1514 replies to this topic

[Ben_O]

So will the remaining wires remain?

[Carlos W]

So will the remaining wires remain?

 

The remaining wires are separate feeds to buzz bars. It may need some playing with depending how we group them, but one will be permanent live, ignition live, auxiliary live etc.

 

I'll get some better closer shots tomorrow.

[Carlos W]

Re did a couple of bits I wasn't happy with yesterday.

Flatted down the bulkhead ready for re painting and redid the inside of the boot lid. There's now a good coat of lacquer on it

[Mini Manannán]

In the last few weeks there have been a lot of discussions around the design of the fuse box for my mini. 

 

After a few ridiculous impulse purchases I found something which will hopefully do the job

 

It's from a 2004 Fiesta

 

So, I stripped out all the wires to just leave the buzz bars so that we know what we've got to work with 

 

Leaving this as the starting point for the wiring.

 

 

Where are you going to hide it all though Carlos?!

[Mini Manannán]

Oh, reading again, just the last photo.  is it going behind the glovebox or somewhere else?

[Carlos W]

Oh, reading again, just the last photo.  is it going behind the glovebox or somewhere else?

 

It'll be mounted in front of the passenger on a custom made shelf. All to come mate.

[Carlos W]

Progress is so slow and it's getting me down.

I stripped the heater this evening. A couple of the screws were a pig to remove but I got there


Matrix is good

Foam needs replacing

Just nice to make some progress

[Ben_O]

I'm not allowed to work on Mini stuff indoors

[Carlos W]

I'm not allowed to work on Mini stuff indoors

She wasn't happy about the bits of foam on the rug or the electric screwdriver drowning out downton Abbey

[lawrence]

Little tip Carlos, if your going to wire the car completly custom from an existing fuse box then why not add add some quirks to it :) or any niggles etc that you thought the initial wiring loom needed fixing. I remeber sitting in my parents car thinking what bits can I add that would be handy!

Couple of things i did.
>wipers single wipe function works independant of ignition. I used to hate waiting for people in my car and it's raining then you had to put the key in for one wipe!
>relays for everything! For example if my brake light bulb blows my radio gets no power letting me know I have a bulb out!
>My favourite is if I leave my light switch on the main beam position it will keep megajolt running when I take the key out the ignition :) so the car continues to run until you turn off your lights meaning you physically cannot leave your lights on!

If you want to go the whole hog convert everything to leds for all your lighting and different steering column stalks etc with fog light switches built in etc like I did :) loads of work but well worth it for the modernisation!

[Carlos W]

I thought I'd pop into the garage this afternoon and take the crown wheel off the diff so that it can go on the x-pin that I bought.

 

The bolts came out fine, but I can't get the bearing race off it.

 

I'll be getting the welder out if it doesn't come off soon.

 

Is 3.44:1 too tall?

[Mini Manannán]

Keep at it Carlos, I'm looking forward to seeing the end result.

 

I've just changed from  3.9 to a 3.44, my car is much better for it, much less 'snatchy'.  It'll depend on the spec that you're aiming for of course.

[Carlos W]

Little tip Carlos, if your going to wire the car completly custom from an existing fuse box then why not add add some quirks to it :) or any niggles etc that you thought the initial wiring loom needed fixing. I remeber sitting in my parents car thinking what bits can I add that would be handy!

Couple of things i did.
>wipers single wipe function works independant of ignition. I used to hate waiting for people in my car and it's raining then you had to put the key in for one wipe!
>relays for everything! For example if my brake light bulb blows my radio gets no power letting me know I have a bulb out!
>My favourite is if I leave my light switch on the main beam position it will keep megajolt running when I take the key out the ignition :) so the car continues to run until you turn off your lights meaning you physically cannot leave your lights on!

If you want to go the whole hog convert everything to leds for all your lighting and different steering column stalks etc with fog light switches built in etc like I did :) loads of work but well worth it for the modernisation!

There are some interesting ideas there, but I'm not sure I have enough relay slots. 

 

There will shortly be an audible warning for leaving lights on available on the market like a modern car. 

 

Hopefully backing the car into the garage at night should be enough to show a bulb is off, I can't quite get my head round the wiring to make the radio go off when a bulb blows. The front to rear loom is made and fitted and I don't fancy taking it back out.

 

but I can't get the bearing race off it.

 

I'll be getting the welder out if it doesn't come off soon.

 

 

Welded a piece of angle iron to the race then knocked the bearing off. I feel like I've achieved something.

[Carlos W]

Keep at it Carlos, I'm looking forward to seeing the end result.

 

I've just changed from  3.9 to a 3.44, my car is much better for it, much less 'snatchy'.  It'll depend on the spec that you're aiming for of course.

 

I think I'll go with 3.44:1

 

I've been in a similar spec car to what I'm aiming for (albeit with more power than I think I'll achieve) and it's quick enough off the mark, and will happily sit at 65mph all day long whilst the driver and passenger have a conversation. I'm not going with a ridiculous cam or anything.

[lawrence]

Just an idea bud, audible warning is handy too. It was only a simple relay to cut the main lights when the key is removed. Ignition powers the low voltage input of the relay whilst the high voltage gives power to the main lights. So remove the key and only the side lights still work. It's also a fairly easy modification to fit automatic lights like I have (about 4 wires and a module)
If your interested just ask :)

I know my next plan is going to be keyless start! There's a nice kit for an rfid reader! Simply plant the sensor in the drivers seat (range is up to 10cm) then have the rfid reader piggyback on the ignition wiring and bobs your uncle! simply jump in the car with your key in your pocket and press the start button!

Lawrence