I used black pin stripe to mask out the chrome trim along the bottom of the windows.

 

Like it's all black, then ironed or molded? That's more real than decals (I'm thinking scale model cars).

You get the ring around the shifter yet?

 

just put these checker decals on my r53, and it cost $28 put my 20min time to put them on. I think it looks good.
[IMG][/IMG]

 

 

 

Did my first cheap mod today. I decided to paint my windshield wiper arms - white. I also found the box that had my England license plates. This should be fun until I have to put my Montana plates on.

 

Ha! That is awesome. I'm a civil drafter and that made me chuckle. :p

 

Ok here is my cheapest MOD and you dont even see it.
one 4 x 3, 1 inch thick rubber welcome mat, you know the ones you wipe your feet on when you come in the house,cut in half, lifted up rear seat and perfect fit, quickest sound insulation I have done. Cost about 4 bucks and the difference in the noise coming into the car on the highway was dramatic. granted it weighs 3 pounds or so.

 

Hmm that sounds damn worth it....

 

Really? Under the rear seat? Like where the rear passenger butts go? That sounds too easy! And I've been wanting a quieter MINI since day 1.

 

"1 inch thick" doesnt it make the rear seat higher? Still comfortable as usual? Btw, its a niice mod.. tempted to try

 

I had no problems with the fitment, No one really sits in my back seat but it wont be an issue, just some extra cushin. I would tell you to try and get a thick Matt and one that has that artificial turf or carpet on top, and lay that side towards the car with the rubber side up, that is how i did mine.

 

I just tried that and it work... ok, it not super quiet but I can feel it, it does help.... cheapest way to sound proofing

 

I made the intake grille from heat moulded rubber and mesh tape. Total cost $5.
Made the tailpipe trim fit with lots of cutting and filing. It was a single 2.5 inch inlet, but now fits the standard dual exhaust outet. Total cost $45

 

Nice work but I would lose the screen . The stock intake path does not need any more help in restricting the air flow. Any foreign material coming in through that opening will be picked up by the air filter further down stream.

Randy
M7 Tuning

 

Since those pictures were taken I have installed a K&N Typhoon intake, hopefully this will even out the mesh restriction.

 

ROFLMAO!

My only mod is a cheapy, but is invisible. I did the re-routed vacuum hose trick for the bypass valve, so that boost helps close the valve all the way, since the internal spring seems to have squashed a bit and doesn't hold it closed when there's no vacuum.

All it cost was a few bucks for the vacuum hose and tee, and the car makes much better power at lower RPMs now. One of these days I'll disassemble it, stretch (or replace) the spring, and adjust the setscrew to ensure the valve closes all the way....

C ya,
Dutch

 

Would you happen to have any pics to show how you did it? I'm quite interested.

 

It's really quite easy.

There are instructions Andy@ross-tech.com put together on the site here. My installation notes are linked, and the original instructions are at the beginning of the thread. IIRC, Andy's pics were excellent, so I doubt you'll need any pics my old, crusty camera will be able to provide, but I'm willing to go snap a few if you don't find the existing ones adequate.

HTH!

C ya,
Dutch

 

Thanks for the info! Can't wait to give it a try.

 

Thought I'd throw in my cheapie mod too. I actually haven't done it yet because I don't have my actual plates, but as soon as I do, I'm going to put velcro behind the plate holder on the boot so that when i shut the hatchback door I don't hear that damn plate rattle. Easy and $0 since I already have the velcro.

BTW, I'm using velcro in case I want to remove the plate for any reason, maybe for cleaning. Otherwise I'd just use double sided 3M tape.

 

where is the best place to get the CF wrap?

 

DIY rear seat pull straps made out of nylon material my girlfriend had around the house. Stitched loops on the end, but I still want to put an eyelet where it attaches to the headrest:

 

That looks absolutely fantastic!! I love it!! How hard is it to do for a newb? I'm kind of a perfectionist (I think most of us are, who am I kidding?) but I LOVE that look!!

 

Looks great! The thing that really caught my eye, though, was that cupholder thingie.... Where'd you get it?

C ya,
Dutch