1st Gen R53 Cooper S Most liked posts in thread: One Well Kept Pep

Wow, history w/ Brit roadsters! Surprised you didn't go for the bulletproof Miata. Then again, it's not Brit-bred, just inspired.
Enjoy the Bull!

 

Well, even friends w/ both Miatas & R53s would say the latter is a lot more fun. Not comparing the former with the Roadster S, but w/ the MGs. Rear wheel drive goodness.

 

What normally comes after a WMW 15% & a DDM CAI? Not a custom tune.....yet, but a good catback ehaust system. Cheap hobo ones are aplenty, but Da Mastah wouldn't want any of those. Not even a Borla nor a Milltek could cut it. He had issues w/ their fit, quality & sound.
With much patience, he scoured, searched & stumbled upon a rare new set of Nippon-made CROSS cat back at about half the $1800 price tag it used to demand. Apparently, the same Japanese CROSS coilover company was clearing its US inventory.
I saw this kit in the flesh & haven't stopped drooling since. Listed at 22-29lbs for the entire kit, I really wouldn't mind it weighing a tad more. That's light for a dual exhaust system w/ a resonator at the straight pipe.
Stainless grade, fit & finish? These are where the Japs excel & beat everyone in. The kit can be installed by a single blind guy w/o alignment issues. That's Japanese precision at its best. Sound? Sweet deep toned music w/o the drone nor the unwanted loudness some found with the likes of Borla. All joints are flanged, not sleeved. Yeah, the standard mandrel bends, too.
Gains? We will know soon.....w/o further ado......

The extinct CROSS catback:

All buttoned up w/ the aluminum underplate:


Wish he would post some sound clips up......

 

Very true!
On his behalf, thanks!

 

Came w/ the car when he got it. Just dunno what wheels those are.

 

DA MASTAH's Weekend Project: Interior Panel Scratch Removal

As the title says, here's another DIY of DA MASTAH just hours ago:
Before:

After:


The not-so-secret scratch removal weapon: the versatile, multi-purpose heat gun

 

In theory, heat application on hi-grade plastics like ABS that have surface scratches will make those microscopic abrasions shrink & restore back close to initial form. For as long as the said surface is homogeneous & wasn't painted. You'll gradually see results. Color or shade doesn't seem to be affected if not overdone, but sheen might increase a bit. Just don't overcook, deform nor burn the surface.
DA MASTAH put theory to test w/ awesome results. Hope he chimes in.

 

DA MASTAH + Spare Time + Shop Scrap + $0 = Another DIY MASTAHpiece

Custom MASTAHspeed Charger Pulley Puller:

 

Pep refreshed & ready for the return of MINI of the Month!

 

Anticipating how John Bull will come out to be. What are your future plans, TDave?