20 replies to this topic

[danny_duke01]

Hi all and thanks for looking and my project build...

Here is what i have started with...it's a '96 1275cc Rover Equinox and i have a VTEC D16A out of a '94 CRX Del Sol that's done 79k to put in.

Here is my mini the day i picked it up... (24.07.10)



Stripping out the interior... (25.07.10)



Parked with my mate Reece's VTEC D16Z6 build... (27.07.10)




Replacing the drivers side front floor section...(29.07.10)




Replacing the passenger side front floor section...(03.08.10)

[danny_duke01]

Stripping the front end...(02.11.10)


Front end all removed...


Hinges (from the boot of a BMW E36 coupe) fitted to hold the new fibreglass clubman front...(03.11.10)



New fibreglass clubman WRC front fitted...





(11.11.10)


The D16A VTEC which is going to be fitted soon...


New subframe built by Keveric Motorsport...(12.12.10)

Edited by danny_duke01, 15 February 2011 - 02:38 PM.

[danny_duke01]

Spraying the new subframe black...(02/01/11)

Old Rover 1275cc engine removed...(02/01/11)


Old engine and subframe removed...




New subframe fitted...(03/01/11)

Cutting out a hole in the bulkhead to take the inlet manifold on the VTEC engine...



A lick of underbody sealant...


Hole cut out and new metal welded in place to take the inlet manifold on the VTEC engine...(26/01/11)

A lick of black spray paint...

VTEC engine in subframe...

[h4wx1e]

i likey, keep up the good work mate. whats the final look going to be, full on racer?

[danny_duke01]

i likey, keep up the good work mate. whats the final look going to be, full on racer?

Thanks mate...just been looking at your build too,great looking mini you have there!!
Yeah i'm def going for the full racer look although still want to keep it road legal too.

[ginger_monkey]

Welcome over from the 16v forum. Car does look nice. Did you ever sort out the problem with the engine sitting low on the gearbox side as it might just be an old picture but the front on view looks the same. Still needs addressing mate. Also the pics of the floor panels you done. Have they been welded in any more or is that how they stand? Not trying to be offensive or anything but they need some more work as I don't think they'll be strong enough and the MOT guy will for sure fail it with welds like that.
One other thing is I thought these frames were meant for LHD cars only? I that the way your going with it?

Chris

[danny_duke01]

Welcome over from the 16v forum. Car does look nice. Did you ever sort out the problem with the engine sitting low on the gearbox side as it might just be an old picture but the front on view looks the same. Still needs addressing mate. Also the pics of the floor panels you done. Have they been welded in any more or is that how they stand? Not trying to be offensive or anything but they need some more work as I don't think they'll be strong enough and the MOT guy will for sure fail it with welds like that.
One other thing is I thought these frames were meant for LHD cars only? I that the way your going with it?

Chris

Hi Chris,
Thanks your comments mate...i have not actually worked on the engine yet since those last pics were taken as just not had the time with work etc.
I have a few days off work soon coming up so plan to try and sort the engine and frame out then with help from my mate.
I have actually left those new floor panels as they are...i have only spot welded them and not seam welded...would you recommend def seam welding them then?? I did'nt really think it would be a prob with the MOT guy and not really thought about it to be honest??
I have not heard that those frames were meant for LHD only and you are the only person to mention this to me...it could explain the angle of the engine though,but from what i've read over at 16v forum,not many people are pleased with Keveric's work!!

[ginger_monkey]

yeah there are a lot of people not happy with them but what works for some might not work for others. Just be sure yours is safe before you get to far into it cause you don't want anything to happen the first time you go for a drive. I've not had anything to do with them before but reading on peoples posts I've come to believe they are LHD unless they have been modded to suit.

As for the welds I'm not 100% on what they look for with MOT's but I think that if it's an original panel and the original way was to spot weld them on then that's ok as long as it's done the way it was to start with but looking at your pics I would definitely be inclined to seam weld it. If not more for peace of mind. My welding is no where near perfect but everyday I'm learning and someone might come on here and say it's totally fine. Best to get some opinions from people to be happy in yourself. I'm terrible when I know something is not quite right it plays on my mind every time I drive it.

keep it up mate and all the answers will come together eventually and you'll be blasting down the road in no time.

[danny_duke01]

yeah there are a lot of people not happy with them but what works for some might not work for others. Just be sure yours is safe before you get to far into it cause you don't want anything to happen the first time you go for a drive. I've not had anything to do with them before but reading on peoples posts I've come to believe they are LHD unless they have been modded to suit.

As for the welds I'm not 100% on what they look for with MOT's but I think that if it's an original panel and the original way was to spot weld them on then that's ok as long as it's done the way it was to start with but looking at your pics I would definitely be inclined to seam weld it. If not more for peace of mind. My welding is no where near perfect but everyday I'm learning and someone might come on here and say it's totally fine. Best to get some opinions from people to be happy in yourself. I'm terrible when I know something is not quite right it plays on my mind every time I drive it.

keep it up mate and all the answers will come together eventually and you'll be blasting down the road in no time.

Thanks for the advice...yes certainly will make sure it's safe before i do any journey in the car,got lot's of work to do yet.
It's help and advice from others like yourself that is second to none having completed a project yourself and that advice is priceless!!
Yeah i will re-do the welding then and make sure they are seam welded for peace of mind like you say...i'm no expert at welding at all really and it's a big thanks to my mate that has done the majority of the welding on my mini.
I will get there in the end and it will all come together like you say...CAN'T WAIT!!

Edited by danny_duke01, 17 February 2011 - 07:01 PM.

[Kam]

Good to see you on here mate, I can only pretty much echo what Chris has said above about the frame as I'm over from 16v aswell and have seen your build diary

Did you sort out a rear mount yet? Either way you will need one

I know your having issues with the engine in the frame but others are aswell with this frame (B series) so your not alone, all I will say is post up as much updates as you can about how your getting on and don't be afraid to ask for help on how to work out something whether its on here or 16v, you'll be surprised at what knowledge people have on 16v minis to help you out when you hit a problem

[danny_duke01]

Managed to mount the gearbox side of engine up a little higher with cutting away half the old mount and re-drilling the hole higher up the mount as far as we could get it bringing the engine up a little higher. New rad also fitted now...(28/03/11)

Edited by danny_duke01, 29 March 2011 - 05:53 PM.

[danny_duke01]

Good to see you on here mate, I can only pretty much echo what Chris has said above about the frame as I'm over from 16v aswell and have seen your build diary

Did you sort out a rear mount yet? Either way you will need one

I know your having issues with the engine in the frame but others are aswell with this frame (B series) so your not alone, all I will say is post up as much updates as you can about how your getting on and don't be afraid to ask for help on how to work out something whether its on here or 16v, you'll be surprised at what knowledge people have on 16v minis to help you out when you hit a problem

Hi Kam,
Cheers for the help and advice mate,do appreciate it!!

[Kam]

Managed to mount the gearbox side of engine up a little higher with cutting away half the old mount and re-drilling the hole higher up the mount as far as we could get it bringing the engine up a little higher. New rad also fitted now...(28/03/11)

That engine alignment looks ten times better, good work might be worth updating your 16v one aswell as I'm sure theres a few folk who would like to see how the engine is supposed to look in that frame! if you got any pics of the mount you recut that'll be better

Also, have you got a 'rear' mount on yet or worked out how to, you will need three mounts altogether

Keep up the good work

[danny_duke01]

Managed to mount the gearbox side of engine up a little higher with cutting away half the old mount and re-drilling the hole higher up the mount as far as we could get it bringing the engine up a little higher. New rad also fitted now...(28/03/11)

That engine alignment looks ten times better, good work might be worth updating your 16v one aswell as I'm sure theres a few folk who would like to see how the engine is supposed to look in that frame! if you got any pics of the mount you recut that'll be better

Also, have you got a 'rear' mount on yet or worked out how to, you will need three mounts altogether

Keep up the good work

Thanks Kam!!
Yep,i've just updated my build on 16v too...hopefully others can see now how the engine is supposed to sit in the frame!!
I will take pics of the recut mount this week and post 'em up...not sorted a rear mount but adding two at the front each side instead!!

[danny_duke01]

Sound deadening all removed & rear seat cut away... (13/04/11)

Rear door bins cut away and removed only to find more rust!!

New metal welded in place...

Rear door bins cut away and removed only to find more rust!!

Another rust spot cut away and replaced with new metal welded in...

A lick of etch primer for protection...

Edited by danny_duke01, 23 April 2011 - 04:35 PM.