17 replies to this topic

[GreaseMonkey]

hey,

Just pondering if you have to chop the inner wings when fitting a removable fiberglass front ?

Can you keep them ?

Thanks

[Bungle]

you could get away with trimming them a bit but the brace bars will get in the way of some of the metal work

[minidan]

hey,

Just pondering if you have to chop the inner wings when fitting a removable fiberglass front ?

Can you keep them ?

Thanks

you dont HAVE to . most people do though to make better access to the engine and stuff. makes sense to cut them off.

[GreaseMonkey]

So if i keep them i dont need to fit brace bars ?

[minidan]

no you still need brace bars.

[*DJH*]

No you don't i've had my car for 4 years now and that's gone through all it's MOTs and i've NEVER had any problems with flex whatsoever.

[minidan]

so you are using just the tower bolts and the rear subframe mounts. nothing at the front at all.

[GreaseMonkey]

Eh im confused now ??? I was thinking that the only reason you need brace bars when FLIPFRONTING is because you removed the inner wings to do so ?

Surely you dont need them when fitting just a removable front and keeping the inner wings ?

[minidan]

the brace bars are supposed to replace the front mountings (the tear drop mounts) otherwise you are only using 2 out of the normal 3 mounting places.

[*DJH*]

so you are using just the tower bolts and the rear subframe mounts. nothing at the front at all.

that's right

if it's a fibreglass flip or removeable front, you do need brace bars, if it's a removeable steel front, then as long as the front is fastened adequately, then i can't see why you need them, i've done lots of trackdays and never had a problem.

[minidan]

if it's a fibreglass flip or removeable front, you do need brace bars

thats what i was on about.

[The Matt]

No you don't i've had my car for 4 years now and that's gone through all it's MOTs and i've NEVER had any problems with flex whatsoever.

MOT testers are just that, MOT testers, not structural engineers. A vehicle passing an MOT means naff all to do with how safe a modification is.

[Custom_Minis]

At a push, the only way you could get away with not having brace bars was if you solid mounted the front subframe - not poly bushes! (alloy tops and solid heelboard mounts).
It worked very well on the earlier Minis with 2 bolt type subframe as the heelboard/floor mounts were mounted straight to the shell.

Although nowadays, its common practice to fit brace bars. The Mini is not the best car to crash and they will dramatically stiffen the front end up due to the near triangle they make once fitted, so for the sake of £40 they'll allow you sleep a little easier!

Edited by Custom_Minis_Ltd, 06 January 2008 - 06:52 PM.

[Pooky]

so you are using just the tower bolts and the rear subframe mounts. nothing at the front at all.

as long as the front is fastened adequately, then i can't see why you need them

But dzus fasters or bonnet pins can't compete with welded panels surely? How do you fix your front end adequately yet keep it easily removable?

[minidan]

my thoughts exactly.