Man winter is hard here in the northeast. It's always hard to keep up the momentum on projects like building race cars..

Anyway, I thought I'd just update those who may be interested in what's up with my Mini. As I said, things have been going slower then I would like, but I still hope to have it ready for the track in March.
What's being done;
Car is almost a shell at this time. Just need to pull the motor/tranny and the glass. Still deciding on whether to replace the sunroof opening with a lighter material or just replacing the entire roof with a factory, non-sunroof one.
Removed about 12 lbs worth of sound deadening tar from the interior today with a heat gun and putty knife. Removed all un-needed brackets and cut away all small welded in studs.

I will most likely be going with an aftermarket ECM. I have an expert coming out this week to discuss this with me.
Will most likely be using aftermarket pedal sets (Wilwood or Tilton) with brake bias adjustment
No dash what so ever. Aftermarket steering column. Driver position will hopefully be shifted aft if I can figure out how to move the shifter.

So, this is just some of what's up. Being that I'm remolding my home at the same time and I'm a single parent, I am having no social life at all.

Oh, did I mention that our GT-1 race team is re-building our car for this season?
The photo below is of our GT-1 Camero. One of my jobs is to find sponsors which is no easy task. We will be running the American GT Challenge this year. Being that Trans Am is dead, we are hoping that Speed may be picking up this series for some TV time.

 

Look's like you've kept yourself busy . I can't wait to see your vids from this year.

 

12 lbs of tar. Sounds about right. The equivalent of a grocery bag?

 

...... I made mine into a big tar ball. It kept me going and gave me purpose .... Was just a little painful though when I over heated some of it. Still have some stuck to my hand as I type ...
Think I'll post a pic of my tar ball later today. It's nicer then Alain's.

Anyway, thanks to Alain (above) for all the tips. He's helping keeping my motivation alive.

 

Hey Greg, I wish I could have made it up there with Randy. I would have liked to see a "exploded" MINI. Are you replacing the all the glass? What are you going to use? I'll have to catch up with you sometime on the weekend. In the mean time... GET OUT IN THE GARAGE AND GET THAT THING DONE!!

 

Don't worry guys, I just blew my clutch, the second time..and i didn't even start working on the new ecu project.. atleast I'll be motivated to do both now..

 

Whose flywheel and clutch did you use or have?

Do you have the Quaife LSD?

Anyone have any knowledge of the Ultrik Flywheel and clutches? (Mini-Mania)

 

Greg, you need to get out sometime. You should come to one of the OSMC events, we haven't seen you in a while!

I think that you should fab a roof out of CF...that woud save some nice weight. Webb talked about it...but it never came to fruition. If you could make the tops interchangeable with like hood pins or something, it would be pretty slick.

Are you still looking into doing the windows out of Lexan? Also, are you going o remove the airbags and such for weight savings? (I'd assume so, just asking though)

 

No more car to do any meets, I'd have to bring my Suburban ...

A complete CF roof is not legal in BMWCCA Modified. A CF insert is, but how to attach it and the fact that rules seem to also require two aluminum straps on the outside. This is why I'm looking into a whole new roof, but still not eliminating filling in the hole with something else.
Yes, all four pieces of glass are out and will be replaced with Polycarbonate. Airbags are gone as is EVERYTHING else in the interior. Car will be total Modified race car.
CF doors are available to me, but just need to justify the price in my head. Could make my own, but I do need to get this thing done. CF rear diffuser is also being negotiated.

 

I had a spec stage 2 clutch and aluminum flywheel. No LSD.. Had no need for it..

 

Greg, I suppose by this stage, your speakers have been removed already. If not much trouble, would you mind sharing what they weigh? No biggie if you can't... Wishing you well in your progress! Thanks.

 

No problem Tony. I'll try and remember to do that today. Weighed the full floor carpet for someone else here so FYI, that was only 11.5 lbs.

 

This sounds awesome Onasled.....your car has always been a favorite of mine.

I remember some time ago you had talked about ordering the CF hood and trunk lid.....did that ever go through?

 

Greg, I can't believe you've done it and can't wait to here more.

 

Greg, mighty cool, thanks! Sounds like the carpet and tar material got you almost 25 lbs total... Stay away from that MINI2 thread and focus on your MCS