217 replies to this topic

[mini.rich]

Been quite busy the last couple of days and got a fair bit of progress

I've added another sticker It just finishes the engine off



The front subframe is nearing completion, just need some stainless brake hoses and then its about ready to bolt in



Along with all the stainless bolts for the subframes I also got this pair, the originals were slightly rotten -



Now the majority of the outside is done, I'm turning my attention to the interior seeing as it got a bit damp and had a very bad case of furry mould over the winter, mainly the dash right now, as the lacquer is peeling off So i pulled it out and then stipped it down



Also got to do the switch panel as its a bit rusty

The dash







I might just treat myself to a new radio, the good old cassette player has served me well

Oh and I've got to cut holes for these

[smtaylor3]

looks brilliant keep up the good work , hope to do similar conversion in next few years

[mini.rich]

looks brilliant keep up the good work , hope to do similar conversion in next few years

Thanks , it's a bit unbelievable but I bought the engine kit around 18 months ago, and its taken me that long to get this far!! But its getting there now

[Artful Dodger]

that engine is so nice!
do you think you could tell me how much the engine cost to build including gearbox please?? - or would this be like asking a lady her age???

good luck with the rest of the build,

[mini.rich]

that engine is so nice!
do you think you could tell me how much the engine cost to build including gearbox please?? - or would this be like asking a lady her age???

good luck with the rest of the build,

Thanks.
Haha, I'd tell you if I knew exactly but off the top of my head I think the SC order was about £3.5K, the MED one was about £1.2K, the gearbox was already on the Cooper and cost me 3 gearboxes for guessworks on TMF to rebuild it. But then theres the ancillary stuff like starter motor, alternator, coil, leads, rad, cooling hoses etc. Oh and an exhaust, thats all around £1K, wow, this project really has burnt a hole in my pocket lol.

But then it also depends on what you use, I could have used a standard crank, rods etc. The head is ported to a Stg 3 spec, and the injectors are uprated ones which were another £100, bit of machining to the block because its an MPi theres no fuel pump hole for the oil drain(I didn't need to use an MPi block)

Hope that helps a bit

[maggies_minder]

that engine looks proper sexy,

some major jealously right here.

keep up the work mate

[M44K TS]

All coming together nice now dude. Also, I have a spare 5 hole switch panel in decent nick with no rust if you need one? Just the black part, no chrome surround.

[mini.rich]

All coming together nice now dude. Also, I have a spare 5 hole switch panel in decent nick with no rust if you need one? Just the black part, no chrome surround.

Thanks for the offer, MPi ones are 4 holes though, I'm going to shot blast it and see what it looks like in flame red with the dash

[Mad Max]

Proper nice engine bud!

[mini.rich]

Proper nice engine bud!

Thanks!

Tomorrow(well today actually=P) I'll mostly be visiting the garage where I'm getting the engine bay sprayed and sorting that out, and also getting the primary gear sorted.

I found this for the alternator in amongst a load of my dads old auto jumble , its absolutely perfect length just needs a quick shot blast, and I need to turn a spacer for it, but it will save me a few quid from SC

[mini.rich]

Bit more progress today, and a change of plan!! ha, I'm going to spray the engine bay, its a lot less hassle for me trying to get it down to the spray shop and I can do it at my leisure Which means faster

So today, I've dropped the subframe out and cleaned up the bulkhead ready to treat the area's that need it tomorrow morning before I go to work haha





Cleaned up well, pretty much anyway



Oh, and this bird came in to the shed :



I named him Dave, as I do with just about everything (due to The League of Gentlemen! haha)

[M44K TS]

I bet he only flew in to see if you wanted to buy some pegs..

[mini.rich]

I bet he only flew in to see if you wanted to buy some pegs..

Haha!! he did try to make me his wife, but i said no.

Edited by mini.rich, 24 May 2011 - 11:36 PM.

[mini.rich]

Little bit of an update! Engine bay is now sprayed, did an ok job, the finish is nice and shiney But I'll be investing in a gravity fed gun next time I spray, lol.

Heres some piccy's of it being painted, quality is not great as they were taken on my iphone

Coat of white primer and seam sealer



Then primed -





And painted -




And this little lot turned up yesterday, high torque starter, stainless brake lines, some other brake lines, green stuff pads, solid top mounts, lower engine steady's, and a few other bits and pieces



I'm rebushing the primary gear and getting it machined at work next week, so the engine will hopefully go in next weekend, if not before getting there now

[danny1]

those lower engine stedies youu have.

ive got them on my 7 port engine, and there brilliant,

easy to fix to the engine and subframe and do a nice job