OctaneGuy's MINIs since 2003

Discussion in 'Car Builds, Projects, Idea's Experiments' started by Octaneguy, Sep 20, 2010.

  1. Octaneguy

    Octaneguy New Member

    Apr 24, 2009
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    #1 Octaneguy, Sep 20, 2010
    Last edited: Oct 17, 2010
    I'm going to use this thread as a place to document the transformation of my MINI's. I will start this off with a general overview and go into more details about what had been done. I've been asked by numerous people about my past MINIs so hopefully this documentation will be interesting to some.



    On July 1, 2010 I picked up my third MINI.

    It all began with a fully loaded 2003 Indi Blue MC purchased in Memphis, TN and driven back to SoCal.
    [​IMG]

    Added some vinyl and rally lights, changed to S side skirts and gas cap
    [​IMG]

    And when I sold it
    [​IMG]

    Then in 2006 I bought this broken 2005 MCS and sold my MC on Craigslist
    [​IMG]
    And turned it into this
    [​IMG]

    Then in 2010 I sold the '05 MCS and bought this 2010 Clubman S from Crevier
    [​IMG]

    Added 30% ceramic tint, modified R53 wheels for 14mm lug holes and OEM TPMS. Notice the huge wheel gap of the stock suspension.
    [​IMG]

    H&R Street Performance coilovers fixed the gap. Fixed camber plates were added to the front and adjustable control arms added to the rear.
    [​IMG]

    M7 Vortex Scoop added, painted stock scuttles red, plastidipped headlight rings and gas cover.
    [​IMG]
    And finally ditched Nitto Invos (225/45R17) and went to Yokohama S.Drive (215/40R17)
    [​IMG]

    On 10/17/10 the Way Motor Works Diverter Valve Installed
     
  2. Dr Obnxs

    Dr Obnxs New Member

    Jun 11, 2009
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    A Man of Wit and Charm! (Just ask my wife!)
    Woodside, CA, up in the hills and trees.
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    And you call yourself a MINI guy...

    if you were a REAL MINI guy, you'd still own them all! ;)

    Matt

    ps, they all look so shiney! Mine only look that way the day I buy them... They're jelous!
     
  3. MiniKar

    MiniKar Member

    Sep 24, 2010
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    ??? How does the Clubman handle compaired to the Mini S ???

    They both look Super !
     
  4. Octaneguy

    Octaneguy New Member

    Apr 24, 2009
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    Haha in another life..wish I could afford them all. :D Shiny MINIs are happy MINI's! :D Thanks!!
    Well so far, I think I've got everything dialed in the way I want it to be. I can't really comment until I do my first autocross on the Clubbie, but canyon runs have shown that I can keep up fine with the fastest hardtops. Without an LSD, powering through turns is definitely noticeable..I want an LSD!!! lol.

    I don't really notice the longer wheelbase in terms of handling. I'm very happy with my Clubbie...approaching 6,000 miles in less than 3 months.

    Thanks!!
     
  5. jorge

    jorge New Member

    Apr 22, 2010
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    I live in Denver, CO.
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    performance

    I really like the minis you'vehad and the transformation for each one. Anyway, I'm thinking about getting the H&R street performance coilovers, but do you need camber plates to go with them? Which ones did you get? Do you also need the rear adjustable control arms? Which ones did you get? Thanks for your help.
    Jorge
    DS 07 MCS
     
  6. Octaneguy

    Octaneguy New Member

    Apr 24, 2009
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    Thanks Jorge!

    I love the coilovers. The ride quality is still very comfortable. You really don't need camber plates, but I wanted negative camber so I got IE fixed camber plates and even though I'm lowered, my alignment shop found that I was exactly where I wanted to be.

    The rear control arms really aren't necessary as the stock adjustments will get you close enough. I had them on my '05, so I wanted them on my '10, really for no other reason.

    I had the IE control arms first but ended up getting TSW control arms and love them. The H-Sport ones are also good.

     
  7. Ofioliti

    Ofioliti New Member

    May 9, 2009
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    Professor
    ... always curious
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    Nice documentation of your "MINI history"!

    I fondly remember your beautiful Indy Blue Justacooper from the "old days." Do you know who has it now? Have you seen it again since you sold it? :smile5:
     
  8. putterfarm

    putterfarm New Member

    May 18, 2009
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    Bum.
    Pittsfield, Pa.
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    Very nice, you have come a long way. Seems like you have had every type of MINI. Glad you like your clubman :Thumbsup:.

    Have fun, drive hard , be safe :D

    Mark
     
  9. jorge

    jorge New Member

    Apr 22, 2010
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    I live in Denver, CO.
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    thank you very much for your help and input.
    Jorge
    DS 07 MCS
     
  10. flynhawaiian

    flynhawaiian New Member

    Nov 16, 2010
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    You cannot get an lsd on the clubman? That would have been a deal breaker for me =)
     
  11. lotsie

    lotsie Club Coordinator

    May 5, 2009
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    Right here
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    We have LSD on our 08 Clubbie.

    Mark
     
  12. Metalman

    Metalman Well-Known Member
    Lifetime Supporter

    Sep 29, 2009
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    Ex-Owner (Retired) of a custom metal fab company.
    Columbus, Ohio
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    Yeah Mark......

    That was big in the 60's, I see you're still there.:lol::lol::lol::lol:
     
  13. Octaneguy

    Octaneguy New Member

    Apr 24, 2009
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    It's not because it's a Clubbie, it's because it's an Automatic, lol.

     
  14. flynhawaiian

    flynhawaiian New Member

    Nov 16, 2010
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    Don't think I could get another car without an LSD :(. I still remember your first mini, how you loved detailing that thing. Ahh the good old memories!
     
  15. Octaneguy

    Octaneguy New Member

    Apr 24, 2009
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    Well some things never change, lol, and others just keep getting better....I went from Indi Blue to Jet Black to Midnight Black and now I have a detailing shop and biz doing what I love to do. :D

     
  16. lotsie

    lotsie Club Coordinator

    May 5, 2009
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    Only mechanically, aspirin is to much these days:cool:

    Mark
     
  17. flynhawaiian

    flynhawaiian New Member

    Nov 16, 2010
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    Ha, that's awesome. I remember when you were doing it out of your house. Seems like yesterday. Oh how the time flys :beer
     
  18. Octaneguy

    Octaneguy New Member

    Apr 24, 2009
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    I put on the NM Engineering Torque Arm inserts last night. My new lift made it easier.

    [​IMG]
     
  19. lotsie

    lotsie Club Coordinator

    May 5, 2009
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    Nice lift. Got details on it?

    Mark
     
  20. Octaneguy

    Octaneguy New Member

    Apr 24, 2009
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    It's made by Herkules. It lifts up to 6,000 pounds. Originally cost $2800+accessories but I bought it for $500. It uses an airbag. The unit weighs between 700 to 900 pounds, so it's not exactly portable, though it has a dolly. To make it work, I did have to upgrade my air compressor, so I bought a 60 gallon one from Home Depot which runs on 230 volts, so I needed an electrician to wire it up for me.

    Total raised height is 28inches which allows me to sit comfortably on a rolling chair and buff the sides of a car, or on the MINI, Black Wow the lower trim pieces with ease. It's great polishing the exhaust tips at sitting level. Since the wheels can be rotated, I can dress the sidewalls all the way around, and can clean and wax the wheels easily. The lift has three stops for different levels, the first with the wheels just off the ground. At the highest level, I can work on my back on a creeper and have plenty of breathing/working room underneath. Not too high that I can't reach and tool underneath, and not too low that I feel cramped.



    Vehicle Lifts - Herkules K900P Lift


    [​IMG]

    Buffing a Honda Fit
    [​IMG]

    Got an old Supra on it
    [​IMG]
     

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