97 Mini Cooper Progress Thread

[VexxedVTS]

So I sold the Ibiza and picked this up on 31st March...

http://i867.photobucket.com/albums/ab239/vexxedmonkey_2009/P1040367.jpg

Gonna sort the bodywork out first then get the tuning into swing.

Anyway it's a 1.3 Cooper completley standard so I have a fresh slate to start with, It alos have the genuine Cooper leathers inside aswell as the Genuine alloys.

I'm gonna have to replace the driver footwell, inner and outer sills on both sides (might aswell do them) and the complete front end unless the rust isnt major and can be taken backto the metal.

i'm going to be keeping the original paint (Tahiti Blue) but I'm going to have the stripes and the Mini Cooper logo and stripes painted in on bonnet and sides.

All the welding is going to be done by myself to keep the cost down :y:

I going to refurb the alloys sometime next weekend if I have the time.

[Tontsy]

and stick an R1 engine in it right ?

[Carbonimage]

Looks so nice, I've wanted one like that since I was about 8.

[MiniGibbo]

Looks smart. I saw a fit blonde driving a red cooper on the m3 Friday afternoon, first one I've seen on the road for some time.

[JoeHindle]

I'm so jealous! I wish my Mini looked something like this! :(

[thelooneytuner]

Nice one! A fellow Sheffield mIni owner :D. What's the plans?

[VexxedVTS]

and stick an R1 engine in it right ?

I'd love to stick a R1 engine in at some point in the future but I think i'd have that as a track toy!

Looks so nice, I've wanted one like that since I was about 8.
It has it's rust, believe me! But hopefully that'll be sorted in the next few months.

I'm so jealous! I wish my Mini looked something like this! :(

I'll get some more picks up of the rust, i'm sure i'll find more under the bodywork :(

Nice one! A fellow Sheffield mIni owner :D. What's the plans?

Just been looking at your thread and that looks like its gonna be one beauty!

I think that once the bodyworks done i'll look at a Stage 3 kit and hope to hit the 100BHP mark :panic:

[VexxedVTS]

Ok, so here's some more pictures of the bad bit...:omg:

http://i867.photobucket.com/albums/ab239/vexxedmonkey_2009/P1040397.jpg

http://i867.photobucket.com/albums/ab239/vexxedmonkey_2009/P1040398.jpg

http://i867.photobucket.com/albums/ab239/vexxedmonkey_2009/P1040399.jpg

http://i867.photobucket.com/albums/ab239/vexxedmonkey_2009/P1040400.jpg

http://i867.photobucket.com/albums/ab239/vexxedmonkey_2009/P1040401.jpg

http://i867.photobucket.com/albums/ab239/vexxedmonkey_2009/P1040402.jpg

http://i867.photobucket.com/albums/ab239/vexxedmonkey_2009/P1040403.jpg

And a hole in the floor...
http://i867.photobucket.com/albums/ab239/vexxedmonkey_2009/P1040369.jpg

Time to get the MIG out:fcuk:

[thelooneytuner]

Looks perfect compared to mine ;)

Where abouts in sheffield are you matey?

[thelooneytuner]

Double post........

[mark1311]

if you need any welding body work on the mini doing give me a shout mate:).

[VexxedVTS]

Looks perfect compared to mine ;)

Where abouts in sheffield are you matey?

I'm up in the Ecclesall end mate, if you know where that is.

if you need any welding body work on the mini doing give me a shout mate:).

Will do matey! :y:

[mark1311]

I'm up in the Ecclesall end mate, if you know where that is.



Will do matey! :y:

sweet have to pop down then mate, my units at parkgate rotherham if you know it, am one doing looneytuners mini if you didt guess lol.

[thelooneytuner]

Sound matey, we'll have to meet up!

[VexxedVTS]

sweet have to pop down then mate, my units at parkgate rotherham if you know it, am one doing looneytuners mini if you didt guess lol.

Looks like some fine work there:y:
Aye I'll have to pop round and have a gander then if you don't mind?
Have you got a spray booth btw?
Sound matey, we'll have to meet up!

Yea sounds like a plan, which part of Sheff are you from?

[thelooneytuner]

Dont mind you popping down :)

Mark does have access to a booth :)

[mark1311]

Looks like some fine work there:y:
Aye I'll have to pop round and have a gander then if you don't mind?
Have you got a spray booth btw?


Yea sounds like a plan, which part of Sheff are you from?

cheers mate, check fb page out for all our pics, am from rotherham live on moorgate,

yer sure pop down mate! no i dont have a booth in my unit, as its smallish, i have ramps and all gear there but still pals with my old boss so i just take em round to my old work and use his booth, saves me 15k on a booth happy days!

[VexxedVTS]

Well the wheel refurb has begun.

Just doing one at a time and I've chucked the steelie (which I actually like the look of)

I'm using nitromors to strip the paint and it look like Ill have to do some filling aswell.

Goin to keep the alloys silver, I don't think any other colour would suit the mini.

I'll get pics up as soon as I can.

I was a tad gutted... i missed a MG Metro Turbo engine+gearbox on ebay:wall:

[VexxedVTS]

well after spending all my time over on TMF i've forgotten about this thread:fcuk:

After finding out I have a misfire, I did a compression test and these are the results.

Afters 5 cranks:

1st: 215psi
2nd:205psi
3rd:205psi
4th:210psi

I then checked how quickly compression was achieved with 1 crank to check for worn rings.

After 1 crank:

1st:130psi
2nd:130psi
3rd:80psi
4th:130psi

I'm going to be doing a wet test on the 3rd cyclinder to determin if the piston ring is worn or if the inlet valve in buggered.

I then discovered that the HT leads weren't in the correct firing order so i sorted that out.

I then checked for spark and I have spark in all 4 cylinders and also my right hand:fcuk::panic:

Just ordered some tools for the compressor so the welding work can hopefully begin in late july.

And maybe treat myself to this (http://www.maniflow.co.uk/index.php?view=product&from=161&product=1390) with a twin centre exit.