Hey everyone. Now that ESE has closed its retail location and its getting to be modding season once again, does anyone know of a good place to get installs done on aftermarket stuff in the area?

-Tim

 

Long time no see in these parts!

Well, I know that McBee Auto in Bridgeville is trying to attract MINI clientele. They race the MoP MINI race car and have been doing some work for Graham (one of the Motoring Advisors.) They have been amiable enough, but not exactly forthcoming with any kind of support for the PittStop MINI Club. Sorry, I don't have any contact info for them.

The Club has also been doing a lot more DIY Garage Days where a bunch of us shade-tree mechanics get together to help each other out by pooling knowledge and resources. The Club has also started acquiring some of the special tools for use by our members.

 

Where are you in the burgh? What are you looking to have installed? How far are you willing to go?

 

I'm in the North Hills and can pretty much drive anywhere. Even into Western Ohio if its a good enough store.

Right now, sitting in my living room awaiting install is:
Alta Sportone exhaust, 15% pulley, springs

 

I agree wiht Mini2Go that McB Autosport is probably your best bet, their lack of support for the Mini club notwithstanding. Here's their contact info:

548 Baldwin St
Bridgeville, PA 15017
412-221-1922


Also, you might consider posting on RacePA.com and/or PittSpeed.com asking for suggestions. Both are sites dedicated to performance driving. You'll find more people who know the North Hills.

 

We've already done about a 1/2 dozen pulleys at Club Garage Days (and have the required special tools) if you have any interest. It looks like we actually have another pulley install that will be happening in July.

Chances are we could also handle the rest - but probably not all in one day. Naturally, most of this would be a matter of appropriate tools and probably either some manufacturer instructions or a "how-to" for a little guidance.

While not required, the Club requests that you make whatever donation you feel is appropriate for the service of helping to get the work done. Of course, to get in on a Garage Day you should be a current member.

Just let me know if you have any interest in a little wrenching.

 

If you feel like making the drive, I would gladly do parts installs for you guys in my shop!

www.allamericanmusclecar.net

-Rick

 

Too bad I didn't think of that last summer. I had to be in Detroit on business and took Charlie for a drive.

Thanks for the input guys. To be perfectly honest, I've felt a little out-of-touch with the MINI owners in Pittsburgh. I fully admit that I haven't been to many functions since the 04 PVGP, but the ones that I have been to have seemed to be a different crowd than I fit in with.

But, that said, if you've done some garage days recently, then it seems that the club has morphed into what I was hoping it would be in the first place. Maybe its time I gave it another shot, eh?

 

First, thanks a ton for you honesty. While we have always known that there are basically two factions within the Club, it has been easier to attract and retain the more "social" types than the real "car" types. Which kinda sucks, because there are quite a few of the motorheads (for lack of a better term) that have wandered through the Club and just not been around long enough for a critical mass to form and perpetuate itself. Having been with the Club since the beginning, I can tell you that there are a number of people who seem to share your feelings.... but it's been difficult to get enough of them to stick around and help carry things forward. One of the other difficulties is that this group is further divided into AutoX aficionados, Track Junkies, Mod maniacs, and the "Show and Go" folks. It's just hard to cater to all of them. I happen to like all of it, so I've stuck it out.

I don't want to get your hopes TOO high that we've morphed completely into what you're hoping for - we are still largely a "social" club - but I think we're moving in the right direction! We need to continue doing more things like the Garage Days to build the other side of the equation. We're always open to feedback (and even more grateful for a willing volunteer)!

Currently, there are no Garage Days scheduled in June (but we do have an event on the 16th). If you're anxious to get something done, just let me know and we'll see what we can arrange.

...oh and since it sounds like you probably haven't been there in while, you might want to go over and check out PittStopMINI.org again!

 

My buddy and I have done my suspension atleast 4 times now, and have done many of VW & BMW's as well. If you need help, PM me.

-konky

 

Cool. Thanks. I've got a friend with a heavilly modded New Beatle who says its pretty similar to his setup, but I'll give you a shout if I need.

 

no problem


I probably ran into your buddy one time or another, I came from the VW scene. Got pics of his car?

 

Only one I can get now, but he'd love to have pics of his car on NAM.
He's selling his old Fiat spider on ebay and just HAD to put his beatle in one of the pics:

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/1980-...QQcmdZViewItem

 

looks good

 

Ditto Mini2Go's comments, I'm the Performance Event Coordinator for PittStop and we're really trying to get more in the way of Perf events. Garage Days help. I'm hoping to get a pulley one of these days, and a CAI (probably CAI first, need that "whine" sound...). We'll be linking with the NHSCC guys at N Park for an AutoX sometime this fall (crosses fingers), and have a LARGE event coming that last weekend in October at BeaveRun, stay tuned to the website... great things are coming...

 

There's is a great place in Murrysville, PA. It's called Pro Trucks and Cars. This is where I am getting all of my after market work done. There is a 10% off coupon on there site protrucksandcars.com.

Here's their contact info:
Pro Trucks & Cars
4166 William Penn Hwy
Murrysville, PA 15668
Phone: (724) 733-9599

 

There's a place in Moon on Stoops Ferry Road (51) between University and McGovern that looks pretty good, he's done a number of Minis and races a really nice A2 VW GTI, can't recall the name of the place though. Coming out of Sewickley/Coraopolis he's on the left just after the crest of the hill.

 

C&G Pereformance on Big Sewickley Creek Rd. (not too far from Cranberry or Sewickley) are very good. They do mostly Porsches (where I learned all about 944's) but also race BMW's and did some work on my Jag as well. I've seen them do a total makeover on a MINI a while ago.

 

Hey all,

I know its an old thread but I just wanted to give some kudos to C&G Performance. The guys were great and brought me into the garage a few times to take a look at what they were doing and really made me feel comfortable with what was going on with Charlie.

Weird thing though, they told me that they hadn't had a MINI in the shop in a good while and when I was getting my new exhaust installed there was another MINI up on the lift getting a pulley and exhaust done.

All in all....

 

Hey Storm180, that was my MINI on the lift when you picked your car up! I had gone back and forth on doing the pulley myself and somebody else recommended C&G. I'll second your kudos.

I gave them a ring and as luck would have it, they'd done a few over the last couple of years. The customer let them keep the puller for the first one they did so I figured I don't need to buy or borrow a puller and they've some experience at it... why not?

I'd ordered the Invidia as well because my wife thought the blue tips would look good with the car. However... the <$600 price shipped was too good to be true. It was backordered so I picked up the Magnaflow (new one) from hottexhaust.com for $627, at my door in two days. I was going to do that one in the garage but it showed up Monday while the car was in the shop. The convenience and urge to have it done *now* was too strong.

I'm just off 989 in New Sewickley so it's nice knowing there's a good place to go around the corner.

 

I am a second time Mini Owner ('05 BRG 5 speed & now 05 Blue S)and my wife and I are newer to the PA area. I do not have direct wrenching expertise with MINI's, however, I am an avid wrencher who has done everything from springs, shocks, superchargers, nitrous and exhausts on Hondas (including a frankenstein motor swap in my 2000 Civic SI) to tearing down and rebuilding chevy and ford V8's and even participated in custom speaker installations with fiberglass enclosures and wicked loud systems. I would love to lend a wrenching hand for free to be a part of the club. Call me at (330)719-1080 if I can do anything to lend a helping hand and join a great group of MINI enthusiasts.

~Josh

 

Just thought I would add my .02 on this topic. Hats off to C&G again. The AC compressor on my '03 bit the dust recently and they were great. Even allowed me to locate a rebuild when they were confronted with Dealer only replacement parts and prices. Champ may soon be doing an autopsy on the core to pinpoint the exact cause of failure. Money is on the clutch, and if so, replacement parts may not really be so unavailable

Paul