8 replies to this topic

[wastedperfection]

Hi,

Im thinking of putting a hayabusa z cars conversion in my mini , so i can do track days and still have it road legal. I am used to oversteer and can drive pretty good.

My question is ,

What is the mini like to handle when the hayabusa is in? , does it oversteer alot? , if so is it easy to get back , is it easy to powerslide? , also is it fast enough midrange to keep up with the best on the track?

Matt

[tommy505]

What is the mini like to handle when the hayabusa is in? , does it oversteer alot? , if so is it easy to get back , is it easy to powerslide? , also is it fast enough midrange to keep up with the best on the track?

Matt

I have a std hayabusa conversion and it handles great, I find no real difference from a "normal" mini except for the usual rwd characteristics. I don't get a lot of oversteer, I suppose it depends on the set up you have but, on a track, when it does go unless you are quick you are spinning. Powerslides are pretty easy and its about the same as caterfields etc from a "keeping up with" perspective. I find it runs out of puff about 120mph put pulls well all the way there.

Tom

[Robnut]

where abouts in Stoke are you dude.

Rob

[ChipsezMini!]

Thanks Matt. As I am planning a z-conversion, I have also been wondering about this.

It seems the weight distribution of the Minibusas would create the possibility of snap oversteer and the VTEC versions would have even greater tendencies. I’m searching for any posts on tire sizes to see if anyone is using staggered sizes to help balance the handling, but have not yet poured through all the results.

Any of those with experience have thoughts?

[Ade]

It seems the weight distribution of the Minibusas would create the possibility of snap oversteer and the VTEC versions would have even greater tendencies.

Weight distribution cause snap oversteer???????????

So far most the bike engined mini's most come out very close to a perfect 50 50 front to rear split?????? Mine came out around 49/51 which I thought was rather good to be honest! Petes pickup was 49.8/50.2 if i remember correctly. From memory i think the honda engined are nearer to 40/60 but still not bad at all.

And snap oversteer?? Have you ever driven one?? They oversteer when pushed very hard or driven in the wet but i don't think I've heard anyone say they are anything but very controllable?! nothing snappy at all!!! I've certainly never had mine spin on me...... sideways sure but never all the way round......... except when turning it around with lots of throttle

[ChipsezMini!]

49/51 is great! and would have stopped me from asking the question. I thought I had seen something on the zCars site about 40/60, but the only thing I can find now is for the Monte @ 47/53.

Weight distribution does have a great effect on the amount and severity of over/under steer, (eg early 911s.) Toyota staggered the tire sizes on the MR2 to introduce more understeer and protect "average" drivers from what they viewed as potentially dangerous.

Sadly, I have not had a chance to drive or ride in a RWD Mini. I would jump at the opportunity, but they're a bit scarce over here.

Thanks for responding.... the ignorant (I) can be educated!

[z cars chris]

its a pity you are in the USA because i could demo one to you
we get dozens of different customers visiting the workshops in all sorts of cars ive never demoed to anyone that hasnt been impressed by the stable and neutral handling charectoristics of the cars
i know im selling them but the proof is in the pudding we are racing one of the standard roadgoing minis in a sports and saloon car championship over here its a pretty wild series as there are every mortal type of car from caterham sevens through turbo charged mazda rx7 and fully spaceframed ford sierra with a 700 bhp v8 chevrolet engine under the fibreglass shell
we usually have around 25 starters and the standard normally aspirated mini has come home 6th,7th,4th 4th 5th overall its always been first or second in class (up to 1600cc) and last weekend in the pouring rain was second overall for over half the race before two of the big hp guys crept past on the longest straight through sheer horsepower (see race report on race section of z cars garage)
on 8x13 wheels and used formula renault slicks in the dry we regularily pull a sustained 1.4 g around the bends
ive driven thousands of miles with the cars now and never ever spun even when racing the things flat out,when they reach the limit its easy to catch the car as you are sat slap bang on the point of balance you can feel every movement of the chassis and correct easily any over steer or understeer
if you ever have to come over to the uk at all please do visit the works and i will give you a guided tour and demo the cars to you
chris

[ChipsezMini!]

Thanks for the reply Chris.

I wasn't bad-mouthing your cars, just trying to learn... Ade's reply helped a lot and yours finished it.

I'm still planning a zCars conversion and currently trying to aquire a "base" for the conversion. Its seems the VIN# of the "1970" car I was considering is actually a 1991! If this was discovered during the registration, I would be stuck with a car that could not be modified.

Believe me, if I get to the UK I will be paying you a visit.

PS - I had already read Chris #2's race report. Sounds like too much fun!
PPS - Do you have any figures on the f/r weight of a race spec typeR conversion?

Edited by ChipsezMini!, 07 July 2007 - 08:43 PM.

[z cars chris]

the v tec is 60% rear 40% front.
it feels different to the hyabusa versions if you imagine the bike version sits on top of the road and will respond like a ballerina being light and very responsive
the honda feels like a much the same however you feel like its more grounded and it gets more traction off tight bends because it weighs more and the weight is directly in front of the rear axle it sort of feels like a grown up version of the bike engined car
chris