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Mpi Restoration Underway


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#1 T1m

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Posted 30 December 2021 - 04:00 PM

Hi all

I’ve started the long restoration road of an MPI I managed to pick up 2 months ago after having a sidewalk 20 years ago as a first car. Well it was first my sister’s then I had use of it when she went to uni. Actually I’d be interested in the whereabouts of the Sidewalk reg N389XDB if anyone knows of it. Was an absolute blast  to drive and loved the old wave you got from other mini drivers.

Anyway, I’m back in the mix now and I’m going to have to tackle the rear subframe. I really wanted to get it mot’ed and moved to dad’s garage whilst an extension is built, so I’m going to have to grasp that nettle soon.

interested to know if anyone has experience of the mini spares rear subframe vs the heritage? There is a quite a price difference.

thanks, Tim

 



#2 Itsaminithing

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Posted 30 December 2021 - 10:06 PM

N389XDB    https://vehicleenqui...Found?locale=en

Last V5 issued 23/09/16, last MOT passed 10/06/17, & now SORN so it's possibly still in one piece.

Was it orange when you had it -because it is now!



#3 T1m

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Posted 31 December 2021 - 03:00 PM

No it wasn’t orange! Just the sidewalk blue!

#4 Deeppockets

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Posted 01 January 2022 - 11:48 PM

I regretted not being more careful keeping all the small fixings and fittings on my MPI. Many of the pieces unique to SPI/MPI are no longer available as spares replacement.

#5 T1m

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Posted 02 January 2022 - 05:08 PM

Thanks for the tip.  I will definitely keep this in mind. 



#6 Itsaminithing

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Posted 02 January 2022 - 08:58 PM

For any bits you do need Google the part number first.

Some Mini parts suppliers will charge you a fortune for parts that were only used on the MPIs.... but some of these were also fitted to the MGF & can be bought a lot cheaper that way.


Edited by Itsaminithing, 04 January 2022 - 10:49 AM.


#7 pete l

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Posted 03 January 2022 - 10:06 AM

I regretted not being more careful keeping all the small fixings and fittings on my MPI. Many of the pieces unique to SPI/MPI are no longer available as spares replacement.

 

What parts are you talking about ??



#8 Deeppockets

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Posted 04 January 2022 - 05:27 PM

While many MPI bits were from the Rover parts bin for the R200 & MGF, I believe some are unique to the Mini.Specifically the fuel filter mounting vibration isolating rubber grommets and tube supports. Aftermarket fuel filter brackets are available but not the bracket’s rubber mount to the rear subframe.
I had to replace these with VW rubber cotton reels which work but can cause the fuel line to fowl the brake line as the filter rides lower.
I also lost parts from the fuel line clips which are only available from salvage (though there were some 3D printed new available for a while).
As a general thought, the variety of bolts:screw types amazes me, All the ‘heritage’ body fitting on the MPI seem to be UNF with all the 90’s changes being metric, with further fanged/non-flanged, black/bzp. etc. variance. Each design engineer must have had their favourite type.
Next time I would be more careful, especially as I underestimated the time to rebuild and thought I would remember what went where for rebuild - 4 years later and it was all forgotten.

#9 pete l

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Posted 05 January 2022 - 02:49 PM

I didn't know that, thanks for the info.



#10 bartman

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Posted 06 January 2022 - 10:23 PM

 

While many MPI bits were from the Rover parts bin for the R200 & MGF, I believe some are unique to the Mini.Specifically the fuel filter mounting vibration isolating rubber grommets and tube supports. Aftermarket fuel filter brackets are available but not the bracket’s rubber mount to the rear subframe.
I had to replace these with VW rubber cotton reels which work but can cause the fuel line to fowl the brake line as the filter rides lower.
I also lost parts from the fuel line clips which are only available from salvage (though there were some 3D printed new available for a while).
As a general thought, the variety of bolts:screw types amazes me, All the ‘heritage’ body fitting on the MPI seem to be UNF with all the 90’s changes being metric, with further fanged/non-flanged, black/bzp. etc. variance. Each design engineer must have had their favourite type.
Next time I would be more careful, especially as I underestimated the time to rebuild and thought I would remember what went where for rebuild - 4 years later and it was all forgotten.

 


fuel filter rubber mountings:
https://www.ebay.co....tm/184532912989

#11 Deeppockets

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Posted 25 January 2022 - 08:55 AM

Many hanks, I hadn't seen these. As I recall they also need spacer tubes which I will need to fabricate. 






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