18 replies to this topic

[Orange-Phantom]

A Modified Front Subframe was used in the very heavily modified rear of the Mini.

 

Usually, no steering rack is fitted to the backend, but additional linkages are fitted to take the place of the steering rack and keep the Hubs pointing straight ahead.

 

 

As an aside, I'd just like to mention that one thing that keeps the Mini so stable on the road is that most of the weight is so far forward and IMO, with such a short wheel base, if the weigh was closer to 50/50, if the back were to 'come out. it swaps very fast.

I can totally agree with keeping the power train up front  I used to own a Clio V6 for many years.  Being a short wheel base car and mid engined, on the limit it gave you basically no warning and then would lose grip suddenly as I found out when pushing it hard on the track.  My friend had a hayabusa mid engined Z Cars Mini.  Brutal acceleration, but by having the engine in the middle it just totally destroyed the predictable handling of the car.

I find my current Mini with the engine up front to be so much more predictable (and fun) to drive than either of these aforementioned vehicles.

[Mini Manannán]

There's a chap in your hamlet of Los Angeles who's electrified his mini already, it might be worth picking his brains: http://www.theminifo...ifying-trogdor/

[Tremelune]

Trogdor, yep! I reached out to him, but haven't heard back. He hasn't posted much in the last couple years.

 

Interesting points on the weight distribution...I'm used to an ass-heavy 911, but they have much longer wheelbases and wider real tires to compensate. Tales of a mid-engined Mini stepping out are a bit sobering. I definitely don't want to lose the care-free flickability of the car...

[Ethel]

It would seem easier not to reinvent the wheel, when you have perfectly decent driveshafts hooked up to the front ones.

Have a look at the bike engine conversions for drivetrain inspiration, though finding a suitable donor motor/diff combo could be the new BMW 16v head conversion.