13 replies to this topic

[Gcornwall]

Thinking of getting a fibreglass front end for my 1989 mini Mayfair. I will be fitting 13" wheels so would they fit? What's people opinions/ experiences? some pictures of one fitted would be great?!!

Thanks

[Will16]

How bad is your current front end?  If you use you Mini daily or regularly, the fibreglass offers no crash protection.  Also, you will need to cut out your inner wings, and fit brace bars.  If your good with a welder, get some Heritage panels and weld them on.  13's would fit under a fibreglass front, but they also fit under steel too.  Plenty of pictures of them fitted to cars on the forum!

[Gcornwall]

Use it everyday to get to work! There is a bit of rust but not too bad! It's going in for a spray job in May so trying to get it all sorted before then! My welding skills are let's just say terrible! but the idea of no rust is amazing! If I go steel front it would just rust through again, also would mean I have to buy loads of panels surely?

[Baldspeed Racing]

the flip front debate will always run on the do's and dont's, I run one and have sorted brace bars and also run a full cage so ive got protection. As to how strong they are yeh weaker than the std steel fronts so you will have to think on that one.

 

depending on if you run a one piece or two piece fb jobbie they can be an arse to fit right or get them to look good as well

[Gcornwall]

Which would be better to fit 2 piece or 1 piece? I'm not really to concerned about safety, minis aren't exactly super safe as it is! Next year it will only be driven in the summer months! have you just fitted the bars or added any extra inner panels?

[Spaceibiza]

I have a 1 Piece Curley carbon flip front. I would say if you are going to do it, then fork out the extra for carbon rather than fibreglass. Mine has had the inner wings cut and the standard brace bars. If you don't mind having bonnet pins on show, then i would probably go for a 2 piece to make quick engine checks a bit easier! 

[Gcornwall]

Is the carbon a bit stronger? And does it fit better? Could you put some pics up of it? And maybe the inner wings?
Cheers :)

[Bungle]

i would stick to steel

 

changing the front once every 25 years isn't that big a deal and if you rust proof the new steel better than Rover did you should get more than 25 years

 

my mini is just a year newer than yours and still has it's original front end , it was well rust proofed by my self from new

 

 

the down side to fibreglass is, it will de value your mini, less crash protection , more likely to wright off the shell, avoid DVLA registration and BIVA problems

Edited by Bungle, 02 January 2014 - 12:03 PM.

[Gcornwall]

If I stick with steel is it still way to make a removable Bonnet? I imagine the welding costs would be horribly expensive!

[Bungle]

the bonnet is held on with 4 bolts

[AGRO_RB]

No real advantage to a flip front unless you're building a serious race car...

Fibreglass flexes, it cracks, it's weak and easily damaged, steel can often be fixed with a hammer, welder and some magic poo cheaply and easily and individual panels can be removed and brand new replacements stitched on, whereas with fibreglass a minor collision can leave some ugly and difficult to repair damage which could leave you seeking a full replacement if it's beyond repair...

[Spaceibiza]

Is the carbon a bit stronger? And does it fit better? Could you put some pics up of it? And maybe the inner wings?
Cheers :)

 

I think the Curley carbon front ends are the best ones out there if you are going to fit one. I'm sure most of the Mini Miglia race cars use Curley carbon. I think it probably would be stronger than fibreglass but still nowhere near as strong as a proper steel front. I wouldn't bother fitting a fibreglass or carbon one unless you have a serious engine that needs a lot of maintenance or extra space for pipes and intercoolers that having no inner wings gives you. A proper steel front end is a lot better really. They look nicer as well. like what has been said before, if you fit a steel front and rust proof it properly like the factory never did, it will last for years! Here is a pic of my inner wings and brace bar assembly.

Attached Files

•  IMG_1035.JPG   96.55K   26 downloads

[Gcornwall]

Yeah I think I'm going to stick with getting a new steel front end! I don't have a fancy engine (yet) so I think for know steel is the best option, probably with a removable bonnet though!!
When you say 'rust proof it properly' what do you mean exactly?
Cheers everyone! :)

[sonikk4]

If you use pattern panels then remove the grey E coat then seal all of the gaps where the flanges mount together especially on the inside (i do the outside ones as well). Then etch prime prime and paint or etch prime followed by stone chip then top coat and finished of with a decent waxoyl based product. There are a few out there, Dinitrol, Waxoyl etc. 

 

The important thing here is to ensure all of the gaps are seam sealed as this is where rust will start.