45 replies to this topic

[jack_marshall]

I'm doing my own 'subframe' yeah.

But it will be tubular be welded to the shell, not mounted.. then welded to the roll cage inside. If you get me?

Kind of semi-space frame.

[jack_marshall]

May have a motor sorted out.

Friend of my dads has a 16xe from an R reg Astra. Not sure if it will be C16xe or X16xe.. Got a feeling its a C16xe. Which is good.

Had the head reconditioned along with new pistons etc not so long ago. Only problem is it got ran low on oil so will need a crank and bearings or at least crank grind and bearings.

But its free!

[TimS]

Thats the best price. I know Morspeed can do you a crank and shells if you need it?

[blue redtop]

nice little project there.
1 question tho.
why do people get the 1.6 and eco-tec engines for there mini,is there a reason for this.ive owned 3 calibras a 8v c20ne--a eco and the famous redtop c20xe, and by far the c20xe engine is the best performing out of the 3.
we all know that the let engine wins hands down but there like a grand each.the 8v is bomb proof i will give it that but i would chose the redtop any day.

am i missing something.
sorry to hijack.(just learning)

[jack_marshall]

Good questions.

From the research I have done I shall explain what I think, I may be wrong or right.

The 1600 vauxhalls do actually perform as well as the 2 litre.. but vauxhall restricted it massively, so the 2 litre didn't look to be underpowered.

I was originally going to use a 2 litre.. but Vauxhall ceased production of that motor a long time ago. Where as the 1600's are newer and are 'plentiful' with less milage etc. So seemed the more sencible option.

Ive got to agree though that the old 8v is a sound engine. Absolutely rock hard and go for miles and miles and miles and still drive mint!

Also, Im 18. I am on a traders policy, but a 1600 will be easier to insure than a 2 litre Im sure!

[TimS]

The 1.6 also weighs a lot less than the 2.0 so although a little down on torque it keeps the handling very similar to the origional A series.

[blue redtop]

i see.
there was a reason after all.

[jack_marshall]

Well today I am totally confused yet inspired.

Took a ride to DJM motorsport today. www.djm-motorsport.co.uk. <--- Have a look if you want to know what theyre about and what they do.

My dads been mates with the bloke who owns the place for many years so we thought we'd go and ask his advice about which way to go with the mini.

This bloke knows his stuff! He showed me around a few of the cars they've built and gave me some basic do's and dont's. But now Im in a situation.. he obviously had alot of race car influence on me.. but I initally wanted this to be an everyday comfort car... He also told me its very hard to have both. So where this will go now Im not sure.

He also reckoned 10" wheels was a restriction if I wanted to up the power of the car in the future, because the small tyres and limited brake size would make the car abit dangerous. 13" and the biggest brakes I can find is what he recommended (Willwood brakes Im thinking now)

One good thing though.. He has alot to do with Pete at Fabricage so is going to ring him to see what he offers rollcage wise for a mini. Plus he pays half what the normal cost of CDS tubing and cages.. and I can have whatever I want at cost to him!

So where do I go with it now?!

[blue redtop]

order loads of cages and sell them on tmf.

[jack_marshall]

Err, no. Lol.

Thats just underhanded!

[Green_penguin]

Nice too see another young person building a vauxhall mini, My project is here http://forum.scottis...hread.php?t=964 . I have also gone for a 1.6 16v engine as im only 19, Ive gone for the easy option and just bought a subframe(just waiting for it to arrive then will have everything needed). Will be intresting to see your project progress. Hoping to have most of mine done over christmas/new year.

[jack_marshall]

Nice project mate, Ill be keeping an eye on it.

Mine is going to be a bit more long term, cause I want to spread the cost over time.. it dont hurt so much that way.

Looks like you've had a fair bit of shell welding to do as well. Luckily mine doesn't need any, after 6 months of welding my last project, I didn't fancy it again.

[Rob Himself]

Nice one mate!
What car was the engine out of? There are XE's and XEL's ... subtly different, but look identical.

I had one in my Astra ages ago... 99bhp standard, but very easy to tune - Vaux actually de-tuned them for a) reliability, b) more power and they'd be knocking on the doors of C20XE's!

Let me know if you need any help - I know these engines inside out

[mike.]

Sounds like a great project. Like the sound of the space frame cage type thing too....

[jack_marshall]

I just need to get christmas and a few things done and I can be making a proper start.

The motor should be coming out of a 1998 1600 16V Astra Estate.

Whats the difference between an XE and XEL then?