R50/53 Bought a 2006 R53.... Let it begin.
#177
#178
Just paint the interior chrome... I tried and tried to make the wrap work so that I could peel it if the next owner wanted the chrome... but I gave up. The three main dash pieces (where I put the carbon fiber look) are OK except the two vent cups on each end. They are a monster stretch. Having the chrome gone is soooo much better.
#179
Just looked at your dash panels--great job with the CF pattern! Really impressed how you carried the lines through the seams. Looks amazing.
#180
Just paint the interior chrome... I tried and tried to make the wrap work so that I could peel it if the next owner wanted the chrome... but I gave up. The three main dash pieces (where I put the carbon fiber look) are OK except the two vent cups on each end. They are a monster stretch. Having the chrome gone is soooo much better.
#181
Good from far... Far from good. The vent cups have some major curves in the CF pattern and are pulling back a little.... I did get pretty picky about the pattern angle of the carbon fiber.
#182
#184
Spec D Tail Lights
Next Project: Spec D Tail Lights.
The swap over is pretty straight forward. 10mm nut on the back of the light and then wedge your fingers in to pinch the clips.
My biggest worry on this is hyper flashing... so I bought some extra large resistors just incase these flash.... but so far so good. The resistor that comes with them doesn't seem to get to hot but I still screwed it to the sheet metal so it wasn't flopping around.
Here's some more info on the hyperflashing
https://www.northamericanmotoring.co...-blinking.html
These are the smoked Spec D Tail LED lights...plugs right into the wiring harness and the resistor is wired in.....but the reverse light is a normal tungsten bulb.
Here's the back of the OEM tail light... you can see the two clips.
Attached the resistor to the screw that hold the amp in place. No drilling.
One old, one new.
I'll try and post some night pictures. So far I'm pretty stoked on these.
The swap over is pretty straight forward. 10mm nut on the back of the light and then wedge your fingers in to pinch the clips.
My biggest worry on this is hyper flashing... so I bought some extra large resistors just incase these flash.... but so far so good. The resistor that comes with them doesn't seem to get to hot but I still screwed it to the sheet metal so it wasn't flopping around.
Here's some more info on the hyperflashing
https://www.northamericanmotoring.co...-blinking.html
These are the smoked Spec D Tail LED lights...plugs right into the wiring harness and the resistor is wired in.....but the reverse light is a normal tungsten bulb.
Here's the back of the OEM tail light... you can see the two clips.
Attached the resistor to the screw that hold the amp in place. No drilling.
One old, one new.
I'll try and post some night pictures. So far I'm pretty stoked on these.
Last edited by bump32; 09-24-2020 at 07:32 PM.
The following users liked this post:
ECSTuning (12-10-2020)
#186
Milltek Exhaust
I'm lining up some winter projects.
Resonated or Non-resonated Milltek cat-back exhaust?
Based on my research, Milltek is the sweet spot for cost, performance, sound, and fit.
Pros for Non-resonated: Lighter and less back pressure.
Cons: Louder.
Anything else I should consider?
I'm leaning towards the resonated. I'm not sure I'm quite ready for the Mini to go that loud, but how loud is it?
Resonated or Non-resonated Milltek cat-back exhaust?
Based on my research, Milltek is the sweet spot for cost, performance, sound, and fit.
Pros for Non-resonated: Lighter and less back pressure.
Cons: Louder.
Anything else I should consider?
I'm leaning towards the resonated. I'm not sure I'm quite ready for the Mini to go that loud, but how loud is it?
#187
I'm lining up some winter projects.
Resonated or Non-resonated Milltek cat-back exhaust?
Based on my research, Milltek is the sweet spot for cost, performance, sound, and fit.
Pros for Non-resonated: Lighter and less back pressure.
Cons: Louder.
Anything else I should consider?
I'm leaning towards the resonated. I'm not sure I'm quite ready for the Mini to go that loud, but how loud is it?
Resonated or Non-resonated Milltek cat-back exhaust?
Based on my research, Milltek is the sweet spot for cost, performance, sound, and fit.
Pros for Non-resonated: Lighter and less back pressure.
Cons: Louder.
Anything else I should consider?
I'm leaning towards the resonated. I'm not sure I'm quite ready for the Mini to go that loud, but how loud is it?
I ended up buying the non resonated. I am a 55 year old who grew up with muscle cars. I generally like a deep, relatively quiet idle and part - throttle sound, that roars when you punch it.
But I don't want highway drone, or even noticeable volume at cruising speed.
My advice: search hard to find someone near you with the setup you are considering, and see if they will give you a ride. The YouTube videos didn't help me at all. I couldn't find any way to listen in real life, so my strategy ended up being:
Buy the non - resonated, because it's cheaper. If I hate it, I can always try to find someone on the forum with a resonated section that wants louder, and swap mid pipes. Worst case, I have to buy a new resonated mid pipe.
Final review: It's perfect 90% of the time. My only complaint is when running 30-45 on city streets, it can be a little "buzzy" if I'm in a lower gear at higher rpms. I generally tend to keep it in the gear that has me closer to 3k, rather than a higher gear at lower rpms. That can be a bit much, but that's probably more attributable to other mods that have increased NVH over stock. Normally resolved by up shifting. It's not so bad I want to buy a new mid pipe.
Bottom line-you're not gonna KNOW until you get it installed. Take your best guess, and work from there.
Last edited by Husky44; 11-14-2020 at 10:38 AM.
#188
I'm lining up some winter projects.
Resonated or Non-resonated Milltek cat-back exhaust?
Based on my research, Milltek is the sweet spot for cost, performance, sound, and fit.
Pros for Non-resonated: Lighter and less back pressure.
Cons: Louder.
Anything else I should consider?
I'm leaning towards the resonated. I'm not sure I'm quite ready for the Mini to go that loud, but how loud is it?
Resonated or Non-resonated Milltek cat-back exhaust?
Based on my research, Milltek is the sweet spot for cost, performance, sound, and fit.
Pros for Non-resonated: Lighter and less back pressure.
Cons: Louder.
Anything else I should consider?
I'm leaning towards the resonated. I'm not sure I'm quite ready for the Mini to go that loud, but how loud is it?
There's a good chance yours are torn, and you're not going to get the new exhaust adjusted properly with torn hangers.
#189
I'm lining up some winter projects.
Resonated or Non-resonated Milltek cat-back exhaust?
Based on my research, Milltek is the sweet spot for cost, performance, sound, and fit.
Pros for Non-resonated: Lighter and less back pressure.
Cons: Louder.
Anything else I should consider?
I'm leaning towards the resonated. I'm not sure I'm quite ready for the Mini to go that loud, but how loud is it?
Resonated or Non-resonated Milltek cat-back exhaust?
Based on my research, Milltek is the sweet spot for cost, performance, sound, and fit.
Pros for Non-resonated: Lighter and less back pressure.
Cons: Louder.
Anything else I should consider?
I'm leaning towards the resonated. I'm not sure I'm quite ready for the Mini to go that loud, but how loud is it?
https://www.autoanything.com/exhausts-mufflers/77A2451A4259012.aspx?kc=GOOGADW&DZID=PLA_g_1776971 484_74555110692_10190-2451-3038702_m&utm_source=g&utm_medium=cpc&utm_campaign =1776971484&utm_content=74555110692&utm_product=10 190-2451-3038702&gclid=Cj0KCQiAnb79BRDgARIsAOVbhRqDZo7wmTnA xqGPqGJB3-m8kf4txK8l6-kd4j7H2Qne6JXojk_-UCoaAh97EALw_wcB
Last edited by MiniManAdam; 11-14-2020 at 12:24 PM.
#190
Good tips from Husky44
I went from a JCW catback to a Gravity Performance exhaust and I love it. It sounds way more mature, but has some mild drone on the highway (not too obtrusive). it's very hard to judge from movies, as sound is very subjective. Hope my review might assist you in your search!
I went from a JCW catback to a Gravity Performance exhaust and I love it. It sounds way more mature, but has some mild drone on the highway (not too obtrusive). it's very hard to judge from movies, as sound is very subjective. Hope my review might assist you in your search!
#191
OVERDRIVE
iTrader: (1)
My 2 cents...
Get the resonated Milltek. I have a friend with it on his Gen 1 JCW and it has a great sound. He has had it on the car for as long as I can remember; a number years now. I put an Invidia exhaust on my first Gen 2 S and came to very much dislike it. Up to 60 mph, it had a great sound. Above 60 on the highway, it would drone and the drone would get worse going up hill. The drone wasn’t particularly loud, just really annoying Because of that, I left the exhaust stock on my current Gen 2 S. I have talked with people who have the same drone issue with the Borla exhaust.
Get the resonated Milltek. I have a friend with it on his Gen 1 JCW and it has a great sound. He has had it on the car for as long as I can remember; a number years now. I put an Invidia exhaust on my first Gen 2 S and came to very much dislike it. Up to 60 mph, it had a great sound. Above 60 on the highway, it would drone and the drone would get worse going up hill. The drone wasn’t particularly loud, just really annoying Because of that, I left the exhaust stock on my current Gen 2 S. I have talked with people who have the same drone issue with the Borla exhaust.
#192
Thanks everyone one for the input. Very consistent with what I've researched. All things considered, I'm still leaning towards the resonated version.
I'm going to crawl under the car and check the hangers before I order... thanks Husky44
Doesn't Way Motor Works or ECS have a big Black Friday sale?
I'm going to crawl under the car and check the hangers before I order... thanks Husky44
Doesn't Way Motor Works or ECS have a big Black Friday sale?
The following users liked this post:
Husky44 (11-16-2020)
#193
#194
Thanks everyone one for the input. Very consistent with what I've researched. All things considered, I'm still leaning towards the resonated version.
I'm going to crawl under the car and check the hangers before I order... thanks Husky44
Doesn't Way Motor Works or ECS have a big Black Friday sale?
I'm going to crawl under the car and check the hangers before I order... thanks Husky44
Doesn't Way Motor Works or ECS have a big Black Friday sale?
The following users liked this post:
WayMotorWorks (11-26-2020)
#195
Vendor
iTrader: (10)
https://www.waymotorworks.com/milltek/
The following users liked this post:
bump32 (11-28-2020)
#196
The following 3 users liked this post by bump32:
#197
#199
#200
OVERDRIVE
iTrader: (1)
I know your question was aimed at the OP, but I will add my experience - You should find them to be a really good improvement over the Gen 1 brakes. However, if you are experiencing brake fade on the track, that can also be due to the pads you are using, if they are something other than a full race pad. The MINI brakes will tend to run hot, hotter than what the OEM or “street/track” pads are made for. A really good option with those brakes are the Carbotech XP10 race pads.