305 replies to this topic

[PJN]

I'm sorry but i'm moving over there if I can get insured so cheaply!

[lol omg wtf]

Just read the whole thread from start to finnish, 3 years! and to echo the comments from before you and your dad are very highly skilled, wish i had somone so skilled to help me when i buy my mini next month! I want to see the finnished version i was hoping that by the last post you would have finnished! hurry up im inpatient

[mighty mini jack]

Fantastic build & welds there.

Nice work so far, keep it up!!

[Kam]

Did someone say polish?

Hats off to you mate, lovely attention to detail, nice work on that dash aswell!

Keep up the brilliant work, but more importantly keep up the pictures

[cptkirk]

Loving that dash/centre console, original and inspirational.....

[Joe250]

Excellent work. I love the polished fuel lines. The dash turned out great as well.

You may have answered this previously but are you planning on painting the car yourself?

[Chris C]

PJN, the other thing to keep in mind isn't a daily driver and will probably only rack up 1,000 miles a year. That makes a huge difference in insurance costs over here.

lol omg what the hell, you can also look as it as 3 years experience gained. This is my first car and I've learned everything that has led me to where I am now by trail and error. Reading through this thread has probably shown you that. All I can say is don't be afraid to try anything, worst comes to worst it's still metal. You can beat it and melt it into submission.

mighty mini jack and cptkirk, I appreciate the kind words.

Kam, If you're willing to deal with the headache and difficulty of working with stainless steel, it sure cleans up nice. Not to mention the strength advantage it has over copper.

Joe, I am not ballsy enough to tackle the final bodywork and paint on this thing. I have a buddy who owns a custom car paint shop who I'll be letting handle all that. The car probably won't be painted for a decent period of time, however, as I want to give it a good shakedown as well as any final modifications before I can send it off for paint and call the project "finished".


Back to our regular programming, I had been having problems with the rear suspension since day one, and when I stripped out two of the nuts enclosed in the sill trying to bolt the subframe in, it was decided to cut any losses and go for a beam subframe/coil over setup. I made the beam myself and here is a terrible picture of it drying:



It's just a piece of 14 gauge, 1.5" x 3" box section with some extensive notching and brackets fitted. I TIG'd it up for fun and it turned out alright, albeit a bit bowed from the heat but nothing that can't be adjusted out. Also upped the bolt size from 5/16ths to 3/8ths.

Protech lowered coilovers, things are sweet:



Cleaned up and painted motor/trans:




If any of you U.S. guys are looking for genuine Hi-Los, Gaz standard length shocks, genuine donuts or even a modified rear subframe shoot me a PM.

[Chris C]

[LankyJames]

That looks awesome, can't wait to see what it sounds like!

[captainjack15]

Wow thats incredible!!

Love it mate!

Fantastic work (Y)

[Chris C]

Thanks guys, I'm hoping it's not too loud though. Yoshimura makes a baffle for it if it is, however.

[Kam]

That end can is gonna sound awesome!!! Please please please get a vid of you 'testing' it with that on before the sound police get hold of you

Again, keep the pictures coming dude

[Chris C]

Alright now,

Turreted arches, definitely a worthwhile modification. Clearance rules!







Welded up the steering pieces, finally. Ignore the plastic mock-up wheel.





Because I'm a showoff, 718 Inconel, 604 stainless, and 6061 T-6 aluminum .060 fillets



Parting shot:

[Kam]

Because I'm a showoff, 718 Inconel, 604 stainless, and 6061 T-6 aluminum .060 fillets

Do you know what, I dont even know what the above means? I just the love the pictures and progress so far

Lovely attention to detail throughout the build mate

Keep them coming!

[LankyJames]

Chris; it goes without saying this car looks awesome and i'm sure the ideas will be copied, especially the dash!

Keep it up fella, can't wait to see the final product.

Do you know what colour its going to be yet?