2003 Mini Cooper S with lots of power
Discussion
That's low on just lowering springs! He ride must be pretty horrid no?
Progress has been made this weekend as I had a couple of days off either side.
Picked up and fitted a JCW exhaust (thanks for spotting it for me Adam). It's now loads quieter while driving normally but still shouts when you go WOT. Still have concerns it won't pass driveby sound checks at circuits. Should pass the static one now though.
Dug out an old Bluetooth head unit and fitted that on Saturday, only to find the passenger front speaker is goosed. Popped down to Minitopia today and Ray sorted me out with a replacement OE speaker, some door card screws that were missing and some clips to replace ones the last person to remove the door card has royally f
ked up. Whilst there I asked for a quote on sourcing a dark silver bonnet and having it fitted, turns out he had one in stock and a spare hour. Result! No more ruined paint bonnet and the black scoop is gone as the new bonnet still has the dark silver scoop in it.
I also sprayed the grills on the scuttle satin black today.
Car looks and sounds much better and really starting to feel like mine rather than just a car I've bought. The JCW exhaust needs more work as it pokes out too much and sits too low, plus got the rest of the list to keep working through.
Progress has been made this weekend as I had a couple of days off either side.
Picked up and fitted a JCW exhaust (thanks for spotting it for me Adam). It's now loads quieter while driving normally but still shouts when you go WOT. Still have concerns it won't pass driveby sound checks at circuits. Should pass the static one now though.
Dug out an old Bluetooth head unit and fitted that on Saturday, only to find the passenger front speaker is goosed. Popped down to Minitopia today and Ray sorted me out with a replacement OE speaker, some door card screws that were missing and some clips to replace ones the last person to remove the door card has royally f
ked up. Whilst there I asked for a quote on sourcing a dark silver bonnet and having it fitted, turns out he had one in stock and a spare hour. Result! No more ruined paint bonnet and the black scoop is gone as the new bonnet still has the dark silver scoop in it. I also sprayed the grills on the scuttle satin black today.
Car looks and sounds much better and really starting to feel like mine rather than just a car I've bought. The JCW exhaust needs more work as it pokes out too much and sits too low, plus got the rest of the list to keep working through.
Competed in my first event in the Mini last weekend, the Farnborough District Motor Club Sprint Royale. Due to the rules around boost multiplications to CC I was in the 1800 to 2300cc class. My competition was a group of EP3 Type Rs, a Fiat 500 Abarth, an old school Alfa, an MGA and a Clio 182.
My main aim was to try the car out, get a feel for competing in it and decide if it’s the right car and class to compete in or to focus on the MX5 for that. I knew the other R53 was turbod and running over 300 whp, I knew everyone else was on semi slicks and I knew a at least one of the civics and its a driver were well seasoned Sprint competitors in a very well developed car. I had power but no decent tyres, far from ideal suspension set up, no LSD and standard brakes with Mintex 1144 pads.
I had no illusions about walking home with a trophy.
I had a great time though. THe car was brilliant, wheelspin city, but brilliant. Took me a while to dial in to FWD having only ever done these kinds of events in RWD cars. I haven’t properly tracked a FWD in over 5 years.
The result was out of 10 in class I came 4th, 3 tenths of a second off third. The 3 Civics making up the top 3. Yup, I beat the 300+ whp R53. I think he must have been having an off day as it looked blisteringly quick off the line.
The day proved that the car has potential. I was around 2 secs off the front guys over a course that took them around 57secs. Sounds small but it is quite a lot. However I reckon with some proper tyres, the wheels pointing and cambered like they should be and more seat time from this fleshy lump behind the wheel we should be capable of claiming some trophies for the cabinet.
Here’s a couple of pics from the day plus a video of my fastest run at 59.63 seconds.
https://youtu.be/XiqXwuDNjwM
My main aim was to try the car out, get a feel for competing in it and decide if it’s the right car and class to compete in or to focus on the MX5 for that. I knew the other R53 was turbod and running over 300 whp, I knew everyone else was on semi slicks and I knew a at least one of the civics and its a driver were well seasoned Sprint competitors in a very well developed car. I had power but no decent tyres, far from ideal suspension set up, no LSD and standard brakes with Mintex 1144 pads.
I had no illusions about walking home with a trophy.
I had a great time though. THe car was brilliant, wheelspin city, but brilliant. Took me a while to dial in to FWD having only ever done these kinds of events in RWD cars. I haven’t properly tracked a FWD in over 5 years.
The result was out of 10 in class I came 4th, 3 tenths of a second off third. The 3 Civics making up the top 3. Yup, I beat the 300+ whp R53. I think he must have been having an off day as it looked blisteringly quick off the line.
The day proved that the car has potential. I was around 2 secs off the front guys over a course that took them around 57secs. Sounds small but it is quite a lot. However I reckon with some proper tyres, the wheels pointing and cambered like they should be and more seat time from this fleshy lump behind the wheel we should be capable of claiming some trophies for the cabinet.
Here’s a couple of pics from the day plus a video of my fastest run at 59.63 seconds.
https://youtu.be/XiqXwuDNjwM
Straight line the Mini should be able to match, if not better an eP3. I think it’s mostly in the bends and on the brakes. I suffered badly for traction on the brakes, underliad theough the corners and then getting on the power. Tyres and fitting the kit to get a decent geo should go a long way to rectifying that.
Took the Mini to the sunday service at Silverstone on Sunday and did a short track session. Was good fun but even with the mintex 1144 pads and fresh fluids the brakes are terrible. Sourced a JCW set up that I’m picking up Sunday.
Pics:
The pics show it also badly needs camber plates for the front, soooo much positive camber under load.
Video of a couple of laps:
https://youtu.be/k-X9nFCuYrs
Pics:
The pics show it also badly needs camber plates for the front, soooo much positive camber under load.
Video of a couple of laps:
https://youtu.be/k-X9nFCuYrs
Done a bit of shopping. Arrived so far is the following:
2 x driveshafts
1 x set of R56 front brakes with GTT grooved discs and pads
1 x full set of braided hoses
1 x front bush tool
1 x black series front arm bushes
1 x pair of adjustable front camber plates
1 x pair of front out arm ball joints
Hopefully that little lot will get it turning and stopping like it should and get rid of the increasingly bad vibration it has at anything over 70.
It’s also booked into 1320 on 5th Jan for a tomcat and remap. Annoyingly the last owner lost the cable or whatever has the licence in it for the Bitetronic map it has now so I’m going to have to pay for another one which isn’t an inconsiderable amount. Curses!
2 x driveshafts
1 x set of R56 front brakes with GTT grooved discs and pads
1 x full set of braided hoses
1 x front bush tool
1 x black series front arm bushes
1 x pair of adjustable front camber plates
1 x pair of front out arm ball joints
Hopefully that little lot will get it turning and stopping like it should and get rid of the increasingly bad vibration it has at anything over 70.
It’s also booked into 1320 on 5th Jan for a tomcat and remap. Annoyingly the last owner lost the cable or whatever has the licence in it for the Bitetronic map it has now so I’m going to have to pay for another one which isn’t an inconsiderable amount. Curses!
Much has gone on since that last update. In some kind of order:
Fitted all new bushes and ball joints on the front end
Fitted 2 new wheel bearings on the front
Fitted new driveshafts
New driveshafts kept falling out
Damaged gearbox seal
Replaced gearbox seal and fitted good used OEM driveshafts.
Driveshafts now stay in the gearbox
Fitted Gen2 front brakes and braided lines all round
1320 fabricated a standard mini cat into the decat pipe
It’s now much quieter
It made 207 at the wheels in their dyno
Picked up a cheap facelift gearbox with LSD
While fitting above found the radiator was near dead so replaced
Clutch slave failed during gearbox seal, so replaced
Coilovers raised to a sensible height
Replaced a rear wheel bearing.
Won some Cobra Mini specific seat mounts and sliders on eBay
Won a cheap but perfect condition 18 month old Cobra seat for above on eBay
Fitted frame and seat
AD08Rs fitted all round
Wheel alignment done
I think that’s it but probably missed something out.
So yeah. Been a bit busy since Christmas and now rather skint. It’s all worth it though. The car drives perfectly and puts a real grin on my face.
Here’s a video of the 9am track session at Castle Combe Spring Action Day last weekend:
https://youtu.be/AdJWZ-pEpcY
Next up it’s due an MOT in a couple of weeks and then the first sprint of the year with Farnborough District Motor Club.
Fitted all new bushes and ball joints on the front end
Fitted 2 new wheel bearings on the front
Fitted new driveshafts
New driveshafts kept falling out
Damaged gearbox seal
Replaced gearbox seal and fitted good used OEM driveshafts.
Driveshafts now stay in the gearbox
Fitted Gen2 front brakes and braided lines all round
1320 fabricated a standard mini cat into the decat pipe
It’s now much quieter
It made 207 at the wheels in their dyno
Picked up a cheap facelift gearbox with LSD
While fitting above found the radiator was near dead so replaced
Clutch slave failed during gearbox seal, so replaced
Coilovers raised to a sensible height
Replaced a rear wheel bearing.
Won some Cobra Mini specific seat mounts and sliders on eBay
Won a cheap but perfect condition 18 month old Cobra seat for above on eBay
Fitted frame and seat
AD08Rs fitted all round
Wheel alignment done
I think that’s it but probably missed something out.
So yeah. Been a bit busy since Christmas and now rather skint. It’s all worth it though. The car drives perfectly and puts a real grin on my face.
Here’s a video of the 9am track session at Castle Combe Spring Action Day last weekend:
https://youtu.be/AdJWZ-pEpcY
Next up it’s due an MOT in a couple of weeks and then the first sprint of the year with Farnborough District Motor Club.
They have a few common problems like all 15+ year old cars like window mechs etc.
The Mini specific stuff is knackered rear arm bushes on the front. It’s a pig of a job but ruined bushes destroy the handling. Also stuff like timing chain tensioner rattles which is a cheap and easy fix.
There’s a few others as well.
They’re not low maintenance but seem pretty robust if looked after. I’d be looking for a post 2004 facelift car if I were looking to reduce hassle. They’re a bit better built and generally have better options. Plus most of the chilli pack cars will have an LSD already.
Right now I think they’re a proper bargain. I think in less than a handful of years there’ll be very few good standard cars left and prices will reflect that.
The Mini specific stuff is knackered rear arm bushes on the front. It’s a pig of a job but ruined bushes destroy the handling. Also stuff like timing chain tensioner rattles which is a cheap and easy fix.
There’s a few others as well.
They’re not low maintenance but seem pretty robust if looked after. I’d be looking for a post 2004 facelift car if I were looking to reduce hassle. They’re a bit better built and generally have better options. Plus most of the chilli pack cars will have an LSD already.
Right now I think they’re a proper bargain. I think in less than a handful of years there’ll be very few good standard cars left and prices will reflect that.
First sprint of 2018 completed. It was the Farnborough District Motor Club Dimanche Sprint at Rushmoor Arena.
Car went really well and I knocked 1.5 seconds off my PB I’d set in the supercharged MX5 back in 2016, in doing so bagged myself a 1st in class. I think a perfect run would have seen me dip into the 53’s. I’m waiting for the final results to be published but I think I came 11th overall.
Here’s a short video: https://youtu.be/UJ-PJm7wI_c
Car went really well and I knocked 1.5 seconds off my PB I’d set in the supercharged MX5 back in 2016, in doing so bagged myself a 1st in class. I think a perfect run would have seen me dip into the 53’s. I’m waiting for the final results to be published but I think I came 11th overall.
Here’s a short video: https://youtu.be/UJ-PJm7wI_c
Face Off said:
Small thread hijack, I've recently bought a R56 JCW that I plan on sorting out for occasional track days and fast road use.
I live in Farnborough and I had no idea they had a sprints club, how could I get involved in that? I am a complete rookie at trackdays/sprints in general so I wonder what the pre-requisites are for getting into the scene.
Nice R56! I have an R55 Cooper D as a daily and the general build of the Gen2 cars is much improved over the Gen1 cars.I live in Farnborough and I had no idea they had a sprints club, how could I get involved in that? I am a complete rookie at trackdays/sprints in general so I wonder what the pre-requisites are for getting into the scene.
Edited by Face Off on Tuesday 15th May 11:29
As for Farnborough District Motorclub you can find their website here: www.fdmc.org.uk They're one of the best motorclubs in the UK and organise loads of events. Membership is £25 per year I think.
To go sprinting you need an MSA Speed Licence (Just a form filling, photo and money exercise), FIA race suit, FIA gloves, FIA Helmet and a few stickers on your car.
Face Off said:
It needs some fettling with the suspension and wheels which is OK at the moment but far too bumpy, so looking at some coilovers and other bits. Anything you would recommend?
Thanks for the info, I will definitely look into this and maybe go spectate one of the events. When is your next sprint out of interest?
Next sprint is Abingdon CAR-nival on June 9th, not bad for spectating and is run by FDMC. I'm always happy to chin wag between runs. Thanks for the info, I will definitely look into this and maybe go spectate one of the events. When is your next sprint out of interest?
There's lots of options for MINI suspension depending on budget. I run APs on the 53 as that's what it came with. 1320 recommend KWs. Have a google, there's a lot of info on the subject.
Sunday just gone was the Abingdon Motorsport CAR-nival, 2 days of cars and competition. On the Saturday there’s a 2 course sprint for nearly 200 cars and also an AutoSolo. On the Sunday stage rallying.
This year was my 3rd time at this event competing in the sprint. My two prevous attempts were in my supercharged MX5 and frankly I sucked. I need to dig out my old times, but the first year I finished 10th out of 11 in class. Ok, so I wasn’t last and in those days the class structure was 2000cc and above so I was against all sorts of mental machines in the road going classes.
This year the class is 1600 - 2300cc and with the multiplier for forced induction the MINI is in the upper limit of the class. Competitors were other MINIs (an R56 and R53 converted by 1320 to Turbo with over 300bhp), a Firsta ST, a couple of boosted MX5s and a collection on NA vehicles such as Clio’s and a 205 GTi.
This event has two courses. Abingdon being fast and mostly flowing, Bentley being more point and squirt. The format is 2 practice runs and then 2 timed runs on each. The combined total of your best time from each course is you time.
We did the Abingdon course in the morning and the R56 and the Fiesta absolutely destroyed me in the times. The young lad in the R56 posting times 4 seconds faster than me on a course that’s less than a minute in length! The Fiesta guy was a bit further ahead. I managed to squeak in front of the R53 Turbo by a small margin. Morning finished 3rd in class, time for a hotdog, a coffee and self addressed pep talk.
The afternoon course is the one I prefer and I fooled myself into thinking I could make up some of the time I was down in the morning against the top 2. Who was I kidding? I was better at this course, but only enough that the deficit was smaller to the top 2 but they were still quicker. I got closest to the fiesta, being only a 1 second slower on this course. The R56 romped away again.
It was enough to secure 3rd in class though. I’m chuffed to bits as going into the weekend I expected to be 5th or 6th having reviewed the entry list.
Here’s a video of the best run from each course.
https://youtu.be/FTYPraKflmM
Some things I’ve taken away from this weekend?
1 - 20 something lads who stage rally an Evo are unbeatable in their daily MINI.
2 - Fiesta STs with 300+ Bhp are epic.
3 - My bloody suspension is clonking and its getting worse
4 - I need more power
5 - I need better brake pads
5 - I need to be less of a pussy
Next sprint probably wont be until the autumn as I have a few trackdays, Euro road trip and a ring trip to do in the Mazda during August and September which is sucking up all my cash.
This year was my 3rd time at this event competing in the sprint. My two prevous attempts were in my supercharged MX5 and frankly I sucked. I need to dig out my old times, but the first year I finished 10th out of 11 in class. Ok, so I wasn’t last and in those days the class structure was 2000cc and above so I was against all sorts of mental machines in the road going classes.
This year the class is 1600 - 2300cc and with the multiplier for forced induction the MINI is in the upper limit of the class. Competitors were other MINIs (an R56 and R53 converted by 1320 to Turbo with over 300bhp), a Firsta ST, a couple of boosted MX5s and a collection on NA vehicles such as Clio’s and a 205 GTi.
This event has two courses. Abingdon being fast and mostly flowing, Bentley being more point and squirt. The format is 2 practice runs and then 2 timed runs on each. The combined total of your best time from each course is you time.
We did the Abingdon course in the morning and the R56 and the Fiesta absolutely destroyed me in the times. The young lad in the R56 posting times 4 seconds faster than me on a course that’s less than a minute in length! The Fiesta guy was a bit further ahead. I managed to squeak in front of the R53 Turbo by a small margin. Morning finished 3rd in class, time for a hotdog, a coffee and self addressed pep talk.
The afternoon course is the one I prefer and I fooled myself into thinking I could make up some of the time I was down in the morning against the top 2. Who was I kidding? I was better at this course, but only enough that the deficit was smaller to the top 2 but they were still quicker. I got closest to the fiesta, being only a 1 second slower on this course. The R56 romped away again.
It was enough to secure 3rd in class though. I’m chuffed to bits as going into the weekend I expected to be 5th or 6th having reviewed the entry list.
Here’s a video of the best run from each course.
https://youtu.be/FTYPraKflmM
Some things I’ve taken away from this weekend?
1 - 20 something lads who stage rally an Evo are unbeatable in their daily MINI.
2 - Fiesta STs with 300+ Bhp are epic.
3 - My bloody suspension is clonking and its getting worse
4 - I need more power
5 - I need better brake pads
5 - I need to be less of a pussy
Next sprint probably wont be until the autumn as I have a few trackdays, Euro road trip and a ring trip to do in the Mazda during August and September which is sucking up all my cash.
I’ve replaced everything except the track rod ends and ARB bushes. If you watch the video you can hear it when I change to 2nd Gear in the first run. Fees like the wishbone is moving but I’ve checked on a lift and I can’t find anything with play in it.
I’m looking at Ferrodo DS2500s. The MINI guys all rave about carbotech XP12s but at £250 an axel they’re a bit rich for me at present.
I’m looking at Ferrodo DS2500s. The MINI guys all rave about carbotech XP12s but at £250 an axel they’re a bit rich for me at present.
Bit overdue on the old updates on this one.
I missed this out earlier in this thread, but between the two sprints this year the heater matrix emptied itself all over my interior. I replaced it.
Old one out:
New one in:
Easiest heater matrix I’ve ever changed, but still not exactly a fun job.
The day after the Abingdon Sprint I thought it would be fun to try and win a second trophy in one weekend in the Concours at Beaulieu National Cooper Day. So I jet washed the car at a petrol station the night before after unpacking all my race gear and then got up dead early to convoy down to the New Forrest with MrsHorneyMX5 in her 1979 850cc City.
In the concours:
I came last. I had a great day though and chatted to a lot of people about using these cars for grass roots motorsport.
I fitted some Ferodo DS2500 pads to make the thing stop better and I removed the fog lights and cut the inner arches to get some cool air in there as well.
Next up, to get rid of my steering clonk I fitted poly void insert bushes into all the engine mounts and replaced the drivers side engine mount with a Vibratechnic one. At great expense.
It didn’t fix it. In fact it seemed worse than ever. Then a man on facebook said “try nipping up the two bolts that hold the inner ball joint to the subframe.” A 1/4 turn to one bolt which already felt f$%cking tight and would you believe it? Clonk gone. I spent a lot of money to fix that but at least I now have a rock solid engine and new driveshafts. Lol.
I bought some spotlights and covers because, well I think they look cool OK?
Finally (thank god I hear you say!) I went to Castle COmbe last week and did a trackday. Knocked several seconds off my PB in my old supercharged MX5 so rather happy with that. Here’s some pics:
This video is a mixture of myself and my Dad driving (you’ll like me telling him off for passing the Aston in a corner) and contains 15 mins of us overtaking pretty much every other car there. These include an Exige, some red badge hondas, an M2 and event an Ariel Nomad!
https://youtu.be/3KbsuozQvwU
I missed this out earlier in this thread, but between the two sprints this year the heater matrix emptied itself all over my interior. I replaced it.
Old one out:
New one in:
Easiest heater matrix I’ve ever changed, but still not exactly a fun job.
The day after the Abingdon Sprint I thought it would be fun to try and win a second trophy in one weekend in the Concours at Beaulieu National Cooper Day. So I jet washed the car at a petrol station the night before after unpacking all my race gear and then got up dead early to convoy down to the New Forrest with MrsHorneyMX5 in her 1979 850cc City.
In the concours:
I came last. I had a great day though and chatted to a lot of people about using these cars for grass roots motorsport.
I fitted some Ferodo DS2500 pads to make the thing stop better and I removed the fog lights and cut the inner arches to get some cool air in there as well.
Next up, to get rid of my steering clonk I fitted poly void insert bushes into all the engine mounts and replaced the drivers side engine mount with a Vibratechnic one. At great expense.
It didn’t fix it. In fact it seemed worse than ever. Then a man on facebook said “try nipping up the two bolts that hold the inner ball joint to the subframe.” A 1/4 turn to one bolt which already felt f$%cking tight and would you believe it? Clonk gone. I spent a lot of money to fix that but at least I now have a rock solid engine and new driveshafts. Lol.
I bought some spotlights and covers because, well I think they look cool OK?
Finally (thank god I hear you say!) I went to Castle COmbe last week and did a trackday. Knocked several seconds off my PB in my old supercharged MX5 so rather happy with that. Here’s some pics:
This video is a mixture of myself and my Dad driving (you’ll like me telling him off for passing the Aston in a corner) and contains 15 mins of us overtaking pretty much every other car there. These include an Exige, some red badge hondas, an M2 and event an Ariel Nomad!
https://youtu.be/3KbsuozQvwU
Cheers chaps, they do surprise a few people when you’ve got one with the boost wound up.
This weekend was spent fitting the horribly expensive Coolerworx shifter tower.
Not as easy to fit as you’d hope. Required the shifter cables from a facelift car for a start. You need to drop the exhaust and heat shields to fit it from below, you have to strip out the induction area to fit the other end of the cables and then cut up the centre console to get the plastic work sort of back in. An easier job if your MINI is a post 2004 facelift car as at least your cables are the right ones!
Also fitted an OMP steering wheel boss, resistors for the airbags and a cheapo Motomec wheel. I went for a cheap wheel as I wasn’t sure if I’d want flat or dished for the driving position and £55 was an OK amount to spend to experiment, not £300 on a proper wheel.
The whole thing feels so much more “race car” now. The shifter is incredible. It brings the top right up by the wheel and the throw is super short, very weighty and very precise. It needs a bit of adjustment and due to the fact my gearbox has done 120,000+ miles the linkage on the box itself needs a refresh to remove the last of the slack in the whole system.
The drive home from fitting this little lot was an absolute hoot.
This weekend was spent fitting the horribly expensive Coolerworx shifter tower.
Not as easy to fit as you’d hope. Required the shifter cables from a facelift car for a start. You need to drop the exhaust and heat shields to fit it from below, you have to strip out the induction area to fit the other end of the cables and then cut up the centre console to get the plastic work sort of back in. An easier job if your MINI is a post 2004 facelift car as at least your cables are the right ones!
Also fitted an OMP steering wheel boss, resistors for the airbags and a cheapo Motomec wheel. I went for a cheap wheel as I wasn’t sure if I’d want flat or dished for the driving position and £55 was an OK amount to spend to experiment, not £300 on a proper wheel.
The whole thing feels so much more “race car” now. The shifter is incredible. It brings the top right up by the wheel and the throw is super short, very weighty and very precise. It needs a bit of adjustment and due to the fact my gearbox has done 120,000+ miles the linkage on the box itself needs a refresh to remove the last of the slack in the whole system.
The drive home from fitting this little lot was an absolute hoot.
J.C... said:
Love what you’re doing with this. Are Simon and Adrian May still involved with FDMC?
Simon is yes, I went out in his Model T Ford recently.Back to the MINI. Not done much recently to change it but did complete in the my third sprint of the year, picking up another trophy along the way. Dead happy. Short video here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G8mZW5aijdQ&fe...
Brands Hatch trackway in mid November 2018. What a hoot! Love Brands and it was the first time I'd driven the MINI on an undulating circuit. Wow, the AP coilovers are soft, I have some melted wheel arches now. They do work well though. Sure they're soft and there's some roll but they are so well damped that they give shed loads of grip and handle the kerbs superbly. Anyway, pics and vids:
181115_SR_BH_Cars_2334 by Nicholas Horne, on Flickr
181115_SR_BH_Cars_2769 by Nicholas Horne, on Flickr
181115_SR_BH_Cars_2782 by Nicholas Horne, on Flickr
181115_SR_BH_Cars_3116 by Nicholas Horne, on Flickr
181115_SR_BH_Cars_2100 by Nicholas Horne, on Flickr
181115_SR_BH_Cars_1457 by Nicholas Horne, on Flickr
181115_SR_BH_Cars_2222 by Nicholas Horne, on Flickr
https://youtu.be/b073nqUv7GY
Now it's onto the winter works. It's booked into a bodyshop for the rust under the rear tail light to be dealt with in December and January it goes in to a fabricators for a 4 point rear cage to be built and fitted. I'm also ordering two new bucket seats and will be fitting those. Finally I'll be doing some maintenance like changing the charger fluid etc.
181115_SR_BH_Cars_2334 by Nicholas Horne, on Flickr181115_SR_BH_Cars_2769 by Nicholas Horne, on Flickr181115_SR_BH_Cars_2782 by Nicholas Horne, on Flickr181115_SR_BH_Cars_3116 by Nicholas Horne, on Flickr181115_SR_BH_Cars_2100 by Nicholas Horne, on Flickr181115_SR_BH_Cars_1457 by Nicholas Horne, on Flickr181115_SR_BH_Cars_2222 by Nicholas Horne, on Flickrhttps://youtu.be/b073nqUv7GY
Now it's onto the winter works. It's booked into a bodyshop for the rust under the rear tail light to be dealt with in December and January it goes in to a fabricators for a 4 point rear cage to be built and fitted. I'm also ordering two new bucket seats and will be fitting those. Finally I'll be doing some maintenance like changing the charger fluid etc.
Forgot the Sunday Service in October. It was a bit moist.
44988362_10161046180870322_1907975836120645632_o by Nicholas Horne, on Flickr
44999786_10161046180850322_7971289259325784064_o by Nicholas Horne, on Flickr
45017732_10161046180700322_6101860402499420160_o by Nicholas Horne, on Flickr
44948723_10161046180690322_6299845509943132160_o by Nicholas Horne, on Flickr
https://youtu.be/ZNJw7-_2NEE
44988362_10161046180870322_1907975836120645632_o by Nicholas Horne, on Flickr44999786_10161046180850322_7971289259325784064_o by Nicholas Horne, on Flickr45017732_10161046180700322_6101860402499420160_o by Nicholas Horne, on Flickr44948723_10161046180690322_6299845509943132160_o by Nicholas Horne, on Flickrhttps://youtu.be/ZNJw7-_2NEE
Update time, been a bit remiss as usual.
After Christmas it was time to get my wallet out and splash the cash. First up was a rear 4 point cage from the excellent AMS Fabrication near Goodwood.
Untitled by Nicholas Horne, on Flickr
Untitled by Nicholas Horne, on Flickr
Untitled by Nicholas Horne, on Flickr
Really stoked with it and can't recommend Sam enough. He has Jigs for MINI and MX5s so give him a shout if your after some roll over protection.
I then went to Autosport and bought some new seats as the Monaco Pro was not at all comfortable fo me and I knew from having them in an MX5 that Sparco Sprints fit me like a glove.
Untitled by Nicholas Horne, on Flickr
Untitled by Nicholas Horne, on Flickr
Mid fitting snack
Untitled by Nicholas Horne, on Flickr
And in with the belts.
Untitled by Nicholas Horne, on Flickr
Now the belts I already had from my old supercharged MX5 and so I fitted them. The general consensus seems to be that they look terrible with the blue seats and I'm inclined to agree. Black belts added to the shopping list.
Next up is getting a livery applied to it this weekend but as usual it's decided to throw a hissy fit and is firing coolant out of the expansion tank. Bloody thing!!!!!!!!!!
After Christmas it was time to get my wallet out and splash the cash. First up was a rear 4 point cage from the excellent AMS Fabrication near Goodwood.
Untitled by Nicholas Horne, on FlickrUntitled by Nicholas Horne, on FlickrUntitled by Nicholas Horne, on FlickrReally stoked with it and can't recommend Sam enough. He has Jigs for MINI and MX5s so give him a shout if your after some roll over protection.
I then went to Autosport and bought some new seats as the Monaco Pro was not at all comfortable fo me and I knew from having them in an MX5 that Sparco Sprints fit me like a glove.
Untitled by Nicholas Horne, on FlickrUntitled by Nicholas Horne, on FlickrMid fitting snack
Untitled by Nicholas Horne, on FlickrAnd in with the belts.
Untitled by Nicholas Horne, on FlickrNow the belts I already had from my old supercharged MX5 and so I fitted them. The general consensus seems to be that they look terrible with the blue seats and I'm inclined to agree. Black belts added to the shopping list.
Next up is getting a livery applied to it this weekend but as usual it's decided to throw a hissy fit and is firing coolant out of the expansion tank. Bloody thing!!!!!!!!!!
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