I found some "too good to pass up" deals on parts in the marketplace, and took advantage of the fact that my wife had to be nice to me since Sunday was my birthday, and knocked out a couple of projects on the car this weekend!

First was install of a Detroit Tuned Bypass Valve. I've been frustrated by the throttle lag on this car, and spent quite a bit of time researching possible fixes. Finding a good price on a NIB part right in my neighborhood made this the first option to try. I'm really happy with the results. I did this project and drove it before I did the second, to make sure I wasn't attributing the outcomes to a combination of changes. If you're frustrated with throttle response, I'd highly recommend this solution. Details here: Solved my Throttle Response Issues: DT BPV

Second project was finally joining the 15% pulley club! Another "too good to pass up" deal made this a great complimentary project. I went ahead and did the belt swap and colder plugs as well. WOW!

It appears my next mod needs to be improving motor and transmission mounts.

I also discovered while under the car that the stock exhaust is rusting pretty badly, so an aftermarket system is probably necessary for health and safety reasons. :D

All in all, it was a good weekend wrenching. Still getting to know this little guy, but so far I'm really enjoying it!

 

Awesome! Happy birthday!

I'll be pulling my SC as soon as I get the remaining gremlins out after getting it going again after a failed head gasket and sitting two years. Nearly there. When I pull the SC, a 15% pulley will be going on! Can't wait!

 

You should look to get the car tuned as well. My throttle response is night and day compared to stock and maybe too sensitive since i have to be super smooth in getting off the throttle
when on track as you feel the whole car shifting. The throttle response is adjustable but i've gotten used to it.

 

I'm going to hold off on getting a tune until I have completed other mods to make a tune more worthwhile (intake, exhaust, injectors).

I also believe I have found the point where my next mod $$ needs to go back in the handling category (braking is probably OK for street use, if I was tracking/autocrossing then brakes would be higher). So far my handling mods have been pretty basic-Bilstein B4s to dampen the stock springs, IE fixed camber plates, and chassis stiffening with strut bar and X brace. Rear sway bar upgrade is moving up the priority list, but exhaust is still in first place, because this car now deserves a more aggressive sound to match its performance, and HEALTH AND SAFETY! (see original post).

I also have to temper my mod enthusiasm with the fa t that this is supposed to be my DD, and refocus my effort and budget on my real project car (67 Mustang convertible restomod).

I wish someone would just give me money to stay in my garage and play with my cars. 😊

 

Your last comment made me laugh! I am retired and this is my shop:

The is the Mini shop!


This is from other end! I have been retired since 2000! Am I really retired?

I am seriously glad you are having a good time with your Mini!

 

Glad you got some upgrades and that pulley that you now know is awesome.

For sure an exhaust is a great R53 mod and the Milltek will gain you some torque and take almost 20lbs off the car. Plus it sounds great without being too loud.
https://www.waymotorworks.com/millte...w-exhaust.html

And for sure a rear sway bar is like the pulley for your suspension so you can't beat doing that.
https://www.waymotorworks.com/wmw-rear-sway-bar.html

 

Beautiful shop!

I'm retired, twice. First from the Army, then from the corporate world. I'm still "working" trying to make my community a better place, but not getting a paycheck from it. The idea of shirking my responsibilities to just work on my cars is appealing, and I could do so (not getting paid now, so I wouldn't lose any imcome&#128517, but the truth is that I can't ignore the problems I see for very long.

I get the distinct impression from your posts that you are proficient enough at turning wrenches to generate income from it--whereas I am not. I'm just persistent enough to figure it out, eventually, but it would never be a money maker.

 

Your site is on my list of daily checks as I hunt for deals that are so good that I can convince my wife that I couldn't afford not to buy them--like she does with purses or shoes. 🤣

 

Get good summer tires, rear sways (get the hotchkis hollow bar branded and sold by Way), and put race pads on stock calipers. I would hold off on the x brace....i got that after sways and coilovers and i didn't notice a difference. The tune helped in blipping the throttle while heel and toe; i felt stock throttle response hinder my H&T progress but i could totally understand waiting to get the injectors first.