4 replies to this topic

[scrippo]

OK, so I've been off the forum for a good while. I completed my mini in 2010, and overall I haven't driven it anywhere near as much as I should have, and now 5 years on, I've got the itch for a project.

I'm toying on the idea of a rebuild, but have the dilemma over what I want to do. My choices are;

Rebuild on a refurbished shell, dipped welded and e-coated, but retaining a completely standard steel shell, with mainly standard running gear.

Or, do I go down the lightening route, with street fighter doors, carbon fibre bonnet, boot, polycarbonate windows, etc etc. and then go down the option of light weight components everywhere, rear beam, alloy radius arms, drums, the list goes on. Will I notice the cumulative weight saving of everything? I appreciate this will send costs up.

The overall aim is to keep it as a quick fun road car, and whatever option, it'll need to be weatherproof, because one thing's for sure I don't want to be precious about it or polish every nut and bolt. If I want to go for a drive in the rain, I want to do it without worrying that it will dissolve, but also not worry about washing it. Both options will have a rebuilt supercharged 1293cc engine. I have no dilemma about keeping it A series.

What would you do?!

[Woody6891]

If it was me I would go down the lightening route. Chance to have something completely unique. 

[Anthony30]

Save time and go for a turbo, you will go turbo at some point anyhoo.  I would make the car look original as possible, with KAD 4 pot calipers and vented disks. What about a saab gt1752? They seem to be very popular ATM. 7 port cylinder head with fuel injection ect.

 

That's what I would do.  

[scrippo]

Saab GT1752? Never seen one of those, you mean engine conversion right?

[scrippo]

Not sure about a turbo as I've never been a fan of the bulkhead cutting needed