This an addiction in buying parts and accessories to custom your MINI which is never ending

Having seen the new MINI GP being unveiled at MINI UNITED 2012 in France I loved the HUGE Brakes and rear wing and diffuser.

I wanted that Rear Diffuser for my JCW sometime later now the line when the parts if they did came available

That day came earlier than I expected as the part numbers came available just before official launch of the GP. I ordered the parts and delivery took 3 weeks

The install was relatively simple as it was just a bolt on part with my carbon fibre trim coming off and then fixing on the diffuser part and brackets for under trays.

I haven’t stopped grinning after I have the diffuser on. I cant says it made a difference on the road but MPG has gone up slightly but forget all that it looks AWESOME SAUCE!!!

I wanted to add some more NOISE to the JCW

Don’t get me wrong the JCW sounds good all round with deep burble with Pops on the overrun, but I wanted it a menacing noise and BANGS on the overrun.

I only wanted the best for my JCW so an Evolve Sports Cat would be going on and MINI Specialist LOHEN for the modification along with a few other bits

Lohen has built its reputation well with their customer service being second to none and has been voted UK Best Independent New MINI Specialist numerous times by Modern MINI Magazine readers.

Further to this Lohen run their own R56 Cooper S aka ‘Polar Bear’ in the MINI Challenge series

Off I went to Lohen to get my bits put on and the roads leading to them were quite fun as well

First up was the Powerflex Bushes upper and lower engine mounts which reduces engine vibration and noise. Reducing the movement of the engine/gearbox helps to minimise torque steer and will make aftermarket exhausts less prone to failure due to reduced flexing.

The feel after getting them install there was noticeable difference engine response was much better. I would recommend them to anyone as its a cheap mod to do.

Out went the OEM oil dipstick because it unreadable at times and I don’t why its brown because oil becomes brown after time. In went the Craven dipstick which has easy to read with its notches and easier removed and inserted back in.

Time to hit the Dyno to get a base run of how much power my JCW was putting out

She was strapped now and the dyno fan at full blast, on she rolled with me eagerly waiting on the figures

The results were 209 BHP with 287 NM of Torque – There was a surprise drop at the top of the rev range with there being a dip before the redline

I was told by the techs that torque limiter was kicking near the redline

Out with the old and in with the new

The Evolve sports cat went on

On she went on the Dyno again to see if the sports cat made a difference

She made a few pops on the dyno ; )

There was no real performance gain but on the graph the curve was much smoother and more importantly no dip at the top end

On the road its felt with the turbo spooling way quicker and virtually no lag when you press louder pedal regardless of gear

Oh yeah it sounds hornets nest under full throttle with POPS n BANGS all the time and a meatier burble at idle : D

Lets say my JCW and Tunnels are best friends now

Before I left I picked up a Stubby Craven Aerial & Dodo Juice – Purple Haze wax for my JCW as I have heard nothing but good things

I cant not fault Lohen with the service they offered me with their knowledge and suggestions for later modification I want to do.

Now my JCW proudly wears their badge

I wish nothing them but success to Team Lohen & Polar Bear in their 2013 MINI Challenge season

Maybe my JCW will be catching up with the Polar Bear soon….

Videos:

Dyno Runs

Exhaust Sound Clips

Next Blog Post: Dragon Run: EVO Triangle

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I was selected from numerous old & new MINIs and i was invited to Chobham Test Track in London where Autocar test drive cars and do their 60 seconds Video reviews.

Alot of high speed testing happens at this track as well as lot of TV & film stunt scenes – The most recent being for Top Gear & the new Bond Film Skyfall.

I cleaned, polish, hoovered and cleaned the engine bay for the TV Shoot and sent off from house over 120 miles away. To my luck it started to rain heavily – Thank you British Weather.

I arrived at my hotel which Attaboy TV provided for me.

The next day I sent for bright and early for the shoot and i spotted another JCW – Chilli Red with a Black Roof & JCW Rear Spoiler (later found out they were a member of Totalmini).

I arrived at the Test Track to find a BEAST of Mitsubishi Pajero that looked liked it had ever been cleaned but still it had this MAGIC to it – guess it was the LEGENDARY owner – Kavin McLeod (Great guy).

Then about 5 mins later a Old School Range Rover, P1 Scooby & Evo 6 Tommi Makinen Edition GSR turned up!!!

Then just after that a Classic MINI turned up. Everyone was great to talk to and everyone spoke about the mischief they had been up to with their cars.

Whilst this was going on i was trying to get my JCW all shiney again : D

We were taken on to the test route to the Photoshoot location which was epic drive with an Leguna Seca like corkscrew bend.

We are driving at 60mph and this Mclaren MP4-12C blew past us at least 150MPH it actually shook our cars.

We lined up our cars for the shoot to become stars, actually scrap that my car is more famous then me : /

A Koenigsegg CCR turned up for a potential buyer and it sound biblical at full throttle!!

After some nice lunch it was back to TV Shoot which was really fun as we drove around the test track and a Camera car drive in front of you.

Me being the Joker i am i wanted to sit in the back and i have a go in the camera car to which i was allowed. I was smirking and giggling all the way around, when they took me for a spin round the track.

I finally got to drive a classic MINI that day and i really want one now!!! There is so much room in them plus all the bits and they very easy to work & tune (the saving pot has begun). Made a MINI Mate that day Dave Itzy – the owner of the Classic is a professional Photographer as well (Dave Itzy Media).

Dropbox Link for More Photos: https://www.dropbox.com/sh/ez5hf5otc4h03bh/im_sSTbdii/TV%20Shoot

Next Post – Preparing for MINI UNITED 2012….

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The post National Geographic MINI Photo & TV Shoot appeared first on JCW Adventures.

I caught the modding Bug again : /

First on the list was to get rid of the CHROME GRILL Surrounds

It was previously Black on all JCWs but with mine being a LCI (Facelifted model) they changed to minimise the different parts needed at the factory to keep prices down : O

Cost me £45 plus fitting for the Black Grille Surround

This made my JCW look alot more Aggressive GRRRRRRR

It was off with The Standard Chrome Side Vents to JCW Mesh Vents

To a nod to my old R56 MINI One, I fitted my Cheeky Little Handcuffs to the sun visor

I am not gonna say anything about them but instead let you ponder about that…

I am HUGGGGEEE Motoring fan and Car Lover so got some new window decals for the rear windows as i would be soon be visiting the place where JCW was developed and honed the Green Hell aka Nurburgring

I hated the yellow light coming from the front side lights and changed them to LEDs for a Bright White Light to match my Xenon Lights.

A MINI road trip to Shrewsbury again was needed for Carbon Fibre Goodness and to Sharpen up the JCW’s Go Karting Handling.

I ordered the Carbon Fibre Steering Wheel Insert to match my JCW Gearknob

I also purchased the JCW Strut Brace to which i wasn’t sure about as i know modern cars have alot stiffer chassis now and not like the old Ford Cortinas where the body would flex.

If it did make a difference it would be to cornering ability. If not it would be just be some under the bonnet BLING!!!

Yet I read on the forums that it eliminated some of the torque steer that would be of benefit to my MINI Adventures.

I Love how the JCW Logo is engraved on the strut brace

I am happy to say that i was shocked with the difference given the JCWs Huge pedigree on the handling front. Turn in is sharper, Torque steer has been nearly eliminated, the ride actually improved with it feeling alot the less crashy over poor roads and at high speeds the car is alot more stable.

Next Post – Smile for the Camera….

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