8 replies to this topic

[ATR]

Hi everyone!

My name is Darek... I guess I'll use this first post of this thread to introduce myself as well as tell you the plans for the car.

I am a college student going into Flight Aviation Technology @ Eastern Michigan University. I originally started out at a different school and was majoring in Accounting & Finance but.... after 3 years, I could not do it anymore which caused me to transfer and start a completely new major, only 44 out of my 110 credits transferred (124 are needed to graduate) - I will most likely go back and finish my A&F degree at some point within the next few years just to have something to fall back on.

Other than school, I have several project cars: '99 Miata that is getting a Peripheral Ported 13b, '04 EVO VIII RS w/ 2.4LR and HX40.
I just recently sold my 1971 240z and 1976 bmw 2002. The 2002 was a running car that I restored a little and got running, the 240z I got from a friend and the plan was to put a 2.3l VOLVO red block in it and make it into a track car along with my 99 miata.

Another friend came around and made me an offer on the 240z that I couldn't refuse.

This is how the mini "got into my possession".... well, it should be here in the next few weeks. It's been paid for and shipping has been arranged.

The plan for the Mini is to to fix any and all rust, replace panels that need to be replaced, install a roll cage, buy the MINITEC front and rear subframes in order to install the k24/k20a2 engine.

I have several options that I need to decide on....
1. should I do stock floor, or flat floor with a skeleton underneath it?
2. arches, I know I will need one and I have my heart set on the ABSmotorsport retro mini sprint front lip with matching group 5 arches in the back.
3. is that a decent arch decision or should I go with a different setup?

The car will be utilizing a 13x8" rim with 225/45r13 TOYO r888 tire all the way around.

The interior will be very bare... 2 bucket seats, rhd, floor mounted pedal box, roll cage, two 5-point harnesses, some sort of dash.

The engine and transmission are next on my list of things to purchase. The head has been paid for and is being shipped this week.

I will be posting specs on the engine/head as soon as I figure out if it's going to be turbocharged or not - depends on if my transmission and differentials can withstand 350-400whp with sticky tires.


If anyone has any photos of a mini that has a useful front splitter/spoiler same with rear. I would greatly appreciate if you shared the photos/specs with me.


Deadline... I never used one on a project before but this one will need to be done by the end of May 2013 (have a rally to attend on June 13, 2013)

[johny:)]

Hi sounds like a good project you seem to now what you won't going awd is also brave If your using mini tec it is a good kit I think there is a uk bases shop for mini tec I'm not 100% shure but I think I read it on a forum before I'm saying this because there is a 20% customs charge for importing the kit and I now the awd kit won't be cheap with out that. Also if you have not all ready look through some builds on hear and on 16vmini forum it does help allot

Good luck and hope to see some piks soon

[ATR]

Johnny. Thank you.

I am in the us so duty / customs will not be a problem for me.

I will look through the forums.

Does anyone have any photos of the abs Motorsport retro sprint mini front lip actually installed on a car?

[ATR]

Here are some photos that the seller sent me:























I will hopefully have the car with me in the next 2-3 weeks. Then any and all tear down, media blasting, cutting, welding, painting, fabricating will begin!

I know the floor will have to be fixed, most likely. Who thinks that I should flat bottom the car instead of putting the oem floor in it?

[KieranB]

stiick to an oridinal floor in my opinion. tuck the exhaust up in the tunnel and sit the car reeeeeeally low goona keep an eye on this build mate. should be a good`n

[ATR]

I was thinking of tucking a 3" exhaust or 2.5" (Depending on if the car is turbo or not) and putting a dual muffler setup with tips in front of both rear wheels.
We shall see...

Also, why can't I find any photos of the absmotorsport retro sprint mini front lip on a car?

Could someone from the UK give them a call for me on Monday and ask for a shipping quote for that front lip and group 5 arches that match the lip?

Edited by ATR, 27 October 2012 - 10:22 PM.

[KieranB]

just send them an email. at the bottom of the website there is a contact uus link.

Edited by KieranB, 28 October 2012 - 08:39 AM.

[ATR]

KieranB, I did. I emailed them, left messages on their phone, sent messages on face book. I probably. Called after hours or close to it.
I have not had a response from them in over a week.

[ATR]

So the progress has started.... Car is scheduled to be picked up on November 12, 2012!!!!

Also, I just ordered a set of ROTA RB 13x8" wheels with Kumho street legal slicks - which will get eventually replaced by TOYO r888 225/45r13 unless the kumho's fit properly....

Another part of my build is a rotisserie and a hydraulic mandrel bender. The rotisserie to make working on it way easier, and the bender to build a roll cage.
The tubing has arrived for the rotisserie and I just picked up a air/hydraulic ram that will be a part of the mandrel bender.

I will be posting photos of these side projects in the near future. My goal is to have the rotisserie done by the time the car arrives.