94 Mini Cooper

nudgerss
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94 Mini Cooper Oct 6, 2020 2:41:58 GMT johnnybravo and fer4l like this

Post by nudgerss on Oct 6, 2020 2:41:58 GMT

Someone had spent a lot of money on this car before I got it. They had the engine done by MiniSpeed down in Dorset with stage 3 head, high lift rockers, rebuilt gearbox. Got a mountain of Rover dealer invoices for things from batteries to trivial clips etc. It's also got these Cooper Garages reclining buckets in it that were £500 a pair! They're still in good nick but the drivers seat is getting a bit saggy around the Peach. Bit like the driver to be honest! It had all burl walnut dash and door cappings, alloy door furniture and Cooper gearknob from Cooper Garages too. I was pleased as I managed to craft the Cooper gearknob onto the Vauxhall shifter.

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morris63 Grease Monkey Posts: 58	94 Mini Cooper Oct 6, 2020 13:55:36 GMT fer4l and nudgerss like this Select Post Deselect Post Link to Post Member Give Gift Back to Top Post by morris63 on Oct 6, 2020 13:55:36 GMT That's a good idea, just in case you need to take the tank out to put more beer in the boot!
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nudgerss
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94 Mini Cooper Oct 6, 2020 22:14:27 GMT fer4l, 24vgranada, and 1 more like this

Post by nudgerss on Oct 6, 2020 22:14:27 GMT

One time when the wife came down to the garage (a rare occasion) she sat in the Mini and started making plans. Ooh we can get a nice wicker basket for the back for picnics or to put the shopping in.

‘Kin baskets? ‘Kin shopping? You’ll be wanting some nice lace doilies for the dashboard next. Get out my bloody garage woman!

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nudgerss
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94 Mini Cooper Oct 7, 2020 5:49:12 GMT strikey likes this

Post by nudgerss on Oct 7, 2020 5:49:12 GMT

This is actually the 2nd Mini that i've had this f/g front end on. The first was my Mini25 which was standard apart from wheels, a stage 1 kit and adjusta-rides. It's not particularly a good moulding but compared to the newer ones it's got a good thickness to it so it's quite rigid.

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teaboy Grease Monkey Posts: 63	94 Mini Cooper Oct 7, 2020 8:41:18 GMT via mobile Select Post Deselect Post Link to Post Member Give Gift Back to Top Post by teaboy on Oct 7, 2020 8:41:18 GMT Seats look nice.
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nudgerss
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94 Mini Cooper Oct 8, 2020 0:28:38 GMT via mobile teaboy likes this

Post by nudgerss on Oct 8, 2020 0:28:38 GMT

Oct 7, 2020 8:41:18 GMT teaboy said:

Seats look nice.

Yes not sure who made them for Cooper but they maybe remind me of some Corbeau recliners that would have the laurel wreath emblem on instead of the Cooper one.

You really could spend the earth at Cooper Garages back then.

www.google.com/url?sa=t&source=web&rct=j&url=http://www.minipassionmini.50megs.com/pdf/John%2520Cooper%25201994.pdf&ved=2ahUKEwj-gqzd3qPsAhUFzTgGHXRjDNMQFjAPegQIDRAI&usg=AOvVaw1g5NGiVK_AHrayuaWCvOq3

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Last Edit: Oct 8, 2020 0:34:57 GMT by nudgerss

johnnybravo
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Posts: 1,174

94 Mini Cooper Oct 8, 2020 3:46:36 GMT

Post by johnnybravo on Oct 8, 2020 3:46:36 GMT

Oct 6, 2020 22:14:27 GMT nudgerss said:

One time when the wife came down to the garage (a rare occasion) she sat in the Mini and started making plans. Ooh we can get a nice wicker basket for the back for picnics or to put the shopping in.

‘Kin baskets? ‘Kin shopping? You’ll be wanting some nice lace doilies for the dashboard next. Get out my bloody garage woman!

🤣🤣🤣

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nudgerss
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Posts: 544

94 Mini Cooper Oct 12, 2020 4:21:24 GMT johnnybravo and fer4l like this

Post by nudgerss on Oct 12, 2020 4:21:24 GMT

I knew if I searched long enough I'd find the picture of the Cooper gearknob on the Vauxhall shifter. It's not especially clear but it'll have to do you. Quaiffe do a nice GrpA shifter but mucho deniro.

I also managed to acquire the Cooper centre for the steering wheel rather than the plastic Motalita effort. Much nicer for when it smashes into my chest.

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Last Edit: Oct 12, 2020 4:22:08 GMT by nudgerss

johnnybravo
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94 Mini Cooper Oct 12, 2020 4:27:04 GMT 24vgranada likes this

Post by johnnybravo on Oct 12, 2020 4:27:04 GMT

Oct 12, 2020 4:21:24 GMT nudgerss said:

I knew if I searched long enough I'd find the picture of the Cooper gearknob on the Vauxhall shifter. It's not especially clear but it'll have to do you. Quaiffe do a nice GrpA shifter but mucho deniro.

I also managed to acquire the Cooper centre for the steering wheel rather than the plastic Motalita effort. Much nicer for when it smashes into my chest.

You smash that, you deserve a tramp stamp, even if it is on your chest 🤣🤣

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nudgerss
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Posts: 544

94 Mini Cooper Oct 12, 2020 4:37:39 GMT johnnybravo likes this

Post by nudgerss on Oct 12, 2020 4:37:39 GMT

Oct 12, 2020 4:27:04 GMT johnnybravo said:

Oct 12, 2020 4:21:24 GMT nudgerss said:

I knew if I searched long enough I'd find the picture of the Cooper gearknob on the Vauxhall shifter. It's not especially clear but it'll have to do you. Quaiffe do a nice GrpA shifter but mucho deniro.

I also managed to acquire the Cooper centre for the steering wheel rather than the plastic Motalita effort. Much nicer for when it smashes into my chest.

You smash that, you deserve a tramp stamp, even if it is on your chest 🤣🤣

I always say I want burying in my Mini as it'll save the fireman cutting me out

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nudgerss Chief Mechanic Posts: 544	94 Mini Cooper Oct 12, 2020 13:52:06 GMT fer4l, grumpynorthener, and 1 more like this Select Post Deselect Post Link to Post Member Give Gift Back to Top Post by nudgerss on Oct 12, 2020 13:52:06 GMT The map I got for this was one that Martin Bowyer uses for his rally engines hence it’s a tad rich.
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fer4l Moderator Nil illegitimi carborundum Posts: 3,679	94 Mini Cooper Oct 12, 2020 22:05:04 GMT Select Post Deselect Post Link to Post Member Give Gift Back to Top Post by fer4l on Oct 12, 2020 22:05:04 GMT Oct 12, 2020 13:52:06 GMT nudgerss said: The map I got for this was one that Martin Bowyer uses for his rally engines hence it’s a tad rich. Sounds great - super crisp !!!
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nudgerss
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Posts: 544

94 Mini Cooper Oct 12, 2020 22:29:19 GMT fer4l likes this

Post by nudgerss on Oct 12, 2020 22:29:19 GMT

Oct 12, 2020 22:05:04 GMT fer4l said:

Oct 12, 2020 13:52:06 GMT nudgerss said:

The map I got for this was one that Martin Bowyer uses for his rally engines hence it’s a tad rich.

Sounds great - super crisp !!!

Revs really nice as it’s got a lightened steel flywheel on it.

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johnnybravo
Race Engineer

Posts: 1,174

94 Mini Cooper Oct 13, 2020 6:06:43 GMT

Post by johnnybravo on Oct 13, 2020 6:06:43 GMT

Totally Random question,but yes,it’s a genuine question. When did they stop making that mini? I only moved back here the end of 2008 having left in 1972, so a lot of cars and stuff you blokes take for granted ,I don’t even know about. We had the minis in SA , but don’t think production even made it to the 80’s

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grumpynorthener
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94 Mini Cooper Oct 13, 2020 6:38:03 GMT johnnybravo, nudgerss, and 1 more like this

Post by grumpynorthener on Oct 13, 2020 6:38:03 GMT

Oct 13, 2020 6:06:43 GMT johnnybravo said:

Totally Random question,but yes,it’s a genuine question. When did they stop making that mini? I only moved back here the end of 2008 having left in 1972, so a lot of cars and stuff you blokes take for granted ,I don’t even know about. We had the minis in SA , but don’t think production even made it to the 80’s

I came across the same question that I asked myself in a roundabout way last night when posting up the Metro 40th birthday thread - Launched in 1980 the Metro was the planned replacement for the classic Mini - Metro production ceased after 18 years in 1998 but classic mini production continued for a further 2 years after this - hence the answer to the question is classic Mini production ceased in 2000 - a production run of some 41 years

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Last Edit: Oct 13, 2020 6:41:13 GMT by grumpynorthener

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nudgerss
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94 Mini Cooper Mar 9, 2023 18:50:11 GMT fer4l, grumpynorthener, and 1 more like this

Post by nudgerss on Mar 9, 2023 18:50:11 GMT

Well the Mini got a bit of attention when I got back home. Well, a couple of weeks after. Stuck the ECU back in and a freshly charged battery. The fuel was just what was in the tank when I left it sat there.

It's actually now in bits as I've decided to redo some bits that were bothering me. The cooling system was one thing. Although it used to get up to temp OK it wouldn't build pressure. You could just whip the top of the expansion tank no problem so I'm going through that and redoing/replacing bits. Also got some Chinesium individual throttle bodies to replace the Jenvey DCOE style as they are shorter so will give me more room for the filter which was previously rubbing against the brake master cylinder.
Got some new rubber doughnuts to go on it and I've been messing with the fibreglass front as it was sitting way too high at the front. A bullnose Mini has a slightly sloping front end whereas mine was pretty straight more like a Clubman front sits. It's hopefully a touch better now but it's still a 20 year old fibreglass front so never going to be great.

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jayleendoyle Workshop Apprentice Posts: 1	94 Mini Cooper Mar 10, 2023 9:43:12 GMT fer4l, grumpynorthener, and 1 more like this Select Post Deselect Post Link to Post Member Give Gift Back to Top Post by jayleendoyle on Mar 10, 2023 9:43:12 GMT Such a small and cute car, I really like everything miniature, probably because I myself am small. I have to ask my husband to buy me such a car.
	Quote Last Edit: Mar 10, 2023 9:44:26 GMT by jayleendoyle

nudgerss
Chief Mechanic

Posts: 544

94 Mini Cooper Apr 23, 2023 12:30:41 GMT fer4l, grumpynorthener, and 2 more like this

Post by nudgerss on Apr 23, 2023 12:30:41 GMT

Been doing a bit on this lately. The Jenvey throttle bodies were working great but I had very little room for any air filters. Now seeing as I started my new job at the start of the year and haven't being paying any tax for a few months up to the new financial year I decided the tax man could help me out. You could buy an ITB kit from SBD when i bought my DCOE style bodies but they were many £££. I decided to gamble on some Chinesium versions which seem pretty good to be fair. They're much shorter so I can get some filtration in there. I can also fit my longer trumpets which will be better for low down torque.

This old MBE967EF serial ECU that I'm running is very tempermental when it comes to TPS position. There's a very specific way of setting it up which seems very hit and miss to me. I can get it to fire up easy as owt but the timing and fuelling end up being way off and it runs really lean. I was having a good battle with it and was just about to go in for my tea and did a final tweak and lo and behold it just started running spot on. Bloody cars! I did give myself a bit of carbon monoxide poisoning whilst I was at it too. Slept like a baby that night!

I've also got a new set of rubber doughnuts which I started fitting yesterday. Decided the rear would be the easiest to start on. Yeah right. Had to move the fuel tank to gert to the top nut, disconnect the rear anti-roll bar to drop the suspension far enough to get the doughnut and trumpet out. Job half done. Doughnut won't come off the trumpet. Plusgas, heat, hammer, pry bar. Eventually got it freed off. Plenty of copperslip applied on the new one. Now just need to get the plastic cup out for the new knuckle joint. No it's not having it. Screwdrivers and chisels got little bits out before the blowtorch was used to just burn the rest. With the fuel filter just cm's away it was a little bit hairy but I had some fire blanket around it so all was good. Got it all back together and did the other side too so that's the rear sorted. Still needs the Adjusta-rides setting up to set the ride height but it's another step towards getting it done.

That's all for now.

Ooroo.

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