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I've had my R55 Clubman for about 3 months now. It started off bone stock and busted! It has 156k on it, the barn doors would not open and a shock was busted. I bought it for $3,000 as it cranked right up and drove fine
I did a few mods to it.
New shocks
All polyurethane bushings
2.5" catless downpipe
2.5" straight pipe exhaust
Turbosmart dual port BOV
Noise maker delete
Intercooler muffler delete
Silicone intercooler hoses
FMIC kit
Forge turbo blanket
AEM intake
https://youtu.be/_DjRLev8ELs
Some mods came after that video. Here she is now...
I wanted more power but have heard horror stories about going K04 hybrid turbo and the Mini going boom! So then I bought a full 2013 JCW swap from DVV Advance Auto in Cali to rob what I wanted off of it like the transmission, clutch, flywheel and LSD.
She will be heading to German Autowerks here in North Texas to get the motor pulled today, then the block, heads, and crank are going to the machine shop to get bored/ground. Then I will be ordering the respective forged pistons, rods, bearings and rebuild kit from SneadSpeed. While the machine work is going on, the ECU will be tuned for break in then a fine tune will happen once broken in
Some people ask why I would even bother putting time and money into a Clubman. My answer is why not? There are not enough modded Clubmans IMO and I have a kiddo that needs that bigger back seat! So I am kind of forced to haha
Rims and paint will follow in the next year. Function over form first!!!
Last edited by Andrewsolis83; Apr 12, 2021 at 03:42 PM.
Thanks! Never owned a Mini but my daughter LOVES it although she gets a little scared when I takes it in the corners out in the country haha. I love the handling, it is just a tad too slow for me at the moment. The goal is to do go big turbo. I want 300whp when it is all said and done. I just need to research what turbo will fit and get me there. People say the GT28RS does it but it can be a pain to fit.
Last edited by Andrewsolis83; Apr 12, 2021 at 03:45 PM.
Update:
Received the JCW swap! Sold most of it but am using the transmission, LSD, clutch and flywheel
Ordered the oil filter relocation kit, full silicone radiator and heater hose kit, stock manifold to GT style exhaust manifold adapter,, T5 3" downpipe and the GTX2860R turbo!
Last edited by Andrewsolis83; Apr 12, 2021 at 03:43 PM.
Thanks! The only reason I changed my mind from the F21M was bc I am going forged rods and pistons so it can handle the bigger turbo no problem! Going to set it at 20 psi and wish for the best
I will definitely update this thread as we progress
I apologize for the slow update but I am trying to do everything the right way and am waiting on random parts. Here are some goodies that came in so far!
GTX2860R turbo
Silicone radiator and coolant hose kit
New Bosch injectors
New water and auxiliary turbo water pump
Stock exhaust manifold to GT25/28 adapter
New oil feed line
MAP vacuum fitting adapter
Greedy Profec EBC
HKS SSQV4 BOV
The engine is in the process of getting pulled by German Autowerks and then it will be off to Power Dynamix for the block and head machining/upgrading
Last edited by Andrewsolis83; Apr 12, 2021 at 03:46 PM.
Yes they are! I love the squatty look of them and The looks I got before the project were pretty awesome! These Minis sound really mean when straight piped! So it kind of added to the intrigue of the car after I bought it. I just wonder what it is going to sound like with 3" straight pipe! Speaking of, ATP no longer makes downpipe for the GT25/28 turbos due to California's crazy laws 🙄 so I am getting a really awesome fab shop here in Texas to do a custom one for me. I talked to the owner and he has done very nice custom IC and down piping for many Nissans so it should turn out beautifully! Can't wait! The next three weeks should be pretty interesting
Do you have any sound clips from when you were straight piped?
Pre engine out of course
Post number 2 😁 the last half of the video shows the rev and about 50% throttle. I used a 12" resonator I got of Amazon to smooth it out a bit. Works darn well and pretty cheap!
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B082F125B4/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_fabc_.CTcGbN8RRTZ0?_encoding=UT F8&psc=1
Nice! I somehow missed that. I'm going to the shop this weekend and taking out my res and 2nd cat and I have magnaflow mufflers. Still need to figure out my downpipe situation, it's the last piece of my puzzle before the tune but I'm going for as much back pressure as possible and obnoxious flames 🤷♀️🤦♀️
German Autowerks disassembled my block and got the head how the machine shop wanted it so I Dropped the block and head off to Power Dynamix in McKinney, TX. They mainly do racing mods/engines for Toyota, mainly 2JZs but they did not shy away from tackling the N18.
They are machining the block and installing CP pistons 9.5 compression. Undecided on the rods at the moment.. King bearings after the crank is ground. Then the block will be balanced
Unfortunately due to their race schedule,, they will not be able to get a CNC program for my head until April. I told them to forget it and just do 1mm oversized valves, stiffer springs and a 5 angle valve job
The machine shop that I am using had two big races they were leaving for the week I dropped the block and head off. I got an update today that the head is good to go and that they are just waiting on the Carillo rods to come in and they will get the block finished. I did get the cryogenically treated timing chain kit in and the ARP head bolts in as well
Don't expect 400WHp out of the GTX2860R. 400+BHP can be done, with enough mods and a good tune.
After mounting the Garrett, be sure to notch out the proper spaces on the underside of your hood. I expect you'll have the same problems making it fit as I did on my '07 MCS.
Once you get familiar with it's performance, you'll probably start thinking about more power. As you exceed 300WHP, you risk blowing out a cylinder wall. Keeping boost below 20 will help. A CSS is the safest protection but needs to be done when adding oversized pistons. This Garrett can easily push 30+ PSI, but that's when you'll need a better tune --- to defeat the ECU 22PSI limit. Then there's a boost controller, boost gauge, and more plumbing --- a never-ending quest. But without a CSS, I don't recommend going much over 300WHP.
Don't expect 400WHp out of the GTX2860R. 400+BHP can be done, with enough mods and a good tune.
After mounting the Garrett, be sure to notch out the proper spaces on the underside of your hood. I expect you'll have the same problems making it fit as I did on my '07 MCS.
Once you get familiar with it's performance, you'll probably start thinking about more power. As you exceed 300WHP, you risk blowing out a cylinder wall. Keeping boost below 20 will help. A CSS is the safest protection but needs to be done when adding oversized pistons. This Garrett can easily push 30+ PSI, but that's when you'll need a better tune --- to defeat the ECU 22PSI limit. Then there's a boost controller, boost gauge, and more plumbing --- a never-ending quest. But without a CSS, I don't recommend going much over 300WHP.
I am quickly learning about the 300whp limitation. I am regretting not getting a 335i now haha. Not really, this will still be a fun car! Yeah I'll tune it to 300whp and call it good. I have 2JZ engine experts rebuilding the engine and a Nissan RB/SR expert doing all the custom piping 🤣 so it has been an interesting journey so far!! I will hopefully be posting tons of progress the next few weeks for sure
HUGE update today!!!
First of all, I got two of my rims in
Enki GW8s
Annnnnd drum roll please!! My motor and block are done!!
I didn't go with a closed deck so I am stuck with tuning it to maybe 22psi and calling it good but I'll be happy with it!
My tuner is getting my Powergate module ready with a base map to break the motor in and get it to him. German Autowerks now has all the engine goodies and will be putting it all back together then it is off to Turn 5 Fabrication in Val Alstyne, TX to get the custom downpipe made
and I have a kiddo that needs that bigger back seat! So I am kind of forced to haha
