Most liked posts in thread: Late Nights at TyrolSport

  1. Cone Assassin

    Cone Assassin Local Shop Owner

    Jan 7, 2012
    65
    17
    8
    Ratings:
    +17 / 0 / -0
    Well its been a while! Last time I posted in my thread I was living in Florida. I am now in the cold state of PA making slow progress - but still progress nonetheless. As seen below, I have my 6th windshield installed, and an R56 JCW brembo kit installed. The R112's are temporary, as they were the only wheels I had (with tires mounted) that fit. On the sidelines are a set of OZ Alleggeritas which will get better weather tires installed in a few months. Or if I sell these wheels before that happens, I do have my eyes on picking up a set of OZ Leggendas. As always, there is more to come (eventually).


    [​IMG]

    [​IMG]
     
  2. Cone Assassin

    Cone Assassin Local Shop Owner

    Jan 7, 2012
    65
    17
    8
    Ratings:
    +17 / 0 / -0
    #44 Cone Assassin, Oct 30, 2015
    Last edited: Oct 30, 2015
    MINI is all back together. I finally got to installing my gauge pod radio delete, a quaife LSD I have had for almost a year now, and a facelift 05/06 transmission. Other items - I modified a Tyrolsport rear brace from a VW to fit in the R53 body, and made a replica Monte Carlo style roof basket with two R90s and snow tires (just in case, it could have snowed during my trip!)

    So far it has about 3k miles on the rebuild, and no complaints.

    I already have plans on making a new roof basket that aesthetically looks slimmer, I think it can be tweaked a bit to take away some visual bulk. More stuff coming soon. Instead of following along with periodic bulk uploads, my instagram account has more frequent updates, see @Cone_Assassin .
     
  3. Cone Assassin

    Cone Assassin Local Shop Owner

    Jan 7, 2012
    65
    17
    8
    Ratings:
    +17 / 0 / -0
    Some updates from paint this morning. Coming along :beer
    mc401_zps100dba7c.jpeg mc402_zps3aad71b2.jpeg mc403_zpsd0566973.jpeg
     
  4. Detroit Tuned

    Detroit Tuned Well-Known Member
    Motoring Alliance Founding Sponsor

    May 5, 2009
    301
    319
    63
    evertyhing
    Metro Detroit
    Ratings:
    +319 / 0 / -0
    While looks great don't forget to make good ground points!
     
  5. Cone Assassin

    Cone Assassin Local Shop Owner

    Jan 7, 2012
    65
    17
    8
    Ratings:
    +17 / 0 / -0
    [​IMG]
    [​IMG]
    [​IMG]
    [​IMG]
    [​IMG]
    [​IMG]
    [​IMG]
    [​IMG]
    [​IMG]
    [​IMG]
    [​IMG]
    [​IMG]
    [​IMG]
    [​IMG]
    [​IMG]
    [​IMG]
    [​IMG]
     
  6. Metalman

    Metalman Well-Known Member
    Lifetime Supporter

    Sep 29, 2009
    12,713
    7,659
    113
    Ex-Owner (Retired) of a custom metal fab company.
    Columbus, Ohio
    Ratings:
    +7,913 / 1 / -0
    Hey Chris, I like your flush mount driving lights....
    Keep all the power steering parts for when MINI finally gets around to making their recall for this issue....
     
  7. Jason Montague

    Jason Montague New Member
    Lifetime Supporter

    Jan 5, 2010
    6,134
    1,588
    0
    Physician Assitant (retired)
    Sherman,Tx
    Ratings:
    +1,588 / 0 / -0
    :cornut: Thank you very much for all of this 'how to/info/photo.' Around here, you're going to get real popular, real quick. We loves 'show and tell'(alright,no comments from the virile peanut gallery please:devil::arf::biggrin5::ihih::lol:):Thumbsup:

    Jason
     
  8. Cone Assassin

    Cone Assassin Local Shop Owner

    Jan 7, 2012
    65
    17
    8
    Ratings:
    +17 / 0 / -0
    The tightening at ride height is an Audi procedure. If you think about it, tightening at full droop (in the air) will clamp the bushings, which will in turn apply a rotational torque once the car is dropped. It might be on the books at MINI somewhere, although I have never known any negative result from doing otherwise. Probably me being crazy :crazy:

    Not sure if you're serious, but I hope you will enjoy TIG welding Aluminum and SS :smile5:
     
  9. Cone Assassin

    Cone Assassin Local Shop Owner

    Jan 7, 2012
    65
    17
    8
    Ratings:
    +17 / 0 / -0
    #11 Cone Assassin, Mar 17, 2012
    Last edited: Mar 17, 2012
    Episode 3,
    My new gauge pod.

    Blank radio plate, Mini OEM part:
    blankplate.jpg gaugeinstall1.jpg

    Stock (on an MC40) aux gauge harness and oil temp/volt indicators relocated to center harness:

    gaugeinstall2.jpg

    Added an oil pressure gauge to the mix:

    gaugeinstall3.jpg

    Center console install is in place. I am still waiting on the pressure sensor for the oil pressure, and will be swapping out the volt meter for cylinder head temp (my car has two volt meters :blush2:). I bought the coolant temp gauge years ago and lost it :mad2:

    If anyone knows where I can get a matching oil pressure/coolant temp gauge with the grey background, please let me know! Otherwise I will be replacing the oil temp with the next closest match.

    I also banged out my clutch Thursday night, will get some pics up, but nothing overly exciting to report.

    Stay tuned!
     
  10. Cone Assassin

    Cone Assassin Local Shop Owner

    Jan 7, 2012
    65
    17
    8
    Ratings:
    +17 / 0 / -0
    UPDATE

    Spent the entire winter working on my GTI. Seam welded some bodywork, replaced the entire floorpan, and got the motor in. Needed lots of fuel system work on top of that to actually get fuel pressure and hear it run. Added a different rear beam with disc brake conversion as well.

    The Clubman S needed some unexpected work this winter. Hit a block of ice on the interstate, took out the bumper, and aux water pump.

    Also, just moved to Jacksonville FL about two months ago. My MC40 has progressed only slightly, with the addition of a euro parcel shelf in place of my glove box, and a new set of MC40 floor mats which I currently did not have. I installed a new windshield two days before moving down, so that's new as well.

    Unfortunately, the current focus is going to be on the cosmetics, as:
    A) I have no real tools here
    B) I need my car to get me to work every day
    C) I have limited work space

    SO, with that said, I will be back on board!

    On deck is the re-spray of my hatch, which I am trying to get MINI to cover as there is some rust working its way around the handle trim. At the same time, I am going to have the hood re-sprayed. Also in search of a good set of facelift projectors. I can refinish them with the tools I have, so they can be glazed over like an old dog with cataracts. No prob for me.

    Wheels - I am currently working on getting my R90s back on.

    Brakes - Working on swinging a factory JCW brake kit (4 piston Brembo brakes up front with Red R56 rear calipers and larger rear rotors). Of course, I need 17" tires to mount the wheels. Looking into Pilot Super Sports for street use.
     
  11. Cone Assassin

    Cone Assassin Local Shop Owner

    Jan 7, 2012
    65
    17
    8
    Ratings:
    +17 / 0 / -0
    More updates

    Installed coil overs in the spring, now in the process of rebuilding the engine after developing a knock. This is how it looks. Currently waiting for a few odds and ends before reassembly.




    2015-07-11 14.14.53-2_zps7kiumto1.jpg 2015-07-17 15.48.22_zps3esy3fvk.jpg 2015-08-10 17.03.39_zpsf7m7le00.jpg 2015-08-21 19.48.11_zpsavlgom0e.jpg 2015-08-24 19.08.09-1_zpsvcktogk2.jpg 2015-08-24 20.54.57_zpsquvck8lu.jpg 2015-08-25 19.24.45_zpsafbozguy.jpg

    :drool
     
  12. ScottinBend

    ScottinBend Space Cowboy
    Supporting Member

    May 4, 2009
    8,767
    2,547
    113
    Bend, OR USA
    Ratings:
    +2,678 / 1 / -0
    No radio...........blasphemy!

    :D

    Love this build.
     
  13. Cone Assassin

    Cone Assassin Local Shop Owner

    Jan 7, 2012
    65
    17
    8
    Ratings:
    +17 / 0 / -0
    #49 Cone Assassin, Nov 6, 2015
    Last edited: Nov 6, 2015
    Agree on the radio, it never played anything that great anyway :frown5:

    I mounted it with custom rectangular stainless nuts that slide into the track of the mini cross bars. They are made from stainless steel bar and threaded to 1/4"x20, and bolted down 4 on each side (4 front, 4 back).
    image_zpsgkksrx5w.jpeg

    I built the whole thing backwards - my mounting solution is more crude yet effective since I made the basket before I mounted the cross bars, not knowing other than a ballpark estimate of how much spacing there was in between. In the above pic you can see how I had to make it about 1.5" wider to fit on top of the bars. Now knowing how the install kit is made, I could also have made it bolt directly to the roof and skip the Mini base support cross bars entirely. I may do that in my revision as I would also like the basket to sit more forward of center (for aesthetics :crazy:) than it does now.

    I mounted the basket east/west for the classic Mini monte carlo look:
    image_zpsni4q1bii.jpeg image_zpsqzyz79lu.jpeg


    ......I have a few ideas of making another basket to look less bulky and still accommodate two wheels in the same east/west layout. If I had the capability to fit R50 Holies, the size of those with tires mounted would be ideal.

    The wheels are attached via a threaded aluminum boss welded to the basket. A stainless threaded rod goes through the center of the wheel and is held down with a wing nut (like what you would expect to find in the trunk of any car).
     
  14. Angib

    Angib New Member

    Nov 25, 2009
    824
    425
    0
    (Old) England
    Ratings:
    +425 / 0 / -0
    #50 Angib, Nov 6, 2015
    Last edited: Nov 6, 2015
    Seconded. That green block paint is one of the seven wonders of the world - paint it onto sandpaper and it would come out with a perfectly smooth, high gloss finish.
     
  15. rum4

    rum4 Club Coordinator
    Lifetime Supporter

    Aug 17, 2011
    4,568
    1,475
    0
    SC
    Ratings:
    +1,478 / 0 / -0
    Well it should be a lot easier to drive now that is for sure
     
  16. Cone Assassin

    Cone Assassin Local Shop Owner

    Jan 7, 2012
    65
    17
    8
    Ratings:
    +17 / 0 / -0
    #4 Cone Assassin, Mar 11, 2012
    Last edited: Mar 11, 2012
    The driving lights were one of those late night projects where you should really stop and trim the next morning...They look good from that angle, now that I am looking at it. I guess I am my hardest critic. Looking to replace the bumper with an aero, but probably won't flush mount them unless I find a bumper to cut on the cheap.

    I still have my original pump, it was rebuilt. I do have the invoices for all the parts. We will see if that crosses our border. :Thumbsup:

    It is really sad to see people get sticker shocked when the drive in with a bad pump. Some sell their cars after they've had enough. On the flip side, it creates a market for the DIYers or potential project cars. Same for the CVT cars as well. Cars depreciate, part prices don't.

    Episode two is in the works ...
     
  17. Cone Assassin

    Cone Assassin Local Shop Owner

    Jan 7, 2012
    65
    17
    8
    Ratings:
    +17 / 0 / -0
    #5 Cone Assassin, Mar 11, 2012
    Last edited: Mar 12, 2012
    Episode Two:

    [​IMG]

    Picked up my R56 rear trailing arms. Open the box, and to my surprise included the hubs, control arms, wheel speed sensors, bolts, and the coilover assembly. I will call that a win.

    We all know that assembly is the reverse of disassembly, so I won't put you through the removal of stock parts.
    Some parts had to be transferred. Here is the old headlight level sensor going onto the new arm:

    [​IMG]
    [​IMG]

    With the sensor in place, the upper arms were all set. Next is to install the trailing arms:

    [​IMG]

    Trailing arms with control arms:

    [​IMG]

    A little extra rigidity for the upper arms:

    [​IMG]

    All bolts get anti-seized

    [​IMG]

    Starting to look like a car:

    [​IMG]

    Special shout out to Way @ WayMotorWorks for the bushings below, which you will need when doing the trailing arm swap, as well as the M14 to M12 wheel studs:

    [​IMG]
    [​IMG]
    [​IMG]

    Unfortunately, the onset of a nasty migraine meant I had to speed up the process (which meant less photos, more work).

    With a new alignment, the car rides great (also set the front toe to 0 degrees). The weight difference is very noticable in the trailing arms alone, which is about 10 lb per corner. I needed some assistance removing the stock ones, and could install the aluminum ones without help. I set all bolts to final torque at ride height while on the alignment ramps.
    The R56 control arms weigh slightly less as well, although reinforcing the uppers probably cancelled that effect. On the upside, I now have a rear camber adjustment :smile5:
    R56 wheel speed sensors plug right into the body harness and are plug-n-play. My parts came from a Clubman, so you are not limited in the search if sourcing used parts.

    Special thanks:

    Chan for the assistance with install :beer
    Way @WayMotorWorks for the bushings and wheel studs :beer
    WeberBrosAuto for being thorough in the parts supplied :beer
     
  18. Metalman

    Metalman Well-Known Member
    Lifetime Supporter

    Sep 29, 2009
    12,713
    7,659
    113
    Ex-Owner (Retired) of a custom metal fab company.
    Columbus, Ohio
    Ratings:
    +7,913 / 1 / -0
    Is this a special procedure, I didn't know that made a difference?
    ....."I set all bolts to final torque at ride height while on the alignment ramps"......
    Nice thread, enjoying it.... Short of your migraine, pictures are appreciated...:D
     
  19. Cone Assassin

    Cone Assassin Local Shop Owner

    Jan 7, 2012
    65
    17
    8
    Ratings:
    +17 / 0 / -0
    Monday morning!



    trailingarm1.jpg trailingarm2.jpg

    Im surprised how much of a stealth mod this is. You really have to look for it!
     
  20. Jason Montague

    Jason Montague New Member
    Lifetime Supporter

    Jan 5, 2010
    6,134
    1,588
    0
    Physician Assitant (retired)
    Sherman,Tx
    Ratings:
    +1,588 / 0 / -0
    :cornut: Yes Sir I'm serious and I do enjoy all that stuff as in my career field, I've never gotten to do any of that.:Thumbsup:

    Jason