the mighty mini

right, thought i would start a project thread as im going to be spending a fair amount of time and money on my car this year.

I'll edit this thread later or 2moz to put pics in.

Basically i started out with a fully kitted out 1998 Mini Cooper Sport with twin 3" DTM backbox. I then wanted to put my own style onto it. I'm into euro but i don't wanna do too much to my car as it is worth more standard. So i decided to go for a track/rally look...

First of all a fold out screen, I wanted one since I got the car so one was bought straight away! A pioneer avh-5900 now sits perfectly in my dash

I then wanted to change the seats, well i kinda had to cuz i used to slide off the leather ones so i bought some cheap comfy bucket seats like the cobra clubmans. At the same time i got 4 point FIA spec harnesses, induction kit, alloy door handles and a new sports exhaust manifold (as the link pipe at the front was knackered).

I kept it like this for some time but then it was time for tints. The rear windows were all tinted by me in dark smoke, wasn't a bad job i didn't think... <!-- s8-) --><img src="{SMILIES_PATH}/icon_cool.gif" alt="" title="Cool" /><!-- s8-) -->

Again money was saved and then came the need to uprate the suspension to allow for lowering...so i bought Gaz lowered shocks (at £80 a pair they ent cheap), Hi-lo's all round, new rubber cones, new bushes, front adjustable tie bars and 1.5deg neg camber brackets(still to be fitted). All of this was also fitted and set up by myself, inc the tracking.

Took several weeks for me to find a set up i liked but when i did, it handled as if it was on rails! to this day i haven't been in a car that puts a smile on ya face as much as a mini!!

Not long after this, I was stupidly pratting around drifting round an island when the front wheels decided to grip, causing me to slam it into a kerb with the wheels turned. This popped a tyre, mangled the steering rack and trashed a shock. I managed to get home with the wheels pointing in opposite directions, like this \ _ /...
Within three days I had removed the old rack, bought a new one, fitted it, had 2 new tyres fitted and set it up! Inbetween the excessive swearing, bloodshed and sweaty tears lol (only recently have i changed the front shock )

Then came the seats, the old ones were getting a bit uncomfortable (didn't stop me making my money back on um ) so a brand new, just out set of cobra monaco pro's were fitted, at £350 a pair there not all that cheap but deff worth it!

For the next couple of months i couldn't decide what to do next. I had my eye on the exhaust ive got now but couldn't get one anywhere as they are built purposely for japanese race mini's and are rarely imported over here. One came up on ebay, after a bidding frenzy where there was in excess of 200 bids i acquired my tasty new exhaust, imported from japan! This was fitted the day after it came, in the rain but it was well worth it

Then came the decat... Mr Bee the kind gentleman he is offered to lend a hand fitting it once fitted, on the first start up, i wasn't sure about it but had to let it settle for a good week... (also it blew smoke rings <!-- s:lol: --><img src="{SMILIES_PATH}/icon_lol.gif" alt="" title="Laughing" /><!-- s:lol: --> )

This brings me up to now, where i bought my 6x9's, amp and cut a board to give them a stealth mounting (also dynamatted the surrounding area). They are really worth the money at £130 and have made a massive difference to sound quality and bass, well impressed

Also got custom mats, upgraded plugs/leads, quickshift kit, CF pedals, finned drums, red angel eyes, pug 1.9 battery and few other bits lol

So thats it atm, have got the following still to fit but just havent got the time...

Rear radius arm bushes
1.5deg neg camber arms
Fibreglass bootlid
Balljoints all round
Rocker Cover

To be bought soon...

Stage 3 head inc valves, double valve springs etc.
1.5 roller rockers
coil springs (diff to coilovers)
4 pot racing brakes, vented discs, goodridge hoses


soooo yeah... <!-- s:lol: --><img src="{SMILIES_PATH}/icon_lol.gif" alt="" title="Laughing" /><!-- s:lol: --> enjoy!

nice read mate!
the mini is a stunning example!
hoola at your boy if u need anymore help

cheers dude! its what happens when ya bored at work

Update, just ordered these:

http://www.med-engineering.co.uk/produc ... ang_id=217

and some bits to fit new rocker cover <!-- s8-) --><img src="{SMILIES_PATH}/icon_cool.gif" alt="" title="Cool" /><!-- s8-) -->

nice one boyo

lookin great dude!

mines better! haha..

nah looks gorgeous dude will be sweet with the new stuff on it

its loud and nice also <!-- s:lol: --><img src="{SMILIES_PATH}/icon_lol.gif" alt="" title="Laughing" /><!-- s:lol: -->

haha cheers geezersssss

yeye plenty still to do on it so myt get it finished in a few years lol

keep up the good work then pez!