Engine Drivetrain 1st Gen Cooper S Most liked posts in thread: GNAT - The Resurrection

Neither, someone in the MoM "group" was kind enough to follow me up to Detroit and then give me a ride back. I'll be using foot power for the most part for the next few weeks. Now and then getting a ride when the need arises. I do live in an urban area where most things I usually access are within walking distance. For me it will be a new experience. I've gone a week with out wheels before, but this will be 4-6 weeks. Just think of the all the gas money I'll be saving!

Might even drop a pound or two and get a littler better fit in the process.

 

The shop never participated on the site. I had them listed cause they did a lot of my work. a quid pro quo type of thing.

I'm loathe to name them outright for a few reasons. 99% of you will never have the occasion to visit. The shop is not a MINI shop but more a general automotive repair shop. Lastly, I'm not giving them the time or space to respond, so it's not fair and balanced.

I know what happened, the attention to detail was just not there. For normal everyday work such as oil changes, tire work and basic part removal and replacement that 99.9% of their customers require they are very good. When it comes to this specialty work to be done with time and money constraints things fell through the cracks.

Am I thrilled I spend all this money already on things that were not done right? Hell no. But I'm not about to let this denigrate into a classic interwebz war.

I learned that one really does need to find and work with a real pro such as Chad, Way, Eric etc when things go really wrong. They may cost more upfront but in the end they cost a heck of lot less in the long run.

In other news....

The parts coming from Jan are mostly on their way. I have to give props to Jam for shipping before the check arrived. If you are reading this Jan...the check really is in the mail!

 

Shiny....



Pistons, rings, etc all arrived today.

All the bits are off to the machine shop.

 

I trust my engine builder to tune the car properly. We have discussed what my wants and needs are at this time and that is more of a reliability mode than a full out track monster.

 

Exhaust all built and in place.



I've been told it is not that quiet, but it no longer rattles!

 

Since ya'll asked Chad and Matt sent me these

[ame=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vTdzwJrA_G8&hd=1]Gowing Away - YouTube[/ame]

[ame=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZvI0UypqlXk&hd=1]Coming Back - YouTube[/ame]

 

Good idea...

I did - "GNAT - The Resurrection"

 

Ran down to Cincinnati to visit with Chad during a Detroit Tuned in your City type event.

Updated the tune, nothing major, just a few tweaks. Car still runs strong.

Hooked up the computer to the Auto-Logic Pro version Chad has. Found that there is an issue with the right front wheel speed sensor. In fact there is an error with every revolution. It's like the sensor is missing a read every time the wheel turns. This is not causing the ABS light to be lit at this time. Looking over the sensor wheel there looks to a "smudge" in the sensor wheel. That is most likely causing it to miss one of the reading each revolution. Is it enough to warrant replacing right now...no...but it is something to keep a keen eye on. Mixed with the incredible amount of standing water I encountered in Pittsburgh that is probably why I had those issues there. These issues have not cropped up again and the MINI has been driven in the rain since.

We looked over the car fairly well too, all is still in good shape.