'98 SPi, Japan Import (Brake Servo, A/C, RHD)

I've owned this Mini for about a year now, and it seems I am constantly chasing small issue after small issue, mostly related to vacuum leaks. Of course I've also had my share of sensor replacements, and each one of these damn annoyances makes me want to convert to carbs - but that's another story.

In the meantime, I spend a lot of time under the bonnet, and as anyone with an injected Mini knows it is tight, crammed, and an absolute rats nest of tubes, wires, and hoses. It really makes it difficult to work on the car, as there is never any room, and I have to remove 4 parts and replace 3 gaskets just to troubleshoot or check a sensor or seal! I am on a mission to clean up the engine bay, and remove any unnecessary "features". I'm also not interested in saving the planet. :shy:

So I am curious what your advice is when it comes to removing a lot of the crap that seems to be installed purely for emissions, and very little for operation of the vehicle.

Flywheel Breather - A large canister / oil separator that connects to the breather manifold across the back of the rocker cover.
Can I replace this with a small simple filter, or is the suction provided from the manifold depression important? Also, how much oil actually ends up in this can? Is a small filter going to get saturated and make a mess?

Timing Chain Cover Breather - Small hose connected into the breather manifold across the back of the rocker cover.
Again, can I just replace this with a small filter, or does it require the suction from the manifold?

Evaporative Emissions Canister & Purge Valve
From what I understand, this simply absorbs fuel vapors whilst the car is off, and then when the engine reaches 70 deg it opens the purge valve, and allows clean air to pass through the charcoal canister, and along with it any accumulated fuel vapors. This whole system seems unnecessary to me. Can I remove the canister, the purge valve, and the associated hoses? What are the implications of the fuel vapors having nowhere to go when the car is switched off?

Of course I am aware of the concerns around RWC tests and similar, but I am really just investigating the mechanical feasibility of these changes, and whether or not they are advisable. It sure would clean up a whole mess of crap from that engine bay, and I'd have a little less envy each time I see a carb mini....

Thanks everyone,

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1998 Rover Mk VII
2001 Honda CBR 929RR (street)
2014 BMW S1000RR (track)

Getting rid of all that won't have any dramatic effects on anything. Just swap the tank cap to a breathable one if you do and block off the connection at the top of the tank.

Other things you can do to 'clean up' the engine compartment:
1. remote mount booster under the drivers guard.
2. Relocate engine computer
3. Change stock air box to a K&N pod filter.
4. Relocate coil pack...... to somewhere (not as easy as it sounds cause the plugs are non-standard).

Having ditched your AC, you could also consider more extreme options like lowering the alternator, or a front mount radiator.

Here's my engine compartment - same year as yours: