Driving my Mini-VTEC Mini the 600, miles down to Greg at Go-Autoworks to turn it into a Mini-VTEC-Turbo. We have most of the major things nailed down but there are still many details to be agreed upon.

I still have a great deal of prep work fitting the hood before I'm ready. But I have this 3 day weekend and next weekend to make it driveable. No sanding or paint but everything else should be done.

It'll be interesting driving the 600 miles back with the new turbo system. It'll be one heck of a shake down cruise.

 

So i take it they are tuning it too

 

They better be because if I do it.....what it will do could not be called running.

My intention is to drive it down....drop it off, fly home. Then a few weeks later, whenever it's ready, I'll fly down and drive the 638 miles home.

 

Who's jealous of this?


THIS GUY.

 

Not me well a little. I enjoy doing all the work myself. Cant wait to get my Go Auto kit though.
Ask them and make sure they are tuning it as well before you commit.

 

I appreciate any accolades from folks in this forum...I respect the opinions here, which means the car will be done correctly and is less likely to launch a connecting rod bolt through my forehead.

 

Have fun and good luck.Just remember what I said about which turbo to use and the type. don't get talked into another type. I promise you you'll regret it if you don't..

GT2860RS internal gate, .86A/R no exceptions.. No Precision.. no matter how "sweet" the deal is..

 

PM

 

Can you post some pictures and videos up when it's all done please. Greg is a spot on guy, I've had a few things off him myself & he offers really good value for money. You won't be disappointed with him.

Out of interest, how long is the flight back?

 

I'll definitely be posting some pics and perhaps a video. You all have to promise not to laugh at my fake Mugen grey valve cover and Skunk 2 bolts.. they were a gift...Or poke fun at my completely unfinished nose.

It's 638 miles from me to drive it. I guess he's in an industrial park but I'll have to fly from Montgomery, change plans in Atlanta and land in Cincinnati. It's 4 hours including the lay over. But right now it's only $211.00.

I always have the same problems with anything I'm not an expert in. You have to trust your vendor/builder. Greg will give me whatever I ask for. That could be a problem. Because I'm quite clueless on this except for my goals from 30,000 feet.

Without cracking open then engine, I want dead nuts reliability, I want stock like reliability/durability and I want drivability...I guess that means it won't require the the hand speed of Muhammad Ali and the foot speed/dexterity of Baryshnikov to drive it. I want a very pleasant ride/drive in my little missile. I don't want to feel like the Coyote when strapped to an Acme rocket. I want daily driver...That has escape velocity when I choose.

(As an extreme side note, I don't want it tuned so that my MPG to fall into the Hummer range. This has less to do with money and more to do with efficiency in my head)

I have no problem disagreeing with any kind of builder when he say that "if you change your mind and wish to be the Coyote"...I'm partway there. but you don't you don't need this, it's over engineered". That just kind of adds to the cool factor. I agree that over engineering something may be an initial waste but if it doesn't hurt anything and makes me smile and may possibly be useful later...I'll likely bite.

As an extreme side note, I don't want my MPG to fall into the Hummer range

Sorry for the too long post...just thought I'd ramble.

 

well, one has to be cautious. When tuning on these aftermarket configurations, its going to be for power. there can be a small balance, but the tuner is going to set the car to run a bit richer so that more power can be extracted. the loss in MPG is more going to be from your foot and driving ability more than just the tune itself; its a symbiotic relationship. Let the tuner do his thing, and you do yours, and SOMEWHERE in the middle, peace and tranquility will result.

 

thats def sig worthy ^^

 

To a certain degree. Whenever you're crossing engine/chassis platforms, you use a bit of knowledge from both ends of the spectrum and then your custom needs to bridge any gaps. Unless the vendor is more of a specialist in that cross platform, you need to keep other options open.

It is from this feedback is why I stand by my original recommendation for turbocharger and wastegate configuration from the minis I've driven. Even your example showed the same configuration with a manifold-mounted intercooler.. The rest is on you at this point.

 

I know this might sound gay, but I got a chill down my spine when I read this...