33 replies to this topic

[JDImini]

The mini is being restored by Ben at Mill Road Garage on the Isle of Wight and he is doing a fantastic job, the thread is on the forum if your interested. The mini has been converted to 10" wheels and got lowered suspension so I thought, with the state of the roads, I'd get a sump guard installed to save ripping the guts out of the gearbox, however Ben mocked it up today and found that the sump guard was 3 or 4"s lower than the sump so giving very little road clearance.

 

Has anyone else had the same problem and if you have kept the guard is it an issue if it keeps ground out as its then putting all that extra impact force through the front subframe?

 

Thanks

Darren

[Ben_O]

Just to add, the sump guard is a Monty/Scottish Alloy type.

 

Darren, what did you think of the photo?

 

Cheers

 

Ben

[JDImini]

Just to add, the sump guard is a Monty/Scottish Alloy type.

 

Darren, what did you think of the photo?

 

Cheers

 

Ben

Hi Ben not seen the photo

[nicklouse]

3-4" lower than the sump would put it on the ground!
Normally they are circa 1/2" from the sump the about 1/4" of material.

But again cars that need dumps run at standard or raised suspension with tyres that only just clear the trailing arms.

Who supplied the sump guard?

And I would not bother.

[mattmiglia]

No for normal road and track use which I think yours is aimed at? I wouldn't bother either. Plus they're heavy old things!

[JDImini]

Thanks guys the sump guard came from mini spares

 

http://www.minispare.../C-AJJ3320.aspx

[Ben_O]

There is around a 3" gap between the gearbox and the sump guard with it in it's mounting position when looking from under the car from the back of the gearbox.

 

It isn't far off of the ground and yes it does weigh a tonne!

 

Ben

[Allrounder]

Don't think you'll need one for a road car, but there is always that moment you wished you'd had one.

I run one on my car but i do compete off road (autocross and grass autotests). Mines made from 12mm plastic sitting 20mm from the sump bolted with counter sunk bolts to a steel tube bracket bolted to the subframe. It's nice and light and does the job of protecting the sump, been using them on our gravel rally cars for 20 years.

Edited by Allrounder, 04 November 2016 - 11:53 PM.

[mab01uk]

For road use the genuine 'Rover Cooper Sump Guard' is probably the best compromise.....if you can find one.

 

Edited by mab01uk, 05 November 2016 - 09:19 AM.

[Cooperman]

Sump guards are really for rally cars which can be expected to have raised suspension. A sump guard normally has a clearance of around 1/2" to the bottom of the sump.
If a road car is so low that it is in danger of damaging the sump there are 3 choices: set it to standard ride height, use it only on smooth race tracks or drive it very carefully and slowly on bumpy roads.

[Russ_IW]

As a fellow Isle of Wight-er, some of the roads on the Island are atrocious!

They're slowly improving but it's not uncommon for Minis to disappear without a trace into some of the pot holes!

[whistler]

For road use the genuine 'Rover Cooper Sump Guard' is probably the best compromise.....if you can find one.

 

Many years ago there was a sumpguard available from BMC Dealers for road cars. It was similar to the picture shown but was very short so that it didn't actually fit under the sump but in front of it and a little bit deeper. Think it was meant as a sump 'bumper' or skid. Don't think it had a Special Tuning part number as it was not a 'competition' part. Cooperman might remember.

[minifreek1]

I have this fitted to mine....

 

http://www.minispare...loy-sump-guard/

 

There is plenty of ground clearance, even when mine was lowered a bit.... and plenty clearance between the sump and guard for cooling the gearbox... It did comein handy when I happened to leave a racetrack and went off road after I ran out of talent/grip.... I wouldn't mind if it was a wet track, but I guess you can't get a Mini round a hairpin bend at 50.... like I thought I could LOL no harm done though....

[whistler]

Just found a picture of the one I was referring to. http://mk1-forum.net...php?f=5&t=14015

 

As you can see, it fits onto the front of the subframe and just covers the front of the sump; just enough so it you hit something it will skid you up rather than hit head on. Would work on a lowered car to a certain extent. Needs someone with an original BMC parts book for the part number though or follow the link I've put up.

 

Found a better picture now.

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Edited by whistler, 07 November 2016 - 09:43 AM.

[Midas Mk1]

Why make the car lower? Running a low low Mini daily is fine, just don't drive like it like a soft, high up modern car.

Edited by Midas Mk1, 05 November 2016 - 12:47 PM.