2010 Mini Cooper Clubman JCW (VIN varified) w/133K.

The thermostat housing needed to be replaced so I bought a new one and the water pipe.

Stuff replaced by PO.

- AR Design Hi-Flo Cat-down pipe with stock O2 sensors. No codes thrown.
- JMTC JM40 JCW Turbo with upgrades oil lines and factory exhaust manifold.
- Timing Chain with all the goodies.
- Who really knows if any sort of tune was done but I doubt it.

Now my turn:

- The thermostat threw a code. So I am replacing it with a new housing and cross water pipe.
- Figured Id check the intake valves and they are so caked with carbon I really dont know how this was still running. I dont even think there is more then 2mm of space for air to flow.
- Both camshafts look ok.
- Pistons look ok and the deposits werent at all bad as they came right off.
- The head gasket is factory with factory thickness.
- I pulled the head. Intake valves cleaned up nicely. I used Berryman's B-12 dip. Left them in for 24 hours and 90" of the carbon came off like butter.
- The exhaust valves look like crusty crap and I think two of the guides are leaking but looks like all the seats are ok. The EX valve faces are black. The deposits are as hard as metal and black. I really think these will need to be replaced.
- Going with an ARP head stud kit.
- Found a Felpro head gasket for 35.
- Felpro valve stem seals. Other felpro gaskets where needed.
- Powerflex bushings on everything. Did this with my R53 and loved it. Best investment ever next to Koni Yellows. I havent done the sway bars yet unless I keep the factory.
- I will be going with an aftermarket exhaust system. Im one that subscribes to keeping the resonator.
- Converting to an air to water intercooler setup. Goodbye heat soak. Just need to decide what size to use.
- And still deciding what suspenion setup to go with. The one I used on my R53 dropped it so low I backed out of my driveway in not more than three inches of snow and it bottomed out.
-Tought about going with Brisk plugs because I dont mind at all adjusting and when time changing spark plugs out. Everytime a spark travels across the gap it zaps away some of the metal. Thats why platinum and iridium are used due to how hard they are.
- Dinan coils just to get new coils as they only last so long.

Over all I want a clean engine and drive train and if I decide to do a build later I might not even use a Mini engine. A nice tune as well. Im not into racing from stop light to stop light or 1/4 mi in a mini. I enjoy canyon carving and s-curves in the PNW mountains. Always safely of course.

Any comments, concerns, suggestions?

 

Sounds like fun! I’m in for updates….

Milltek resonated exhaust. Bolts up to the down pipe, will flow better than OEM, and still has the resonator to make daily driving smooth and quiet.

Not sure how I feel about the water-to-air intercooler. Seems like added complexity that these cars don’t need. I feel a bigger front mount will be much more reliable.

Since this is a factory JCW build, have you looked into if a set of red JCW sport springs are still available? If you can get a set of those paired with some Bilstein B8 dampers, the suspension would handle and ride great.

I would go with NGK 1422 spark plugs. And when the car gets back up and running, give @Lou@Prototype-R a shout for a tune.

 

Hey thanks.
The water to air intercooler takes up less realestate and will do a better job with heat soak in 105-110 degree heavy traffic. We used one on another vehicle.
I couldnt decide on sparkplugs so I just went with the Bosch 9710 for now.
I will check into those suspension mods. My last project used K&N with Koni Yellows with other mods.
I will also check into the Milltek.

I want to get as much done without a tune and when ready then get the tune. I am thinking about Meth-Water injection at the manifold.
Any other Dinan parts I can swap out?

thoughts.