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Everything Ninjadip

BlueCollarBob said:
Vinyl work looks great! Looks like a pro was hired to do it. Nice work!

MINIs are fun cars, but I have a lemon we bought for our daughter rotting outside. She just had her heart set on it and she's always been a good student and all around great kid. So, I was a softie, but it was a bad purchase on my part. It has the shitty N12 by Peugot. We ended up getting her a Subaru to replace it. When the garden wraps up, I'll use the cooler Fall weather to do some more wrenching. Not looking forward to it, but it would be nice to get it done. I've collected way to many specialty MINI tools.
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What's wrong with her? Haven't found a car yet i couldn't coax some new life into, except for a ford aspire ... I rode that until it blew lol was only a $500 car that got me around for a year, that was the worst pos I ever had, 3 cylinders.... Just sad lol

Speaking of odd cylinders, had a 5 cylinder Volvo for a few years, funny car that was, it was weird 1993 luxury safety car. For $1k she got her 3 years in, then sold for $500 still running great at 170k, i did a major tune up once right when i got it and never let me down, but still a weird car, a real snow tank though, was a slow solid traction snow machine
 
She had a coolant leak and was just adding coolant until she could bring it back for me to check out. She lost too much coolant and didn't realize it because the hi temp light came on and went back off. I later confirmed this. Anyway warped head, which I pulled and took to a machine shop. When I put it back together, I still had oil mixing with the coolant. Thought it might be a cracked block (still could be), but all cylinders were spot on when I checked compression. They're known for leaking around the the oil filter housing. I ordered a replacement gasket. If I'm lucky, that'll do it. I just have to make myself get to work and find out.

The timing chain isn't too bad of a job on her model. Motor mounts are easy to get to and raising and lowering is key because it's very tight on the sides. The car only has like 75k miles on it, but theres a bunch of plastic on the motor and everything seems cheap and brittle. If it was the right model, I'd seriously consider a popular Honda swap. I can't remember which engine it is, but there are kits to simplify the swap and supposedly it turns the cars into absolute beasts, lol.

This is a Clubman. No turbo. So, not the normal Mini fun factor. Not gonna lie, this model is the least favorite car I've ever purchased. If it was the right model, I could probably enjoy messing with it. Being what it is, it's more of a chore than anything fun.
 
BlueCollarBob said:
She had a coolant leak and was just adding coolant until she could bring it back for me to check out. She lost too much coolant and didn't realize it because the hi temp light came on and went back off. I later confirmed this. Anyway warped head, which I pulled and took to a machine shop. When I put it back together, I still had oil mixing with the coolant. Thought it might be a cracked block (still could be), but all cylinders were spot on when I checked compression. They're known for leaking around the the oil filter housing. I ordered a replacement gasket. If I'm lucky, that'll do it. I just have to make myself get to work and find out.

The timing chain isn't too bad of a job on her model. Motor mounts are easy to get to and raising and lowering is key because it's very tight on the sides. The car only has like 75k miles on it, but theres a bunch of plastic on the motor and everything seems cheap and brittle. If it was the right model, I'd seriously consider a popular Honda swap. I can't remember which engine it is, but there are kits to simplify the swap and supposedly it turns the cars into absolute beasts, lol.

This is a Clubman. No turbo. So, not the normal Mini fun factor. Not gonna lie, this model is the least favorite car I've ever purchased. If it was the right model, I could probably enjoy messing with it. Being what it is, it's more of a chore than anything fun.
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Damn no turbo, Honda swap you say...hmm
I wonder what would fit in mine if it ever blows. I was wondering what fits in there and forgot to look it up. So far mine is in good shape, i have been hearing the fated timing chain death rattle on cold starts, Im booked solid the next few weekends, but it's going to get done by end of October.


Videos I've seen show the chain guides cracking, the worry is that a piece of plastic clogs the oil pump and then oil starvation.

I've never done a timing chain, but think I'm up for the job, lol.

Wasn't looking for a mini, but my cousin had one for sale and he keeps all his cars in premo condition. This was his daily for a few years, he said had zero issues, new clutch and ready to go for another 100k, i trust him. He's going to help me do the chain, he's an undercover master mechanic. Does all his own work on his 911, lotus elise, mercedes 500, and even his Prius. He has too many super cars in perfect shape he just keeps in the garage. Keeps everything OEM and stock. He's not going to like when i mod this to hell and double the power output lol

That's how the rich always do it, drive a Prius for his daily now 😂
 
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Speaker upgrades
Jbl 3.5
NVX 5.25

Sounds amazing, just rear 6x9 to upgrade next


OEM




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Factory woofer, cone completely disconnected from voice coil, any upgrade is better than this lol
View attachment PXL_20250830_150357928.TS.mp4


Prep for new speakers
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Had these laying around from a project i never did, was going to make some bookshelf speakers. Well better used now than never lol
PXL_20250901_010458593.jpgPXL_20250831_222507451~2.jpg
 
Fuck it one more post, let's blow it up lol

Just so everyone knows it's not all about me this weekend, did the wife's rear brakes and rotors this morning, got to take care of wifey too lolPXL_20250831_112601747.jpg
 
ninjadip said:
Fuck it one more post, let's blow it up lol

Just so everyone knows it's not all about me this weekend, did the wife's rear brakes and rotors this morning, got to take care of wifey too lolView attachment 112669
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You can come do mine next..

I've gotta get that done, keep forgetting.... hahaha I have that same jack
.. whenever you're available...............😁
 
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doublej said:
You can come down mine next..

I've gotta get the down, keep forgetting.... hahaha I have that same jack
.. whenever you're available...............😁
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It's funny one of the neighbors came out today and was like what are you doing now? You're always doing something lol

Then later in the day he asked me to look at his son's new car, said the wheel was making a clicking sound, i thought for sure bad CV axle. Then he drove it and i heard it, it was a brake squeal. I think it was a translation/language mistake.

I said sounds like brakes, 100%. Let me look at the front and yes, nothing left. I explained that this is the brake squealer, that let's you know you're almost out of pad.

They asked how much, I showed them the parts for rotors and brakes at auto store $130 if you do it yourself, or 2-300 at least at the shop. They said how are we supposed to do it ourselves? I said with all politeness , YouTube and some tools.I don't really know them or i would have offered, my old back is hurting from all the car stuff this weekend.

I Got wife's brakes and rotors as a combo online, $75 ain't bad at all for ceramic brakes and both rotors. Just takes time. I hate paying someone for something i can do for a lot less money. I'm tight with money lol

What you need done on your car @doublej ?
 
ninjadip said:
It's funny one of the neighbors came out today and was like what are you doing now? You're always doing something lol

Then later in the day he asked me to look at his son's new car, said the wheel was making a clicking sound, i thought for sure bad CV axle. Then he drove it and i heard it, it was a brake squeal. I think it was a translation/language mistake.

I said sounds like brakes, 100%. Let me look at the front and yes, nothing left. I explained that this is the brake squealer, that let's you know you're almost out of pad.

They asked how much, I showed them the parts for rotors and brakes at auto store $130 if you do it yourself, or 2-300 at least at the shop. They said how are we supposed to do it ourselves? I said with all politeness , YouTube and some tools.I don't really know them or i would have offered, my old back is hurting from all the car stuff this weekend.

I Got wife's brakes and rotors as a combo online, $75 ain't bad at all for ceramic brakes and both rotors. Just takes time. I hate paying someone for something i can do for a lot less money. I'm tight with money lol

What you need done on your car @doublej ?
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Oohh...I need to do my fronts before to much longer before I need rotors
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Damn tire almost out weighs me!!!

I try to do everything I can on my rigs as well, your brake post reminded me.

Never know what kinda clown is working on your rig in them shops, I only go to a couple that I know they know what there doing, but most of time it's me as well
 
doublej said:
Oohh...I need to do my fronts before to much longer before I need rotors
View attachment 112671
Damn tire almost out weighs me!!!

I try to do everything I can on my rigs as well, your brake post reminded me.

Never know what kinda clown is working on your rig in them shops, I only go to a couple that I know they know what there doing, but most of time it's me as well
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Yeah I've heard some funny shit at some shops for sure.... I cringe when someone takes their car to the dealer thinking they are more honest than a regular shop.

Are you saying you don't always change rotors with the brakes every time? I have done it a few times and the brakes never wear right, so i just change every time now.

Love some rock auto

I don't have a jack big enough to get that big boy up in the air lol

That clearance would have my job easier today, damn brake bolts on her car were hard af to get leverage on from the sides, but i got her done lol
 
ninjadip said:
Yeah I've heard some funny shit at some shops for sure.... I cringe when someone takes their car to the dealer thinking they are more honest than a regular shop.

Are you saying you don't always change rotors with the brakes every time? I have done it a few times and the brakes never wear right, so i just change every time now.

Love some rock auto

I don't have a jack big enough to get that big boy up in the air lol

That clearance would have my job easier today, damn brake bolts on her car were hard af to get leverage on from the sides, but i got her done lol
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Depends on what the car is, my truck there only has 40k on it probably the factory brakes, I bought it is used so it's a guess until I pull it off. But if the rotors are still good yeah I'll just do pads. The pads should form to the rotors
 
I changed 2 out of 6 speakers in the Prowler.
25 year old speakers were shredded. I got the other 4 but need to pull door panels and dash.
Thank God for YouTube~!
I just yesterday changed the power steering pulley also.
I hate working on cars but share distrust for mechanics.
Trying to not even let my regular garage know I have the Prowler.
1 year in and so far so good~!
Had all 3 convertibles inspected in August and the Vette will need brakes [ first time with me] and tires[ second set] soon.
I may try to do the brakes myself.
 
steamroller said:
I changed 2 out of 6 speakers in the Prowler.
25 year old speakers were shredded. I got the other 4 but need to pull door panels and dash.
Thank God for YouTube~!
I just yesterday changed the power steering pulley also.
I hate working on cars but share distrust for mechanics.
Trying to not even let my regular garage know I have the Prowler.
1 year in and so far so good~!
Had all 3 convertibles inspected in August and the Vette will need brakes [ first time with me] and tires[ second set] soon.
I may try to do the brakes myself.
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Nice

I really like the jbl 3.5 speakers i put in, think i might pull the trigger on their 6.5 speakers to replace the 5.25 speaker i just put in. That NVX 5.25 i had laying around, so i wanted to try those at least before i open the wallet more, but they can't handle all the power from my factory amp. Have to do a fade to the rear to not distort them. Thankfully this car was pretty easy to remove door panel.

Plus the JBL ones I'm looking at are a factory match of 2ohm and exact size replacement using the full 6.5 slot.

Decisions decisions lol. Last car was Rockford fosgate everything, really liked that, but these 3.5 jbls have impressed me that much, and crutchfield says the other ones will fit perfect(need shallow mount for the 6.5)
 
Pretty sure I installed the JBL3.5 from Crutchfield.
Can't remember the other 4 I have but had to get the proper sizes to fit the tiny holes~!
I even soldered in new connections~!;budi
 
steamroller said:
Pretty sure I installed the JBL3.5 from Crutchfield.
Can't remember the other 4 I have but had to get the proper sizes to fit the tiny holes~!
I even soldered in new connections~!;budi
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Yeah they sound great!

I was thinking this morning, i know crazy thing to do on a day off lol
But i was thinking and said, hey idiot! Those woofers are distorted because they don't have a low pass crossover!! They aren't two ways and are designed to be used in a component system. Duh... They are distorting when trying to hit the bass and highs at high volume cause they aren't designed for that.

I swear I'm not a hoarder, but i remembered i have these crossovers from my 20s in storage!!! Might as well try them before getting new speakers.


Game changer!! Now they are perfect bass monsters
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Got total window clearance and zero rattle, little jerry rigged cushion tight in the door frame away from window track, perfect!!!
 
ninjadip said:
It's funny one of the neighbors came out today and was like what are you doing now? You're always doing something lol

Then later in the day he asked me to look at his son's new car, said the wheel was making a clicking sound, i thought for sure bad CV axle. Then he drove it and i heard it, it was a brake squeal. I think it was a translation/language mistake.

I said sounds like brakes, 100%. Let me look at the front and yes, nothing left. I explained that this is the brake squealer, that let's you know you're almost out of pad.

They asked how much, I showed them the parts for rotors and brakes at auto store $130 if you do it yourself, or 2-300 at least at the shop. They said how are we supposed to do it ourselves? I said with all politeness , YouTube and some tools.I don't really know them or i would have offered, my old back is hurting from all the car stuff this weekend.

I Got wife's brakes and rotors as a combo online, $75 ain't bad at all for ceramic brakes and both rotors. Just takes time. I hate paying someone for something i can do for a lot less money. I'm tight with money lol

What you need done on your car @doublej ?
Click to expand...
I can tell a funny on myself about brake squeal. A couple years back I was short on time, but wanted to change pads on my truck before a little getaway trip with my wife. It's an easy job on this truck and I knocked it out quick. When I went to do a quick run with some heavy braking to set the new pads I was getting a heck of a squeal. So, off with the wheels to figure out what was up. Found out that my dumbass had installed a pad backwards with the steel plate against the rotor instead of the pad. I was surprised that the rotor was still smooth and the metal plate backing the pad was only slightly worn. So, I was able to just flip the pad around and all was good.
 
BlueCollarBob said:
I can tell a funny on myself about brake squeal. A couple years back I was short on time, but wanted to change pads on my truck before a little getaway trip with my wife. It's an easy job on this truck and I knocked it out quick. When I went to do a quick run with some heavy braking to set the new pads I was getting a heck of a squeal. So, off with the wheels to figure out what was up. Found out that my dumbass had installed a pad backwards with the steel plate against the rotor instead of the pad. I was surprised that the rotor was still smooth and the metal plate backing the pad was only slightly worn. So, I was able to just flip the pad around and all was good.
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Wow! I've been there before, when i was real young my friend was helping me to brakes on a Subaru, i knew nothing about cars then. He broke 3 c clamps trying to push in the brake piston before someone told him that you have to turn and push them in or they won't budge.. this was pre YouTube video days, so we learned that lesson the hard way lol.
 
steamroller said:
Pretty sure I installed the JBL3.5 from Crutchfield.
Can't remember the other 4 I have but had to get the proper sizes to fit the tiny holes~!
I even soldered in new connections~!;budi
Click to expand...
Did you use bass blockers on them? They are getting a little distorted at high volume for certain songs, i can feel the bass they are trying to push out, just ordered some blockers that will block out sub 600hz. Should do the trick
 
ninjadip said:
Wow! I've been there before, when i was real young my friend was helping me to brakes on a Subaru, i knew nothing about cars then. He broke 3 c clamps trying to push in the brake piston before someone told him that you have to turn and push them in or they won't budge.. this was pre YouTube video days, so we learned that lesson the hard way lol.
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Ha! I've collected an assortment of brake tools including for the screw type compression. This truck is pretty easy, but I did have to buy a vehicle specific tool to compress the dual pistons simultaneously. I used to get by with C-clamps on most vehicles, but that the proper tools have been a necessity on more recent models and a worthwhile investment for all of them.
 
ninjadip said:
Did you use bass blockers on them? They are getting a little distorted at high volume for certain songs, i can feel the bass they are trying to push out, just ordered some blockers that will block out sub 600hz. Should do the trick
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Put some on last night, blocking 900hz and below with a smooth roll off, now they are ready for high volume without distorting ;hop

Love it!!

Math= these bass blockers work at 600hz at 4ohm or 1200hz at 2ohm, since these are 3ohm speakers (OEM match) so that means 900hz under this load. Perfect!
 
BlueCollarBob said:
Ha! I've collected an assortment of brake tools including for the screw type compression. This truck is pretty easy, but I did have to buy a vehicle specific tool to compress the dual pistons simultaneously. I used to get by with C-clamps on most vehicles, but that the proper tools have been a necessity on more recent models and a worthwhile investment for all of them.
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Speaking of tools, thankfully my more car knowledgeable friend told me some additional tools I'll need for this timing chain job that i didn't get in the timing chain tool kit, like a crankshaft holder for securing when tightening the new Sprocket, a serpentine belt tensioner tool, and some female torx sockets (didn't even know these existed)

Still another $100 in tools is a lot cheaper than $1-2000 for a shop to do this job. Hoping to knock it out this weekend
 
ninjadip said:
Speaking of tools, thankfully my more car knowledgeable friend told me some additional tools I'll need for this timing chain job that i didn't get in the timing chain tool kit, like a crankshaft holder for securing when tightening the new Sprocket, a serpentine belt tensioner tool, and some female torx sockets (didn't even know these existed)

Still another $100 in tools is a lot cheaper than $1-2000 for a shop to do this job. Hoping to knock it out this weekend
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I went back looking to see if I have photos from one of the times I've done this and found a couple before and during pics, lol:

1756948424673.jpeg
1756948335190.jpeg

The timing kit I bought for the N12 engine has a clamp to lock the camshaft in position (bar going across the right side of the head in the photo below), a pin for the flywheel, and a tensioner for the timing chain. That little orange box at the top of the photo is the torx sockets you mentioned:
IMG_5229.png

What year is your MINI? The Bentley Service Manual is pretty damned detailed. I'd almost say it was a must for the work I've had to do. The version I bought covers '07-'13. If yours is in that range and you want me to look up anything and send you a scan or photo, I'm glad to do it.

I don't know if your engine will require it, but I also had to have a scanner tool capable of setting adaptations on the VANOS after installing the new timing chain.
 
BlueCollarBob said:
I went back looking to see if I have photos from one of the times I've done this and found a couple before and during pics, lol:

View attachment 112824
View attachment 112823

The timing kit I bought for the N12 engine has a clamp to lock the camshaft in position (bar going across the right side of the head in the photo below), a pin for the flywheel, and a tensioner for the timing chain. That little orange box at the top of the photo is the torx sockets you mentioned:
View attachment 112825

What year is your MINI? The Bentley Service Manual is pretty damned detailed. I'd almost say it was a must for the work I've had to do. The version I bought covers '07-'13. If yours is in that range and you want me to look up anything and send you a scan or photo, I'm glad to do it.

I don't know if your engine will require it, but I also had to have a scanner tool capable of setting adaptations on the VANOS after installing the new timing chain.
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I have the vanos too, what scanning tool do i need for that?

I told my buddy we didn't need the crank holder, that there was a pin to lock it, but he pushed me that he wasn't sure how secure that would be when torquing the new Sprocket.

Mines an 07, yeah any pictures of the manual would be great!

I'ma little clueless on a lot of this job, never opened an engine up. Is that the top half of the block you removed? I heard i should clean it while it's open due to the natural buildup from direct injection
 
ninjadip said:
I have the vanos too, what scanning tool do i need for that?
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There are different scanners that will do it. You just need to buy one that will let you download and install the MINI software. I bought the Foxwell NT510 Elite. I think it allows you to install software for 5 or 6 different manufacturers. So, it's been useful beyond the MINI. The only issue I had was due to me being a mac user. I had to buy a windows laptop (cheap refurbished) to install additional software. You might find something that you like better. The sky is the limit. They have options that only handle software for one manufacturer all the way to big money shop models that have software for everything manufacturer installed. I haven't felt like I was missing anything with the NT510, elite. It's pretty darned handy. You can do some tuning and program lights, mirrors, power windows, etc., depending on what the vehicle programming for.
ninjadip said:
I told my buddy we didn't need the crank holder, that there was a pin to lock it, but he pushed me that he wasn't sure how secure that would be when torquing the new Sprocket.
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He may know something and I've just been lucky.
ninjadip said:
Mines an 07, yeah any pictures of the manual would be great!
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I'll message you photos of the timing chain job when I get home, this evening. YouTube may be all you need for that, but I know the manual has helped on some work beyond what I found on YouTube. On the MINI forums, it's pretty much the Bible. I bought the digital download of the Haynes Manual., first. It fell short of my needs. Not even close to the Bentley. There's some manufacturer data that takes things further, but that if for extremely specialized work.


ninjadip said:
I'ma little clueless on a lot of this job, never opened an engine up. Is that the top half of the block you removed? I heard i should clean it while it's open due to the natural buildup from direct injection
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You won't have to remove the head for your job. I had to take it off it to replace bent valves. Whole new set of specialty tools, lol. This car would have been fine for someone who was mechanically inclined. Horrible decision for a college kid too far from home for me to monitor. A simple coolant leak lead to this, twice. Second time was on me. I should have kept it and drove it for a while to catch and button up the drip before sending it back to college.

Some carbon build up is normal. I think shops blow walnut husks or some kind of fine media through to polish things up, but I haven had to do any of that. You'll need a scope to see that without removing the head.
 
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