2 replies to this topic

[benmoffat]

Hi All,

I have wanted to do a conversion for a long time, and I think I have decided to go the VTEC route with an Allspeed subframe.

I was wondering if you could help me out with a couple of things. I understand that it is possible to fit the B16 engine under a standard lenght front end (with the radiator and manifold needing consideration), but do I need to have a flip front? My car has already had a recent respray and is in good condition so I would like to avoid the cost of getting a new front end fitted/painted. As you can probably tell Im on a limited budget! And its never going to be a show car, as much as I would like to do as full restoration.

Also how much can be done without starting on the car? It is my only means of transport and I was thinking I would like to order the kit and find an engine and build it up in my spare time and its going to take a while, whilst still driving the Mini. Can this be done? Fitting the suspension etc and engine, then lower the car onto the assembly when its done?

Finally, the suspension is in need of replacement at the moment. So new bottom arms, tie rods etc and probably cones. Are these going to be the same parts as used in the conversion or are they going to need to be special ones? If the VTEC subframe uses standard Mini suspension then I will keep the car as it is for now and buy the new adjustable heay duty bits I was going to get and fit them to the new subframe. But I dont really want to buy them now if they are not going to be used on the new kit and I have to buy something else.

Sorry for all the questions. Thanks for your time and I look forward to any replies.

Thanks

Ben

[Kam]

Ok, I did do a reply but it was a bit too long so I've cut it down a bit

Basically, a limited budget wont help unless you are able to do everything like welding, wiring, fabrication etc etc, if you are then great but when you have made up the whole assembly on the floor its gonna take trial n error to make sure it fits ok and then you gotta plumb it all together in what little room your gonna have left with the front on, then its time to lift the car over again and measure up for rad, alternator placement and bulkhead mods (unless you are cutting down the inlet itself) install then drop the car over again time and again to check everything clears - its not really an ideal way of doing it?

As the engine wont drop in unless you have a clubman then you will need either a flip front of pull away front, the pull away can be done using discreet fasteners if your worried about the in-yer-face ones.

To get it all done quickly on your only daily driver will take some! Check out GingerMonkeys build to see how fast he is putting his together

The allspeed frame uses rose jointed parts only, so as you need new suspension anyway just get the allspeed suspension with your frame. They are heavy duty and adjustable anyway.

Check out the build diaries on here for a good insight. Not trying to put you off but time and money is the biggest killer on any build. Don't limit both if possible.

[ian28mini]

Ok, I did do a reply but it was a bit too long so I've cut it down a bit

Basically, a limited budget wont help unless you are able to do everything like welding, wiring, fabrication etc etc, if you are then great but when you have made up the whole assembly on the floor its gonna take trial n error to make sure it fits ok and then you gotta plumb it all together in what little room your gonna have left with the front on, then its time to lift the car over again and measure up for rad, alternator placement and bulkhead mods (unless you are cutting down the inlet itself) install then drop the car over again time and again to check everything clears - its not really an ideal way of doing it?

As the engine wont drop in unless you have a clubman then you will need either a flip front of pull away front, the pull away can be done using discreet fasteners if your worried about the in-yer-face ones.

To get it all done quickly on your only daily driver will take some! Check out GingerMonkeys build to see how fast he is putting his together

The allspeed frame uses rose jointed parts only, so as you need new suspension anyway just get the allspeed suspension with your frame. They are heavy duty and adjustable anyway.

Check out the build diaries on here for a good insight. Not trying to put you off but time and money is the biggest killer on any build. Don't limit both if possible.