Hay if you really enjoy tracking your Mini and decreasing body roll its not so bad, now if you can improve you lap times that's even better! Now what's this about an engine rebuild? You're engine can't be that bad off, how many miles you got? Can't be more than mine at 59K

 

$1100 isn't bad at all for a noticeable improvement. The beauty of the mini is that the cost of improvement is a lot more reasonable than with some of the high end brands. As with any modding project the first time you cut a corner you have cheapened the build to that lowest common denominator. Keep up the good work .

 

I'm at around 84-85k miles so I've got you beat pretty good.

The price doesn't bother me but I put it out there because there are other than are unwilling to put even $500 into a mod that doesn't give hp gains. So I'm at the point of just continuing to improve the handling every bit I can.

 

How's your engine holding up and what is your max boost? Non JCW correct?

 

Non-JCW and seems to be holding up fine. But there is a leak somewhere, but it hasn't thrown a code, only seen it a handful of times on full WOT, so it'll get addressed eventually.

I'm guessing I'll eventually get to ordering parts and such later this year, but I haven't bothered to pile up parts yet since I just don't have the time and when I do, I do things that I can do that don't take up a whole day. I spend enough time at work that I need to show my face to the wife and such.

 

FINALLY...finally painted, and clearbra installed last night from Advanced Auto Engineering in Cerritos.

Should install this weekend, maybe

 

I notice the wheel aren't in the back ground anymore.

I bet you had a lot of nicks and scraps on your bumper, I got some bad ones even though my bumper is less than 2 years old. Those big rigs sure do throw up those pebbles on the freeways!

 

Wow, new parts and painted pieces....I like! We need to hook up, I think it may be time for a timing chain and tensioner replace...have you done yours yet?

 

He needs to hire a professional photographer to capture memorable photos under controlled lighting.

 

Got that challenge splitter painted as well I see! Looks good

 

The current bumper on my MINI is also clearbra'd, so it doesn't look too bad. lol. BUT I did put a knife through it accidentally. So there was a tiny cut in the clearbra.

Wheel barrels are in the garage now, so our cat doesn't keep going in and out of it.

Haven't. Time is money and I spend more time away from home than I do at work, so that may be something that I'd recommend Motoring Magic to do. They're freaking awesome. I went to them for the installation of Giomic suspension bits and to install the new oil pan.

Funny how I've gone through many sets of wheels and the only pro shots I had I did were with the red CCW Classics. Long overdue for a real shoot. Maybe I'll get something done before I sell some wheels again this year. lol

Thanks!

 

Damaged your oil pan?

 

Nah. Welded 1/8NPT bung for AiM oil temp sensor.

 

Here you go, wheels back in the living room. Built and ready to get tires on tomorrow morning.

You know you have an awesome wife when, on your anniversary, she helps hold down the wheel while you torque in the bolts.

 

So I'm curious what you're seeing that makes you think you have a leak, lately I've been thinking I've got a leak as well but haven't had time to build a rig to pressure test it.

background: I've noticed my max boost pressure is a bit lower than before (yay logging) and my ecu has also thrown me into limp mode a few times (no boost) only happens on hard pulls at WOT (like highway entrance ramps). when I dug into the special bmw codes it complains about the mass air flow sensor (which i think could be A. sensor the way out B. too much air escaping when venting to atmo C. boost leak D. something else)

so just curious what you're seeing

 

valve cover is slowly melting because i'm not running a heatshield.

And, I got a code which I think was because I didn't replace my gaskets when I last got my walnut shell blasting, so when I get it done again, which is soon, I'll be sure to replace the gaskets.

 

On a new note, here are the wheels FINALLY on....enjoy!

 

looking good man!

 

OMG, its time to start drooling!

 

that'll do it! I really wish someone would make a valve cover out of something other than plastic ...

 

You're telling me! This is my 4th valve cover?

 

I'll bet the farm on B. Your MAF measures the amount of air volume going into the engine, but you're dumping metered air to atmosphere instead of recirculating it back into the intake and right back into the engine.

 

Yeah, I got some MAF cleaner, so I'll find some time this weekend and clean it up.

I have new boost connection for my AiM dash coming in this week along with final cables to connect to new lambda sensor, so more data galore!

 

Well, long overdue update. I'm pretty happy with what the MINI has become. And here is where I slowly pull away from the curtains. I'll always keep the MINI, but I'll have less of an involved voice with NAM. Not because I'm done with the MINI community, but because I've finally got the new toy and it isn't a MINI. It was without question that I hate the new MINI and there was no way I'd get one.

This morning I had to make a choice, DCT or 6MT...it's a rare choice left, and I've made the jump back to the BMW world..

I'm always going to be here for those that need questions answered or need advice, but it looks like this forum is in good hands with a few of the heavy engine builders in here such as SPRINTCARS and Tigger to name a few.

I'm sure I'll do a few things here and there on here still, and continue to lurk, but don't hesitate to shoot me a pm if you need something. I know these engines pretty well, so if there is a need for a weekend to get under the hood, we could make a party out of it.

Good luck everybody!

 

GL with your new ride... I followed your lead and went with Battle/DNA tuning for my 2007 MCS with JCW turbo swap and I went through an entire year of emails back and forth with them questioning my installation because the car would not boost over 14 PSI. I finally went with a Manic tune and BAM... car runs beautifully. Oh well $ down the drain.