14 replies to this topic

[Komenda]

After purchasing the car in March, I have been gradually building up parts and reviewing ideas to see which way I want to go with the car. I'm still not 100% but eventually I foresee the car being caged and a bit more trackday focused, but for now I am focusing on setting up the chassis then I'm going to move on to the engine.

This is how it looked

Edited by Komenda, 11 July 2009 - 02:25 PM.

[Komenda]

First things that had to go were the very tired looking factory spots and fogs, so a nice set of Wipac candles went on in their place. At the same time I replaced the front and rear screen trims as these were looking very worn and made the car look dirty.







Much brighter windscreen trim

I won't go into too much detail but lets just say that this involved two men, a garage, tools and a tub of Vaseline.

Edited by Komenda, 11 July 2009 - 01:54 PM.

[Komenda]

once the lamps and trim was done it was time to purchase some more serious parts.

The Shopping List:

Adjustable lowered Gaz dampers
Coil Spring conversion
Negative Camber Bottom Arms
Adjustable Rear Brackets
Tie Rods
Poly Bushes
Spherical Joint Arms
Complete maintanence kit for all suspension parts (ball joints etc)

And some more spangly parts

Moto Lita Wheel


Pair of Cobra Clubman Seats


7x13 Ultralite Anthracite Wheels

Edited by Komenda, 11 July 2009 - 01:53 PM.

[Komenda]

So today has been spent dismantling a corner and test fitting the dampers and spring kit with the new HiLos.

No pics of the process as it was an absolute pain the backside and required full attention and a big hammer. Most of the parts were seriously locked on by what can only be described as a mechanic with hulk like strength. The ball joints were locked on and the washer was mangled.

Hopefully this week some progress can be made with front end, can't perceive any issues with the rear.

A peek at what it looks like:

[Komenda]

I will update the suspension progress as it goes but, this is the likely spec of the engine. I am negotiating at the moment.

MED Type R 1330cc

Cylinder block
Fully prepared cylinder block, bored and plateau honed, refaced, centre main strap, drilled and tapped for 11 stud, new oilway and core plugs.

Crankshaft
Reground, crossdrilled, wedged, ni-tempered with micro polished journals

Pistons
Omega pistons

Conrods etc…
lightened and fitted with ARP's

Bearings
Vandervell or ACL crankshaft bearings in race material

Cam & timing
Piper, along with followers and heavy duty duplex timing gear set

Clutch assembly
Lightened Flywheel assembly, fitted with race spec clutch

Other Bits
steel backed oil pump, conversion gasket set and competiton head gasket

Compression to be set for a Supercharger

[MiniLandy]

Wow, this looks set to be one seeeerious mini. Getting a proper job done by the looks of things, should be pretty sweet once it's done.

Are you doing all of that enginework yourself then? Pretty involved stuff...

Good luck, watching with interest.

[Komenda]

Wow, this looks set to be one seeeerious mini. Getting a proper job done by the looks of things, should be pretty sweet once it's done.

Are you doing all of that enginework yourself then? Pretty involved stuff...

Good luck, watching with interest.

The engine is an MED kit but me and a mate will be bolting it together. It will have to go to a rolling road to be setup though, probably a few hours work involved with that.

[Komenda]

A few more pieces have gone on. All of the geometry kit is on and mocked up roughly to see where it is, once I get it properly setup I'll get some pics of the parts in place.

The bits that you can see that went in this week are:

Excuse the camera phone shots, I will get better ones.

A nice new steering wheel to get rid of that horrible airbag. You may even be able to make out the Smiths oil pressure gauge where the clock used to be (I will be asking for some help on this as having a mare connecting it to the engine.



Some nice new seats. Very snug and luckily I have a Cobra compatible butt. New Monte Carlo door cards will be going in to match the red of the seats. Harness will replace the belts as soon as I am ready to put the cage in.



A shot of the front wheels. Can't fit the rears yet as I am waiting for the wheel nut seats for two wheels.



You may be able to spot a tiny bit of camber in this shot. I'm liking the fat face look it has at the front now.

[Wozza]

Such an attention

[ferrit]

Each to their own and all that but that is a Cooper Sport, one of the last 2500 cars made, that number is dwindling by the day. May I suggest you stash anything you take off so it can be replaced should you ever come to sell it. Whilst a modded car may suit you whilst you own it I doubt it will hold its value against an original example of the same vintage.


Sermon over

That said your plans seem pretty cool and your car should be pretty tasty when done.

[Komenda]

Each to their own and all that but that is a Cooper Sport, one of the last 2500 cars made, that number is dwindling by the day. May I suggest you stash anything you take off so it can be replaced should you ever come to sell it. Whilst a modded car may suit you whilst you own it I doubt it will hold its value against an original example of the same vintage.


Sermon over

That said your plans seem pretty cool and your car should be pretty tasty when done.

Don't worry, all the bits will be safely stored in the garage, the standard loom will also be left unmolested so it can be returned to the standard ECU

[ferrit]

Top man its a bit wiered really as I love modded cars but its just when I see a nice original example being changed something doesnt feel right. However engine and suspension mods do sound magic

[Komenda]

Quick update. Rear suspension on and set neutral, Just need to get the suspension setup.

[Kam]

Saw this yesterday, thumbs up here definately, looking good on those anthracite wheels

[Madmax]

looks fantastic, had one in the same colour