Did you get your downpipe put back on? Are you happy with the sound of the JCW exhaust?

I'm happy with the Stratmosphere. There was a pretty big exhaust leak ahead of the muffler, so that may have been a little extra noise for you.......

I hope that all is well.

Mike

 

I havent gotten it back on yet. I did paint it black the other day though with satin black engine enamel. But other than that... after getting the windows tinted a few weeks ago I havent gone much to it. Still not to excited about messing with the v band again. I may just take it somewhere and say I have a exhaust leak and have them properly put it on hahaha. I'm glad your happy with the exhaust. I am kinda surprised about the exhaust leak by the muffler though. Do you have any pics of the hole where it was leaking from? Had no idea it was there or else I would've told you about it. The noise was only unbearable once I added the downpipe... exhaust was great/bearable before adding the dp. I am happy with the JCW exhaust though... at first I was hesitant and thought I had made another mistake. But guess it just needed time to break in on the car. Sounds amazing now. Ill be sure to let you know when I get the dp back on. Prolly post a video to.

 

I bought a new V-band from the dealer, it was about $18. The new one is larger diameter, so it slipped on pretty easily. Then the bolt brings it down to size.

I agree that I would not want to play with a used one.

The leak was at a gasket flange, no biggie. I hit all of the flanges on a belt sander before my install, no leaks.

Have fun,
Mike

 

Yeah I got the last v band from ECS tuning and was around the 18 price to with shipping and everything. Unfortunately the closet Mini dealer to me is 2/2.5 hrs away :(.

 

So I have had a CEL on for a lil bit now and just thought it was because I had installed my catless downpipe 2 months ago or so. Never got the CEL checked though. Put the OEM downpipe back on the car and still have the CEL on. Code came back as p115c which is Mass Air Volume Flow 'A' Too Low. I've had a Alta intake intake installed for a few months before installing the downpipe but never had the CEL. Only got a CEL once I installed the downpipe. Does it seem coincidental that the MAF got clogged or failed once I installed the downpipe? The only other thing I can think of is maybe the valve cover got messed up somehow when installing the downpipe cause the heat shield was a PITA to remove. But before spending the 250+ for a new valve cover I'm curious what other people have to say.

 

I'm not able to clear the code with the diagnostic tool at Advance Auto Parts either cause I have been to 2 different ones and each time the tool tells me there's a connection error. Tried cleaning the MAF tonight as well then disconnecting both battery terminals for about 5/10 minutes to no avail. Theres no hissing or any other abnormal sounds coming from the car.

 

Well my CEL went off today for a few hours but eventually decided to come back on :(. Getting my coils and RLCA's installed tomorrow as well...pretty exciting stuff. Found out tonight that I will prolly be needing brakes all the way around here soon to. Even more exciting stuff haha.

 

Got my coilovers installed last weekend and I love how the car feels now. I do have alot of vibrations coming from the car now. Almost like its about to shake it self apart. Getting an alignment on my next few days off. Also installed some PIAA Extreme White city lights the other day as well. Heres a few pics I took the other night as well. Enjoy!

 

looking good!

 

Thanks man! Unfortunately tonight on my way home I hit a beaver. Cracked the front bumper, coolant was everywhere, and think it damage the downstream O2 Sensor as well from what I can see. Radiator is pretty dented in it looks.

 

I think you hit the wrong kind of beaver....

 

Damn dude that's blows. Hope ur using jcw aero part numbers for the repair best of luck

 

hahahaha touche good sir. Touche! Everyone gives me crap about it.

 

Yeah unfortunately the shop had ordered all the parts before I thought about doing that. So far the tab for it is 3k. They are putting my Helix FMIC on for me though . I did go and see the car yesterday morning and the 3rd pic was what was shown to me. Almost cried. 1st pic is right after it happened.

 

Should be getting the car back on Friday. Will be done Thursday but I work late and the shop closes before Ill be able to make it.

 

Wow, now is the time to get your DP back on.....

it will be as good as new.

Mike

 

Got the car back yesterday...feels like a brand new car. After driving my gf cobolt it was a welcomed change.

 

So I got new tires yesterday and went to get them installed at a local discount tire. Tires I got are 195/50/16 with a load index of 84h. It was brought to my attention that the load index can't be lower than 87h. They wouldn't put the tires on the car because of that...what I'm asking is...would it be ok to still put the tires on the car or am I out what I paid for the tires?

 

Why did you change the tire size? The load rating is a combination of the tire construction and the air volume inside the tire. I think that the factory size is 195/55/16, and by dropping to a 50 series tire, the air volume is decreased. Therefore the load rating is decreased. I would think that there is minimal risk in running these tires, but maybe you can get a partial credit for the tires that you have?

Mike

 

Honestly, for some strange reason, in my messed up brain I thought the tires I had on the car were 195 50 16's. Not until I got to Discount tire... and was talking to the guy did I realize they were actually 195 55 16's. Kind of embarrassing actually. But even then didnt think it would be that big of a deal. I could send the tires back but have to pay restocking and return shipping. Thats why I was asking if it would be ok to go someplace else and have them installed. Thanks for the response though... a few others have said the same thing about having nothing to worry about.

 

So this is a random question but i noticed in the first post you said under maintance that you put Redline MTL in. Is that okay to do? When i contacted redline they told me they did not make a manual trans oil that met the specs for the r56 MCS. i have a 07 and have been wanting to change the Manual trans oil because i dont buy the whole life time thing but i can not find any oil that meets the specs and the dealer wants to charge me 50$ a quart for the factory stuff!

 

I changed the transmission oil a while back... maybe a few weeks after I got the car. I just remember doing a little bit of looking around and seeing what a lot of other people were using and the Redline MTL was what was brought up a lot with good results. Ive had it in the car for prolly 13/15k miles now and have no compliants thus far. I also dont buy the lifetime oil change thing either.. hence why I went with the MTL.

 

Plan on changing pads and rotors this weekend on front and back. Then a little color for the calipers and call it a day. I say good day.

 

I hope that you are better prepared than I was with the rear calipers, I didn't realize that they had to be turned in to retract the calipers. Luckily the local CarQuest had a universal tool and was open at 8:30 on a saturday night, so I could finish.

I also installed the JCW rear brakes on it (new caliper brackets), purely for aesthetics, at the same time. They look a little more 'appropriate' in the wheels, being slightly larger.

Good luck, and have fun.

Mike

 

Yeah I was actually looking at those to... but just couldnt bring myself to spend over 300 bux just for the rear. Plus I'm not doing red calipers either so thats also another reason. But yeah I was informed of the calipers needing to be turned and all that fun stuff. Just hope its not to difficult. Those are the best installs though.. when you think you have everything and then your half way into it and go...oh s**t and have to run to the parts store real fast... or usually in my situation the next day hahaha. Good times have been had before (end sarcasm).

What sucks..is there is a parts store right down the road from me... but they never have anything I ever need. The ones on both ends of the town do though all the time lol. Just more time I get to drive her though I guess.