Most liked posts in thread: Rally Mini Cooper

happy holidays to all!

 

yeah until the cage goes in, then I'll have to go lighter! The goal is 2028LBS with the cage in.

 

Good point! I need a monkey safety code.. mind you monkeys can move fast when they need too!

 

Thanks Chuck,

I'm hoping the STI suspension will give me all the steering I need...hahah but if needed the hand brake will come in handy.

Nathan,

I'm going to install the sensors again as I need the speedo for the tech test. Lucky for me a MA member is going to help me with the parts for shipping costs only...nice forum you have here. I'd have to chop some body parts off to get that type of deal from the Suzuki guys.....haha

I live in La Garita. Center of the rally Mini central America!

 

no, they all got washed away!

 

Thanks Chuck. Never give up! here's the dash



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Once the Mini is done you'll have to could down for some beers! The Mini found some fame!

Your Cars

 

This visit has been the most productive so far; everything seemed to go right for a change! Hahaha I figured out my wiring issues and finished the front of the car apart from the Strut/chassis bar which I plan to make when the car is on the road. The wiring DUH! Was I cut the CAN bus to the IKE thinking this was part of the airbag wiring as it’s the same colour wire. I pretty sure now everything will work again as all the modules can chat to each other. I finished the under body protection brackets and fitted a hose to provide fresh air to the power steering pump area. Also I like to have to have foam between the skid plate and engine to stop stones gathering there which could make a hole in the sump. Another job finished was the recessed battery cut off and fire system deployment lever. Fitting the poly suspension control arm bushes was very easy. ½ hour right side and 45 mins left side. Just unbolt the ball joints, use a 5/16 drill to remove as much rubber bushing as possible then use a bar to pry out the arm. Use a sazall to carefully cut the outer metal so it pops out. Don’t go nuts here as you could cut the housing up! LOL. To fit the poly bush I used a cheap 3 arm hub puller with the arms removed. Then made a plate to push in the bush, add some soap and in about minute the bush was in. Then use an angle grinder to cut the old bush off the arm and refit the arm on the car. Done! Now the front was done I could finally fit the front bumper to make the Mini whole again! Before fitting the wheels I added the mud flaps needed for rallying….just finished that job when the heavens opened! Rain stopped play.

 

Thanks MF on the coil Eminiparts can do one for around $100 which is better than some Ebay specials. I didn't get any codes for the O2's but they might be worth swapping to. Yes it's the small stuff that's the most frustrating. Although I buggered up the ABS I still have codes not related to me..LOL maybe I need a fuel filter swap too? I'll keep plugging away.

 

This weekend I got the rear end finished! I wanted the battery in the rear to balance the car as I was concerned the rear would be too light after the entire interior had been removed. Also moving the battery to the rear frees up some space in the engine bay. The battery box also doubled up as a spare wheel holder! The spare wheel also serves as a holder for the tow rope, jump leads etc . Another issue I have is rust! Because it is near on impossible to spray paint all the cage there was areas exposed to rust. Brush painting did not work so I used a strip of sponge soaked in paint. I wrapped the sponge around the tube and pulled it along. Seemed to do the trick! Now I have the front and rear done with only the middle to finish. The ride height seems to be about right but note these are 60 series tyres so the wheel arch will fill out with the rally tyres. It looks like next weekend could be the finish! This will be too late for the June 30 rally but should give me plenty of seat time before Septembers rally.