My 1990 Mini has holes drilled where a sump guard once was. Would like to install a new one, but of course the holes don't match. If I drill new holes for the new sump guard will this weaken the subframe in any way? Thanks for anyone's help. Gary
Sump Guard / Subframe
Started by
sparkymae
, Jun 22 2024 02:25 PM
2 replies to this topic
#1
sparkymae
-
- Noobies
-
- 138 posts
Mini Mad
- Location: Savannah Ga. U.S.A.
- Local Club: None
Posted 22 June 2024 - 02:25 PM
#2
DeadSquare
-
- Members
-
- 3,375 posts
Up Into Fourth
- Location: Herefordshire
- Local Club: Unipower GT Owners Club
Posted 22 June 2024 - 02:54 PM
It will weaken it in some way, because steel is stronger that fresh air.
How big, how many and where do you need to drill the holes ?
A 5/16th hole either end of the front cross member, well away from the edge, shouldn't make any noticeable difference
The subframe is obviously designed to have more than sufficient strength.
Somewhere on here there are lots of photos of someone's lightened Mini. He'd gone mad, holes everywhere.
I was surprised that he hadn't "lightened" the fuel tank.
#3
Cooperman
-
- TMF+ Member
-
- 23,513 posts
Uncle Cooperman, Voted Mr TMF 2011
- Location: Cambs.
- Local Club: MCR, HAMOC, Chelmsford M.C.
Posted 25 June 2024 - 12:34 PM
The sump guard will put in more additional strength than the few redundant holes will lose the sub-frame.
As a note, it's unwise to fit a sump guard to a rubber mounted sub-frame as when the sump guard hits the ground, the loads must go into the monocoque bodyshell. Rubber mountings the will soon fail.
Remember with a sump guard an oil cooler is necessary, especially when cruising on main roads in hot weather.
Edited by Cooperman, 25 June 2024 - 12:48 PM.
1 user(s) are reading this topic
0 members, 1 guests, 0 anonymous users
