Hey All,

Just got my NM Torque Insert today! I've been debating whether to install it myself or to bring it into the shop to do it, and was hoping to get all of your opinions.

I don't have too much experience working on a car; this is really the first car where I'm trying to do as much the work myself as possible. Have any of you done this install yourself and was it a difficult process? Any advice or comments on how this install should go would be greatly appreciated!

 

Save $ and DIY. I did mine and have never done any work on any car before.
There's a how to in the forum. Very easy. Prolly take you 20 mins or less with proper tools. Good luck and tell us what you think after.

 

Thanks! I'll check out the howto and get to work on it. Hopefully it all goes well

 

Enjoy the install. It's one of the best mods I've put on this car, considering the price plus I don't have much. LOL

 

Super easy install! Do it yourself

 

Torque Insert Installed!!!!! The hardest part was trying to find the best way to put the car on jack stands. had to jack it up and drop it 3 times to find the best place...talk about my workout for the week. Anyway...you were all right, super easy once it was actually up. Going to go test it out now and feel the difference. See ya'll in a few!!!!

 

My God. Whoever said big things come in small packages nailed it when it comes to the torque insert.

It feels like a new car. in terms of just general driving, shifting is a lot smoother and seems quicker to engage. Also seems like it eliminated the subtle jerk of the car when you shift. acceleration is a lot more consistent and smooth as well.

In terms of faster driving and quick acceleration, its amazing. I used to have this issue that when i would pin it the car would lean to the right a little, I'd imagine from the torque of the car; that's gone. completely. It is sooo smooth and rock solid when you pin it.

I also really like the fact that there is some vibration in the pedals. I've seen some posts that people were complaining about this a little, but its like you know how the car is feeling. Any variance in the RPM's and you feel it.

All in all, awesome! Thanks for also recommending to do it myself, the install itself was a great experience and that much more satisfying seeing the result of the work. Whoever doesn't have this yet, get it!!! Its absolutely worth it!

 

Glad your liking it. Yeah, I definitely do not mind that little vibration. I feel the car better. Now that the shifting is a lot smoother, I'm thinking of teaching my fiance to drive manual...nah...not yet at least!

 

I got my inserts 2 months ago, but haven't installed it yet. Been dragging my *** on it. I read some that it could be difficult to position the engine when reinserting the arm. Did you have any problems?

 

Hey zKryT were you on west end ave the other day driving north bound?

 

All you need is 2 jack stands, preferably.. and a torque wrench with a set of sockets. I used plastic pry bars to move the engine when I needed to fit the torque arm back into place.

 

damn, more money to spend...

 

It wasn't terrible. Just make sure to put in the side with the new inserts first, its much easier that way. I had tried first to get the bolt in on the smaller side, and then rotate in the side with the insert but it was impossible to push in from that angle.

The second time I put the Larger side with the new inserts in first, kinda from the top down (if that makes sense...) instead of from pushing up from the bottom (they're just too big to push in from the bottom), but i didn't put in the bolt. I then rotated in the smaller side, put in the bolt there, and then aligned the larger side and then put in the bolt. Then just tightened down both.

I apologize for the noobish speak, Still new at this If it doesn't' make sense I can try and rephrase it.

 

Haha, I was! Was in the city a few times this week. Actually heading in again now to drop my fiance's sister off at Port Authority.

 

Also, the size of the socket is 16mm.

 

Damn my MINI Recognition is on point. I was working out at the gym on 63rd and west end and I looked out the window for a second and saw your car. It caught my eye because of your unique wheel style, don't see too many MINI's with that wheel pattern.. It flow nicely with the rest of your car. You should come to the NYC motoring runs sometime. Join the FB page.

 

gothmdoc and zKryT,

Thanks for the feedback.

 

Quoted for intent.

Back on topic, where did you order from?

 

thanks I haven't seen to many Mini's with them also, not sure if they were specific to the Camden package or not.

I'd love to go on the NYC runs, but dont have facebook, only google+. I got rid of it a little over 2 years ago and vowed never to go back...leave it to the Mini to somehow get me back on it; maybe just create a page for my car instead of for me :D.

I got mine from outmotoring. they were great to work with.

 

Just installed the inserts. After reading that some had problems fitting it back in, I was worried but had absolutely no problems. Tap it with a mallet to get it started, then just rocked the engine (which moved very easily with one hand) by pushing on the oil pan while pushing the bolt back in. Took longer to jack up the car.

There is noticeably less engine movement while getting on or off the throttle. And another observation: when turning the car off, the engine would wobble while shutting down, but that is gone as well.