25 replies to this topic

[dazzler-pws]

Interesting conversion, but why the plan for 15's?

 

Are you planning to build the frame in such a way that if you wanted to fit either the later 16v versions or the G40 lump it would be a simple swap

 

Hi Craig

 

Wheels couple of reasons really

 

1 Gearing (for economy)

2 Tyre cost (£38)

3 Wheel Type/cost Sports pack replicas to the untrained eye

4 Ground Clearance (can run the car with a good "look" wheels close to arches but will be higher off the ground for town driving and rough roads in europe on and off ferry etc)

 

Frame

 

I haven't seen the other engines to comment but the base frame I made would/could fit nearly any 4 pot in I would imagine

 

The build brief from Father was to make the car as one of my old minis (77bhp/100lbft), will be able to return good MPG (this engine in the seat is at 45mpg, so expecting well over 50 in the mini), He wants to go 15k between maintenance on the motor hence ditching the mini ball joints and wheel bearings, and he wants it quiet.

 

This isnt your typical engine conversion, Yes this engine could have a turbo strapped to it, a cam and manifolds etc and be good for 150+BHP+

 

Also the doner car cost £75 and was driven to where it was stripped, engines float for small money its not worth maintaining an A series at that sort of money

[craig 1010cc]

Ah, makes sense. Whats your plans on the back end (thinking longer maint periods and clearance for the bigger dia tyres?

 

Did you see you old PPC £999 challenge mini was on the bay the other week?

[dazzler-pws]

I saw it about 6-8months ago, didnt realise it was back on again.

Not 100% sure yet will see what turns up, I fancy a torsion bar type beam but will sort that end when I get there

[Archived2]

Like the wheel choice. Almost sportspack styling.

 

Will be following this thread.

 

Great stuff

[fuzzy-hair-man]

I saw it about 6-8months ago, didnt realise it was back on again.

Not 100% sure yet will see what turns up, I fancy a torsion bar type beam but will sort that end when I get there

One of the rear suspensions out of a little Peugeot then like the 106 or the 205? the car widths are wider than the mini but not much (10cm to 17cm  or so) the layout looks very compatible with the mini and the weight would be in the ball park for a clubman (Peugeot rear end might be heavier I don't know? )

the 106 wiki says one came out with 14" wheels so the suspension might cope OK with your wheels...?

[tiger99]

Torsion beams are nowhere near as good as the standard Mini setup, and were introduced on cars where cheapness and nastiness were considered to be good qualities. I can't see why it would be worth the effort to fit one. Also, as you can't cut and weld any part of the beam (MOT failure, and it would invite fatigue failure), you are stuck with the width, and the length of the equivalent to the radius arms. There is a fair bit of flexing, which causes toe change, and we know how sensitive the Mini is to incorrect rear toe.

 

I do like to see innovation in modified cars, but I think you would be better to put the effort elsewhere. On the other hand, the best ever FWD rear end, the multilink system used on the Ford Focus and subsequent models, would be an engineering challenge which could bring much reward in terms of handling, at the expense of most of the already minimal boot space, and the need to relocate the fuel tank.

 

But again, a huge amount of extra work....

[dazzler-pws]

Hi cheers for the input.

Rear end is now going to be mini subframe with metro arms.

Being busy doing administration type stuff towards the Build removing stuff from doner and collecting other parts.

Will have a proper update with engine hung in frame towards start of next week

[dazzler-pws]

Ok...

 

Been doing much administration type stuff towards the build, gathering parts and removing parts from the doner

 

a few pics

 

 

 

 

 

another example of what not to do, wheel spacer with std studs

 

 

Picked up these from Bingley

 

 

So first "problem" to work around, the cam side doesnt have any provisions for a side mount, factory this was done at the rear, we dont have room at the back, started to mock something up... probs will start a fresh i dont like it

 

[domdee]

new wheels look good

[dazzler-pws]

Ohh... so i haven't updated in a while mainly because we have been trailing some engine mounts and positions.

 

Big result managed to get the factory mount fitted behind the sump, its one and that side of the engine is supported, Although the gearbox end is also supported, I dont like it and will be redoing it.

 

Progress seems slow but we are doing 2 evenings and a saturday each week on it!

[1293gt]

Nice seats