I am trying to start a thread where we can talk about modifying our Mini's and a area for people that can chat about what they want to do, or give advice on what to do to mod their rides !!!

 

Looks like you were successful!

 

Thanks Chuck
Will I see you Saturday??.... my wife (MrsBean) and I are going

 

I will be there!
So let me kick off your new thread...
I'm planning on installing a rear sway bar, but I'm not planning on lowering. Is this a bad idea? Frankly I could not give one wit about wheel gap but am I thinking about lowering wrong?
I'm probably getting an Alta 19mm bar from Tommy.
Also what are those two galvanized bars that come from above center and go down to the wheel on the rear axle and why do they not come in red? Should i replace those as well? Can I find them in red?

 

Great, I will be the PW JCW mini with the Ozzy Osbourne sticker on the back window. My wife got some Eibach's for her convertible that didn't fit, so I bought those from her and I will put them on my R56, in turn I helped her and bought her some H&R's for her car that's right. I want to get a sway bar, but going to start with the lowering and getting some 215/35's instead of the 205/40-18's that are on it. I am not sure what those galv bars that you are talking about, but you can always have them powder coated red if you want

 

Chuck,

Part of your answer is no you don't need to lower the MINI to enjoy the benefits of the 19mm Rear Sway. The Alta bar is a good and proven unit.

Note: On my 07, I have the Hotchkiss 19mm rear sway and I am at stock height. I'm waiting on lowering, only looking for 3/4 inch all around, so may never lower since coilovers for now are not in my plan.

Don

I know those things you refer to but my mind is blank, rear control arms, but you don't have to change them to put on a rear bar.

 

I'm in Parker, and I have done a few things to the MINIs . If you ever wanna swing by drop me a line, I can also help with the work on your car.
here is a link as to what I have done to my car over the past 5 years. Most recent mod was finished today
http://www.motoringunderground.com/f...ead.php?t=5270

Chuck, for the rear sway on the cab, there is a trick that can save you HOURS on the sub frame release. Either check with MiniDaMoocher or email me and we can give you the "03Indigo Cabbie Sway Bar Mod" trick

 

I believe you are talking about lower adjustable control arms. Alta makes some in red, I believe. Might be wrong on that. I have some SPC control arms, they have red on them for the retaining bolts.

here is a link to all of Alta's suspension stuff that comes in red, control arms, end links for the sway bar, the sway bar itself, etc. Specific section for the R52

http://www.altaminiperformance.com/p...ory=2&model=13

 

Thanks Jon. So these:

Rear Control Arms are the replacements for those galvanized parts?
See, they look much more swanky in red!
What I should do is put an airbag suspension in and then during the summer I can drag my rear and everyone will go "oh wow dude" and in the winter I can crank those puppies up and look the monster trucks in the eye and everyone will say "oh wow dude".
So Jon, will you soon be able to join us on weekends, or too soon to know?

 

I am adding H Sport adjustable camber plates next week. The car still stock suspension and wanted to get more negative camber for increased fun on street tires at the track.

I plan on doing at least one track event the camber plates and then add a 22mm sway bar. This way I can keep a track of the changes on the as I go along rather than throw a bunch of parts at it once and never fully understand the end results.

I will also change the tranny and brake fluids next week. If anyone wants help out or chat holding a guiness while I am working on the car you are welcome to come over.

 

Great idea Mr. Bean

I know several NAMers that have installed rear sway bars without lowering, so no problem there.

To install the rear sway bar on the cabrio in addition to the normal and usual bolt removals, you will have to circumvent the additional cabrio bracing to remove the center bolt. On the S model this presents a difficult scenareo because the layout with the battery, exhaust and heat shield block access to this bolt. Not sure on a just-a-Cooper if you will have exactly the same hurdles to overcome. Personally, my advice is take advantage of Jon's offer. Take a day off and swing by his shop. Can't go wrong, and it only costs you a hamburger.

On Tuesday I am having SPC control arms installed. Not much red bling but at least some. I considered going with different control arms including ALTA, but decided that the ones I chose would be less problematic in the long run. There's a lot written in these forums pro and con, so when in doubt I ask Jon. He will show you the SPC's on his MINI and that is good enough for me.

 

I installed the H&R springs on my 08 S and it was worth it. I think it looks better and it definitely handles better. I had never changed springs before and I did it by myself in about 2.5 hours, so don't be afraid to tackle this one. Also, I added the DDM Works Street CAI. This is another DIY job that has immediate benefits. The best part is pulling up to a stop light and seeing peoples reactions as the BOV releases some pressure My next task will be changing out the exhaust to something a little more beefier!

 

I am confused, how does the aftermarket CAI change the sound of the BOV?

 

You can hear it. The stock airbox muffles the sound of the turbo and the BOV. With an aftermarket CAI, you can hear the turbo spooling and the BOV everytime you shift gears. It is awesome!!

 

too soon to know, round 2 has not started yet, we are all in a holding pattern, have been so for the past 2 weeks.

 

Chuck, the answer is that I will be stuck working weekends for the time being, no change in job positions, etc.

anyway, not everyone knows what I have done to my car, and all the work was done my be in my own garage....here is a list of the modifications I have completed over the years:

Modification List:

Drive Train:
aFe intake, Moss Mini intake tube
Nology Hot Wires
screamin deamon coil pack
Milltek exhaust
Samco radiator and vaccuum hoses
cool blue anodized fluid caps and winged oil dip stick
Forge aluminum header tank
Forge aluminum power steering tank
M7 OCC
TSW engine damper, blue, converted to new internals
Custom painted engine covers and transmission bracket
Custom painted transmission mount, will be re-done soon

Suspension:
Megan Racing Coilovers with Eibach 7kg 150mm front springs and front camber plates
MinSpeed rear 19mm sway bar with zerked bushing clamps
Rear strut bar, forget who made it
SPC adjustable rear control arms
M7 STP's, will be switching to craven soon

Wheels/Braking:
Cadmium drilled and slotted zimmerman rotors
PBR Ceramic pads all around
Kosei K1 Racing 17x7.5" with Kumho Ecsta MX 215-45-17
5mm H&R spacers

Exterior:
Clear front markers
blacked out film on side markers
clear side vent signal marker
chrome MCS gas cap
custom white painted Cooper side grills
white bonnet stripes
white rear aero kit wing
custom Cooper Flags sun roof graphic, color matching yin/yang
stubby antenna, carbon and aluminum
custom painted antenna base, IB to match the car
chrome rings around cowl vents
bosch icon wipers
20% window tint, done by the dealership
clear bra removed as the dealership did a crappy job...and i wanted bonnet stripes
2005 chrome grill surrounds
2006 xenon lights with 6000K bulbs
rear fogs turned into brake lights, splice mod thingy
Euro tail lights, look OEM, but replace amber dot with clear dot
Rogue blue eyes
Carbon fiber R50 pre-face lift bumper inserts
JCW carbon rear license plate/boot handle with light.
custom front euro plate
Moss Mini license plate/tow hook holder
Custom made Kosei center cap emblems, blue with silver MINI logo.
Rear Wiper Delete and plugged with a head-set cap from a mountain bike, custom made.


Interior:
Schroth harness with red shoulder pads
Lapis blue sport seats, not heated, although, my original ones were heated...keeping my eyes out for a heated set
Lapis blue rear seat
Blue and tan cocomats--will be ordering black with blue spots soon
European arm rest...matches the hoops in the doors perfectly
glove box organizer
center console organizer
JCW Leather/Alcantara 3 Spoke steering wheel conversion with MF working and custom covered panel inserts
JCW Alcantara shift boot
JCW carbon dash
Custom airbag BMW/MINI emblem
Whalen Shift Machine ****, custom yin yang and shift pattern, 6 other ***** as paper weights and garage cabinet pulls.
custom painted dimmer/emergency **** caps
Chrome dash vent rings
Chrome toggle switch hoops
Full toggle panel, although only 3 are functional...just for show, haha
Cockpit Specialty blue gauge face plates
Dynamat EVERYWHERE
Custom wrapped dash in black coach leather and blue alcantara
Custom wrapped door cards in black coach leather, black alcantara, and blue alcantara
Door cards with custom wrapped carbon fiber door pulls with custom leather handles
Custom wrapped rear cards with black alcantara, blue alcantara, black coach arm rest, chrome trim, and Harmon Kardon silver speaker grills
Custom wrapped A,B,C pillars in black alcantara
Custom wrapped headliner in blue alcantara
Boot storage tray
Euro parcel shelf
LED lighter flashlight
Alpine IDA-X001 with direct connect ipod and integrated control
Craven speed ipod holder
custom black carpet (changed from cordoba beige)
Craven Speed short shifter
2 cup holder cubbies painted Indi Blue


I would be happy to lend a hand to anyone wanting to work on their own car , but since I work weekends, I am only free on week days, usually Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday to help out on car projects. My help is always free, I just ask for lunch in return

 

I've heard that there is no such thing as a free lunch.
Well I'm bummed Jon, I was looking forward to motoring with you on the weekends. I'm sure there will be other opportunities.

 

For those that are free during the week next week, Tuesday or Wednesday, I will be pulling out my rear coilovers to adjust the dampening to match the front set up, I will also be pulling off the front bumper for a lower grill modification. not sure what day, but if anyone was interested in seeing how some stuff is done, let me know what day works for you, and we can work around that. I also plan on a little detailing of the MINI (clay and buffing) the afternoon I work on the car.

 

wednesday would work for me. I can help you with the rear coilovers.

 

Cool, don't need much help, but an extra set of hands is always welcome.

For now, we will plan on Wednesday. I'll send you info on my address at the beginning of the week if you are still available. Planning on an early start so there is time to wash and buff out the car

 

well, not gonna do a garage day this week, we have a new puppy, and gonna spend the time with training and other stuff like that. The MINI can wait.

 

I'm curious (well, about a lot of things) about the strut tower reinforcement plates offered by a couple companies. What do fellow Colorado residents do and recommend, especially considering how it is Pothole Central here?

I'm mulling over a few mods as cash allows, including the strut tower reinforcements, a rear sway bar, JCW grill, custom graphics and a few other odds and ends. Was thinking perhaps the "necessary" ones would get the priority.

Any suggestions you may have for an Oxy Blue R56 Cooper automatic would be appreciated!

 

The Craven Speed are uniform thickness throughout and the front edge does not hit the hood insulation.

Considering you have an R56, Craven has them already...they help, but overall, mushrooming is only really an issue if the 2 sides are mushroomed uneavenly...ie-hitting a huge pot hole and bending one side more than the other. In the long run, there is only a certain amount of mushrooming that can happen, but it really does not matter because the mounting points for the strut towers are on the outside, so the overall change in position is very minimal. they are more for piece of mind than anything else. I have some, but they are custom painted with some carbon fiber on them....adds to the bling factor in my engine bay.

I don't think the plates are "necessary" by any means, but a rear sway bar IS necessary

 

Good stuff to know. Thank you!