Replaced the headlight and tail light trim rings with Black parts. Used Outmotoring's belt line blackout kit and just received a new grill trim ring from my dealer. I'm having my body guy prep, prime, and paint it gloss black. He's also painting the JCW Pro spoiler extensions red to match the top. New stripes are still in the works. I'll have some pictures this weekend.

 

Sounds interesting...excited to see the pics!

 

Vetsvette how was belt line trim application? I had a really hard time with the front trim, with the curve. I was rushing it cause of time and never got around to it again. It was a pai in the butt though!!!

 

Wasn't too bad. I think the key is prep work. Clean it well with acetone before applying the tape. Helps to have an extra set of hands reaching across the hood too. Settled on the stripes so just waiting for them to be shipped to me. I want to get my body man to install them. He did the challenge stripes and hash marks on my R56 and did a great job.

 

Just got back from the body shop. They're almost finished. He's painting the hood scoop black and installing the stripes later today. Everything is blacked out now except for the Mini emblems. Installed the JCW spoiler extensions today too. With them painted to match the roof they are very subtle, but add a nice finishing touch to the spoiler. Should be ready for pick up tomorrow. Until I get it cleaned up and some better pictures, I'll post the few quick pics I took at the shop. I'm really liking the way it's coming along.

EDIT: Looking at the pictures of the engine compartment It hit me that it would look much better with the intake ducts painted gloss black. Especially after I re-install my AWE carbon fiber intake. Might not be able to pick it up tomorrow after all. :(

 

Looking good. Can i ask if your roof is painted or wrapped red?

Thinking about red for my roof and mirror caps for my car

 

Looks absolutely amazing!

Drive Hard. Drive Safe. Keep Grinning.

 

Thanks guys. It's painted Chili Red. That was the original reason for it being in the shop. Things just started snowballing from there.

 

Wow looks great! The little details is what makes the difference.

 

Added the blacked out grill surround and the custom stripes. My body shop managed to remove the grill trim without breaking any tabs or clips to prep for paint. Now I can return the new one I bought from my dealer for backup. Took months to decide what kind of stripe I wanted to go with. Ended up sourcing it from two places. I got the black from a member of my Mini Club (THMMC), but he didn't have the right shade of red for the accent. Luckily my body man, who does a lot of restoration and custom work, has a large selection of pin striping tape. He had a roll that is the perfect size and color for the application. Oh yeah, we decided to paint the hood scoop the same gloss black as the grill trim so it would go with the whole blackout thing. I think it looks better with the stripes now.

 

Wowser Whitey

Cannot think of a better stripe for that car either.

 

Nicely done! Vetsvette, how did your body guy manage to get the front trim out? I broke mine lol. Got a new one and had it installed with the intercooler. Did he do it without taking the bumper off???? Haven't quite figured out how to do that.

 

Did it without removing the bumper. Have no idea how, but that's what they do for a living. Guess they have their tricks.

 

All the mods look really fantastic!

Personally, the rear hatch has a little too much businesses going on for me with all the logos, stickers and weird circular things. Just gets somewhat junked up for me and ruins the cleanliness of everything.

 

What's great about these cars is we can personalize them and make them ours.

 

Looks Great, Take the tow hook cover for the rear and drill it out, cleans up the look

 

Vetsvette, your body guy is a keeper. Known of 2 rookies (one is me) and 2 "pro" that's tried to take it off and broken the clips while the bumper is on. It's nice to see your guys attention to detail and experience. Shows in his work on your car as well. Great job all around!

 

@GregoryK

 

this isn't Facebook. that doesn't work.

 

That looks good all blacked out.

 

Took care of a couple of odds and ends and installed a new intake and shift ****.

Sneed4Speed Billy Club Pro. This **** in combination with the CravenSpeed short shifter is amazing.



Replaced the last bit of chrome. I know, it's dirty, I'll get around to it.



Added a little bling to the engine cover.



And last, but not least. New ARMA Speed intake. So far, I like the intake. Couldn't ask for a better looking setup, but it was a real pain to get it installed. Instructions are all pictures and one of them showing the orientation of the MAF tube is backwards. If my neighbor hadn't stopped by I would have never got it done. High degree of difficulty for a 1 1/2 armed man. Very little intake noise since it's a closed system. Very happy with it so far.

 

Any idea from your BUTT dyno on what type of gains you have gotten from the Helix intercooler? I have been on the fence with adding it as I want to keep my warranty in tact, I know mods and warranties don't always play nice together, but an I/C is only moving air so it can't hurt anything, right?

I am getting itchy to try and add more power and fun into the car. I don't want to mess with the suspension too much as I drive it too much (3,000/month average). I did add the NM end links and 25mm sway bar. For extra juice I have the NM power module, AWE cold air intake, JCW Tuning kit and JCW exhaust, what else is out there? I/C and perhaps a down pipe? I know the down pipe could throw a red flag at the MINI service counter.

I enjoy the car but I always want more.

Thanks

 

My butt dyno is in dire need of calibration so can't really say one way or another. I've been swapping intakes and running with and without the NM module so often that I can't remember what part did what. I do know I'm making a heck of a lot more power than when I started. I also noticed much cooler intake temps during the heat of the summer. One of the main reasons I went with the Helix IC is it will be needed when I finally get a Manic tune. I figure they'll have a tune for the F series by the time my warranty runs out. At that time, all I'll need to do is install a de-cat DP and colder plugs for a stage two tune.
I wouldn't worry about your warranty as far as the IC goes. The only way they'll know is if they pull the front end off and it plays a passive rather than an active part in the operation of the motor. The Helix unit is a quality piece of gear. Now the NM module's a different story. Mine comes off whenever I go to the dealer.

 

good stuff thanks for reply. What setting are you running on the power module?

 

Low. Before adding the JCW tune I ran it on high. The high setting adds too much boost when combined with the tune unless you're running 100 octane.