51 replies to this topic

[Dannyboolahlah]

Hi guys,
Im a new member and long time Mini fan. I recently had to buy a van as I went self employed, leaving a car shaped void in my life! So for the first time I could get a car that I dont need to rely on, and it doesnt matter if its off the road for weeks on end.
My original plan was to buy a very tatty but solid Mini, strip it down to a bucket seat and stick a more powerful engine in it, but my plans changed when my girlfriend got wind of it and decided she wanted in. So now the plan changed to a nice presentable car with a nice full interior and a bit of extra go (and essentially doubled my budget!)
This lead us to buy this 1989 Mini Racing Green!



After an eventful 130 mile drive home involving multiple break downs and a terrifying stint on the M6 with no lights or wipers, all caused by the alternator deciding it had earned retirement, it was home, and I was for some reason absolutely in love with it!




Its not had the easiest life, but the bodywork isnt too bad and most importantly its solid. Had a good look over it and replaced inner CV gaiters, the alternator, and a few other bits and it looks good to go.... except I thought whilst its in the garage hiding from the cold I may as well supercharge it! So thats on order =D

Sorry for the essay, Im still a little excitable with the car! Been looking through some projects on here recently and love what some of you guys are doing so thought Id share my own project.

[Archived1]

Nice little mini that! Good choice

[Dannyboolahlah]

Nice little mini that! Good choice

Thanks. Its not bad, a few crusty bits but the important stuff is good. Bodywork will be next years project though, want to get the mechanicals spot on first.

[Dannyboolahlah]

This is how it currently looks under the bonnet. After realising that the split CV gaiter was caused by it fouling the LCB manifold I had to remove this to adjust the pipe.
The radiator had to come out to access the speedo drive as the speedo was reading miles out, its had a new engine at some point, and obviously the worm and pinion were never swapped to the correct ratio.
At this point I decided to order the supercharger as Id been planning to do it eventually, and didnt see the logic in doing it all twice!



In the meantime Ill be giving it a good clean and lick of paint under the bonnet.

Edited by Dannyboolahlah, 15 February 2018 - 08:15 PM.

[minimissions]

Loving this little car, my first car i learn to drive it was a 1990 Mini Racing Green and I am gutted i sold it all those years back see in about a 5 years ago at a show but not see it since.

 

Enjoy this little thing, is the engine a 1275 then?

[Dannyboolahlah]

Loving this little car, my first car i learn to drive it was a 1990 Mini Racing Green and I am gutted i sold it all those years back see in about a 5 years ago at a show but not see it since.
 
Enjoy this little thing, is the engine a 1275 then?

No its still a 998. Not sure why it was changed.
May get a 1275 one day.

My original plan was a Ford 1.0 Ecoboost engine. But is a bit too tall and itd end up costing a fortune as Id have to get everything fabricated. Then looked at Rover K series conversions, and then settled on the supercharger for simplicity and avoids cutting the front end off.

[dyshipfakta]

Which charger kit have you ordered there are afew out there at the mo? Keep getting tempted myself and I have essentially the same car as you only mines been resprayed. Looks like a good project

[Dannyboolahlah]

Gone for the Vmaxscart kit with the twin Webber carb

[Dannyboolahlah]

Todays effort. Its not gone well if Im honest. Discovered the steering column is bent somehow (car doesnt seem to have been crashed), and the dash is a nightmare to fit. Nothing wants to line up right and the vents are now too far back so Ill have to make some sort of duct to connect them.

[johnR]

Very interested to follow your supercharger build! I love the look of that kit and it's on my wish list.

[Dannyboolahlah]

Dash is now in (excuse the mess and terrible photography). I naively thought a genuine dash would fit straight in! Had to raise the top rail pad slightly and extend the vents but got there eventually.
Also fitted the steering wheel and gearknob I got from Bingley along with the dash; along with a new steering column thats a bit less hockey stick shaped than the old one!

Was hoping for a nice clock between the boost and oil pressure gauges but I nearly fell over when I saw the price!! Thought theyd be half the price of the functual gauges, not double! And the radio right below has the time on it so its difficult to justify £60/70 for a bit of bling.
I was also hoping I could get the glass off the boost gauge to put something over the Turbo lettering, but I cant do thats just going to have to annoy me forever.

Supercharger will hopefully be here at the end of the week!!!

Edited by Dannyboolahlah, 26 February 2018 - 05:37 PM.

[Magneto]

My LHD version of what you did, in my Racing Green. Keep at it, it will turn out fine once you're done!

Edited by Magneto, 26 February 2018 - 10:29 PM.

[johnR]

The glass must come of the boost gauge somehow - how is the bezel attached?

[Dannyboolahlah]

My LHD version of what you did, in my Racing Green. Keep at it, it will turn out fine once you're done!

Thanks.
... well now I want magnolia dials instead!

[Dannyboolahlah]

The glass must come of the boost gauge somehow - how is the bezel attached?

The bezel just spins fairly loosely around. At a guess Id say it just clicks on, but I dont want to damage it trying to open it up.