Still breaking in the iPE exhaust, but damn...it just sounds so good.

Update: CAE shifter should be delivered either today or tomorrow, but for sure this week. And, just got a call from the delivery company, my Challenge pieces are in.

 

Whats the benefit of the CAE shifter?

 

Can I just live through your build of win? Lol this is truly a best of the best build, and with the track time to back up the investment. No garage queen here, which is epically awesome!

 

http://www.hardmotorsport.com/CAE-Ul...0034-10034.htm

Faster more precise shifts, closer to hand means less time away from controlling steering wheel

 

jcarl126 said it best.
lol. Thank you, but it is not the best build still. The value is in the MINI build, but there are 2 other builds that I can think of that are absolutely more nuts than mine.

And no play in shifter movement.

 

teaser teaser

 

holy ****, super late nights at work have prevented me from being able to test fit and drop off the Challenge pieces for paint, and I haven't been able to get my CAE shifter at the post office hold!!!

 

I think this is an appropriate time to say screw work and call in sick or something lol

 

lol. Yeah, that would be a dream....

Unfortunately, it'd be a complete disservice to my superiors and I'd get instantly replaced. In this business, reputation is key!

Install of the CAE shifter will be this weekend. Hope to get out of work at a reasonable time tonight to drop off my MINI to my friend's house so he can take it to dyno on Friday. No Cobb AP tune though, so it's just baseline of current mods.

I've decided to use another tuning company who tunes Challenge MINIs, so it'll be a bench tune. Dropping off the wing and lip this weekend to my friend's shop also so they can begin the prep and paint.

 

Definitely interested. I was about to purchase the Akra turbo back in October, now you come along and post this iPE system and screw up my plans.

Seriously, it sounds great and the quality looks top notch. I need a little more info with regard to how it installs with the valvetronic setup but I'm ready to purchase one now.

 

That's awesome. I'm an advocate for both, but having had an Akra before, I know what it sounds like and the iPE is by far the better system. If you're really interested I can have Vince email you and hopefully make you #2 in the US to have this system. Just shoot me a pm with your email and I can help you make this happen.

The install of the valvetronic portion is really quick. You'll have to tap the ECU, but it's a few wires and it is not hard at all. Follow the install guide and there would not be a mistake. Everything is in the box so you can't go wrong!

 

Check out this beauty. My buddy helped pick this guy up for me CAE

 

bam!

 

oh my.... that looks wicked! are you planning on fabbing up some aluminum housing/cover? or just roll with it as is and let that CAE engraving shine?

 

Just to state the obvious:

You are getting pretty close to the Racecar-on-the-Street vibe, between your RSB, the shifter, and the stuff in the Challenge box.

Don't let us down by not taking it to the track....

You're spending money and buying high end stuff that makes me jealous, and I'm sure that I'm not the only one. Way to show how to get it done.

Have fun,
Mike

 

Do both, custom cover that shows the engraving but hides the wiring harness and such.

 

I don't think I'll fab an aluminum housing, but I will be trimming the center console and refitting it. I already bought Alcantara to wrap the center console so i'll try to make that bit look as OEM as possible.
Thanks again Mike and rest assured that this MINI will definitely see the track. Hopefully by next month. It was suppose to have been all done end of August, but seeing as how things arrived now that I'm on a new project, things will just have to get done slowly on weekends. For sure next month and Nov I'll be at the track!

 

That's the plan!

 

ra2fanatic:

Did you have the 'sport' and 'dsc' buttons? If so, where did you relocate them since installing the CAE shifter? Eventually, I'm going with the CAE but I'm debating on how to relocate those buttons. My initial thought was to make a switch board and place it lower on the driver's side. But maybe you did something better...

 

I'll figure that out when I have the time. I'm just too busy with the new project that I haven't had any time to even take my Challenge bits to my buddies shop for paint, so the project is still kicking, but it's going to be a slow process.

The fiancee would not enjoy me working on the car every weekend while I'm also on a grueling schedule, so I have to find the balance at this point.

 

Nothing entirely new to add, but today I can say I am an official sponsor of Toyo Tires

 

Here's to discounted R888's for track days lol

 

Haha! No, I'm just gonna go with some T1-Sports and run some g-Force Rivals on the track

 

Nice to see the project coming along!


Sticking with 225/45-17?

 

No....I rub too much with 225/45/17. It's such a meaty tire, so the next sets of tires will definitely be 215/45/17. They shouldn't chew up my wheel arches as badly. I need to redo my wheel arches, so more money invested into new arches in "euro" style =P