20 replies to this topic

[Dosy]

Hey everyone, im posting this here mainly to ask for hints and tips,
i have a 1989 Mini City E, that had to come off the road august 2003, due to an unhealthy amount of rust on the front wings and a poor leaded 998cc that wasnt getting lead :sad:

Im in the process of finishing up at college and already have a part time job with an agreement to go full time come may/june.

i have decided to go for the honda vtec conversion cause it is an amazing engine, economic and powerful. i want to document the entire conversion on my site, im writing the php over the next few weeks so it should be up in a month or two.

anyways i would much appreciate it if you guys could give me advice/links to managing the project, what problems to expect and tutorials on how to complete some of the more difficult tasks

thanks in advance :grin:

[Jammy]

Ahhh, thats been asked a few tiimes on here, such do a search for V-Tec! As far as I'm aware theres four companies doing conversions; Watsons (widely regarded as the best), SAE, P & L, and i can't remember the fourth!!!

Any questions just ask or phone one of those companies and you should get all the info you need!!

[Dosy]

yeah id noticed these companies, ill probably be using p&l as they sell the modified subframe and extended front end

but what about a mini project in general, do you think i should learn to weld and do the body myself?

also how have you guys worked on a poor shell, ive seen people build jigs and rotate the mini to work on it, is this the best idea, it does look useful

ill do that search now

[Alburglar]

I think watson do these for less money and better quality. Give em a ring

[Jordie]

loook here http://www.16vmini.net/

and here http://www.16vmini.co.uk/

Watsons in wakefield dont show much on there website so you would need to ring.
P&L have fantastic customer service, prices can be abit steep on some items i find.

[Jammy]

I've only heard rubbish things about P&L, many people have said they have had to practically re-build the subframe they provide. I think its the front bar, it can twist under strain as it hasn't been strengthened properly. But ask around, and if your in a Mini club, go along to a meet and they'll probably be someone there that will know some stuff.

[Guess-Works.com]

Yeh would strongly recommened looking at some of the vtec conversions at the shows, even only to give the saliva glands some exercise... drooowll :fear:

[Dosy]

thanks for all that guys,

have any of you learnt to weld yourself?

to have my panels welded for me would cost much more than to buy a MIG welder
im generally capable at learning, but im more worried about how tidy it will look and more importantly how safe it will be. any thoughts?

[Brawlyrox]

Dosy, i would certainly reccomend learning to weld, but make sure u learn the correct welds for the correct places because iirc u can no longer spotweld at all on a shell.. so be very careful.

It certainly will be rewarding to do most of the work urself. One of the best things about minis :grin:

[Jammy]

What kind of welding is it on the shell, MIG, TIG? I've been thinking of learning myself for when I sort out the clubby!

[Dosy]

Yeah, i know what you mean about doing it yourself

i know where to get a welder, do you think something along these lines is the best way to learn to weld
any good books perhaps?

thanks alot :grin:

[Guess-Works.com]

Basically all you need is something/someone to show you what a good weld and a bad weld looks like, and then it's just a matter of practice..

I bought Petal as my learn to weld project. Had meself a mig welder and a book, and tried out a few test pieces then started. Must admit, by the time I'd got round the car, I was re-doing some of my first welds.

And before you start, invest in a CO2 Fire extinguisher... :cheese:

Edited by GuessWorks, 04 March 2005 - 03:29 PM.

[Guess-Works.com]

oohh on the subject of books, this is the one I read, whether it's good or bad... I'd leave a professional to decide, but it did ok for me.

Haynes Automotive Welding Manual

[Dosy]

cool, thanks guesswork, good shout on the fire extinguisher, knowing my luck something would catch fire.

ill have a look down in halfords for that book

[Dosy]

Just for anyone else wanting to learn to MIG weld, i found this helpful website

Learn To Weld i found it very helpful, although as it says, practice makes perfect