Engine Drivetrain 1st Gen Cooper Engine Bay Bling

Discussion in 'Tuning and Performance' started by agranger, Feb 4, 2011.

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  1. agranger

    agranger MINI of the Month June 2009
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    #1 agranger, Feb 4, 2011
    Last edited: Feb 4, 2011
    I've got a handful of engine mods coming (plus some shiny new coil-overs), so I thought I'd make a new picture thread.

    I was searching for something on Google Images last week and I stumbled across someone who had done this mod... In my years of MINI fanboy-ism, I had never seen it before, so I had to do it... plus I need more red in the engine bay! I've been trying to find the pic so I can give proper credit, but I just can't seem to reproduce that same search.

    [​IMG]

    [​IMG]

    This mod was easy enough to do. A simple snap clamp holds the bellows of this part onto the airbox lead. Some clips hold the front of it onto the radiator surround (I already had it unmounted from a thermostat and housing replacement last weekend, which inspired me to go ahead and get this done). I washed the part carefully and sanded the surface to be painted to get good paint adhesion and to remove any plastic casting seams. I covered the whole thing in painters tape, masking it off so that only the inside was exposed, and taped the whole thing to a spare dowel that I had in the garage so I could paint it without making a mess of my hands and arms. A coat of primer and 2 top-coats later, I was almost done. It took a whole 60 seconds to reconnect the bellows and clip it into place. The nature of the mount onto the radiator surround makes for a very nice install... even if you get a bit sloppy with the masking/painting.

    Yeah... it doesn't add any power, but it does look kinda cool! I'm not above the purely cosmetic mod, as long as you don't try and claim some artificial boost (well... I did sand down one pretty rugged plastic seam... is that a port and polish? :D ) The exterior of Jango is all about minimalism. I'm a sucker for any additional red bling I can get in the engine bay.

    More parts are on the way from Way. More pics to follow.

    KW v2 Coilovers and Vorschlag camber plates: My stock struts are starting to give out a bit after 60k+ miles and a half a dozen track weekends (plus the back end is a smidge too low when I tow the trailer). Time for an upgrade before the Dragon!

    M7 Lower air diverter: Does it do anything? The guys at M7 swear that it does. It is cool looking and carbon fiber, so why not? Right now, I think that I'm going to give it a light sanding and a fresh top-coat of satin polyurethane for a slightly different effect (and to get the M7 logo off of it... jeez... do they have to slap their name and logo on the center of everything?).

    Forge stainless power steering fluid and coolant tanks: I've had the OEM version of each of these spring a leak on me. I've wanted the stainless tanks for a while, but finally talked myself into 'em.
     
  2. Nitrominis

    Nitrominis Banned

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    Finally someone else that loves RED

    If you want to see RED look up my MINI!!! :cornut:
     
  3. checkers

    checkers Well-Known Member

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    I might try that myself. What do you think?
    [​IMG]
     
  4. agranger

    agranger MINI of the Month June 2009
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    Very nice, Checkers! I like the chromed/polished intercooler and horns. Looks like you did the 'vert braces as well, but had 'em chromed! (mine are just rattle-can red... same color as the intake bit above)

    What are you using for tops for the power steering and coolant tanks? I just ordered the Forged tanks today, but I don't think they come with tops.
     
  5. Nitrominis

    Nitrominis Banned

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    Archived picture :
    [​IMG]
     
  6. agranger

    agranger MINI of the Month June 2009
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    Better pic with good lighting
    [​IMG]
     
  7. Nitrominis

    Nitrominis Banned

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    If you take the decals off the radiator shroud it might look better to you?
    If you do and want to keep the factory decal place them on wax paper and store in a envelope.
     
  8. agranger

    agranger MINI of the Month June 2009
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    Yeah... I thought about removing the decals, but I need somewhere to sport the MA decal! :). Also, the scoop isn't in that great of shape... I got it used and it was chewed up a bit.

    I've got some paint projects coming... Maybe it is time for a cleanup on that part. You have me thinking...
     
  9. agranger

    agranger MINI of the Month June 2009
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    Heh... I thought you meant the Intercooler scoop. Just realized you meant the yellow and green stickers. Hmmm... Will think about that.
     
  10. Nitrominis

    Nitrominis Banned

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    The scoop and inter cooler is another aspect of RED for my engine bay!


    [​IMG]

    [​IMG]
     
  11. agranger

    agranger MINI of the Month June 2009
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    Nice! I thought about hiding a few small LED lights inside of the pipe i painted in post #1 of this thread.
     
  12. drabdub

    drabdub Well-Known Member

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    that is cool
     
  13. agranger

    agranger MINI of the Month June 2009
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    [​IMG]

    [​IMG]

    I pulled the yellow and green decals, mounted the M7 diverter and Forge tanks. I've got some red plastidip on the way for the dipstick and a few other bits.
     
  14. Nitrominis

    Nitrominis Banned

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    :Thumbsup:

    It looks great!! :Thumbsup:
     
  15. ScottinBend

    ScottinBend Space Cowboy
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    Lynn, did you remove the rubber gasket from the radiator shroud? Looks like a chrome piece was put on instead?
     
  16. Nitrominis

    Nitrominis Banned

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    wow the first to notice after 5 years...:D

    Chrome door edging.
    The factory seal was ugly and may have hindered some good air flow?
     
  17. TATTRAT

    TATTRAT Well-Known Member
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    I really, REALLY wish M7 would get their behind in gear, they have been out of stock on that strut tower brace/defender for MONTHS. . . as well as many other M7 products:frown2:. DO they wanna do business, or not. Frustrating.

    Your bay looks nice!
     
  18. agranger

    agranger MINI of the Month June 2009
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    Ok... My wife says that I'm crazy and now I'm starting to believe her.

    Here is my new and improved brake fluid cap (the text used to be yellow).

    [​IMG]
     
  19. Crashton

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    Oh my God!!!:eek: You are crazy, but that is beautiful. :Thumbsup:
     
  20. Mr. Jim

    Mr. Jim Mudshark
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    Like he cap :Thumbsup: I usually don't like the "bling" factor but red "details" are sweet! That's it we'll call it "details", leave the "bling" for the chrome :D
     

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