187 replies to this topic

[lvm18]

...in order to get the Kad head in the white Convertible I had to do a bit of chopping to the nearside top.

[lvm18]

I then have to cover it with a power bulge to cover the cam pulleys.

This was done by fabricating a brand new bonnet myself in GRP, using the old one as a mould to work from.

[lvm18]

...this is inside the white convertible at the moment.

as you can see....i have my work cut out. I built this one myself from new about 15 years ago.

[danwebster]

I'm not convinced you have that manifold installed correctly

They look great, and the soft top will be awesome with that engine in!

A question: does the car use a mini steering rack, and if so what steering column is on there as the wheel looks likes its at a much nicer angle, I'd like to get hold of a longer column with a UJ in that fits straight onto a mini rack, if such a thing exists.

Looks like metrod stalks though so i'm guess its off one of those?

Edited by danwebster, 15 June 2007 - 04:56 PM.

[lvm18]

I have what is called a long cam version of the KAD head, unlike Dans which is the more modern, short cam version.

In fact the head is apparently KAD head number 5. The early ones had difference in a few areas, such as the way the oil flows back to the block (from the back on mine via a pipe that bolts to where the fuel pump used to go) through to the use of EN40B steel Imp followers. The later heads use the wider BDA followers.

The exhaust manifold is a stainless 4 into 2 into 1, with a lambda plug which plumbs into a bespoke maniflow stainless exhaust. I need this plug on the manifold to use with the Innovate LM-1 data logger/Wide Band AFR sensor which is handy for setting up the car without access to rolling road.



The cams I have fitted are the KAD2 fast road ones. Ideally I would have preferred the L14 ones which are about 286 duration. The codes on the cams generally match the profiles of BDA engines as apparently they use the same profiles.

Edited by lvm18, 15 June 2007 - 10:33 PM.

[not so mini dan]

Had a look on ebay and couldnt find any of these, only a few GTMs

Where did you say these two were for repair lvm?

[lvm18]

Hi Dan, yes the column are metro ones. The coupe uses a Mk1 metro and the convertible uses a mk2.

The Mk3 metro has a UJ on it. On the MK1 and 2 they use a round rubber/silicone ring....this means that yes I can adjust the angle of the steering to a lower point. I just used a load of steel penny washers with longer bolts. I wouldnt be at all surprised if the adapter on the end can easily be adjusted to mate to the mini rack.

There were lots of crossovers for parts between minis and metros even in weird places...thankfully for me!

[lvm18]

There is a link for the pair here:

http://autos.ph.grou...tos/browse/a0ab

They need working on....but they are do...able.

The guy wants about 2-300 for the pair.

[lvm18]

yes I think I need to rethink the plumbing for that exhaust!

[lvm18]

here is the bottom pulley arrangement for an early KAD head:



As you can see it is basically a machined pulley which plugs into the middle of a 1275cc A series pulley (with the damper)

I am having a new one made up at KAD with a trigger wheel fitted to the back of the pulley so that I can run my megajolt on it.

......which is a really good upgrade to any mini I thoroughly recommend! Since fitting megajolt the cars performance has improved greatly in all conditions.

Edited by lvm18, 15 June 2007 - 10:36 PM.

[lvm18]

to enable the KAD head to be fitted a few things have to be modified (although not to the same extent as the BMW k1xxxx series heads).

Notice the 2 bent front studs. Also note the head is fitted with bolts rather than studs.

Edited by lvm18, 15 June 2007 - 10:37 PM.

[andywaller]

very cool little tearaways there!

[not so mini dan]

Cheers for the link, not sure if my parents would be too happy if i bought 2 more projects

Sooooo tempted though

[lvm18]

....also the 2 extra holes have to be drilled out ala cooper S.

The remaining existing holes have to be drilled down a bit further. This is because the bolts go further down than the studs.

The oil gallery hole which usuall feeds the head rockers on the 5 port is taped out to 8mm and plugged and sealed with a 8mm grub screw.

My KAD head had the usual arrangement for lubricating the cams via the existing oil gallery, however investigations with KAD told me they had found that that lubrication method was inadequate. To get round this you put a t piece in the oil pressure switch and pipe it round to the back of the cam carrier and feed externally.

A better oil supply is provided to the head via that method. Food for thought on a 5 port head if your not getting enough oil feed to your rockers.

Edited by lvm18, 15 June 2007 - 10:40 PM.

[lvm18]

Cheers MOWOG!

Yes they are tempting Not so Mini Dan.

A couple of hundred quid for a pair is amazing. You will need to hone up on GRP repair skills though.

I remember when these kits were about 8k!

The Midas Gold was the first composite car to pass the Mira ECE30 crash barrier test. This was a test done to ensure TUV approval, so that they could be sold as complete built cars for the German and Japanese markets. There are a few in each of these countrys, plus the Netherland, France, Sweden and Belgium that I am aware of

Edited by lvm18, 15 June 2007 - 10:42 PM.