Getting closer on finishing up the Mini for MOTD...Engine all buttoned up, exhaust installed, and since I was running a bit ahead of schedule I ordered in a new fuel filter and a set of Red Stuff front pads (only 1/3 left on the current pads, and since everything was apart anyway...) This weekend I'll get the fuel filter in and with a bit of luck clean and install the set of leather seats I picked up a few months back....after that it's time to drop her off the jack stands and fire things up! (And the Mrs is most relieved that I got it all back together without any left over parts sitting in the bin!)
Be sure to keep your eyes on those EBCs... they have had a strong history of delaminating from the backing plates in the last couple of years.
left front hub assembly and bearing; right front bearing; new Powerflex control arm bushings (were done in '06), oil leak fixed, power steering leak fixed, tuned, aligned, oil changed. Hopefully I'll get the new rubber on the latest set of wheels soon and I'll be good to go!
Done: 1) H-Sport Adjustable Rear Lower control arms Done: 2) Power Grid Adjustable End Links (front and rear) Done: 3) Revalved BC coilovers (with Swift Spring upgrade) Done: 4) Bridgestone Potenza S04 Pole Positions (giving them a try this year, wasn't impressed with the Michelin Pilot Super Sports) Done: 5) Voltage Pedal set Done: Wrapped and installed headlight trim rings myself. Next weekend: 6) Rotors and Pads (front and rear)
After nearly 2 months of evenings and weekends getting my 2004 R53 ready for MOTD, I finally finished up all the mods and maintenance items over the weekend…Felt good to take the car off the jackstands, re-connect the battery, and get ready to fire it up. Unfortunately upon starting up the car for the first time in 8 weeks I had an immediate running problem. Symptom was engine in "limp mode" (max 2000 rpm with full pedal), received the following codes: P0136, P0123, P0222, P1229. What a disappointment!....But all turned out OK in the end...After troubleshooting this problem for several days, I stumbled across the fix which was an easy one and somewhat embarrassing...I had failed to reattach the electrical connection to the Throttle Body....one snap of the connector, a turn of the key, and the Mini now purrs like a kitten (or rather growls with the new exhaust). So here's the list of modifications/maintenance I have done to prepare for this year's MOTD...the work has certainly revived the old gal and "perked her up" quite a bit: -New Vibra-Technics engine & trans mounts all around. -JCW CAI. -Install official Mini fog light kit. -Swapped out to excellent used JCW head, along with installation of ARP head studs, new colder plugs, and other related parts. -New JCW 380cc injectors. -Supercharger oil service, including replacing all seals, gaskets, etc related. -Installed Imperial S/C Re-Charger kit for future supercharger maintenance. -Milltek header, catback exhaust, and two new O2 sensors. -WMW 17% supercharger pulley, along with belt, idler pulley, tensioner, tensioner stop, and related items. -ATI Crank dampener pulley. -Knock sensor (fixing code pulled a few months ago). -Reverse light switch (fixing non-functioning back-up light). -New front brake pads. -Replaced two leaking power steering lines. -Installed RMW coolant tank. -New fluids all around (coolant, power steering, brake fluid, oil and filter) -Replaced several misc gaskets around engine (oil filter housing, crank position sensor seal, oil dipstick o-ring, etc). -New air intake hose from CAI to throttle body. -Installed excellent used leather interior pulled from car at 25k. -New leather Redline shift & brake lever boots. Now that all of this is done I think I'm ready for a break from working on the car and am ready to enjoy driving for a while! Looking forward to seeing all of you at the Dragon! Best Regards, Cliff
Yeah, about half way through I began wondering if I had bitten off more than I could chew...of course, looking at the list most all of the goodies are for go rather than just for show...but that's the way I prefer things, nothing to draw attention to additional horsepower. Of course the leather seats don't add much to the go aspect, but sitting in them should make me feel like I'm going faster ;-)
OOF, just found out I need to do - Tensioner (weeping cylinder), and while in there going to do the idler pulley & belt - Trans oil change to Redline MTL - Exhaust modification to reduce below-shifter heat (and change the tone some) - Replace shifter box bottom that I melted last year, probably should replace the one I fabbed from an old beer keg to get me by! - Maybe take off and sell the fixed camber plates in advance of fabbing new ones... And all in the next few days!
Pre-MOTD paradise! Mini is prepped, packed and sitting in my sister-in-law's garage in Columbus, oh. Waiting for me to get back on Sunday, so we can drive down to Deals Gap!
I see your clay and I raise you a garage. My car is always in a garage and I only have to clay it twice a year. :ihih::lol:
I was good until my son Blake decided that he can make it. Now we have his R53 to get prepped and ready. 1. Belt and Tensioner 2. Brakes 3. Oil change 4. Detail Looks like spring yard work is going to wait until we return....dang!