Fix on Saturday, Race on Sunday

"ItalianJobR53 - now with added 'MERICA and unreliability" (italianjobr53)
09/27/2020 at 20:20 • Filed to: autoX, Mini

I put together the Mini yesterday after !!!error: Indecipherable SUB-paragraph formatting!!! and some other maintenance stuff. The plan was to drive the Vette today but another front wheel bearing was discovered to be bad while installing the !!!error: Indecipherable SUB-paragraph formatting!!! .

So, I sent it with the Mini :) I had forgotten how much fun it is to autocross, although it needs a locking diff to be properly fast...

DISCUSSION (16)

MiniGTI - now with XJ6 > ItalianJobR53 - now with added 'MERICA and unreliability
09/27/2020 at 20:33

Nice video. Man I want to go autoX mine someday. I really just need to commit to it and get it on the calendar.

ItalianJobR53 - now with added 'MERICA and unreliability > MiniGTI - now with XJ6
09/27/2020 at 20:41

You should! Although having good front tires is key to have fun in our Minis...

Jb boin > ItalianJobR53 - now with added 'MERICA and unreliability
09/27/2020 at 21:34

Is that second gear most of the run ?

I don’t remember but is it still stock?

ItalianJobR53 - now with added 'MERICA and unreliability > Jb boin
09/27/2020 at 21:46

It is 2nd most of the way.

Its not stock, its got a cold air intake, 15% smaller supercharger pulley, cat-back exhaust, performance bypass valve (makes more boost down low), poly bushings, slightly stiffer rear swaybar, aggressive front brakes and 200TW autox tires. Although its not a “mod”, it does have new front control arms, wheel bearings and tie-rod ends which means its got no slop in the front end...

Jb boin > ItalianJobR53 - now with added 'MERICA and unreliability
09/27/2020 at 21:53

T he power delivery is so smooth compared to my A3 that has a similar weight and power but with a turbo, what is the top speed in 2nd?

ItalianJobR53 - now with added 'MERICA and unreliability > Jb boin
09/27/2020 at 21:56

Wait, your A3 weighs 2800lb on the scales? Thats very light for an Audi!

2nd gear top is 72 mph iirc.

AkursedX > ItalianJobR53 - now with added 'MERICA and unreliability
09/27/2020 at 21:57

The only fwd car I’ve ever autocrosses was an SMF mini on worn Hoosier R7's . It was a blast.

ItalianJobR53 - now with added 'MERICA and unreliability > AkursedX
09/27/2020 at 22:01

Did it have a LSD? I feel like mine will be a million times better if I can put the power down properly...

AkursedX > ItalianJobR53 - now with added 'MERICA and unreliability
09/27/2020 at 22:06

Yes it did. Definitely made getting out of the corner a bit easier, especially since i was applying power like it was an rwd car. A lot of push but you could feel both the wheels pulling me back into line.

ItalianJobR53 - now with added 'MERICA and unreliability > AkursedX
09/27/2020 at 22:13

I need that $900 magic black box lol

Jb boin > ItalianJobR53 - now with added 'MERICA and unreliability
09/27/2020 at 22:17

Even slightly less, always around 1250kg at the “ MOT” which is with fluids and i dont believe that the y are subtracting the gas.

On a website listing technical specs of cars (which is generic and not depending on options for example but by engine ) , the A 3 is given for 1192kg while the R3 Cooper S for 1277kg.

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Top speed in 2nd is around the same, maybe 5kph less (between 110 and 115kph) on t he A3 at 6700rpm but the problem is that the 3rd is too “long” with a top speed around 165-170kph so the gearing is quite annoying to drive with the turbo lag (or rather spool time) on the city and on small alpine roads which are my most common things i do .

ItalianJobR53 - now with added 'MERICA and unreliability > Jb boin
09/27/2020 at 22:28

Nice! Mine was 2800lb with me in it lol and I havent weighed myself in a while...

The gearing is quite good on the Mini!

glemon > ItalianJobR53 - now with added 'MERICA and unreliability
09/27/2020 at 23:14

My local club autocrossed today too, first time this year (yippee!). It spun out a couple times , like a RWD car spun out. I have never seen a FWD car do that.

I have autocrossed a few FWD cars, I haven’t been able to get the feel for the driving dynamics, especially throttle/brake/steering. I have read about how it is supposed to work, but haven’t been able to translate it into reflexes/seat of the pants feel.

ItalianJobR53 - now with added 'MERICA and unreliability > glemon
09/27/2020 at 23:29

FWD can and will spin if you get the weight transfer going ...Driving a FWD is much more about setting a rhythm I feel, gotta lift and turn at the right moments to rotate the car well.

Wrong Wheel Drive (41%) > ItalianJobR53 - now with added 'MERICA and unreliability
09/28/2020 at 00:42

Dang, I could barely do 72 in 3rd gear with my 6spd Miata. It's better with the 5spd though, 2nd gear at least hits 60.

ItalianJobR53 - now with added 'MERICA and unreliability > Wrong Wheel Drive (41%)
09/28/2020 at 07:21

Miatas are quite undergeared tho since they make no torque. The supercharger makes a lotta torque so the mini can have longer gears