Introducing Buster!!!!!!!

Buster came into our lives in November of 2006 after a lifelong (6 week) wait, from Jaye Dee’s Mini Factory. He is beautiful Astro Black Metallic color and came equipped with Premium Package, LSD, DSC, and Xenon Headlights.



Since he got here we have installed a supercharger reduction pulley and air guide, both from M7.



He'd originally (stock) dyno’d at 158hp.

We also tinted the windows to 15% and installed an aluminum gas door.  Oh yea, and notice how sexy HE looks in his stylish, new clear bra!!!!!!!!!!!!



Back in December we had our first dyno appointment when Buster was still stock.  Yesterday we had our second dyno appointment to measure the difference a M7 16% reduction supercharger pulley can make compared to stock.  We achieved an additional 20 hp with only the pulley!  Not bad for bolt-on ponies!!!!


 

* Calculated using an 18% driveline loss factor.

Buster seems at-home on the dyno. Due to the fact that we have been very busy in the shop and weather was not very good for Buster to get out in, he has been stuck indoors instead of out on the open-road. So a good run on the dyno makes him feel good.



Next in line for installation will be the M7 oil catch can, M7 intercooler and hood scoop.  The hood scoop is back from the body shop. It was painted a semi-gloss black. This will contrast the Astro-Black metallic nicely.  Rumors are that the M7coil-overs are coming off infinite back-order in the next 10-12 days. The rear sway bar is in the shop and ready for installation with the coil-overs and a  Wilwood big-brake kit .  Add a new set of shoes and Buster almost ready for cruisin'.



Well, the parts are starting to flow our way…finally. All we need is shop time and good weather. It will also be good to get Buster’s owner, Kurt back on the good-health track so he can enjoy the metamorphosis of his car.

Allright, let's play under the car.

We've got a few more horses under the hood, now let's keep it on the road.

We've added M7 Coil Over Suspension, new rear sway bar, and WILWOOD front brakes.

Step 1, blow the underneath of the car apart!!     



OK, the stock suspension isn't really bad, but we can always have better!!

By the way, this is Mike, he's been the technician handling Buster's transformation. And, may  the tweaking begin.

OK, rear suspension in. With the addition of the adjustable and thicker rear sway bar. Note, if your thinking about doing this to your MINI, doing the sway bar with  the rear shocks is the way to go.

And the front.

Now that we have Buster steady on his feet, let's give him some extra stopping power. Just in case a deer jumps in front of us on those windy, hilly roads, or we happen to see a gas station with premium for $1.75 a gallon (HA)

Now, where are those WILWOOD brakes............ Oh, here they are.

We also incorporated stainless steel brake lines in our brake upgrade.

NOTE: If your even thinking about doing one of these kits on your own, READ, READ, READ the instructions, and look over your parts, do a dry run build, we had a little trouble with ours (incomplete kit, poor fit, etc.)

Well, now that it's on there, they don't look to bad, do they!

Another angle of the whole front end package.



With everything put back together and Buster flaunting his new shoes, Kurt couldn't wait to take him out for a spin. At first we were apprehensive, the suspension felt very, very tight and were expecting a stiff ride, one more a kin to a go cart than a car. But the grin on Kurt's face when he returned from his test drive (one that took almost an hour), told us everything worked well. In fact Kurt was very pleased with the way the M7 coil over's worked, stating that it was an excellent suspension system and made a very comfortable and stable machine.