Engine Drivetrain 1st Gen Cooper S Most liked posts in thread: Proper belt for ATI damper + 15% pulley

Helix it is - mostly because we decided today that I am keeping the car we have and we'll get a different R53 for my son to beat up in the snow and salt.

 

Just did the first lap around the neighborhood since before this thread started. The engine runs like smooth clockwork: ATI damper, fresh tensioner and idler pulley, and a perfectly fitting fresh belt that is not slipping even with aggressive throttle inputs. The new engine mounts also seem to smooth things out.

The suspension feels like a Cadillac compared to the junk that was on there. Still firm, but it actually evens out the road surface and bigger seams that used to just bang through everything.

Ride height was spot on driver's side. On the passenger side I only needed to drop the front 1/3" and the rear 1/4" to get it to be about right. No reason to go lower. For the first time, the car didn't scrape on the bottom front edge as I backed out of the driveway!

At first I wanted to go lower, because the car was darn low, but for now, I will just go with what I have now (24.3" front wheel arch to floor, 24.6" in rear).

Now if only some alignment shops were open this weekend...

Still bleeding air from the cooling system every time it runs, checking for loose stuff, etc. - I have never done that much to a car before. I've had motorcycles completely apart, but cars always were too big for me, until I found a small one

 

The torx socket isn't a big deal right now. The motor is already back on the mounts and I moved on to the oil leaks.

First the valve cover but another missing tool - it requires a deep socket 8mm - my smallest deep socket is 10mm. Plus I will need more 1/4" wiggle extensions to get the intercooler supports back on there. I keep hitting dead ends every night. Glad I don't need the car to drive anywhere. Before I start digging into the front end for the crank position sensor I will need to buy some fresh anti freeze - doing a full coolant swap as well when I take the radiator off.

Meanwhile the oily intercooler got a nice hot bath in Simple Green tonight. Shiny!

And the Coilovers and downlinks are on the truck as of today.

 

I didn't touch the suspension tonight. Instead I swapped the busted and leaked-out engine mount and did some black gunk cleanup. That E14 bolt at the bottom is pretty corroded. Almost looks like that black fluid is some sort of acid and attacked the metal. It looks chewed away in the exposed area below the thread that goes into the mount. I'll be swapping that bolt soon (didn't come with the mount I have, or at least I didn't get that from the last owner). A totally new set of engine mounts is a mod for the near future.

Before I put the coilovers in, I need to get that front end back together, super charger oil, radiator mount etc. After that I will drop the car back onto the wheels, do some measurements for my current baseline. Then back on the jacks and hack away on the old stuff. This weekend is going to be pretty busy. I may bug you for something should I get confused.

 

who exactly makes these things in your car? Mine actually came from California, where they got a make over by Colin.

 

:drool

 

The penetrating oil and some soak time worked.

I got all parts in - still on jacks until I get the bumper back on. These coilovers look really short (I installed as shipped), so I probably will be all slammed when I set it back down on its wheels tomorrow or Friday.

 

So same belt as standard damper, thanks, needed that confirmed.

I have a new tensioner and idler pulley already waiting for belt and ATI, which I will order together with rear camber arms and downlinks. This car is putting me in the poor house ...and I haven't even ordered the coilovers yet. Need to do that tomorrow.

I am still undecided between H-sport and Helix for the rear camber links... don't drive much, never in winter, so Helix probably. I like that you can get fresh bushings for the H-sport, though.

 

Myles,

a pair of Helix arms and horsepower-adding Helix stickers are sitting on my kitchen table, next to an assortment of pulleys tensioners, gaskets, etc. Getting closer to install weekend. Still waiting for the BC coilovers, but I am probably not able to work on it until next week anyway.