So for those living/situated close to Milwaukee, how about a gathering for modifications? I'm sure collectively we could pretty much do any mods(maybe not the extreme ones such as reboring the engine or doing a 6 speed swap). Doing it alone, like I've done all winter, gets real boring and old.

So, sign up here if you'd like to meet up to perform one or two simple mods. It can be something real simple or something a tad more complicated. We'll count heads and get information on the mods ahead of time and we'll meet up. Include your name, location(so we can agree on one spot to meet), mod you have done and am confident with(please note first or second gen), and mod you'd like to attempt at the meet. I don't really care when the date is, although if you have a preference on dates, post it as well.

Name: Izzy
Location: Racine(but in Milwaukee all the time), WI
Mods done: Removal of plastic arches and bumpers, front camber stock adjustment, M7 coilovers, rear sway bar, rear lower control arms, stock air box removal and cone air filter installation, aftermarket fog/driving lamps installation, joey mod, sideskirt decals, oil change
Mods attempting: Short shifter kit(probably Helix), 2 additional gauges beside tach, painting inside trim
Dates preferred: Whenever

All of the mods I've attempted are on an 09 Clubman non-S. However, most of them are similar, if not the same on the earlier and S models.
I am willing to put off mods so that it can be done at the gathering. If there's no response, I'll just do it alone. :(

 

A nearby vendor just pm me with offer of help and discount if we get a group together. Wheee!

 

YES! I'd love to get together with some people around here, but I don't really know how to do anything mod wise. I just got my mini last week. I'm more interested in seeing some of the mods I'd like to do up close. Maybe learn a bit.

Name: Andy
Location: Milwaukee ,WI
Mods I'd like to try: blackout chrome, joey mod, replace gauge faces, stripes (maybe not personally)
Dates preferred: Whenever
I have a gen2 MCS.

 

Those not knowing how to mod or not interested in modding are also welcome to just watch and/or learn.

Headcount thus far: 2!

 

Great idea! While I won't be participating, I just wanted to say that this is a cool idea. (Modding is an addiction I don't want to pick up! ) I have "stuck" the thread so that it won't get buried. Also, it might be useful to have people chime in who have garages (e.g. with lifts) that might be willing to host this.

 

Don't have any mods planned (no $$$) (though I'd love to either do a reduction pulley or Unichip, or even just swap out the gauge faces for the ones on Outmotoring) but if it's on a date I'm available, I'd be interested in watching/offering moral support.

 

I'm not sure I'll be doing anything but it would be great to come hang out and see what you guys are doing to your MINIs.

 

So far we have 5 to the count then?

 

Help, I'm sliding down that slippery slope of mods !! Currently my '04 Mini has just a couple mods but, it needs another fix. I'm looking into having IE fixed camber plates installed this summer but, if the mod gathering is going to happen I would be very interested to have the work done before the mushroom season really intensifies in SE WI. If this is something that can be accomplished PM me. As far as timing of the gathering goes, the Mini is stored in the winter (hate the salt) however, I'm willing to bring it out earlier for something like this. Thanks for having this type of event up here, IzzyG nice effort .

 

jplants1: We can definitely do the camber plates. Basically we just need to jack up the fronts, remove the two front struts, compress using spring compressors(free rental at any auto store), release the bolt on top and replace the stock plates for your fixed camber plates. Put everything back together and bolt it back on. No different from when I installed the M7 coilovers.

 

Dustin at www.AutoXCooper.com and a Local MINI Owner is offering our group a discount on parts for our Mod Party of 10-15% savings on all parts ordered. Since he doesn't stock parts there will still be a small shipping cost but the more of us that order from the same supplier the shipping will go down or become FREE. Please PM me your "Wish List" and I'll compile the list and get final numbers from Dustin.

 

I am in Neenah and just traded my 04 Cooper for an 03 Cooper S. I would love to do a 15% pulley on the supercharger and the one-ball mod for the exhaust. I don't know if they have pulleys or the exhaust piece to put in the cut-out area, but I would still be interested in coming even if these things might be too much to do. I would also like to install stripes on the hood. Pretty much any time works for me on a weekend as long as I have a little warning.

 

snuza30: Unfortunately I've not attempted either mod. The one ball mod requires welding pieces together-which I have zero experience with. Although I have a professional welder as a buddy, I'm unsure if he's worked on exhausts before. It looks simple if you can find a welder though;



I have no idea on the pulley. If there's someone in the area or someone who's signed up and have any input, let me know.

 

Oh and as for installing stripes, we can definitely do that!

Anyone with suggestions on a location? Contacts with a large shop with garage space? Or maybe even a 2 car heated garage(we can always swap out cars if need be)

 

Man I wish that I could help you out with a site for the mod gathering. I do not have the space or many of the tools you would potentially need. I will try to help out if possible to make this a good time, just pm me. The Indy mini club had a nice set up that I went to just this winter. Way from Waymotorsports did a bunch of mods for people. The host had a nice garage with portable heaters, and everyone had food and drinks to share. The Indy Mini club really did a great job.

 

Frankly we don't need a heated garage if the day is warm enough(in WI that means above 40 :P). However, some mods require heat(above 65)- for example vinyl installation. I've done all my other mods this winter(and we all know how harshly cold this winter has been).

I definitely want to plan this out well so that it becomes a memorable gathering. I'm going to get in touch with the Rover Shop in N. Illinois to see if they can help.

 

I am thinking about just ordering the section of pipe from somewhere I saw it in the one ball thread, but I was told it should be welded so the pipes don't twist at all and the tips would get angled. I was planning on having a buddy of mine install the pulley at his shop, but would order it through anyone associated with this, especially if there is a discount. Either way, I would show up. If nothing else, I have an insulated(not heated) 3 car garage about 1-1.5 hours north of Mil. There is also a British car club in Oshkosh and one of the members owns a hanger at the airport on a long, basically empty airstrip, maybe good for testing mods. Let's keep this rolling. I also would need notice since I would have to get things ordered, so not too soon.

 

snuza30: Definitely need welding for the one ball mod. As for the pulley, I believe AutoXCooper carries them(both Alta and Craven IIRC). I just have to confirm it with Dustin. It'll be awesome if you can contact the member with the hanger! That would give tons of space for multiple Minis to be out of the elements and like you said, perfect for testing runs. Is Sunday best for everyone or do you guys prefer Saturdays? I know some work on Saturday so let's narrow it down to day of the week.

I also forgot to mention that I have a PC for detailing. So if you anyone is interested in learning how to PC or detail, I can bring that along. A whole detail would be way too long(I average about 6-8 hours for a complete detail on my Clubman-that includes Dawn, clay, polish, prep with Amigo, apply Epic and finally Carnuba wax). However, I can definitely demo on just one part of the Mini if you anyone's interested. I have the portable supplies if it's just a small part of the vehicle.

 

Add note: In fact, come to think of it, if anyone has some surface scratches that require buffering, I can definitely help with that. We can spot clean the area, clay it and then polish(I have the Prima line products). Please note that this would be an attempt. The Prima line isn't very abrassive so deep scratches will be impossible to fix. I've definitely taken out surface scratches though. Did a couple last week!

 

Turns out the guy with the hanger is a brother of one of the guys in the club that I don't even know, so I would guess that is out. Sorry to get hopes up. Sunday works best for me. Going in Fri to have one ball mod done at a shop if the price is right.

 

Well guys, I think 5 is the number of people we have. Dates, 18th, 19th, 25th or 26th of April seems far out enough. I'm still looking around for a place to do the gathering, although I think I might have one. It's not heated but it's out of the cold.

I forgot to add that if anyone needs an oil change, swing on by, I can do that too(just finished doing mine this morning actually). Just remember to bring your oil, new filter, a catch pan and a 5 qt container to bring it to the recycling place.

 

I am actually have the one-ball mod done this Fri by a shop here in Oshkosh. I did talk to the guy who comes very highly recommended, and he may make 2 of the pipes so he has one to go off and could make a bunch up for guys for a very fair price. I know he mentioned to me the pipe should cost less than $25, so I don't know what he would sell them for, and of course you would be responsible for welding or clamps. Let me know if you guys think there is even a reason to address this with him.

 

Any more details on the Mod gathering? When, Where, if I want a mod done what tools I need to bring? Is there anyone who would help me (God knows I need help! ) is there anything you would like to have there (just to help out)? I'm still considering getting camber plates but need to set up an appointment for a wheel alignment soon afterward. Also, I need to order the plates once I know what is going on with the gathering.

 

The only issue right now is people getting back to me. So far no one has confirmed dates with me. For now, earliest date I can make is Sun the 26th of April. As for where, I need to confirm total number of Mini's and people coming before I can figure out a spot. As of now, I have a few places I can think of but each has their limits.

So basically now I need a total of confirmed people wanting to attend this mod gathering. And also a confirmed mod(if you plan to do any) or if you'd like an oil change/scratches removed, etc. Tools will depend on the mod. We can divide up the tools so each knows what to bring along.

 

I would still be interested, too. I am looking at ordering some stripes for the hood that we could apply. Also, if people are interested in the aux mod for ipod, I have a place I can get the connector for the back of the H/K stereo for almost nothing, and people can buy the other part at RS and we could do that mod, if some one can soder(sp?). Shop in Oshkosh would also bend pipes for one-ball pretty cheap. I know we couldn't do it without welders, but I could get orders and bring the pipes along. Let me know.