GBMINI – the web site

Posted on by Ian C.

Just been through a “beneath the bonnet” upgrade of GBMINI and with nothing much going on with GBMINI the car, I will instead waffle about GBMINI the web pages!

My web pages are hosted through 1and1. I signed up with them when they were offering a free trial – the package offered a reasonable 500MB storage as well as PHP support (the ability to execute programs on the server). I also use SSI which ensure that the right hand column of all GBMINIs pages is correct (because it is the same file!)
I recently upgraded and now for $10/month I have masses of storage, 10 times more bandwidth than I need, and all the features I am ever likely to need.
I also host three different sites (GBMINI, MargaretAndIan, and MINIsOnTop) within the same package – the same account, log-in, etc make it easy to look after all the sites.

I wanted PHP support because I wanted to upgrade from Blogger which I used to use for my weblog; I now use MoveableType which is much more flexible. Benefits of MoveableType include the calendar grid and the search facility (which Blogger did not have when I left them); more important I can totally customize the pages any way I wish (so long as I am smart enough to figure it out!)
I have just completed the upgrade to a new version of MoveableType which offers “dynamic pages”; this feature means that not all GBMINIs web pages really exist – instead they are created “on the fly” when accessed by someone. The downside is that those pages take longer to load but the upside is that when I post something new, or when someone posts a comment, the process is quicker.

Finally to look after my pictures I use Gallery. Gallery is a bit “clunky” and I am sure there are nicer programs out there now, but I have loads of pics in there already with loads of links everywhere – I don’t see me changing things around!
I was able to use the CRON feature available with 1and1 to speed up GBMINIs main gallery page; that helped speed Gallery up a while back!

Some pages (like the home page) are plain HTML not built by MoveableType; for those I use AceHTML which is a bit more than just a text editor and works well for me; the companion program AceFTP handles uploads & downloads, and I use WebSynchronizer to maintain a regular backup of the server – the program automatically handles downloading files changed on the server (weblog files for example) as well as files that I have edited on my PC.

The JCW air filter revisited

Posted on by Ian C.

Regular readers will remember, GBMINI had the JCW air filter installed last year (as part of the “step-up” kit that takes the original JCW kit) from a claimed 200hp to 210hp.

Minolta DSC

This is one of my most favourite mods to GBMINI – I love the way that the supercharger sounds gets loud when you are heard on the throttle and revving over 4500, but remains quiet when driving “normally”. There is an obvious drop in MPG since the upgrade, which I attribute to my changed driving style – I “drive for the whine” often now!
If you have an MCS with no JCW upgrade, you can still get this air filter – I recommend it 🙂
There was a thread on MINI2 a while back where someone had the new air filter installed but the dealership was not ready to reprogram the engine computer. However, the air filter worked properly anyway, opening the extra air intake valve at 4500 rpm.
At the time, this seemed surprising … but I have recently learned that the extra intake valve is not controlled by the engine computer at all, but by some special electronics developed for and installed with the air intake:

Minolta DSC

The electronics is in the little box center of the pic, mounted on the back of the new cowl which is installed to provide the opening for the extra air intake. The electronics determines when 4500 rpm is reached, and powers the extra valve to allow more air flow; there is some hysteresis so that the valve is not closed again until revs drop below 4000.
What I don’t know is if there is any feedback signal sent to the engine computer to indicate when the valve is opened – but I would guess “no”. The existing sensors allow the engine computer to determine air/fuel mixes, and presumably they will provide all necessary indications of how much air is flowing into the engine.

The engine computer still needs to be reprogrammed for the “step-up” kit, to take account of the bigger fuel injectors which are also installed – I don’t know if reprogramming is needed when the JCW air filter is installed “standalone” on a non-JCW MCS.

Aftermarket Appraisal

Posted on by Ian C.

“Good Tires, Bad Wipers, Great Stereo”
Todays weather started with light snow and progressed to heavy rain; when I headed north into New Hampshire to visit a supplier, I met freezing rain (and two cars spun off).
In todays rain I found that the Trico Innovision wipers (see here) are not much use at speed in heavy rain! Unlike the factory wipers, the Trico’s have a tendency to lift off the windshield at speed, significantly reducing visibility 😦
My old stock wipers will be re-fitted in the morning – I will just deal with ice on the frames like I used to.

Happily, the Pirelli PZero Nero tires (see here) performed very well in todays wet weather, with no hint of loss of traction.
They are not perfect in snow – I had to take a run up my road when it was snow covered recently – but I think they are a great all season compromise.

The other thing I enjoyed during the trip today was my Kenwood stereo & Keg (see here and here; being able to drive for hours while only ever hearing music that I like, with no need to change CDs, radio stations, etc, is excellent!