Most liked posts in thread: Rally Mini Cooper

Engine almost finished!

 

This visit I got the engine back together less the radiator and S oil heat exchanger. The radiator I left off as I plan to fit a new alternator and S oil heat exchanger on my next visit. The rear STI suspension, R56 trailing arms and Helix lateral arms are fitted. Steel trailing arm weighs 23lbs, the R56 15lbs, Steel laterals 8LBs a pair, Helix 4Lbs a pair. So 22lbs less of unsprung weight. Next trip back won't be until March 27th with the first rally being April 14th. I'm going to be really busy to finish on time but if not the next rally is in May. Last thing I want to do is rush and miss something important.

 

Chuck, I think I'm more excited about this car than any other I built mainly because there is nothing as cool looking as a Mini! this visit, I have to take TRS tow straps, coolant fan, Helix short shifter, alternator, powerflex bushes (control arm), roof Union Jack and rally checker side decals, S oil filter housing, hatch battery relocationkit, JCW rocker panel decals,1 15" wheel, some curry and some IPA beer if I have room!

 

Thanks Modfather for the motivation, you have been a big help so far and I'm sure you will be in future. The rear top mounts you send me (shipping only) helped me a lot. Once the Mini is running I see this year as a trial and error development. In rally you never know. OOOOOOOOO I'll take a look on RMW, thanks. I do have some ideas for the clutch slave cylinder bracket as another Rally MC with a S box broke the bracket off. I have a 150LBS pressure plate which might break the bracket. 2 more weeks to go before I'm back in Costa Rica.

 

Thanks, I was just looking and posting on their site

 

found these 2 for $80 and free shipping makes them 1/2 price

BMW Mini Cooper s R53 00 08 Powerflex Front Wishbone Rear Bushes PFF5 101 | eBay

 

Back in CR again! Phew it's hot here! Anyway after lots of drinking water I fitted the "S" oil heat exchanger and coolant pipes, header, oil catch tank, battery cut off and fire system pull handle. Plumbed in the front brake pipes and re-fitted the heat shields. The "S" heat exchanger took some thinking as the inlet/outlet are no way near any coolant hoses so I'd pre-ordered some "S" coolant T's from Eminiparts to tap into the heater hoses close to the bulkhead. Then I made a metal twin tube unit to bolt on top of the streering rack heat cover. hoses then run from the tubes to the exchanger and T's Now I have some breathing space as they moved the first rally to the day I return to the US. So it looks like May for the first rally.

 

Well I have to admit it..I made a mistake! I removed all the ABS sensors before removed the gearbox only to find the sensors drive the speedo. Not critical for rally but needed for road use. Lesson learnt. To make matters worse I cut off the chassis plugs and wires back to the loom. Now I need to find someone breaking a R50/R53 who is willing to donate the wires/plugs. Ah the days of cable throttle and speedo.

 

My 850 mini had a speedo like a wand as the speedo cable was bent. hahaha ah the days of cables. I already have the rear sensors donated for free.

 

I did think of that but in Costa Rica we don't need a rally computer because the stages are so short as are the transits. My rally computer has miles/KM on it but I cannot use it on the Mini because it's cable driven.

What would be interesting to know is what sensors control the speedo. Anyone fancy unplugging the fronts and driving, then the rears to see if all or just 2 operate the speedo. I could ask the monkey but he has no idea!

 

I take size 10 and Paddy is just a wee bit older than me! This means I'm going to do my best to honour the number.