Brown barn doors - mini R55 clubman
Discussion
CoolHands said:
Did you fit the exhaust? Does it sound more racy? They’re very expensive I notice.
Hey coolhands, thanks for asking.Yep I sure did I'm just a but rubbish at updating the thread! You have prompted me to action!
This particular scorpion exhaust comes In a lot of pieces....
IMG20220610125951All put together it does look rather shiny and nice!
IMG20220610132822
IMG20220610132829The eagle eyed viewer will spot I went for the resonated version.
I'm mostly definitely on the too old side of noisy exhausts and I'm not a fan of anything too droney on the motorway.
I just wanted a little more drama without going crazy.
Problem is I can't get the blooming thing to fit properly. It's ok on one side but wonky on the other.
IMG20220724172826
IMG20220724172838
IMG20220724172832I took it to my local exhaust place and I don't think they tried very hard but they couldn't get it any better. Will have to try somewhere else when I find some time.
As for noise, it does have a nice burble on the overrun now which the standard exhaust sounded like it wanted to do but rarely did. It definitely has added some drama. Noise level is pretty good. Maybe a bit loud on load at motorway speeds but ok if just cruising along.(it might be blowing a smidge at the joints though).
It's not loud enough that it's worth blasting through tunnels.
Overall I like it but I don't think the mini engine gives a particularly nice noise anyway.
Coming from a v6 Evora which quite frankly sounded epic and before that a mx5 NC which also sounded amazing with a bbr exhaust maybe I have been spoilt.
Worth the £700 I paid for it (20% off sale)?
Probably not....
rickygolf83 said:
some amount of work has gone into this and it definitely shows!
How have things been oil wise since the engine work?
car looks great and I bet it drives great too
Thanks for the kind words. It is a lot of fun!How have things been oil wise since the engine work?
car looks great and I bet it drives great too
Still drinks oil! No black smoke anymore though which is good. I haven't managed to get a good feel for consumption yet. I took it very easy for the first 600 miles after the head rebuild and it seemed not to drink any but once I started to enjoy it levels have dropped and needed topped up...
Recently with the hotest day ever on record and all that, the Aircon packed in. Of course it did.
A visit to my local garage confirmed no gas in the system and a leak from the condenser (an untested 2nd hand unit fitted when head was being done).
The quote from the garage was a couple of hours labour and £110 in parts which was very reasonable, but a quick Google suggested it was a relatively straight forward job and a new condenser could be had for around £70 which given recent expenditure seemed like a saving worth having.
I had a couple of other jobs to do in the vicinity so decided to give it a go myself.
New condenser came in the biggest box ever!
Now the video on YouTube suggested you could get the it swapped without taking the bumper off. After all it's only 2 clips at the top and 3 bolts holding on the pipework.
However the pipework bolts are almost impossible to see what you are doing with the bumper on.
So if it came!
It was still fiddly, but eventually managed to do it. A couple of plastic clips needed trimming as the patent part was a slightly different shape. Local garage vacuum tested it for 30mins and showed no leaks so they refilled it and hooray cold air!!
Whilst I was there I had managed to source a 2nd hand silicone pipe that runs from the turbo to the intercooler. It replaced the OEM pipe that has some sort of resonator in....
You can hardly see it from the engine bay....
Annoyingly it's a different brand from the one from the airbox to the turbo pipe which obviously wouldn't be my first choice but hey ho, it was cheap!
I didn't really expect any difference but it does feel slightly more responsive (placebo maybe?) I was expecting a little difference in induction noise but I can't notice it.
Whilst I was there I reconnected the OEM DRL which were not turning off with the ignition previously so I got my mechanic to disconnect them. Well they work fine now. I suspect it was a weird outcome of the failing battery....
A visit to my local garage confirmed no gas in the system and a leak from the condenser (an untested 2nd hand unit fitted when head was being done).
The quote from the garage was a couple of hours labour and £110 in parts which was very reasonable, but a quick Google suggested it was a relatively straight forward job and a new condenser could be had for around £70 which given recent expenditure seemed like a saving worth having.
I had a couple of other jobs to do in the vicinity so decided to give it a go myself.
New condenser came in the biggest box ever!
Now the video on YouTube suggested you could get the it swapped without taking the bumper off. After all it's only 2 clips at the top and 3 bolts holding on the pipework.
However the pipework bolts are almost impossible to see what you are doing with the bumper on.
So if it came!
It was still fiddly, but eventually managed to do it. A couple of plastic clips needed trimming as the patent part was a slightly different shape. Local garage vacuum tested it for 30mins and showed no leaks so they refilled it and hooray cold air!!
Whilst I was there I had managed to source a 2nd hand silicone pipe that runs from the turbo to the intercooler. It replaced the OEM pipe that has some sort of resonator in....
You can hardly see it from the engine bay....
Annoyingly it's a different brand from the one from the airbox to the turbo pipe which obviously wouldn't be my first choice but hey ho, it was cheap!
I didn't really expect any difference but it does feel slightly more responsive (placebo maybe?) I was expecting a little difference in induction noise but I can't notice it.
Whilst I was there I reconnected the OEM DRL which were not turning off with the ignition previously so I got my mechanic to disconnect them. Well they work fine now. I suspect it was a weird outcome of the failing battery....
No update to the car but After driving this for 2 weeks on holiday....
Just made me realize what a cracking little car the mini is.
Great steering, light and nimble, small enough outside to enjoy on most roads but big enough inside to fit 4 people in relative comfort, and above all a lot of fun!
(Although to be honest the Ford was probably the better tool to do over 1000 interstate miles in 2 weeks like we did on holiday as it was very comfy and practical but horrid to drive)
Just made me realize what a cracking little car the mini is.
Great steering, light and nimble, small enough outside to enjoy on most roads but big enough inside to fit 4 people in relative comfort, and above all a lot of fun!
(Although to be honest the Ford was probably the better tool to do over 1000 interstate miles in 2 weeks like we did on holiday as it was very comfy and practical but horrid to drive)
Minor (mini?) Update and not a lot going on.
Rear discs and pads got changed because they were down to the wear sensor. Just standard pagid items, nothing fancy.
But more importantly it sailed through it's MOT! Not even an advisory!
Seriously delighted! Also no complaints of smoke from the mot station who were very quick to tell me how bad it was last year so all the hard work has paid off.
Not many miles done in a year but considering I don't commute by car at the moment and we have 2 other cars in the house I'm quite impressed by how much I use it!!
Other jobs ongoing, I have a front subframe I am restoring to swap mine out at some point as it's a smidge scabby and I am seeing more of this age of mini failing mots for it. Also need to get booked in at my local remap centre very soon. Suspect remap will make the clutch slip so will be a good time to change the subframe...
Rear discs and pads got changed because they were down to the wear sensor. Just standard pagid items, nothing fancy.
But more importantly it sailed through it's MOT! Not even an advisory!
Seriously delighted! Also no complaints of smoke from the mot station who were very quick to tell me how bad it was last year so all the hard work has paid off.
Not many miles done in a year but considering I don't commute by car at the moment and we have 2 other cars in the house I'm quite impressed by how much I use it!!
Other jobs ongoing, I have a front subframe I am restoring to swap mine out at some point as it's a smidge scabby and I am seeing more of this age of mini failing mots for it. Also need to get booked in at my local remap centre very soon. Suspect remap will make the clutch slip so will be a good time to change the subframe...
Decided it was worth changing the oil again. It was obviously changed when the head was done but thought it worth changing again now the turbo was bedded in and everything else run in.
Less than 2k on the oil but it was pretty black, but with no obvious issues. Filter (Bosch) came from my local motor factor which seems to be 50% cheaper than anywhere else!
Also took the chance to clean the air filter. I purchased my ITG panel filter 2nd hand and it was not long cleaned when I put it in, but thought it was worth a clean just in case. Glad I did it was pretty filthy. I got the pipercross cleaning and oiling kit. Half the price of the ITG one and more readily available at halfords. Wasn't quite sure how much oil to out on so I sprayed it to be slightly damp. I hope that's right!
Amazing how much dirt and grit came out...
I had a rush if blood to the head and purchased some really cheap ap coilovers off ebay. Although the bottom end of the mid range coilovers they are reasonably respected in mini circles so I thought why not!! I spent some time cleaning them up and collars turned and they seemed in reasonable condition (apart from the top mounts!)
But I just couldn't bring myself to fit them given the time and money I poured into the rest of the car... I'll hold out until I can afford something new.
By the way, I do realize how dull this is, more of a record to myself I guess than of any interest. Quite therapeutic really....
Less than 2k on the oil but it was pretty black, but with no obvious issues. Filter (Bosch) came from my local motor factor which seems to be 50% cheaper than anywhere else!
Also took the chance to clean the air filter. I purchased my ITG panel filter 2nd hand and it was not long cleaned when I put it in, but thought it was worth a clean just in case. Glad I did it was pretty filthy. I got the pipercross cleaning and oiling kit. Half the price of the ITG one and more readily available at halfords. Wasn't quite sure how much oil to out on so I sprayed it to be slightly damp. I hope that's right!
Amazing how much dirt and grit came out...
I had a rush if blood to the head and purchased some really cheap ap coilovers off ebay. Although the bottom end of the mid range coilovers they are reasonably respected in mini circles so I thought why not!! I spent some time cleaning them up and collars turned and they seemed in reasonable condition (apart from the top mounts!)
But I just couldn't bring myself to fit them given the time and money I poured into the rest of the car... I'll hold out until I can afford something new.
By the way, I do realize how dull this is, more of a record to myself I guess than of any interest. Quite therapeutic really....
Regulars on this thread will know I added a coolerworx short shift to the car some months back....
Well I never got on with the alloy gearknob and I wanted it to be wood to match my trim and the original gearknob.
Well I finally found someone local with a lathe and voila!
Probably needs a few finishing touches but I love it (and it won't be so cold to touch this winter). It's not quite dark enough so I might have to restain it sometime but it will do for now ...
Well I never got on with the alloy gearknob and I wanted it to be wood to match my trim and the original gearknob.
Well I finally found someone local with a lathe and voila!
Probably needs a few finishing touches but I love it (and it won't be so cold to touch this winter). It's not quite dark enough so I might have to restain it sometime but it will do for now ...
Minor update time...
I wasn't going to get a sports cat but a 2nd hand miltek one came up for sale locally at a good price so I decided to grab it.
(Sports cat at the bottom).
These are a real pig to fit! Mini has a service mode where by undoing a few bolts you can pull the radiator, ac condenser and crash structure forward a couple of inches which is a very neat solution. But first time I have ever done it and it took me ages, it's then still really tight to get at all the bolts for the heat shields etc that need to come off and really hard to see. I know a lot of people go full hog and pull out the radiator and condenser too but I really wanted to avoid that.
Long story cut short I got it done but it took me a lonnngggg time!
Result? Not a lot really. I think I actually made the car quieter as there must have been a blow on the cat back. Occasionally throws a warning code but doesn't seem to have caused limp mode. Maybe feels a tiny bit more eager, but suspect that's wishful thinking. Map needed I think to get anything from it.
Makes me wonder about how wise my scorpion cat back investment was... I was hoping the sports cat might give a bit more character to the exhaust note, but it hasn't really. It's louder then standard but just not that interesting. Maybe I have been spoilt by other cars I have had the good fortune to own previously.
In other news I found a cheap LCI steering wheel on ebay...
I really love my wooden wheel but the silver controls are horrid and look really dated. You can get covers but not for the actual buttons
So time to combine the 2!
The black bits on the LCI wheel were a bit tatty so the bottom spoke got wrapped
This...
To this....
(Took me about 8 goes to get this right, I am rubbish at wrapping stuff)
And the stereo control had got a bit worn...
So the matte black paint and a fine artist brush put into use....
(It looks better in the flesh!)
Airbag pops out really easy on a mini. Long thin tool (I used a tent peg) pushes into a hole in the bottom to release the clips and it just pops off, simple!
And all done.
Looks much more modern now I think.
I also got a label made up for my new gearknob. Ironically in silver....
I wasn't going to get a sports cat but a 2nd hand miltek one came up for sale locally at a good price so I decided to grab it.
(Sports cat at the bottom).
These are a real pig to fit! Mini has a service mode where by undoing a few bolts you can pull the radiator, ac condenser and crash structure forward a couple of inches which is a very neat solution. But first time I have ever done it and it took me ages, it's then still really tight to get at all the bolts for the heat shields etc that need to come off and really hard to see. I know a lot of people go full hog and pull out the radiator and condenser too but I really wanted to avoid that.
Long story cut short I got it done but it took me a lonnngggg time!
Result? Not a lot really. I think I actually made the car quieter as there must have been a blow on the cat back. Occasionally throws a warning code but doesn't seem to have caused limp mode. Maybe feels a tiny bit more eager, but suspect that's wishful thinking. Map needed I think to get anything from it.
Makes me wonder about how wise my scorpion cat back investment was... I was hoping the sports cat might give a bit more character to the exhaust note, but it hasn't really. It's louder then standard but just not that interesting. Maybe I have been spoilt by other cars I have had the good fortune to own previously.
In other news I found a cheap LCI steering wheel on ebay...
I really love my wooden wheel but the silver controls are horrid and look really dated. You can get covers but not for the actual buttons
So time to combine the 2!
The black bits on the LCI wheel were a bit tatty so the bottom spoke got wrapped
This...
To this....
(Took me about 8 goes to get this right, I am rubbish at wrapping stuff)
And the stereo control had got a bit worn...
So the matte black paint and a fine artist brush put into use....
(It looks better in the flesh!)
Airbag pops out really easy on a mini. Long thin tool (I used a tent peg) pushes into a hole in the bottom to release the clips and it just pops off, simple!
And all done.
Looks much more modern now I think.
I also got a label made up for my new gearknob. Ironically in silver....
bnbrndn said:
Big fan of this! I currently have an R56 Cooper S, which I'm a fair way through a build on so you've given me a lot of motivation to pull my finger out!
Might even get round to sticking a thread up myself.
Thank you. Get a build thread up for sure! Always needs more inspiration Might even get round to sticking a thread up myself.
At last a more major update!
I finally got round to booking a remap. Decided I wanted a custom map so took it to a local place which is luckily walking distance from my house (handy if something isn't right)
Here are the results...
Interesting that before is 171bhp which is almost bang on stock, regardless of the changes I made. The tuner suggested the mods may have even reduced hp a little but I don't really see proof of that, it's a 13 year old car, I would expect some horses to have bolted...
I asked for him to aim for 210-220 range which he did, he thought there was more to give, but on stock internals I didn't want to go higher.
Not driven it much yet, but pleasantly, around town it hasn't really changed much. (The tuner said he deliberately didn't ramp up the power too soon for driveability and to protect the clutch). Once you decide to really give it some beans though it seems to have a good amount of extra shove. Lots more wheelspin too though....
I finally got round to booking a remap. Decided I wanted a custom map so took it to a local place which is luckily walking distance from my house (handy if something isn't right)
Here are the results...
Interesting that before is 171bhp which is almost bang on stock, regardless of the changes I made. The tuner suggested the mods may have even reduced hp a little but I don't really see proof of that, it's a 13 year old car, I would expect some horses to have bolted...
I asked for him to aim for 210-220 range which he did, he thought there was more to give, but on stock internals I didn't want to go higher.
Not driven it much yet, but pleasantly, around town it hasn't really changed much. (The tuner said he deliberately didn't ramp up the power too soon for driveability and to protect the clutch). Once you decide to really give it some beans though it seems to have a good amount of extra shove. Lots more wheelspin too though....
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