Rally Mini Cooper

Discussion in 'Car Builds, Projects, Idea's Experiments' started by RallyMini370, Mar 27, 2012.

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  1. RallyMini370

    RallyMini370 Well-Known Member

    Mar 12, 2012
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    Not much has happened to the Mini since I came back from CR. The SES light went out after I replaced the coolant pressure cap. The 1/4" steering wheel play became 1/2" so I swapped the steering column U/J joint which was really bad, now I have a Mini that steers! Sunday the Mini starts the journey South to arrive in Costa Rica on Sept 4th
     
  2. RallyMini370

    RallyMini370 Well-Known Member

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    The Mini is on its way to Costa Rica!
     
  3. RallyMini370

    RallyMini370 Well-Known Member

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    The Mini made to Costa Rica with no issues! only problem I have is the roll cage guy got the wrong tubing which will delay the rally build slightly. This gives me more time to sell the Swift and raise more cash! Motorsport has never been cheap. Anyway I'm enjoying driving around in the Cooper.
     
  4. Steve

    Steve Administrator
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    Just curious, in this case "the wrong tubing" means?
     
  5. RallyMini370

    RallyMini370 Well-Known Member

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    Should be cold drawn seemless CDS he got tubing with a welded seem also the tube should be 45mm x 2.5mm he got 1.75mm
     
  6. Crashton

    Crashton Club Coordinator

    Jun 4, 2009
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    You got lucky. Glad he didn't build the cage out of ERW. Sounds like your fab guy knows his metals.
     
  7. TheModFather

    TheModFather Well-Known Member

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    Glad to see you made it to CR, and to see some more progress being made.

    I agree good catch on the tube, only thing I would use ERW for is a light weight cage on a small 4X4 (like a Samurai). Nothing that would or could take a spill at anything over 5 mph.
     
  8. RallyMini370

    RallyMini370 Well-Known Member

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    The problem is now I can't find the CDS tubing in Costa Rica. I'm still looking. Also I need to sell the Suzuki Swift to continue with the build. Driving the Mini on the same roads as the Swift highlights how much faster the Mini is! In stock form with just the interior taken out the Mini is way faster. I think this is because 2004 against 1989 handling. Budget wise the engine is the last thing I'm going to work on. The MA5 box is very similar to the Swift so I treat it with respect. The Mini has done 126,000miles so for sure the box will need a rebuild with a Gripper LSD and low final drive.. Last weekend I de-chromed the Mini and cut off the lip off the front bumper.
     
  9. UKCoopeR

    UKCoopeR Active Member

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    Sounds like a fun project and looks you know what you are doing, safety first when it comes to cages esp for rally! :Thumbsup:
     
  10. TheModFather

    TheModFather Well-Known Member

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    Pics/vids or it didnt happen Chris.
     
  11. RallyMini370

    RallyMini370 Well-Known Member

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    I tried to post some pictures but the image host I use does not work. Can you suggest another? Last night was a blow to the project as fellow competitor in another class told me when you start winning it's going to get ugly with our competitors in my class. With the Swift no one bothered because it was a SO SO car even though we were in the podium finish. So now with the Mini for sure they are going to be picky when we win. Looks like the good work with the WRX radiator will have to be un-done. So I have to keep the Mini as stock as possible to avoid being branded as a cheat even though I know all the folks have ilegal cars! So I have to get creative..hahaha Most likely I'll get the radiator shortened to fit the plastic surround. The STI struts should be fine so lucky I had not modified anything else. The focus now will be the MA box and some sneaky engine mods. Even OBX header might have to go......such is the ugly world of motorsport.
     
  12. TheModFather

    TheModFather Well-Known Member

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    That sucks. Dont know why people who are bending the rules themselves feel the need to gripe when they go up against something that will hand their ass to them.

    Try PhotoBucket, I havent had any problems with them.
     
  13. Steve

    Steve Administrator
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    If you're trying to post here you can load them directly into your M/A gallery. Click on Gallery (top of page) and then Upload Photos (blue bar, right side). :Thumbsup:
     
  14. RallyMini370

    RallyMini370 Well-Known Member

    Mar 12, 2012
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    Thanks I'll try to up-load some photos. The good news is anything in the Mini Cooper range of Gen 1 and Gen 2 cars can be used. So I can use the Gen 2 trailing arms on my Gen 1 . Now I'll studying what Gen 2 up-grades I can put on the Mini. Cooper S oil heat exchanger would be one change. Is the Cooper S cam different to the Cooper? Because I have a Cooper S head on the Cooper now.
     
  15. Nathan

    Nathan Founder

    Mar 30, 2009
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    Gen 2 trailing arms came on the 2006 GP. It's a fairly straight forward retrofit as you will see. There is an article in the M/A Library, but seeing some of the work you have already performed I don't think you need it for than just a parts listing.
     
  16. TheModFather

    TheModFather Well-Known Member

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    No difference between heads or cams Chris, well unless you are talking the JCW head. It still got the same cam though.

    Im sure you could sneak in a mild cam and not raise any eyebrows.

    Is it legal for you to adapt a MCS intake manifold to the Cooper? Some fabrication of a throttle body adapter would be needed, but could free up some high RPM power.
     
  17. RallyMini370

    RallyMini370 Well-Known Member

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    The main thing is if it looks stock it's ok so the S intake could be a good mod. I'm thinking the NS1 cam might be good.
     
  18. TheModFather

    TheModFather Well-Known Member

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    There are better options for your use age than the NS1. Remember you want power from the left side of the graph and to peak on the right side, yet be mild enough to not idle like its there.
     
  19. RallyMini370

    RallyMini370 Well-Known Member

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    what other cams are available? I see the Gen 2 engine runs 11:1 CR so at least I can bump up the CR.
     
  20. TheModFather

    TheModFather Well-Known Member

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    Check the RMW forums, there are like 7 to choose from each with its own application. More choices is always better.

    The 2nd gen cars have a totally different engine so you cant use those pistons. If I where you, I would find a cheap used "S" engine and build that block for the stronger factory parts. The R53's have bigger bearings a forged crank and stronger rods, put your higher compression pistons in that and run it NA, and it should be a pretty stout bottom end.
     

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