18 replies to this topic

[Telejmp]

I posted this in here because I basically want the flip front for styling reasons.
Overall im really tempted by the idea of a flip front but im just worried about stability really. Ive heard its best to replace the subframe mounts with metal ones?
There are so many minis about with flip fronts that it cant affect stability too much can it?
It just doesnt look right to see the subframe held at the front by those skinny little brace bars.
Could someone post me the cons of fitting one, and will I find any problems insuring the car?

Id really like a steel front as im worried about strength in a crash.
thanks a lot
pEaCE
DOm

[philster]

Its best to ask you're insurer first to find out if they will cover it and most importantly is it going to cost you owt!
As for the brace bars they are more than up to the job but you will need to put solid subframe mounts on both the turrets and the bottom rear mounts. These are available form minispares and i think minisport and probably most other specialists.
Also you need top make sure that the bulkhead and everything else is in good condition too as there will be more strain put on it.

[miniman5]

i read soem where that the fibre glas ones are hard to get to fit nice, but the steel ones fit ok! and itle be much easyer to get rid of the dreaded brown stuff! and stop it in the first place if you get one!! me and my dad where thinking about it

[tom]

If you're worried about strength, then don't bother with a flip front. Even with a steel one, once you cut through those panels, you'll lose all structural strength.

[Guess-Works.com]

You MUST fit solid mounts and brace bars otherwise it will not pass an MOT. The structural stibility of the car is maintained by these mounts.

As for which style of front end will afford more protection in an incident.. IMO if your worried about that, you would not be driving a mini... even with standard FE, a headon is going to mess the whole car up, and as has been said before, in a 'car park' incident, it probably easier to repair a crack in a FG f/e than a dent in a steel??? It's a matter of personal preferance.. I'm using a steel f/e on Petal, basically becuase the wings and valance were probably the best panels on the car, therefore may aswell reuse them.

[Bluemini]

We've had this debate before and it was an equal devide, some said they were ok and some said they were dangerous. I've never had any probs tho.
As for fitting, if you take your time you can make anything fit well.

Heres Blue with a steel removable front...

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[Bluemini]

And heres Old Blue with an f/g front...

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•  Mini_112a.JPG   0bytes   18 downloads

[Telejmp]

I understand a mini isnt the safest car anyway, I just feel the steel offers a little more protection.
When I was talking about stability, I more meant like.. handling wise. It seems that there will be more movement when cornering etc, is this true?
pEaCE
Dom

Also, Im nowhere near ready to do this but.. when fitting the brace bars, does the engine need to be in? So that the front of the subframe is at the right level?

[Dan]

Once you have the solid mounts locating the front subby, the frame will be held a lot more securely than it is with the standard rubber mountings and steel shell (assuming you have a rubber mounted subframe). Try it, get someone to turn the wheels side to side on the drive while you look in the engine bay at the clearance around the towers and inner wings. If the car is anything over a couple of years old you will see the subby moving side to side.

You need to fit the steel mounts first, to the toeboard and bulkhead crossmember/tower bolt. Then drop the car back on the ground and cut the front off (carefully if you are going to reuse it), take out the teardrop bolts and remove the front. Now while the car is under proper load and the subframe held tight in the right place by the steel mounts fit the front brace bars. With them nice and accurately lined up and fitted you can drop the subby out to finish any other work.

You can check the alignment by putting the car on a nice flat level floor (like a good garage) and dropping plumb lines off the subframes as described in HBOL and genuine service books.

[Telejmp]

Thanks Dan, Ill have to have a look at my subframe, thats quite interesting.
I think ive decided to fit a flipfront, hehe
My Engine is out at the min, but ill be sure to put it back in before I fit the brace bars.
After looking at loads of pics on the net and seeing the pics people have posted on here, I just think they seem really cool, and as miniman says ill be able to keep a better eye on the rust underneath.
Also, moving engines around will be a lot easier for my future plans, I almost broke my back lifting the 998 engine over the front panel.
Another question.. I was thinking of adding some reinforcement to the area of the wing that the brace bars will bolt too, should I weld the metal on the inside, as from the pictures ive seen, the bars bolt to the outside of the inner wing?
thanks again everyone,
pEacE
Dom

[Guess-Works.com]

Yes the bars secure to the outside, I added an extra plate onto the outside of the inner wing ( actually part of the A panels I took off ) which makes a 3 skin sandwich where the brace bars are connected... Once seam welded in, looks the business...

[Telejmp]

Guess, thats exactly what I was thinking of doing. I havent even held a set of brace bars yet, but im assuming the extra thickness doesnt affect the fitting of them?
Thanks for adding the pics too, it really does make things easier for a beginner like me.
pEaCE
DOM

[Guess-Works.com]

Brace bars arnt that accurately made !!

[Telejmp]

hehe, cool thanks, I wasnt too sure.
Im just looking for any jobs I can get on with that dont cost me any money at the moment, untill I get a job sorted then I can really get on with it,when I have some money.
Thanks again
pEaCE
Dom

[Madmax]

ive heard that flip fronted minis with the correct brace bars can be up to 3 times stronger than a normal front end. mines being carbon fibre flip fronted in january (only because im after as much weight saving as possible)

zeus fasteners or leather straps are a must if you want it to look well finished.