11 replies to this topic

[MiniKid..]

hi i need to find some good quality cheap arches but dont no how 2 bond them 2 perfection.. i am eventually goin to use 13" wheels and also need help 2 cut out my wing please help me........

[mkw]

While you're on the subject or arches, whats with widest wheels you can fit on a mini without needing arches.

I'm aiming for the retro look with some nice 10's but i just need to know whether it's more likely i need arches or not.

[Big_Adam]

hi i need to find some good quality cheap arches but dont no how 2 bond them 2 perfection.. i am eventually goin to use 13" wheels and also need help 2 cut out my wing please help me........

well for bonding to perfection. you need two things. if your going gull on then you need fiberglass sheets and resin if your just blenind them in so there no little rubber stripe then you just need body fillter. got to rember thtat body filler is cosmetic not structeral. you need to start with around 800 odd grit to rought it down (body filler on arch to body) then keep using finer and finer grades of paper. i use a good 1200 grade paper for final sanding with some washing up liquid in the water to get it very very smooth.

[Bungle]

While you're on the subject or arches, whats with widest wheels you can fit on a mini without needing arches.

I'm aiming for the retro look with some nice 10's but i just need to know whether it's more likely i need arches or not.

depends what brakes you have

cooper s disks will widen the track by 2 inches over drums

[mkw]

Whats my options then? if i have cooper s brakes can i have the archless look? if so what width wheels are required?

[TimS]

No the S discs give a wider track, therefore you cannot fit as wide wheels.

[mkw]

if i don't have the s brakes then would 10x5 be too much? or would i need to get hold of something smaller, maybe 4.5?

[miniboo]

4.4 inch wheels might squeeze on.

i think Jordie on here has 4.5x12 with 8.4" discs on the front and no arches. have a look at his project thread for pics. '1983 mini project'

[TimS]

Madmax used to use 5x12" split rims with 165 tyres and no arches

[mkw]

I'll have a look at that! Thanks!!

[Jordie]

Ive got 8.4" discs and 4.5x12" wheels and i fit just in line with the wing. (Red mini - A reg)

Although my 1980 drum braked mini had 5x10" wellers, that had the standard 1"? mini arches fitted.

Heres a photo of standard 4x10" steel rims, running 145R10 tyres. (Clean car photo running chrome trims)

You wouldnt need arches with that size. You might fit 4.5" inch at a push.

This was running drums, before i converted it.

Heres a pic of drum braked, running 5x10" Wellers with 165 Tyres. (Dirty car photo running White Wellers)

*Sorry about the neglect of the mini, this was before the rebuild*

Hope this all helps.

grd

Edited by Jordie, 11 October 2006 - 07:38 PM.

[mkw]

Thats great, the pics really help.

I'll look into that now mate. cheers!