Sorry for the long gap between updates. It has been a crazy last few months here in Atlanta.

Since the Mini landed here back in October I have had to find a new position, start the new position, find a house to rent, move in, fly my wife and kids down here, get them settled and school started, then try and get a household together as we sold everything, and just now are we finally feeling comfortable. Our stuff still hasn’t be shipped down. Hopefully by the end of next month we will have that and all my tools back.

I have happy to report !0zero0! issues with the Mini since the rebuild. It has been a blast to drive her around the city and down the highways here. It has been great as a commuter and the traffic is fine with this transmission. Happy to also say the AC works fine. Summer is coming.

I have only run into two things I will need to look into as soon as my tools get here.

1. When I back up, in gear or not, when I start to apply the brake to stop my roll or slow down, I hear a little clunk in the driver side front suspension. Something is loose.
2. When I release the clutch pedal slowly I can feel that the piston is sticking a little. It’s not as smooth and lubricated as it should be. I have a feeling the clutch master needs to be replaced soon.

Future plans?

Well I’d like to get out and start to learn more about autocross and get it up to Tail of the Dragon and Road Atlanta. I need to get a feel for the hardware and balance of the car so I can plan on what needs to be upgraded and where.

-Find out what tune I need to modify the computer with to take advantage of the performance upgrades I have put in place.
-Proper rubber and lighter wheels for the fun days.
-Shed some weight. Driver and car.
-Some seats that will hold me in place. Lose the back ones eventually.
-Replace the front bumper to get rid of the past cosmetic damage. Something lighter and vented but not ostentatious.
-Suspension upgrade. Lower the center of gravity and widen the footprint.

After that I’d be looking back into further performance upgrades. May take the spare head I have and have that made more for the track. Free flowing exhaust, etc.

Right now I just really enjoy the ride. It is time to start looking at the next steps though.

 

Glad you made it safe and sound and are ENJOYING your hard work and efforts !!!!!

Looks great in that nice clean garage !!!!

 

First I want to say I have never met anyone that has driven the Alcan 6 times! That is awesome and quite an accomplishment. Secondly, this is one of the best rebuild threads with great photos and documentation that I've read on this forum. Lastly welcome back to the south. Atlanta is a great city, I've worked there. Cheers and keep us posted on your diagnostics.

B

 

i had a similar clunk in my 05 and it went away when i replaced the trans mount... used

http://www.vibra-technics.com/mini_b...nt_gearbox_end

awesome accomplishment resettling yourself and the family!

 

Holy crap man that mount is almost 400 bucks!!!

 

If Autocross is in your future you may want to look at the SCCA rule book before do any mods so you don't get yourself unknownly into a class you may not want to be in. I would suggest you do a few events with your car as is to make sure it is something that you want to pursue before spending money on mods.

 

x2

Ive seen a lot of people go down that road only to regret it.

 

Realizing I really need something bigger as my commute is about to get worse. Oh yeah, and three kids....

Anyone have a Countryman they want to trade for my crazy R53 pocket rocket?

or a 335i...135i...Audi A5...something fun.

I can't go back to a boring car.