The car is looking sweet, Greg. Still waiting for that filter part number.

 

. .... son's first go-kart race is this weekend ....


Thanks for the nice comments all. It's good knowing you are following the progress.

 

Truly amazing and inspiring... thought I'd chime in to say how incredible this looks.

And I was proud of myself for doing my own bolt-on mod installs

Out of curiosity, with such a ground-up build, would it be out of the question to rear or mid-mount the engine? I realize that this might be a lot of extra fabricating, but I thought you might have some insights there. That would definitely be a different MINI altogether... kinda like the one featured in Grassroots Motorsports not too long ago.

I guess you're planning to run in a particular car class that prohibits such a drastic change in the drivetrain.

Ooooh... I wonder if I could fit an LS7 back there...

Anyways, can't wait to see your final result!!!

 

Yea, it's something we've thought about, but it does not seem to be class legal in BMWCCA. Also, if I go that far we will build a strickly tubular frame with a plastic body. Oooppss. .... di I say "will"? Naaa, ... don't think so.

Does this look inviting to anyone out there ???


Oh.... forgot to mention ... I did a little kart racing last weekend also ..

 

Lately I have been seriously looking into karting myself. The income of a college student doesn't really offer much, especially for such activities as road racing. It takes way to long for me to gather the money for the changes I need to make in order to compete. And because of this, my aspirations are greatly hindered. Maybe Karting is a better avenue for the present. (anyone need a co-driver )

-Brian

 

Big day today!
Though it may not seem like it...
I mocked up the wiring, what's left of it, and turned over the motor. Got spark, (got zapped! ) which is cool ..

Picture is of wire mess. I'd say maybe 70% of what you see will be removed still and what you see here is only about 10% of the original wiring.

 

Awesome Greg - I can feel the excitement!!!

 

I remember some discussion about this, but what are you doing for engine managment? For some reason, I can't see a stock tachometer and speedo in this things interior.

-Brian

 

Brian, I'm using the factory ECM, hence the mess of wires. I have an AIM Pista dash. Not in yet as Paul has it in his car learning how to use it, so he can teach me, being I hate to read directions...

 

Added a bit of fuel and she started right up. I'm very happy so far but knockin on wood at the same time. Nothing like completely disassembling the wire harness, packing it all up in about forty different baggies and storing it for over a year in a cardboard box in the shop attic to keep you awake at night wondering if you will ever hear this motor run again.
I'm happy ..

 

Awesome, Greg!

I hope to see you out on the track soon. Are you going to be running at any of the HPDE events, or just the racing schools / club races?

 

Greg

Congratulations, that is a big step. Glad to hear things are moving along !!

See you this weekend

Mark

 

When are you guys going? Mark, are you there all weekend? Greg??? Talk to me baby!!!

I hope you have some Advil to go along with the re-wiring above...oh my god!

 

Meb

I arrive late tonight and will be at LRP all weekend, staying for the Monday races.

See you soon !!

Mark

 

 

I was there, damn that Red Bull MINI was fast.

 

did it have wings?

 

That can't be safe...(at Greg)

-Brian

 

Sure don't look like LRP to me!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

Greg, any more photos and updates to share???

Sorry, just got back from a long weekend, and was hoping I missed something here...

 

Hey Tony,
Not really any good pics lately as the work being done is not real visual. We did finish up the exhaust Monday and just need to make the hangers. I started the CF/Kevlar doors today. Should be able to pull one out of the mold tomorow maybe. Aim dash and most other electric should be installed by the end of next week.
I think I can say that the car will be track ready by the end of June.

 

Dual pipes down the tunnel! I'm guessing that it's a tight fit, but I'm sure you've got it laid-out well... CF/kevlar doors, wow! Sounds like you are doing it yourself also. I had no idea that you have such skills / experience.

Glad to hear that you are about a month away from completion! Thanks Greg.

 

That is actually going to be a side exit system. Remember this phto showing the " tunnel " ?

Randy
M7 Tuning

 

Oh, I remember very well Randy. I just didn't know that it would be dual tubes down the tunnel. With the aluminum shielding gone, there does seem to be quite a bit of space though... Can't wait to this thing done! Look forward to more cool vids as well...

 

Yea Tony, it all fits down the center tunnel, even with the factory heat shield.
Got the AIM installed today. I have to tell ya, this AIM dash is the easiest mod to do to a Mini by far, ... if you aren't scared of pocking around your wire harness. Only the two single Bus wires are needed along with a power and ground wire.



Amazing how much wiring you can do away with and still have a running car. Have learned quite a bit about it in the last week.