63 replies to this topic

[bajean]

This project started off in 2018, when i decided to buy a mini as my first car ( i thought id leave it stock and enjoy it as is........... it didn't stay stock for long )

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[bajean]

First i had to deal with the bodywork and as usual a bit of rust in the rear valence area as well as under the fuel tank.

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[bajean]

After the bodywork was finished, next up was paint. All thanks to my friend Mark who has a body shop here in Malta !

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[bajean]

The next step was to look into the 'chassis' of the car ( brakes, suspension, steering and mounts ). 

 

Front : 

 

1. quick rack 
2. Cooper s 7.5” Disc brake conversion 
3. EBC green stuff pads
4. braided lines
5. rebuilt top arm 
6. spring conversion 
7. hilos
8. new knuckle joints
9. uprated lowered shock mounts
10. adjustable GAZ dampers
11. adjustable lower arm & tie rod
12. poly bushes all round 
13. solid subframe mounts 
14. dot 4 brake fluid 

Rear : 

 

1. new trunnion bolts 
2. Rebuilt radius arms 
3. spring conversion 
4. hilos 
5. new knuckle joints
6. adjustable GAZ dampers 
7. KAD camber / toe brackets 
8. poly bushes all round 
9. new backplate for brakes / shoes / cylinders / mini fin drums 
10. braided lines 
11. Dot 4 brake fluid

 

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[bajean]

Having setup all the suspension a new set of tyres was in order !

 

A new set of aluminium 'steelies' and a set of Yokohama A032R did the trick ?. I also installed a set of bullet mirrors, MK2/3 rear lights, new grille and bumpers.

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Edited by bajean, 16 May 2020 - 02:31 PM.

[bajean]

The Mini was finally looking and feeling good, but still felt down on power, as it was still running the factory 998 with 80k miles on it. So out went the 998 and a 1275 back in

A mechanic friend of mine had striped down a completely totalled Austin 1300 in the 90s ( with only 20000 miles !!! ) and thats where i got the engine.

I refreshed some of the parts on the engine, with a few minor upgrades and installed it.

Engine :

• Stock 1275 out if a Austin 1300
• New water pump, fuel pump, points, condenser, rotor arm, cap, leads.
• Lucas sports coil
• Twin su hs4
• LCB manifold into a 2 inch custom made single silencer exhaust.
• big valve a plus 1275 head ( from a metro ) - Cleaned, painted, re-lapped the valves, new valve stem seals
• new head gasket and studs
• new clutch and diaphragm
• braided clutch line
• oil cooler
• Aluminium radiator

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Edited by bajean, 10 June 2021 - 06:15 PM.

[johnR]

love the look!

[simpsonsclassics]

wow i absolutely love this little project it has such a nice stance to it.

[rich_959]

Beauty! Very similar to the look/style I'm going for. I like those wheels. It's very low!!

[bajean]

I really appreciate your comments thanks . Ive raised it just a bit from when those photos where taken.

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Edited by bajean, 16 May 2020 - 03:29 PM.

[Itsaminithing]

Is this a Mizzi or just a UK import?

I'm really hoping it's a Marsa assembled Mini (& if there are any differences)

[johnR]

I really appreciate your comments thanks . Ive raised it just a bit from when those photos where taken.

I'm not surprised - that low looks great but isn't practical in the real world

[bajean]

Yep it was indeed built in Malta.

And yes that ride height was quite impractical ( but looked really good ) !

[bajean]

I finally had to time to install the aluminium radiator ( its the race aluminium radiator from minispares ), and fits and performs absolutely perfect. The temp needle stays quite a bit under normal with normal driving, and when driving spiritedly stays spot on normal ( and since temps here in malta go above 35 celsius in the summer thats perfect ). For some reason i am also liking the look without a grill, but will probably end up cutting the grille just in front of the oil cooler for the "cafe racer " look. ?

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[bajean]

Quick update of my mini. She finally got new mirrors which you can actually see out of !

She also got an original lucas WFT 576 rear spot light / reverse light 

Apart from cosmetics she also got some mechanical tweaks. Switched from twin hs2's to a single hif 44  and installed a billet engine steady and a  braided clutch line.

 

Also got a bunch of stuff to sort out the interior.

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Edited by bajean, 11 October 2022 - 06:50 PM.