647 replies to this topic

[mini_mad69]

I would be worried more by their strength in case of accident...

Same here, maybe for a weekend only / trackday but for every day use I'd stick to steel.

Is weight saving that much of a must?

I would be worried more by their strength in case of accident...

Same here, maybe for a weekend only / trackday but for every day use I'd stick to steel.

Is weight saving that much of a must?

FG doors flap around aswell.

I think I'll definitely be sticking to steel, and MK5. Unless a cheap pair of MK1 doors pop up somewhere.

Weight saving is a must, simply means faster acceleration & a higher top speed. Once I drop on a turbo and rebuild the engine, properly with hi spec internals, it'll all pull together. Hopefully by this time I will have a 'sensible' daily driver, so the mini will retire to a weekend/track day mini.

Weight doesn't realy effect top speed so much, more about handling and acceleration, also MK1 doors require quite alot of work, different door shape so the frame has too be modified, also the A pillars/panels are different too take the door.


If your desperate for the retro look though, I believe there are stick on fake hinges too give the look.



Unsprung weight is where it can be lost. Rear beam, coilovers, tubular radius arms, minifins. Drop in some perspex windows. I plan too make excact copies of the glass and fit it into the door mechanisms, and the rear chrome surrounds so they still open, and you would never know.


Keep it as daily drive, much more fun and no reason why it can't happen.

[AndrewJ530]

I think I'll definitely be sticking to steel, and MK5. Unless a cheap pair of MK1 doors pop up somewhere.

Weight saving is a must, simply means faster acceleration & a higher top speed. Once I drop on a turbo and rebuild the engine, properly with hi spec internals, it'll all pull together. Hopefully by this time I will have a 'sensible' daily driver, so the mini will retire to a weekend/track day mini.

Ah so there is an engine plan . You staying small bore with it or going big bore?

[analogue_radio]

I would be worried more by their strength in case of accident...

Same here, maybe for a weekend only / trackday but for every day use I'd stick to steel.

Is weight saving that much of a must?

I would be worried more by their strength in case of accident...

Same here, maybe for a weekend only / trackday but for every day use I'd stick to steel.

Is weight saving that much of a must?

FG doors flap around aswell.

I think I'll definitely be sticking to steel, and MK5. Unless a cheap pair of MK1 doors pop up somewhere.

Weight saving is a must, simply means faster acceleration & a higher top speed. Once I drop on a turbo and rebuild the engine, properly with hi spec internals, it'll all pull together. Hopefully by this time I will have a 'sensible' daily driver, so the mini will retire to a weekend/track day mini.

Weight doesn't realy effect top speed so much, more about handling and acceleration, also MK1 doors require quite alot of work, different door shape so the frame has too be modified, also the A pillars/panels are different too take the door.


If your desperate for the retro look though, I believe there are stick on fake hinges too give the look.



Unsprung weight is where it can be lost. Rear beam, coilovers, tubular radius arms, minifins. Drop in some perspex windows. I plan too make excact copies of the glass and fit it into the door mechanisms, and the rear chrome surrounds so they still open, and you would never know.


Keep it as daily drive, much more fun and no reason why it can't happen.

Nooo noo no fake hinges are naff, I think I'll be sticking with MK5 doors I'll get a proper MK1 when I can afford it

I think I'll definitely be sticking to steel, and MK5. Unless a cheap pair of MK1 doors pop up somewhere.

Weight saving is a must, simply means faster acceleration & a higher top speed. Once I drop on a turbo and rebuild the engine, properly with hi spec internals, it'll all pull together. Hopefully by this time I will have a 'sensible' daily driver, so the mini will retire to a weekend/track day mini.

Ah so there is an engine plan . You staying small bore with it or going big bore?

Haven't got a clue yet Andrew! I'd like to say small bore.. keeping it a 998cc, just to be fast off the mark & frantic. I'll see later down the line

[AndrewJ530]

A turbo 998 sounds cool. Can rev the nuts off it aswell !

[analogue_radio]

Exactly can't wait!

Haven't got a game plan as such, going to get settled at uni first. tot up a list of things to complete the rear subframe and get it ordered, shouldn't take long at all to get made up then I can also place it against the body and see how my GBs will look

Two questions,

1) do I really need to spend £30 a side (+ postage, weight!) getting my radius arms getting reconditioned by Minispares? or can I buy the kit and a reamer and do it myself? don't see what's stopping me.

2) what are the best subframe bush mounts to use?

[AndrewJ530]

Ha. I can see a forced induction, small bore race coming up: luke vs dan, turbo vs charger lol.

You mayswell get the kit and reamer bud. It's cheaper, gives you the experience of doing the job yourself and then you've got the reamer for future use aswell .

If you're meaning rubber or poly bushes i'd say go poly. It's ending up as a track day/weekend car so you won't need the comfort of rubbers.

[analogue_radio]

Haha I don't know where Dan is with is mini! haven't heard from him for a while.

Yeah I'll go for that then they were in a good working order anyway, so just a new pin & a lick of paint, job done.

Comfort doesn't bother me to be honest, I like feeling the knocks & bumps. I'll just buy some comfy seats to make up for it

Thanks mate.

[AndrewJ530]

Yeh his project has gone quiet for a while. Don't know why like.

Ha, you got any seats in mind?

No bother.

[1275 SPRITE]

Yeh his project has gone quiet for a while. Don't know why like.

He 'cant be arsed with it at the moment'

I did finally go over there yesterday to help him with the engine build, started building it back up at last, but struggled to compress the rings enough to get the pistons in, so we left it there as it was getting late. I was supposed to go over today but he never txt me a time so I didn't go.

Do the radius arms need reconditioning? Have they got excessive play in them? If not I wouldn't bother doing anything with them except paint them and keep them well greased.

[analogue_radio]

Right guys, I'm at uni now just got my internet sorted out, need to get a handle on all my money everywhere.. and i'll put in an order

Yeh his project has gone quiet for a while. Don't know why like.

Ha, you got any seats in mind?

No bother.

http://www.minispare...ty=pb&pid=34953

Something like that, no idea how comfy they are.. but they look sweet.

Yeh his project has gone quiet for a while. Don't know why like.

He 'cant be arsed with it at the moment'

I did finally go over there yesterday to help him with the engine build, started building it back up at last, but struggled to compress the rings enough to get the pistons in, so we left it there as it was getting late. I was supposed to go over today but he never txt me a time so I didn't go.

Do the radius arms need reconditioning? Have they got excessive play in them? If not I wouldn't bother doing anything with them except paint them and keep them well greased.

Shame..

They seemed okay when I took them off, it'd be nice to spend a tenner each side and just re-new the pins, nuts & washers. Then I've got the knowledge they are new and working perfectly, just need to remember to keep them greased.

[AndrewJ530]

I found those seats uncomfortable myself. But i have wide shoulders so that's probably why lol. They were a bit low for me aswell, but they do look good.

[mini_mad69]

I've sat on those seats before, they wern't that bad. Although they are quite low on your back.


That's it boy! rinse that student loan. I spent £350 in 1 month just on ebay, all on my car, and it was running absolutly fine at the time.


Enjoy freshers!!

[Deathrow]

Ahh freshers! I saw the UCUM (HAHAH) freshers out last night, I can't wait until ours are out .

Yeah enjoy your first weeks Luke, they can seem a bit daunting but if you stick at it and make some good friends in your accomodation then you're sorted .

[AndrewJ530]

Yeh make some friends then go out on the pop. Always cheap in freshers week aswell .

[analogue_radio]

It's quality, Lincoln is such a friendly place. Flatmates are sound & I've got two mates from home across campus. Having a catch up day today with food & sleep.. haha.

I'm still assembling some sort of list for the rear subframe & my overdraft should be available soon!

Dad picked up some off cuts of metal from the local garage so he's probably frantically practicing back home