4 replies to this topic

[M J W J]

Please move this if this is the wrong place

Hello to all.

Quickly a summary of my project

I am to design a retrofit kit to allow a 1.0-1.3 litre Nissan MA or CG micra engine and manual transmission to fit a classic mini (obviously being on this site) and operate.

This project differs from the build diaries on here as:
a. I won't actually be building a micra conversion (may do if I have time, the money and the university grants me permission)
b. Full Finite element testing of the frame has to be performed (I already know someone has done some on their design over on TMF)
c. The frame has to be designed for mass production (no modified mini frames)
d. The frame has to be designed so that most people could assemble it in their garage so an end user study will have to be performed.

There are other aspects to this project such as end of life study, carbon foot print, business case, etc but that is not why I am here. The actual design of the frame is only expected to take about a month. It is all the other stuff that will fill up my time over the next 3 months.

The first step in designing the frame is that I need to obtain the dimensions of a Nissan Micra engine's mounting points and study the layout/measure various other things as well on the car.

THE MAIN POINT:

I am asking if there is anybody out there who is about to start a Micra conversion or just needs an engine taking out of a Micra for any reason and wants help with the engine removal from the Micra (and possibly the mini). I will work for free, yep that's right FREE, in return for being able to take all the measurements, photos, pictures, perform analysis etc of the donor car. You will be referenced and acknowledged in my final dissertation for your help.

I would expect it to take me about 3 days to remove the engine and get all the data I require. I am able to travel and come to you to remove the engine or you can bring the car to my garages near Eccleshall staffordshire or my parents garage near Market Drayton Shropshire. I am located currently in Coventry although have no facility here to work on a car. The university is currently moving stuff from the workshops to the new engineering building over the summer so can't work on a car there.

My background is 3 years of studying a BEng in Mechanical engineering and the last 9 months doing my automotive engineering Msc. I have taken engines out of a lot of car (everything from mk1 escort, lotus sunbeam, mini, TDCI mk1 focus, Astras etc) and I am currently building a Vauxhall conversion (see link below for the build thread. I realise it has taken along time to get to where I am but that is due to lack of access to the car while being at university). I have all my own tools if required although if you can provide them it will save a lot of effort transporting them around (especially my engine crane). I will have to fit this around my part time job.

http://www.theminifo...1-powered-mini/

Also a final request if anybody around the coventry area or telford area has an engine conversion mini with a bought frame (all speed, Minitec, Watsons, etc, sorry to all those who have done the brave thing and built theirs) then would I be able to take measurements and study the frame. Again you will be acknowledged and referenced in my report.

One final thing just to make it clear. I am not offering to build you a micra conversion or the kit. At the minuet I do not have time. Come September when I graduate then I may be able to do the conversion for you but it will not be with the frame I design for my Msc. Due to the contract I signed with the university when I started, anything that I design when I am at Coventry University becomes their property and cannot be reproduced without their permission. Even I am not allowed to build one for myself with out the university agreeing to let me. If I break this rule it will be counted as plagiarism and I can be stripped of my degree. If the Imeche becomes involved then I could be stripped of both of them. Coventry University can make money out of it. I can't

Thank you all in advance

Mike

[ibrooks]

When do you want to be taking the engine out?

I'm going to be doing it but don't have a firm time yet - it might be too late for you by the time I'm ready unfortunately but worth checking.

Iain

[M J W J]

Preferably within the next couple of weeks. I have my interim report deadline by the end of June so need to have done all my research by then.

If I get desperate then I may go round to my local breakers and see if they want a days labour for free or if I am really desperate then I may have to grovel to my parents to buy me one.

[ibrooks]

Too soon for me unfortunately.

Local fire-brigade often get scrap cars to practice chopping up - might be worth seeing if they've been offered a Micra and if you can have the front end when they've done with it. Also check car dealers who might have taken one in part-ex. People who have advertised a car for sale (ebay/autotrader/gumtree etc.) are automatically expecting to get a few quid either to cover the fees or for their hassle dealers that have taken them in part-ex have made their money on the car they have sold and will often let the part-ex cars go for a song. You might have to convince them that you want it for parts though as they have to cover their backsides in case you start driving it around and it fails injuring or killing you or someone else in the process.

Iain

[M J W J]

Cheers for the advice. I never thought about asking my local fire brigade for one. A half cut would be ideal. Engine wiring loom, box, shafts etc all in one neat package.