Yea it’s ridiculous.

So here’s the reason the traction control and abs lights are on, and ultimately the reason it wasn’t sold and registered to someone else…

https://cimg3.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.nor...cae301467.jpeg

…the arrow is pointing to the wheel speed sensor. As you can see it’s where it should be for a MINI with the stock hubs, but it doesn’t come through the adapter plate I made to mount the E39 front hub. Yes, I have to work on that notch a little bit.
On the back of the trailing arm is this little metal block that is used to mount the sensor…

https://cimg1.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.nor...1e148dad0.jpeg

…so basically I just have to set this arm up in my friend’s Bridgeport and mill the back of that block until the sensor comes through enough to read the E39 hub.
That's the theory anyway…I specifically used a 2003 E39 hub and I’m counting on BMW using the same type of reluctor / trigger ring in both hubs.

LKQ / Keystone brought an aftermarket radiator support to my work today, it came in a big bag and surprisingly undamaged!

https://cimg2.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.nor...731b584ae.jpeg

We can finally put the front of this car back together.

My son started to mount the new aluminum radiator in the new support last week but it wasn’t quite fitting. The pins at the bottom of the radiator are a little too long, and while trying to massage them in…crack…then I tried to lift it from that side and the whole end where the fog light mounts pretty much broke right off…what a cheap, piece of sheet this thing is! Unbelievable. So that went in the trash.

I was going to just by him an OE one the following Monday, but when I talked to my MINI parts guy he told me my cost on it now is $411.05 !…wait, what?
When I first asked him about it at the end of September last year my cost was $270.31…I guess we should have just bought it then.

So now I’ve been trying to find a good used one. Ridiculous.

On a side note…we went to MA last Sunday to pick up an R53 that my oldest son bought…

https://cimg8.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.nor...bd2b702a1.jpeg

https://cimg0.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.nor...601a53548.jpeg

…it’s getting shipped to TN tomorrow.

Nice pick up!

I think it belonged to a long time NAM member and was nicely modded, including a GP intercooler.

You are correct sir...on all accounts.

I was presented with an incredible opportunity to buy this car by the owner who is also a great friend of mine. I didn't need another MINI, but my oldest son was more than interested and bought it as soon as I let him in on it.

Been a few months, any new updates...?

Not really, other than still trying to find a good, used OE radiator support.

We had some family stuff going last month...my son that started this project inherited my father-in-law's 2003 1/2 ton Silverado. We've been messing with that fixing all the little stuff it needed. He just got his license April 1st (no fooling) so we were making sure everything is good for him.

Looking forward to seeing the restoration results. Have fun. I also have a 05 R53.

Thank you!...so are we lol

I have been seriously thinking about doing a crazy build this time around. This car served me well with what I did to it over the years, but now I think it's time to totally mod it out.

Somewhere along these lines...
https://www.motortrend.com/features/...ck-chevy-swap/

...I grew up building SBCs, but I don't know if that's the right engine for this car. But i'll gladly use the E36 suspension.

My kid is on board with the idea, so we'll see where it goes.

Have you seen this blown Hemi powered MINI? https://www.streetmachine.com.au/fea...-392-cube-hemi

As a matter of fact I have!...and funny that you post that particular car. A friend of mine was at a parade a long time ago, and he sent me a pic of this Hemi Cooper as it came rolling by!

We picked up a 350 small block last week from a friend of mine for $500. It’s a newer ‘86 and later one piece rear main seal engine with center bolt valve covers…

https://cimg9.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.nor...c88532445.jpeg

https://cimg4.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.nor...a99f12a09.jpeg

…one of his customers purchased it online from somewhere but it wasn’t assembled correctly…the rods were binding up. It only ran for a few minutes then came out for another 350 that was assembled correctly. It’s pretty much a core to me. We already started disassembly, to get it ready for the hot tank at the machine shop. It’s a shame because you can tell everything in it is brand new. I’ll go through it and make sure everything is right. Stay tuned…

We finished the teardown, disassembled the bottom end and brought everything to the machine shop.
After we had all the pistons out, I noticed something on the camshaft…

https://cimg3.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.nor...f97e5d623.jpeg

…whoever installed the cam bearings didn’t do a very good job. The cam was eating it.

https://cimg6.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.nor...c378c2177.jpeg

…after extraction.

The machine shop owner (Jim Arico) did a quick once over on the block and rotating assembly. He said the block looked ok, but the #4 rod not so much…so we’ll see what that equates to.

The block was getting some attention yesterday…

https://cimg9.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.nor...f11f68c88.jpeg

https://cimg1.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.nor...36171e97e.jpeg

https://cimg3.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.nor...902b199d1.jpeg

https://cimg6.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.nor...a527a9ff1.jpeg

https://cimg7.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.nor...6aa972efb.jpeg

https://cimg8.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.nor...0ae9b0cec.jpeg