Rally Mini Cooper

I ended up welding the extention to the socket! LOL I did some checking last night and found a loose plug that I didn't push in correctly so based on that I'm going to make sure there are not any other loose plugs. Engine still runs a little off but I'm sure that's just crappy fuel. I leave on Saturday so the build will continue in May aiming for the first rally in June.

 

Good or bad I'll be reporting what I've been up to to finish this project. This visit I got a lot done but on the downside I made a mistake of not fully understanding the wiring system of the Mini. In the past I've taken out all the wiring I don't need from rally cars and if only I had read the various PDF files folks have sent me before pulling out the ABS I would most likely be further along with the Mini by now. Saying that I don't go by if's and maybe's...what's done is done with the upside I will know more about my electrical system as electrics kill rally cars. What is nice is the positive support from various folks in the Mni world. Now I have 2 weeks to gather some know how on the wiring and go back fresh to finish the Mini.

 

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



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Thanks Gizmo....thing is if anyone else decides to do what I'm doing at least they will know! I posted this a few places on MA but here's the rear end.

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Thanks UKcooper,Chuck. The seats will be the last thing going in which I hope will be next visit. Regarding the twin rear pipes I wanted something similar to the Countryman but no as open. Also I wanted the mufflers up and out the way to save them getting bashed to death and something that sounded the biz. The tail pipe surrounds I made from steel from the Suzuki hahaha, then welded bolts on to make them flush fitting, then painted them black.

 

The 2 weeks in the US was spent gathering the know how of how to fix various issues I had created by removing the ABS pump. That little bugger runs a ton of stuff! Anyway I got a Bentley Manual and a ton of help from Beaner and his tuning dude friend. Beaner sent me all the stuff I needed to hook up the ABS. Only problem was he has a DSC with bigger plug and mine is a basic ABS................but for once lady luck was in town. I contaced the dude I sold the ABS pump to, who is 30mins from work. He had a ABS pump with the plug and around 8" of cut off wires. So I swapped the DSC pump for that one which should be correct for my MC. So I return on Sunday to continue the fight to finish.

 

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

Your Cars

 

I arrived safe and will be starting work tonight!

 

keep swimming more like! it's the rainy season which means in the evenning after work it's pissing it down, not good with electric tools and my hand tools are starting to rust. So I've not got much done in the week and the weekend I have to get up at dawn until it starts to rain at around 1pm. I'm still sorting out the wiring out that Beaner sent me. All the wires match up apart from brown/green one! which I need to check. lucky for me the Suzuki Swift under engine protection plate fits perfect to the underside of the Mini. I fabricated a frame to attach it to which is part welded and bolted to the sub frame..that's about it. slow going and frustrating. My favourite song is"singing in the rain"

 

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. I'm back in the US with the hope I can get the ABS coded to the rest of the system. Last weekend I had 11 error codes so I have to work through them. Nothing major but the SES light is on and the engine has some missfire at idle. Could be the Autozone coil pack I fitted? yes I know now that's not the done thing for Mini's. I'm going to replace it. 2 weeks until I return. I will say Beaner has been or bean LOL a star in helping me.