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K20 Race Frame Build


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#1 mmaci

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Posted 26 January 2019 - 09:15 PM

Evening all,

 

Firstly, thank you to everyone who has posted here before because the info and pics alone are an absolute godsend! I have hundreds more pictures if anyone else is looking for anything specific so please just ask!

 

Apologies in advance for a very picture heavy first post but here goes..

 

Last April myself and the old boy went to view a race frame K20 Zcars kit. It had originally been purchased with full intentions of being built into the red Mini that was being sold with it but the project never got going. Long story short we left with the full kit and a pretty clean G reg City and a joint venture between us.

 

46885357141_0c1035281e_c.jpg1 by Mark Maciver, on Flickr

 

39920451223_0975c590df_c.jpg1 by Mark Maciver, on Flickr

 

46885357641_40211c8062_c.jpg1 by Mark Maciver, on Flickr

 

39920450903_0c30cea291_c.jpg1 by Mark Maciver, on Flickr

 

Now the idea of a project Mini had been on the back burner for years. I've had a shell sitting in the garage since I was 16 but it just needed time and money I hadn't had. The strip down had already started on it with a plan of restoring the shell, fast road A-series and something for summer fun. However, the offer of the Zcar kit had both of us grinning. The shell we started with wasn't bad; scuttle, front end, door posts, front floor panels and sills were the worst of it. It also meant we never needed the City. That sold within the week and recouped a significant chunk of the outlay straight away. It's new owner swiftly stuck a 1380 into it...it's now sporting a V8 though!

 

Quick wash and some polish for bumpers that had been lying in the garage = quick sale;

33010008048_2dec235a06_c.jpgRed by Mark Maciver, on Flickr

 

And now..

31944110757_d0ab01eb5a_c.jpgV8 by Mark Maciver, on Flickr

 

A patient shell having waited 9 years for its restoration. Started life as a 1000cc Auto  :tumble:

46160284974_8c42508d47_c.jpg1 by Mark Maciver, on Flickr

 

45970649485_c7af6fa8e8_c.jpgOn spit by Mark Maciver, on Flickr

 

45970649195_eb26ed6be7_c.jpgRotten sill by Mark Maciver, on Flickr

 

46885353121_e0db8820a7_c.jpgSill by Mark Maciver, on Flickr

 

33010004748_e674272c79_c.jpgClean underside by Mark Maciver, on Flickr

 

Aluminium skinned doors, superb work from the Mini Door Company.

31943883317_3796a51936_c.jpgBare Doors by Mark Maciver, on Flickr

 

 

Once the major repairs were done she came off the spit for an important date with the grinder. Scary part of the whole project because all we had was a crap DVD and no drawings to go with!

 

33010002638_f8ff3fbb7c_c.jpgFloor cut out by Mark Maciver, on Flickr

 

Next obvious step was make sure the frame fit in and it all bolted together. Off to the father-in-law's barn..

33010001738_bf660dc3dc_c.jpgOn trailer by Mark Maciver, on Flickr

 

33010000498_4fbf628b95_c.jpgGoing together by Mark Maciver, on Flickr

 

33009999648_ce4beff7a7_c.jpgOn trailer by Mark Maciver, on Flickr

 

Like a glove  :mrcool: . It stayed like that for a few weeks to mock some bits up. I know a lot of people go quite deep with mocking stuff up at this point but we only did what we felt was essential. We'd be painting the floor inside and out ourselves so there's no worry over making holes in fresh body work etc.

 

Back apart for the floor to be painted before its proper makeover..

31943880017_c96371f76e_c.jpgCut shell by Mark Maciver, on Flickr

 

46160272764_1da8af0390_c.jpgInside Masked by Mark Maciver, on Flickr

 

33009996808_0be1c32cbd_c.jpgCut shell feat dog by Mark Maciver, on Flickr

 

46160271254_8cab57446e_c.jpgInside Painted by Mark Maciver, on Flickr

 

46160270354_1c80d2ed25_c.jpgUnderside Seam Sealed by Mark Maciver, on Flickr

 

31943875917_39c45e0bc7_c.jpgUnderside painted by Mark Maciver, on Flickr

 

I've used Raptor both inside and out. It's durable and gives a textured finish which the photos don't really do justice. I'm no paint sprayer but it's a joy to work with, thoroughly recommended. Off next for someone who actually knows how to paint. Choosing the colour on something like this is always a dilemma. Given the blue/red frame theme I didn't fancy trying to match or clash with that too much. 

 

46833329172_69473b2433_c.jpgShell for paint by Mark Maciver, on Flickr

 

46833327822_e566a3c618_c.jpgPainted shell by Mark Maciver, on Flickr

 

39920430603_2ac5a0d5ca_c.jpgDoors by Mark Maciver, on Flickr

 

Delighted with the colour and finish. While the shell was away we managed to get loads of other wee bits done. Simple ones are often the most dramatic, like the rocker.

 

46160266634_c7a00db1b8_c.jpgDirty Rocker by Mark Maciver, on Flickr

 

39920433753_37a0977ac4_c.jpgClean Rocker by Mark Maciver, on Flickr

 

39920431403_9e3a2b1998_c.jpgEngine after cleaning by Mark Maciver, on Flickr

 

We collected the shell just after New Year and put the frame into that day. Amazing how easy something is a second time, sailed together and magically the holes lined up...phew! 

 

Before:

39920430053_bc15c77e44_c.jpgApart by Mark Maciver, on Flickr

 

10 minutes later:

39920465553_911e3449b4_c.jpgWith front by Mark Maciver, on Flickr

 

The front is an Arc Angels carbon front which will need trimming, mainly along the scuttle, to fit but that can wait for now.

 

46160296604_3f600def3e_c.jpgFrom above by Mark Maciver, on Flickr

 

46160304854_4f10a847df_c.jpgInside by Mark Maciver, on Flickr

 

There aren't enough superlatives for how chuffed we were seeing it together. Since then we've cracked on steadily. I have seats on the way which will let me set the steering column etc. Pedal box is in, clutch and front brakes are plumbed but we've had to order rear callipers with a handbrake mechanism as the ones with the kit never had this. Radiator is plumbed and fuel lines will be sorted this week hopefully. 

 

Unfortunately we don't have the bracket for holding the morse cables onto the gearbox so if anyone can direct us on that then please do.

 

This is how the car sits today, very pleased considering we only started in anger in May 18. Two people really does make a huge difference.

 

39920457323_712a39e11f_c.jpgOn axle stands by Mark Maciver, on Flickr

 

45970653695_22381ec720_c.jpgSteering Column by Mark Maciver, on Flickr

 

(cable ties won't be staying! :lol: )

39920453243_5629490778_c.jpgRadiator Hoses by Mark Maciver, on Flickr

 

33009985918_f3272ec6ae_c.jpgEngine from inside by Mark Maciver, on Flickr

 

As with any project the pictures tend to miss out the many hours of head scratching and cursing. That's why we'll be putting the car to Performance Tek for its loom and tuning. Honda specialist and highly rated while also saving what's left of my hair - a win win. Hopefully from here on it'll be more of a build thread than a highlights reel!

 

Cheers,

 

Mark


Edited by mmaci, 27 January 2019 - 11:12 AM.


#2 panky

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Posted 26 January 2019 - 10:56 PM

Hell of a first post :D



#3 marksmini

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Posted 26 January 2019 - 11:12 PM

wow!, What a first post! Welcome to the forum. What a project!



#4 minibugga

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Posted 30 January 2019 - 01:24 PM

Looking very good. Keep us posted as it is always a pleasure to see the cars coming together. 

 

What gearbox did you use on that V8? looks quite compact. 

 

Congratulations once again, Gonzo 



#5 mmaci

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Posted 30 January 2019 - 05:24 PM

Thanks guys.

 

Looking very good. Keep us posted as it is always a pleasure to see the cars coming together. 

 

What gearbox did you use on that V8? looks quite compact. 

 

Congratulations once again, Gonzo 

 

It was the guy I sold the red one to that built the V8 into it. The engine is from a Rover and it's an Austin Princess gearbox if I remember right.



#6 minibugga

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Posted 01 February 2019 - 10:29 AM

Thank you, I found what I think was your build diary initially. Congratulations for the set up. 

 

Now lets see new updates on the Vtec Mini. Cheers, Gonzo 



#7 dondo

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Posted 01 February 2019 - 02:05 PM

Looking good it will all be worth it in the end trust me, spoke to the guy from Performance Tek a few time but used Andy Baird at Automek 37 Glenburn Road,
East Kilbride,G74 5BA.
He sorted out a cutting out problem when I first got the car ( others were stumped as I was) and then the supercharger.
Keep us all up dated with your progress.

 

https://youtu.be/I_KOeZo1VVA

Don


Edited by dondo, 01 February 2019 - 03:53 PM.


#8 mmaci

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Posted 01 February 2019 - 05:13 PM

Thanks Dondo. Don’t worry I’ve seen plenty of yours over the years on here, what a machine!

Rear callipers and cables came today and Gonzo has answered my prayers with the gearbox bracket so hopefully have some updates next week.

#9 mmaci

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Posted 02 February 2019 - 02:35 PM

Less of an update and more of self inflicted groan. Rear Wilwood callipers fitted:

 

32017927347_c080528c81_c.jpgUntitled by Mark Maciver, on Flickr

 

Looks great on:

46234377694_35e28f4c8a_c.jpgUntitled by Mark Maciver, on Flickr

 

Now the problem. Wheels don't fit. Yeah, I know, should have measured etc but I didn't quite realise how much the mechanism for the handbrake would stick up compared to the callipers I had without. It catches the inside of the wheel where it steps in/narrows, it's not by much but enough that we either need to rethink either the callipers or wheels. Tried a spacer and that wont solve it.

 

46234378024_3891d004e5_c.jpgUntitled by Mark Maciver, on Flickr

 

 

I know people have used Sierra rear callipers for this sort of thing so that may be worth looking at.



#10 dondo

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Posted 02 February 2019 - 07:45 PM

Gonzo helped me out with the broken anti roll bar, took a chance not knowing him paying him via pay pal could have been a rip off, this was not the case the man was AMAZING and I am sure he will continue to help others out on there build.

Got to say 100% more help than the new company( sorry guys )

 

Don



#11 Painter man

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Posted 03 February 2019 - 06:44 PM

Wilwood do a handbrake calliper with the lever on the side like the std one I have on my busa build but mine are off a Citroen with solid discs

#12 mmaci

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Posted 03 February 2019 - 07:18 PM

Wilwood do a handbrake calliper with the lever on the side like the std one I have on my busa build but mine are off a Citroen with solid discs

 

Hi Painter man, yeah I had a look before ordering the others but unfortunately the mounting holes wouldn't have lined up with my swing arms.



#13 drmandy

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Posted 05 February 2019 - 04:51 AM

Wow you have been busy. I love the colour .



#14 mmaci

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Posted 06 February 2019 - 11:40 AM

Nice big box today as the seats arrived. More often than not people go for the Kirkey aluminium seats but we had the space to go for something a bit more cushioned (and cheeper). They are just sitting in at the moment but will be bolted to the floor tonight. Getting the seat in also let us set the length of the steering column, that's now cut and off to have the slug for the steering wheel welded.

 

46952766342_a70b236251_c.jpgUntitled by Mark Maciver, on Flickr

 

Beginnings of a switch panel. A few more switches to come but a 2mm sheet of carbon fibre will be the base for it all. Plan is then to have that mounted within an aluminium frame in front of the gear stick. It'll do for now but long term I'll look to a more purpose built dash.

 

46952766232_7cc36f4505_c.jpgUntitled by Mark Maciver, on Flickr

 

 

 

Cheers, 

 

Mark

 



#15 cptkirk

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Posted 07 February 2019 - 12:46 PM

Great build so far, keep up the good work..






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