SANDERS1
01-26-2010, 08:01 PM
Well, since I wrote up about the GTO, I thought I'd write up the wife's 06 Mini Cooper S progress. Where to start? We picked it up about 8 months ago on a Friday used from the local BMW dealer. Since I was already going to a track day with the S2000 guys that Sunday, I decided to take the Mini as well to get a base line of how it performs in it's stock form. Here's what it looked like the day of track day.
Enlarge this image (http://www.4tougeforum.com/member-journals-f34/the-mini-growing-a-pair-t2074.htm#)Reduce this image (http://www.4tougeforum.com/member-journals-f34/the-mini-growing-a-pair-t2074.htm#) Click to see fullsize (http://www.4tougeforum.com/member-journals-f34/the-mini-growing-a-pair-t2074.htm#)
http://i865.photobucket.com/albums/ab220/25RSTI/DSC01420.jpg
Unfortunatly it was a VERY wet track day to say the least!
Enlarge this image (http://www.4tougeforum.com/member-journals-f34/the-mini-growing-a-pair-t2074.htm#)Reduce this image (http://www.4tougeforum.com/member-journals-f34/the-mini-growing-a-pair-t2074.htm#) Click to see fullsize (http://www.4tougeforum.com/member-journals-f34/the-mini-growing-a-pair-t2074.htm#)
http://i865.photobucket.com/albums/ab220/25RSTI/IMG_4730.jpg
Enlarge this image (http://www.4tougeforum.com/member-journals-f34/the-mini-growing-a-pair-t2074.htm#)Reduce this image (http://www.4tougeforum.com/member-journals-f34/the-mini-growing-a-pair-t2074.htm#) Click to see fullsize (http://www.4tougeforum.com/member-journals-f34/the-mini-growing-a-pair-t2074.htm#)
http://i865.photobucket.com/albums/ab220/25RSTI/IMG_4943.jpg
I quickly decided to get the stance down, firm up the spring rate a little and get the Rota's swapped out for a set of RH Evo C3's in black!
Enlarge this image (http://www.4tougeforum.com/member-journals-f34/the-mini-growing-a-pair-t2074.htm#)Reduce this image (http://www.4tougeforum.com/member-journals-f34/the-mini-growing-a-pair-t2074.htm#) Click to see fullsize (http://www.4tougeforum.com/member-journals-f34/the-mini-growing-a-pair-t2074.htm#)
http://i865.photobucket.com/albums/ab220/25RSTI/DSC09623.jpg
I chose a set of Alta/H&R springs for daily use and light track use.
Enlarge this image (http://www.4tougeforum.com/member-journals-f34/the-mini-growing-a-pair-t2074.htm#)Reduce this image (http://www.4tougeforum.com/member-journals-f34/the-mini-growing-a-pair-t2074.htm#) Click to see fullsize (http://www.4tougeforum.com/member-journals-f34/the-mini-growing-a-pair-t2074.htm#)
http://i865.photobucket.com/albums/ab220/25RSTI/DSC01541.jpg
Here she is at a local car show
Enlarge this image (http://www.4tougeforum.com/member-journals-f34/the-mini-growing-a-pair-t2074.htm#)Reduce this image (http://www.4tougeforum.com/member-journals-f34/the-mini-growing-a-pair-t2074.htm#)
http://i865.photobucket.com/albums/ab220/25RSTI/4671_722510511149_16825629_41369599.jpg
Enlarge this image (http://www.4tougeforum.com/member-journals-f34/the-mini-growing-a-pair-t2074.htm#)Reduce this image (http://www.4tougeforum.com/member-journals-f34/the-mini-growing-a-pair-t2074.htm#)
http://i865.photobucket.com/albums/ab220/25RSTI/4671_722510516139_16825629_41369-1.jpg
Now after driving it around for a while with the springs in place, I dicided to do something about the rear camber issues that plague these cars once there dropped. I built a set of rear control arms to test with. These proved to be a welcomed item. Now I have a few other parts that will not be show(just like anything else I fab until there proven/tested, they will not be shown)
Enlarge this image (http://www.4tougeforum.com/member-journals-f34/the-mini-growing-a-pair-t2074.htm#)Reduce this image (http://www.4tougeforum.com/member-journals-f34/the-mini-growing-a-pair-t2074.htm#) Click to see fullsize (http://www.4tougeforum.com/member-journals-f34/the-mini-growing-a-pair-t2074.htm#)
http://i865.photobucket.com/albums/ab220/25RSTI/DSC01960.jpg
I finally made Julie get off her...... Well, I asked her to come help install her new rear control arms. LOL!
Enlarge this image (http://www.4tougeforum.com/member-journals-f34/the-mini-growing-a-pair-t2074.htm#)Reduce this image (http://www.4tougeforum.com/member-journals-f34/the-mini-growing-a-pair-t2074.htm#) Click to see fullsize (http://www.4tougeforum.com/member-journals-f34/the-mini-growing-a-pair-t2074.htm#)
http://i865.photobucket.com/albums/ab220/25RSTI/DSC02086.jpg
Enlarge this image (http://www.4tougeforum.com/member-journals-f34/the-mini-growing-a-pair-t2074.htm#)Reduce this image (http://www.4tougeforum.com/member-journals-f34/the-mini-growing-a-pair-t2074.htm#) Click to see fullsize (http://www.4tougeforum.com/member-journals-f34/the-mini-growing-a-pair-t2074.htm#)
http://i865.photobucket.com/albums/ab220/25RSTI/DSC02087.jpg
And Katelyn Helped too!
Enlarge this image (http://www.4tougeforum.com/member-journals-f34/the-mini-growing-a-pair-t2074.htm#)Reduce this image (http://www.4tougeforum.com/member-journals-f34/the-mini-growing-a-pair-t2074.htm#) Click to see fullsize (http://www.4tougeforum.com/member-journals-f34/the-mini-growing-a-pair-t2074.htm#)
http://i865.photobucket.com/albums/ab220/25RSTI/DSC02088.jpg
Enlarge this image (http://www.4tougeforum.com/member-journals-f34/the-mini-growing-a-pair-t2074.htm#)Reduce this image (http://www.4tougeforum.com/member-journals-f34/the-mini-growing-a-pair-t2074.htm#) Click to see fullsize (http://www.4tougeforum.com/member-journals-f34/the-mini-growing-a-pair-t2074.htm#)
http://i865.photobucket.com/albums/ab220/25RSTI/DSC02089.jpg
Enlarge this image (http://www.4tougeforum.com/member-journals-f34/the-mini-growing-a-pair-t2074.htm#)Reduce this image (http://www.4tougeforum.com/member-journals-f34/the-mini-growing-a-pair-t2074.htm#) Click to see fullsize (http://www.4tougeforum.com/member-journals-f34/the-mini-growing-a-pair-t2074.htm#)
http://i865.photobucket.com/albums/ab220/25RSTI/DSC02090.jpg
Final product installed!
Enlarge this image (http://www.4tougeforum.com/member-journals-f34/the-mini-growing-a-pair-t2074.htm#)Reduce this image (http://www.4tougeforum.com/member-journals-f34/the-mini-growing-a-pair-t2074.htm#) Click to see fullsize (http://www.4tougeforum.com/member-journals-f34/the-mini-growing-a-pair-t2074.htm#)
http://i865.photobucket.com/albums/ab220/25RSTI/DSC02098.jpg
Now since then a CAI has been installed with a box install(no pics for now, sorry). and I cut a 54lbs resonator out of the mix. The stock exhaust comes down mid of the car, curves to the pass. sideinto a massive resonator, then goes into a muffler on the driver side before exiting out the middle of the rear bumper area, well I dicided that it only needed to go into the muffler then out the back, so the res. got hacked out and 90 degree pipe went in place.( Refered to as a "One Ball system) LOL!
Now up to about a few weeks ago the car has been untouched for a while. I decided to change this again. For gauges I used a Scan Gauge II unit to monitor water temp, air intake temp,ign. timing, and boost. It's really nice and compact and fits any where! I ordered a new set of 18X8 Motegi SP10's that are stacked awaiting the correct studs to install them(tomorrow they should be in) and I decided that 9.8 PSI just wasn't cutting it, so in goes a 17% reducer pulley, tensioner stop(for safety), new smaller belt, and colder staged plugs to equal... Ready.... 15.1 PSI!!!! It will get tuned in the next few weeks I hope, but from what I have reed, these cars are fine without the tune, but to be safe it will get tuned.
Enlarge this image (http://www.4tougeforum.com/member-journals-f34/the-mini-growing-a-pair-t2074.htm#)Reduce this image (http://www.4tougeforum.com/member-journals-f34/the-mini-growing-a-pair-t2074.htm#) Click to see fullsize (http://www.4tougeforum.com/member-journals-f34/the-mini-growing-a-pair-t2074.htm#)
http://i865.photobucket.com/albums/ab220/25RSTI/DSC09610.jpg
Enlarge this image (http://www.4tougeforum.com/member-journals-f34/the-mini-growing-a-pair-t2074.htm#)Reduce this image (http://www.4tougeforum.com/member-journals-f34/the-mini-growing-a-pair-t2074.htm#) Click to see fullsize (http://www.4tougeforum.com/member-journals-f34/the-mini-growing-a-pair-t2074.htm#)
http://i865.photobucket.com/albums/ab220/25RSTI/DSC09612.jpg
Enlarge this image (http://www.4tougeforum.com/member-journals-f34/the-mini-growing-a-pair-t2074.htm#)Reduce this image (http://www.4tougeforum.com/member-journals-f34/the-mini-growing-a-pair-t2074.htm#) Click to see fullsize (http://www.4tougeforum.com/member-journals-f34/the-mini-growing-a-pair-t2074.htm#)
http://i865.photobucket.com/albums/ab220/25RSTI/DSC09613.jpg
If you look just past me in those last pics, you can see the SP10's waiting their turn to get on the car! And now there on!
Enlarge this image (http://www.4tougeforum.com/member-journals-f34/the-mini-growing-a-pair-t2074.htm#)Reduce this image (http://www.4tougeforum.com/member-journals-f34/the-mini-growing-a-pair-t2074.htm#) Click to see fullsize (http://www.4tougeforum.com/member-journals-f34/the-mini-growing-a-pair-t2074.htm#)
http://i865.photobucket.com/albums/ab220/25RSTI/DSC01420.jpg
Unfortunatly it was a VERY wet track day to say the least!
Enlarge this image (http://www.4tougeforum.com/member-journals-f34/the-mini-growing-a-pair-t2074.htm#)Reduce this image (http://www.4tougeforum.com/member-journals-f34/the-mini-growing-a-pair-t2074.htm#) Click to see fullsize (http://www.4tougeforum.com/member-journals-f34/the-mini-growing-a-pair-t2074.htm#)
http://i865.photobucket.com/albums/ab220/25RSTI/IMG_4730.jpg
Enlarge this image (http://www.4tougeforum.com/member-journals-f34/the-mini-growing-a-pair-t2074.htm#)Reduce this image (http://www.4tougeforum.com/member-journals-f34/the-mini-growing-a-pair-t2074.htm#) Click to see fullsize (http://www.4tougeforum.com/member-journals-f34/the-mini-growing-a-pair-t2074.htm#)
http://i865.photobucket.com/albums/ab220/25RSTI/IMG_4943.jpg
I quickly decided to get the stance down, firm up the spring rate a little and get the Rota's swapped out for a set of RH Evo C3's in black!
Enlarge this image (http://www.4tougeforum.com/member-journals-f34/the-mini-growing-a-pair-t2074.htm#)Reduce this image (http://www.4tougeforum.com/member-journals-f34/the-mini-growing-a-pair-t2074.htm#) Click to see fullsize (http://www.4tougeforum.com/member-journals-f34/the-mini-growing-a-pair-t2074.htm#)
http://i865.photobucket.com/albums/ab220/25RSTI/DSC09623.jpg
I chose a set of Alta/H&R springs for daily use and light track use.
Enlarge this image (http://www.4tougeforum.com/member-journals-f34/the-mini-growing-a-pair-t2074.htm#)Reduce this image (http://www.4tougeforum.com/member-journals-f34/the-mini-growing-a-pair-t2074.htm#) Click to see fullsize (http://www.4tougeforum.com/member-journals-f34/the-mini-growing-a-pair-t2074.htm#)
http://i865.photobucket.com/albums/ab220/25RSTI/DSC01541.jpg
Here she is at a local car show
Enlarge this image (http://www.4tougeforum.com/member-journals-f34/the-mini-growing-a-pair-t2074.htm#)Reduce this image (http://www.4tougeforum.com/member-journals-f34/the-mini-growing-a-pair-t2074.htm#)
http://i865.photobucket.com/albums/ab220/25RSTI/4671_722510511149_16825629_41369599.jpg
Enlarge this image (http://www.4tougeforum.com/member-journals-f34/the-mini-growing-a-pair-t2074.htm#)Reduce this image (http://www.4tougeforum.com/member-journals-f34/the-mini-growing-a-pair-t2074.htm#)
http://i865.photobucket.com/albums/ab220/25RSTI/4671_722510516139_16825629_41369-1.jpg
Now after driving it around for a while with the springs in place, I dicided to do something about the rear camber issues that plague these cars once there dropped. I built a set of rear control arms to test with. These proved to be a welcomed item. Now I have a few other parts that will not be show(just like anything else I fab until there proven/tested, they will not be shown)
Enlarge this image (http://www.4tougeforum.com/member-journals-f34/the-mini-growing-a-pair-t2074.htm#)Reduce this image (http://www.4tougeforum.com/member-journals-f34/the-mini-growing-a-pair-t2074.htm#) Click to see fullsize (http://www.4tougeforum.com/member-journals-f34/the-mini-growing-a-pair-t2074.htm#)
http://i865.photobucket.com/albums/ab220/25RSTI/DSC01960.jpg
I finally made Julie get off her...... Well, I asked her to come help install her new rear control arms. LOL!
Enlarge this image (http://www.4tougeforum.com/member-journals-f34/the-mini-growing-a-pair-t2074.htm#)Reduce this image (http://www.4tougeforum.com/member-journals-f34/the-mini-growing-a-pair-t2074.htm#) Click to see fullsize (http://www.4tougeforum.com/member-journals-f34/the-mini-growing-a-pair-t2074.htm#)
http://i865.photobucket.com/albums/ab220/25RSTI/DSC02086.jpg
Enlarge this image (http://www.4tougeforum.com/member-journals-f34/the-mini-growing-a-pair-t2074.htm#)Reduce this image (http://www.4tougeforum.com/member-journals-f34/the-mini-growing-a-pair-t2074.htm#) Click to see fullsize (http://www.4tougeforum.com/member-journals-f34/the-mini-growing-a-pair-t2074.htm#)
http://i865.photobucket.com/albums/ab220/25RSTI/DSC02087.jpg
And Katelyn Helped too!
Enlarge this image (http://www.4tougeforum.com/member-journals-f34/the-mini-growing-a-pair-t2074.htm#)Reduce this image (http://www.4tougeforum.com/member-journals-f34/the-mini-growing-a-pair-t2074.htm#) Click to see fullsize (http://www.4tougeforum.com/member-journals-f34/the-mini-growing-a-pair-t2074.htm#)
http://i865.photobucket.com/albums/ab220/25RSTI/DSC02088.jpg
Enlarge this image (http://www.4tougeforum.com/member-journals-f34/the-mini-growing-a-pair-t2074.htm#)Reduce this image (http://www.4tougeforum.com/member-journals-f34/the-mini-growing-a-pair-t2074.htm#) Click to see fullsize (http://www.4tougeforum.com/member-journals-f34/the-mini-growing-a-pair-t2074.htm#)
http://i865.photobucket.com/albums/ab220/25RSTI/DSC02089.jpg
Enlarge this image (http://www.4tougeforum.com/member-journals-f34/the-mini-growing-a-pair-t2074.htm#)Reduce this image (http://www.4tougeforum.com/member-journals-f34/the-mini-growing-a-pair-t2074.htm#) Click to see fullsize (http://www.4tougeforum.com/member-journals-f34/the-mini-growing-a-pair-t2074.htm#)
http://i865.photobucket.com/albums/ab220/25RSTI/DSC02090.jpg
Final product installed!
Enlarge this image (http://www.4tougeforum.com/member-journals-f34/the-mini-growing-a-pair-t2074.htm#)Reduce this image (http://www.4tougeforum.com/member-journals-f34/the-mini-growing-a-pair-t2074.htm#) Click to see fullsize (http://www.4tougeforum.com/member-journals-f34/the-mini-growing-a-pair-t2074.htm#)
http://i865.photobucket.com/albums/ab220/25RSTI/DSC02098.jpg
Now since then a CAI has been installed with a box install(no pics for now, sorry). and I cut a 54lbs resonator out of the mix. The stock exhaust comes down mid of the car, curves to the pass. sideinto a massive resonator, then goes into a muffler on the driver side before exiting out the middle of the rear bumper area, well I dicided that it only needed to go into the muffler then out the back, so the res. got hacked out and 90 degree pipe went in place.( Refered to as a "One Ball system) LOL!
Now up to about a few weeks ago the car has been untouched for a while. I decided to change this again. For gauges I used a Scan Gauge II unit to monitor water temp, air intake temp,ign. timing, and boost. It's really nice and compact and fits any where! I ordered a new set of 18X8 Motegi SP10's that are stacked awaiting the correct studs to install them(tomorrow they should be in) and I decided that 9.8 PSI just wasn't cutting it, so in goes a 17% reducer pulley, tensioner stop(for safety), new smaller belt, and colder staged plugs to equal... Ready.... 15.1 PSI!!!! It will get tuned in the next few weeks I hope, but from what I have reed, these cars are fine without the tune, but to be safe it will get tuned.
Enlarge this image (http://www.4tougeforum.com/member-journals-f34/the-mini-growing-a-pair-t2074.htm#)Reduce this image (http://www.4tougeforum.com/member-journals-f34/the-mini-growing-a-pair-t2074.htm#) Click to see fullsize (http://www.4tougeforum.com/member-journals-f34/the-mini-growing-a-pair-t2074.htm#)
http://i865.photobucket.com/albums/ab220/25RSTI/DSC09610.jpg
Enlarge this image (http://www.4tougeforum.com/member-journals-f34/the-mini-growing-a-pair-t2074.htm#)Reduce this image (http://www.4tougeforum.com/member-journals-f34/the-mini-growing-a-pair-t2074.htm#) Click to see fullsize (http://www.4tougeforum.com/member-journals-f34/the-mini-growing-a-pair-t2074.htm#)
http://i865.photobucket.com/albums/ab220/25RSTI/DSC09612.jpg
Enlarge this image (http://www.4tougeforum.com/member-journals-f34/the-mini-growing-a-pair-t2074.htm#)Reduce this image (http://www.4tougeforum.com/member-journals-f34/the-mini-growing-a-pair-t2074.htm#) Click to see fullsize (http://www.4tougeforum.com/member-journals-f34/the-mini-growing-a-pair-t2074.htm#)
http://i865.photobucket.com/albums/ab220/25RSTI/DSC09613.jpg
If you look just past me in those last pics, you can see the SP10's waiting their turn to get on the car! And now there on!