12 replies to this topic

[Ollie180]

starting to look at a project for next year and it was between r1 engine in the front or going down turbo route...

iv got my eyes set on the r1 lump as i already have a turbo car and don't really need another one


now i know theres kits out there (promotive etc) but just wondering has anyone ever attempted to make they own front sub frame? as i cant just spending 3k+ on a sub frame. i know its everything you need and quality of it etc but i would have to save up to buy it etc rather than build my own over time and keep project moving...


just you thoughts really? and also what do you guys think of them as a daily driver? as thats all mine will be really (no need for work though.


cheers

[Basky]

starting to look at a project for next year and it was between r1 engine in the front or going down turbo route...

iv got my eyes set on the r1 lump as i already have a turbo car and don't really need another one


now i know theres kits out there (promotive etc) but just wondering has anyone ever attempted to make they own front sub frame? as i cant just spending 3k+ on a sub frame. i know its everything you need and quality of it etc but i would have to save up to buy it etc rather than build my own over time and keep project moving...


just you thoughts really? and also what do you guys think of them as a daily driver? as thats all mine will be really (no need for work though.


cheers

Daily Drive LOL no way!!

Spend the money mate unless your mechanically good & have good engineering knowledge behind you! it will still cost you with trail & error. materials time etc etc..

[captainjack15]

Why no way Basky??

Alexcrosse on here did it for a while :S

But yes just spend the money as it'll save so much hassle and the quality will be amazing

[cooper_mark]

have a look here bud..........
http://www.flickr.co...57603671414132/

[1989mini1293]

I have built my own. you need to be able to problem solve and make whats needed.
I found it fairly easy.
I have the r1 front wheel drive and the engine is facing forwards. (only problem is the manifold stickes out a bit but my front is made of fiber glass so it was easy to mod)
the out put sprocket goes straight connects to a sprocket on a mini differential cassing
I have had it on the road for afew months now with no problem.
people say that its no good for chain life as the sprockes are so close together, but it seem to be ok for me.
Just look after it, lube it, tighen it.
i dont have reverse yet as iv not gof fed up with pushing it. but left enough room to put it in. revers £350 ish.

[cooper_mark]

I have built my own. you need to be able to problem solve and make whats needed.
I found it fairly easy.
I have the r1 front wheel drive and the engine is facing forwards. (only problem is the manifold stickes out a bit but my front is made of fiber glass so it was easy to mod)
the out put sprocket goes straight connects to a sprocket on a mini differential cassing
I have had it on the road for afew months now with no problem.
people say that its no good for chain life as the sprockes are so close together, but it seem to be ok for me.
Just look after it, lube it, tighen it.
i dont have reverse yet as iv not gof fed up with pushing it. but left enough room to put it in. revers £350 ish.

any pics of your subby/finished mini.....?

[1989mini1293]

I have built my own. you need to be able to problem solve and make whats needed.
I found it fairly easy.
I have the r1 front wheel drive and the engine is facing forwards. (only problem is the manifold stickes out a bit but my front is made of fiber glass so it was easy to mod)
the out put sprocket goes straight connects to a sprocket on a mini differential cassing
I have had it on the road for afew months now with no problem.
people say that its no good for chain life as the sprockes are so close together, but it seem to be ok for me.
Just look after it, lube it, tighen it.
i dont have reverse yet as iv not gof fed up with pushing it. but left enough room to put it in. revers £350 ish.

any pics of your subby/finished mini.....?

i dont have any pic's to hand.

[cooper_mark]

I have built my own. you need to be able to problem solve and make whats needed.
I found it fairly easy.
I have the r1 front wheel drive and the engine is facing forwards. (only problem is the manifold stickes out a bit but my front is made of fiber glass so it was easy to mod)
the out put sprocket goes straight connects to a sprocket on a mini differential cassing
I have had it on the road for afew months now with no problem.
people say that its no good for chain life as the sprockes are so close together, but it seem to be ok for me.
Just look after it, lube it, tighen it.
i dont have reverse yet as iv not gof fed up with pushing it. but left enough room to put it in. revers £350 ish.

any pics of your subby/finished mini.....?

i dont have any pic's to hand.

any chance u could do some....cas we all love pics...

[mini mayhem]

its true we

[1989mini1293]

I have built my own. you need to be able to problem solve and make whats needed.
I found it fairly easy.
I have the r1 front wheel drive and the engine is facing forwards. (only problem is the manifold stickes out a bit but my front is made of fiber glass so it was easy to mod)
the out put sprocket goes straight connects to a sprocket on a mini differential cassing
I have had it on the road for afew months now with no problem.
people say that its no good for chain life as the sprockes are so close together, but it seem to be ok for me.
Just look after it, lube it, tighen it.
i dont have reverse yet as iv not gof fed up with pushing it. but left enough room to put it in. revers £350 ish.

any pics of your subby/finished mini.....?

i dont have any pic's to hand.

any chance u could do some....cas we all love pics...

frame to hold R1 engine solid mounted and also holds diff. bolts into the standard engine mounts. plus 2 more holes at back of subame below stearing rack.

front subframe bar cut out new lower bar added. new bar added between subframe towers to mount r1 rear engine mount.

chain tensioning is just done my shims under diff.

Edited by 1989mini1293, 12 July 2009 - 06:49 AM.

[sotiris]

i will tell you my opinion because i start a project..(rear mid engine motorbike mini)

if you start with base the oem front sub, with the same armsand "arm mounts" will be rather easy....

one problem you will find out, is that when you will weld the sub, it will bend and when you will try to fit to the car it will not fit to the mounts..........
the solution is to make a metal construction to hold the mounts to place........ and the arms to place

my english is poor i hoop is understandable
..............

[cooper_mark]

I have built my own. you need to be able to problem solve and make whats needed.
I found it fairly easy.
I have the r1 front wheel drive and the engine is facing forwards. (only problem is the manifold stickes out a bit but my front is made of fiber glass so it was easy to mod)
the out put sprocket goes straight connects to a sprocket on a mini differential cassing
I have had it on the road for afew months now with no problem.
people say that its no good for chain life as the sprockes are so close together, but it seem to be ok for me.
Just look after it, lube it, tighen it.
i dont have reverse yet as iv not gof fed up with pushing it. but left enough room to put it in. revers £350 ish.

any pics of your subby/finished mini.....?

i dont have any pic's to hand.

any chance u could do some....cas we all love pics...

frame to hold R1 engine solid mounted and also holds diff. bolts into the standard engine mounts. plus 2 more holes at back of subame below stearing rack.

front subframe bar cut out new lower bar added. new bar added between subframe towers to mount r1 rear engine mount.

chain tensioning is just done my shims under diff.

very interesting...would love to see more pics of this setup...) when i finish my c20xe this will be my next project..

[1989mini1293]

I have built my own. you need to be able to problem solve and make whats needed.
I found it fairly easy.
I have the r1 front wheel drive and the engine is facing forwards. (only problem is the manifold stickes out a bit but my front is made of fiber glass so it was easy to mod)
the out put sprocket goes straight connects to a sprocket on a mini differential cassing
I have had it on the road for afew months now with no problem.
people say that its no good for chain life as the sprockes are so close together, but it seem to be ok for me.
Just look after it, lube it, tighen it.
i dont have reverse yet as iv not gof fed up with pushing it. but left enough room to put it in. revers £350 ish.

any pics of your subby/finished mini.....?

i dont have any pic's to hand.

any chance u could do some....cas we all love pics...

frame to hold R1 engine solid mounted and also holds diff. bolts into the standard engine mounts. plus 2 more holes at back of subame below stearing rack.

front subframe bar cut out new lower bar added. new bar added between subframe towers to mount r1 rear engine mount.

chain tensioning is just done my shims under diff.

very interesting...would love to see more pics of this setup...) when i finish my c20xe this will be my next project..

I will be at the haynes on sunday 12th july and also at Blaise Castle on the 16th if anyone would like to have a look..