Quick question about the down pipe removal and install. How do you keep from the studs coming out of the turbo or accidentally breaking them. Right now I’m saving to get Mario’s DP and am just do extensive research prior so hopefully it’s an okay install. Any good vids or tips are appreciated.
thank you everyone
2012 R60 S

 

Not much research is necessary, but all the info is out there. In this forum alone the search feature will turn up a lot, and on youtube you'll find plenty of references.

If you want more power and a better sounding exhaust, a DP will be your best bang for your buck. A tune is advised with that to maximize your gains, and to make sure the engine is running as healthy as can be. Mario offers quality parts that you can't go wrong with. There is a downpipe, I believe the brand is CNT, that is much less expensive but people have experienced that brand DP splitting at the welds. Not a good thing. With performance mods, especially on a MINI, you will want to opt for quality made parts.

As far as install, it's extremely straight forward. Just a bit of a pain because it's a tight area, but it just takes patience and time. I did mine on my own. The stock turbo heat shield is the hardest part of the entire thing, its in there super tight. I ended up cutting mine out, but other people have had success with removing it successfully.

I would just make sure you are ready to dedicate a 3-4 hours to remove your old DP and install the new one if you're not already experienced.

 

I am not very experienced in that kind of stuff. The extent of my mechanical knowledge for the most part is brake pad changes and oil changes. Thank you I had found a video by Mini Mania on replacing the turbo and it was really nice because they had good camera angles for removing the DP. I’m going to go with Mario for all my parts including the spark plugs, Intercooler, DP, and tune; just have to save up some money first. I had found a thread on here about installing the Intercooler and was going to reference that for that job.

 

Shorter Downpipe Studs:
I would actually suggest you replace the studs from the turbo to the downpipe with new shorter bolts. Way has some (https://www.waymotorworks.com/exhaus...9-r60-r61.html), but if your getting from Mario it will probably come with similar ones as well. I ordered a turbo from him and I believe it came with smaller ones like those as a replacement. Those will make the new downpipe easier to get on and off in the future if need be. Most of my downpipe studs where kinda seized on the nut and came off with the nut. For the one that didn't, I used some pb blaster and carefully turned it on the blank space with pliers to break it free. For really seized up ones I have seen some videos on youtube where people use 2 nuts that fit the threads in a manner to basically put them both down the threads and one holds the other in place (I believe the top one) so you can then turn the other one and get it out of the turbo. Luckily mine weren't too bad, but just FYI to those doing this.

 

Ok thank you very much for the information I really appreciate it. Still saving but getting there.

 

i reused my studs. like most poeple im sure, when loosing the nuts, the stud came with it. so i threw the stud in my vise with plastic surrounding it, and then i was able to take the nut off. Then i just reinstalled them. i didn't wanna go through the hassle of putting bolts through. (out of pure laziness) i wanted to drive my car with the tune.

a good tip to get the stud out, is to get the heat shields off, then start the car and let it run for about 5-10 min depending on outside temp, so the turbine housing will get hot. this will make the studs easier to get out, just dont touch the turbine housing =)

 

Thank you very much for that tip. If I’m having trouble that it probably what I will do. Still saving for it and am over halfway there so I should get the pleasure of tackling this job very soon.