Paul,

Now that it has been about 6 months since your car was on Tuner Transformation, could you provide us with an update (since you and your car are a celebrity now):

• How do you like the JCW kit? Is the car quicker than your previous setup?
• Did your car improve in autox?
• How has the Phantom Grip held up? (you promised us an update)
• Have you modified your car any further or gotten rid of any of the upgrades they put on? (except the wheels which you have already said).
• Have you gained any recognition or opportunities by being on the show?

Thanks.

 

LOL. I happen to watch Tuner Transformation last night. Man, am I glad they didn't do what they did last night to my car, heavy duty transformation that was. They took a Toyota Paseo and converted it to a drift car. A FWD drift car you say? That's the thing, the converted it to RWD! Anyways, on to the questions.

1. The JCW is quieter than my previous setup. I had the Magnaflow exhaust so the car sounded meaner. The JCW, just like everyone sais is "Smooth." Don't think it's any faster than previous (15%, Magnaflow, Madness Intake) aside from the LSD helping at launch.
2. This question is hard to say as I'm running R-Comps this year and wasn't last year so comparing my times to the same group from last year is difficult because they aren't running R-Comps this year. Did set FTD at the last event in September.
3. I don't think the Phantom Grip is grabbing as much as it used to. Then again that might be just me. In fact today it's 11c outside and wet, my Yoko ES100 (ICK!) are spinning really easy with that combination and I'm tempted to say that it's not locking up the diff. However I'm not sure as my tires suck right now and an LSD won't make no traction into traction if both tires are slipping equally. I've been meaning to have 2 friends watch a burn out and tell me if they see both tires spinning or just one. I'm going to be going in next week to get the car ready for winter. So that means oil change and a couple other things. At that time I'm going to have them change the tranny fliuid and look for anything bad. If I see any debris in the fluid I'll be pulling the tranny and throwing in a quaife. I'll update this thread on that next week.
4. I removed the spider webs. I liked them but they drew a little too much attention to the car. I was also worried about paint fading. Those that liked them liked them those that didn't didn't. I thought it looked cool but the webs were just a little too young for me (I'm 33 next month). The H&R springs were removed as they were rubbing my 225/50-15 track/autocross tires (Victoracers) and I didn't want to shave the inside of the plastic to get them to fit. I've added a Unichip as the JCW is still pig rich. Alta catch can (not a mod really), plug wires, pilo coil. I ordered the Webb camber plates (his new ones) back in late July/august along with the H-Sport rear control arms. The arms showed up but the camber plates were delayed. So I've got the arms installed but cancelled the plates and will do something with that next year. I'll also be sending out my wheels (see below) this winter to be powder coated the same colour as BBS RG-R or the OZ F1 Cup (anthracite). Had a trailer hitch put on to tow my track trailer (picture below), not really a mod but the trailer looks damn good! I'm now at a crossroads with the car. I'll most likely keep it another 18 months at which time I'm going to prepare myself a semi-dedicated track car. Most likely a '94 BMW 325is. Roll cage, gutted etc. So I'm not really sure what mods I want to add, if any, any further. I'm most likely do the Ground Control coilovers on the stock dampers along with camber plates next sping and then call it a day. I'm having a hell of a time with brakes, uneaven pad deposits/warping. I'm on my second full set of slotted rotors and these, while not warpped, aren having issues. I think I might throw in the towel and get the Willwood kit that just came out that fits under 15" wheels. But that really will be where I draw the line. I REALLY want a track car so the mods on the MINI will end before the track car shows up.
5. Well every time I see Randy now he congratulates me for getting a "Supercharger!" LOL. People at the autocrosses recognize the car so it strikes up a conversation; aside from that not much.

So that about sums it up. I'll update you with what I discover with the Phantom Grip. I'd hate to have to pull the tranny. If I do I might do it myself if I can get access to a buddies hoist. Max if you're reading this. I've got a Bentely manual. LOL.

Cheers,

Paul

Track Trailer:

 

Nice trailer Paulmon Now that you've got our attention...please elaborate? Is that a custom built unit? What type of hitch are you using?

 

Had the hitch custom done at a local welder, the receiver is well under the car so if I remove the ball it's vitually invisable. Search here as I have pictures as to how it was installed. The way it was installed isn't perfect but I'm happy.

The trailer itself started life as your typical lugage trailer. I designed the tire mounting mechanism and sourced a box. Had the same company that did my hitch weld up the trailer. I can store EVERYTHING i could possibly need for a track day in that including 2 foldable chairs.

Paul

 

That's pretty impressive When you mention search here, where did you mean exactly? Thanks again.

 

Search Nam, I made some posts regarding my hitch here somewhere.

Here it is:

https://www.northamericanmotoring.co...ighlight=hitch

Paul

 

Thanks for the update. I was watching Tuner Transformation the other day and your mini came to mind, that is why I was asking again. It is interesting to see what is up after we watched the show.

I agree, maybe some day I will be able to afford a supercharger on my MCS.