I used a baffled type of resonator like this one. As I do more reading it looks like the length of the resonator determines what frequency it kills sound at. So that being said, bigger isn't always better....I think? lol. IDK. I think I'm just gonna start looking into wrapping the back in Dynomat or something similar. It sounds good outside and has more power than it ever has, It just drones a lot inside.

 

I got some dynomat installed in the hatch area. Cuts down quite a bit of noise. I've only driven to town and back a couple times but it seems quieter. I'll have to see how it does on the highway.

 

Oh and ignore all the very "helpful" people on the interwebs that claim you can just pull the dash panels off. On a 2003, that is NOT the case. I need to figure out how to reattach my passenger side airbag cover. Its is now broken 🤬

 

Did you cover the holes in the rear?

 

I did indeed. I figured if its problematic I can cut it back out but I honestly think thats where most the noise is coming from

 

 

Thats a big part of the noise indeed

 

.

 

I ordered these tires after I hydroplained several times on the way home from NY last trip up there. I hope to get them mounted Saturday morning. They are Ohtsu FP7000 made by Falken. I went up to a 195/60-15 from the 195/50-15 thats on it now. They weigh 17.2 lbs each compared to the current 16.6 lb Ling Longs their replacing so lighter than I was expecting. Shipping weight was listed at 19 lbs each. They are 480 treadwear, the Ling Longs are a 520 treadware. I'm looking forward to the speedometer being accurate again and lowering my revs on the highway. I like the torque of the little tires but it's a dd and I think that all things considered, the stock size is better. Another bonus will be the wheelwell will be filled out more and I should gain a 1/2" or so of ground clearance. I bottom out more often than I'd like so I'll take every little bit I can get lol.

On to the pictures:

 

Good choice to replace the shitty tyres. All cheap Chinese tyres are "ok-ish" in the dry, but straight up dangerous when it gets wet.

 

Lol I figured you'd like that. They were good in the rain until they got to a certain tread depth then they went from very predictable to down rite dangerous immediately. It was like a light switch was turned off. They were pretty terrible in the cold though. If the temps got below 50 degrees Fahrenheit they got real slick. Predictable, but poor traction. In the rain and worn out on the other hand... I'm a very very competent driver and these things definitely got my attention lol.

 

I actually remembered to ask the tire guy to line up the dots this time. I was wondering if was going to because he made a bunch of exuces and seemed confused but he did do what I asked so that's a plus.

 

I love bronze wheels. They never get the dots aligned for me. Instead I get lots of weights. I ran Ohtsu tires on my Miata when I had it. They were a summer tire and I have to say they left me impressed. Very good grip, soft compound and quiet as well. I can't talk longevity as they were summer tires and well, they just don't last as long as all season tires.

 

Good that you remembered and it shouldve reduced the amount of weights needed if they didn't do that for you.

 

After talking to the tire tech i didn't think I'd get the dots aligned either but I explained why I wanted them lined up and he did what I asked so its all good. And I like bronze too. They look better on BRG but imo they look good on my car too. First silk green mini I saw with bronze wheels were Thumper460's car and I was sold. I've always preferred gloss black rims previously. These Konig's are super light at 11 pounds which is the reason I bought them. Other wise I'd have Rota Slipstream or Circuit CP37. I'm looking forward to these tires. Price was right and they have much better reviews then the Ling Longs.

 

Yeah I didn't look too close but I think I only saw an ounce or so on the one I did flip over.

 

Still haven't had a chance to get a decent pic of the car with the new tires but I do have one with it all grubby right after I mounted them.

 

My new radiator didn't last very long. I hit something smallish and furry doing about 50 mph. Unfortunately it was almost perfectly lined up with my lower grill. Broke the lower valance, punched through the grill and caved in my ac condenser, ruptured the radiator. At least I'm getting good at putting it in service mode 😂. Insurance company is being stupid. Got a partial payment and now they want me to take it to a shop to have it looked at because they "couldn't see" damage to the radiator in the pics I sent them. Apparently not everyone knows the green fluid all over and under the car with the steam cloud around it is from the cooling system leaking. Or the clearly visible crack on the radiator end tank.... We don't have any good or honest shops in my area and I don't like other people working on my vehicles so I'm just fixing it myself. Makes me wonder though why I've had the same Insurance company for over 16 years.

 

The air filter I ordered came and I got a chance to throw it on. I ended up having enough room with the Braille in the factory location to set it up like an R53. I think it came out quite well. I don't notice any difference in driveability between this and the foam filter with a heat shield. I'd imagine it won't heat soak as bad on really hot days as the open filter since it draws air from the open cowl area now (outside the engine compartment). This is definitely more restrictive but should be ambient air as opposed to hot engine air. The biggest reason though for going back to a closed intake was because I have to clean the open filter EVERY week because the roads are so dirty down here.

 

I know you said it before, but... where did you move your battery? Once I finish the swap on mine I will try to meet up with you somewhere on the southside.

 

Nicely done man, looks very good this way. Also good to see that you found some time to finally put the Braille battery in :D

 

I actually didn't move the battery, I just replaced the 50 pound lead anchor wit an 11 pound Braille. Its enough smaller that I now have room in that area for a closed carbon intake ($27 on eBay ).
So far I have had zero problems with the Braille. This is a DD and I have a long commute so IDK if it would work as well in a car that's rarely driven or only on short drives or something with a lot of high amp draw accessories like a stereo system. I think they make a 15 and 17 that have higher ratings but they are also physically larger batteries. The 11 works great for me. I somewhat detailed the installation starting on or near post #219 in this thread. My original plan was to move the battery to the passenger side of the hatch but it wasn't necessary for what I was trying to accomplish. I still gotta do something with the battery box, its home brew and really half baked.

I've been watching the Tar Heal Mini owners group on Facebook. Trying to find a local-ish meet/drive we could attend but seem to always be busy when there going on.

 

Thanks brother! And yeah I actually got the battery installed the beginning of July. Works great.

 

Ahh, that's right! You got that little battery. I had one similar to it on my Miata. It worked great and even weighed a lot less than a stock Miata battery that is about the size of a lawnmower battery. You should check out the Hampton Roads Mini Club on Facebook. They have more meet-ups. I haven't looked at what is coming up, but I know they will do a fall foliage run next month. Maybe I will be back on the road by then if I stop shaving so many yaks... lol, probably not.

 

Yes yes, the Odyssey PC680 is also a fine choice for our Minis. I dont drive it that often, but it starts every time at first turnover.