16 replies to this topic

[malcs_miniturbo]

hi guys ive just got a mk1 mini but want to change the subframes can i cange the to mk3 ones?if so do they bolt stright in.as mine is hydrolastic and the mini is auto so want to convert to man trans,want to no if its possible so can get the bits cheers malc

Model:
Year:
Description of problem (please be as in depth as possible):



Any non-standard parts that might be involved with the problem?

[miniadventure]

i dont think its a straight swap as the earlier subframe has a two bolt top mount and the later has only a single bolt top mount

[malcs_miniturbo]

i dont think its a straight swap as the earlier subframe has a two bolt top mount and the later has only a single bolt top mount

ok how do i change to dry suspension and lower the mini as i need to change anyway as its auto any help ideas be great so the mk3 subframes are not direct fit

[Paul Wiginton]

Mk1 and Mk3 subframes are the same , both having two bolts on each tower. Mk4 onwards have one big bolt per tower.
If you really are using Mk3 subframes they will fit

Paul

[1380sprint]

Mk1 and Mk3 subframes are the same , both having two bolts on each tower. Mk4 onwards have one big bolt per tower.
If you really are using Mk3 subframes they will fit

Paul

I have a feeling paul, he means mk4,
if im correct then, its not a straight forward swap.

[Paul Wiginton]

Thats what I think too

[1380sprint]

Thats what I think too

Great minds and all that.......
Nice sprint by the way...
i'l get some pics up of mine if i figure out how tooo

[malcs_miniturbo]

Thats what I think too

Great minds and all that.......
Nice sprint by the way...
i'l get some pics up of mine if i figure out how tooo

im on bout mk3 mate as stated as my mini is auto anyway and is going manual i dont want the nice comfy hydro i want the nice stiff dry subframes so i can tweek them lower ect what year from and to will go on a mk1 so i dont buy the wrong bits

[Paul Wiginton]

Buy parts for 1972 mate, that'll be an early mk3

[malcs_miniturbo]

Buy parts for 1972 mate, that'll be an early mk3

nice one thanks will start to look should i get them complete front and back so i have evey think

[Cooperman]

As already stated, the Mk 1 and Mk 3 sub-frames are the same and are mounted in a much better way than the Mk 4 which has the large single bolt at each sub-frame tower.
Or, are you really asking how to convert from hydrolastic to dry suspension in a Mk 1, hydro sub-frame?
To fit dry rubber spring cones into a hydro sub-frame, you juust remove the hydro units and associated pipes. Then looking up into the towers, you will see some small lugs where the hydro units were located. You knock back or grind away these lugs and fit the dry cones, plus new trumpets (or Hi-lo's) and new top 'dry' suspension arms.
A lot of people have converted hydro front sub-frames for dry and my '64 Cooper 'S' has exactly this.

[malcs_miniturbo]

As already stated, the Mk 1 and Mk 3 sub-frames are the same and are mounted in a much better way than the Mk 4 which has the large single bolt at each sub-frame tower.
Or, are you really asking how to convert from hydrolastic to dry suspension in a Mk 1, hydro sub-frame?
To fit dry rubber spring cones into a hydro sub-frame, you juust remove the hydro units and associated pipes. Then looking up into the towers, you will see some small lugs where the hydro units were located. You knock back or grind away these lugs and fit the dry cones, plus new trumpets (or Hi-lo's) and new top 'dry' suspension arms.
A lot of people have converted hydro front sub-frames for dry and my '64 Cooper 'S' has exactly this.

no want mk3 complete subframes as my mk1 is going turbo and dont want comfy hydro as can sell these to help people with theres.just want the trouble free rock hard dry subs like say will keep my eyes peeled for a set of mk3 complete subs

[Cooperman]

As already stated, the Mk 1 and Mk 3 sub-frames are the same and are mounted in a much better way than the Mk 4 which has the large single bolt at each sub-frame tower.
Or, are you really asking how to convert from hydrolastic to dry suspension in a Mk 1, hydro sub-frame?
To fit dry rubber spring cones into a hydro sub-frame, you juust remove the hydro units and associated pipes. Then looking up into the towers, you will see some small lugs where the hydro units were located. You knock back or grind away these lugs and fit the dry cones, plus new trumpets (or Hi-lo's) and new top 'dry' suspension arms.
A lot of people have converted hydro front sub-frames for dry and my '64 Cooper 'S' has exactly this.

no want mk3 complete subframes as my mk1 is going turbo and dont want comfy hydro as can sell these to help people with theres.just want the trouble free rock hard dry subs like say will keep my eyes peeled for a set of mk3 complete subs

As already stated, the Mk 1,2 & 3 sfront subframes are the same, except for the hydrolastic ones which are geometrically identical and mount the same but just have the little lugs to hold the hydro units in place. They are easy to modify to take the rubber spring cones - see my post above. If you would rather spend the money buying a 'dry Mk 1,2 or 3 sub-frame that's your business, but you don't need to. All you need is a set of rubber cones, some Hi-lo's and a pair of 'dry-type' top arms. It should cost very little and you have got to do the building anyway.
So the answer is, in fact, that you do just want to convert from 'wet' to 'dry'.

[malcs_miniturbo]

As already stated, the Mk 1 and Mk 3 sub-frames are the same and are mounted in a much better way than the Mk 4 which has the large single bolt at each sub-frame tower.
Or, are you really asking how to convert from hydrolastic to dry suspension in a Mk 1, hydro sub-frame?
To fit dry rubber spring cones into a hydro sub-frame, you juust remove the hydro units and associated pipes. Then looking up into the towers, you will see some small lugs where the hydro units were located. You knock back or grind away these lugs and fit the dry cones, plus new trumpets (or Hi-lo's) and new top 'dry' suspension arms.
A lot of people have converted hydro front sub-frames for dry and my '64 Cooper 'S' has exactly this.

no want mk3 complete subframes as my mk1 is going turbo and dont want comfy hydro as can sell these to help people with theres.just want the trouble free rock hard dry subs like say will keep my eyes peeled for a set of mk3 complete subs

As already stated, the Mk 1,2 & 3 sfront subframes are the same, except for the hydrolastic ones which are geometrically identical and mount the same but just have the little lugs to hold the hydro units in place. They are easy to modify to take the rubber spring cones - see my post above. If you would rather spend the money buying a 'dry Mk 1,2 or 3 sub-frame that's your business, but you don't need to. All you need is a set of rubber cones, some Hi-lo's and a pair of 'dry-type' top arms. It should cost very little and you have got to do the building anyway.
So the answer is, in fact, that you do just want to convert from 'wet' to 'dry'.

yes definitly will consider what you said also cheers

[1380sprint]

I have a spare mk3 dry subby if you really need one?