Custom Minis R1 Clubman Estate

Personally I think that looks far, far too tight and will never fit . Reckon you ought to take it out and sell it. Might even know someone who could be interested .

pete Posted Yesterday, 11:00 AM
Personally I think that looks far, far too tight and will never fit . Reckon you ought to take it out and sell it. Might even know someone who could be interested .

Pete, read my first post. It took me 6 years to get this far. Never!

I'll be talking to Z Cars this week and see what we can do.

Les.

this might just be me but the pick up that pete built would have been the same would it not.....
although not having hte same problems with the roof as your having.....

Don't think sant would get that down your chimney mate.......................

just have to build 2 z-cars conversions........if only i here you cry.

bpirie1000 Posted Today, 08:55 AM
this might just be me but the pick up that pete built would have been the same would it not.....
although not having the same problems with the roof as your having.....

Don't think sant would get that down your chimney mate.......................

just have to build 2 z-cars conversions........if only i here you cry.

I think Pete's frame was a custom job, the rear hoop looks far thicker than other Z cars frames of the same time. Plus, the pickup, as you say, had no roof to contend with like mine. My problem has arose because I'm fitting a frame built for a saloon into the Estate shell.

As far as I am aware, this build is the first Z cars Estate. I don't even think anyone has tried to do a Van yet either. If they do, they'll have the same problem as me and it would need to be a one off rear frame to miss the internal roof stiffeners.

Still............gives me time to replace the rear floor pans.

Les

least your not giving up hope.

Chris might take a part exchange on your frame......

Mine was definately a one off. It would never fit inside an estate/van as the hoop at it's highest point actually sat slightly higher than the roof. I have heard a rumour that they are building another pickup so won't be unique for much longer.

Well, not done much really this week, still waiting for the buyer to come and hear/drive the car then I can take the engine out for them and get on with the cutting.

Bought a few front suspension components and resurrected the front subframe I began making into a cheese grater a few years back!



Still got a few more holes to do though yet!

Will hopefully begin building it all up next week.

Les.

what you done this for? weight? will it not make a diff to to strenth?

Hi Peter,

Yes, for lightness

I've seen it done many times before on Mini race cars, it'll get seam welded before paint just to make sure.

Les.

Wow.......last post Nov 17th, we've been slacking!

Both rear floor pans are now in place, will get some pictures at the weekend.

In the meantime, bought the engine a few weeks ago. A 2005 (5VY) R1 with 2k miles on the clock complete with full loom ECU, Clocks and lock set - so very chuffed with that!

Sitting in the cupboard under the stairs at the minute so no pictures but here are the ebay ones.



Cheers,

Les

Just out of interest, how much did you pay for the engine?

All in, it owes me £1400.

Im just weighing up the options - R1 engine or Civic Type-R engine
Just got some inheritance money and trying to decide which route i want to go when i eventually take the plunge!

Wow, your slacking again!
Come we want more pictures

Managed a little today but ran out of bolts/nuts for the job.

Began a bare build of the front subframe to get it fitted for a trial fit of the front end. Front end is going to be very special indeed (if it works). Should be out of the mould and finished in 2 weeks time! Don't you just love them cliffhangers....



Anyway, I'm hell bent on keeping the original subframe. At the same time I want the Estate to be low, very low......like Miglia low..... but lower!

I did something similar recently with the demo car we took to Bingley, I sat it as low as it would go on the front subframe - no bump stops, shockers, hi-los - nothing. The top arms were so inclined they were just resting on the turrets. This gave me the ride height I wanted but just wouldn't work.
So, the idea is to use the original front subframe in the same way as the old John Maguire spaceframes, whereby they cut the turrets down and rear supporting legs off and moved the subframe higher up the body of the car! (if anyone has any pictures please post up). Obviously the increased angle of the steering rack will play havoc with bump steer?? So, I was then thinking of moving the steering rack inside the car, i.e mounted on the inside of the heelboard rather than outside, like a mirror image of its current position. It would also mean moving the pedal box further into the car or just making a new one - this isn't too bad as I'm a short arse anyway!

Any ideas?? and a better explanation of bump steer causes etc... would be helpful!

A few of the new rear floor pans too;

Hello,
It may look good being very low but if you intend to use this car on the road I wouldn't go that low, if it's track only then thats fine

Bump steer is caused by the arc of the steering rack pivot end being different to the arc of the suspension, as the suspension moves up and down the toe in changes bringing unwanted movement in the wheel direction without you moving the steering wheel. The Miglia guys as far as I'm aware don't move racks they use either a drop link style end to the rack or custom made steering arms

Cheers
David