortable working with fiberglass so I chose to do this. I've spoken to my MINI speed shop mechanic and he had suggested a Palo Uber type scoop, but they're not made anymore. And personally, THAT SH?T was ugly. I have yet to find a scoop that slams more air through the stock IC scoop.

Like I stated before, purists are gonna hate on it (poor car). And please show me a truly functional "ricer" scoop from Autozone. I was just there Saturday, not a scoop in sight.........

I'm not hatin' on ya..... but it's not done yet and not on the car so why judge?