10 replies to this topic

[richard_p_keith]

Just some pictures of the engine/transaxle and the mini its going to be situated in.

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[mighty_mini]

im very envious of you! 4age being the best ever smallbore you could get, in the best ever car...

the ONLY way you could better this is to make it rwd

[richard_p_keith]

Yeah we were thinking of putting the engine in the back as a mid-engine rear wheel drive but from the power we are wanting to make it would be quite difficult and alot of bodywork to get good airflow. Haha plus its so much easier to put it in the front and cant you just imagine a nice t3/t4 hybrid turbo peaking out threw the front grille.

[richard_p_keith]

Have cut out both inner gaurds and mock fitted the engine in again, alternator is close but will clear aslong as i get enough back angle on the engine (which is what i was planing for a better Centre of gravity anyway) also the oil filter is catching but thats easy to remove and install when the engine gets the final fit and thats about all for slow ups otherwise its going to be an extremely easy install and cheap aswell. Steamcleaned mini subframe and is in really good condition so will probably alter it to fit the 4A-GE. Removed hubs and driveshafts from levin ready to start fitting to mini.

Costs so far (NZ$2.4 = about 1 pound)
Levin for transplant with engine, drivetrain and all brakes $300
Mini 1000 in reasonably tidy condition (no rust) $1000

Cheap so far at about 540 pound

[chairchild]

You Jammy sod!


What sort of suspension setup are you going to use?

[richard_p_keith]

You Jammy sod!


What sort of suspension setup are you going to use?

Im not actually all to sure yet, was actually hoping for some advice on what other people have found to be good set ups? Would like to put in coil overs but do you usually take out the hydrolastic suspension when you put the coil overs in or just leave it to make it rigid like a rock?

Measured up for cutting out the wheel arches and new flares. A set of mk1 escort works rally arches should give enough space to allow a set of 17x7s front and rear.

Also anyone got any quick pointers on where to start for lightening the car? carbon bonnet, boot and a striped interior what im aiming at so far. Want it weighing around 600kg. I know the engine, trans and turbo weighs about 160kg and the levin discs and hubs weigh the same as the mini hubs and drums coming off.

[Gilly2006]

this is a Good project! how its going at the mo? i gather thats the silvertop which is about 155bhp. should pull like stink!! blacktops are about 170bhp.

[morley]

what a project, i'm deffinantly going to be following this! it's gonna go like stink! can't wait to see the escort bubble arches fited

as for lightening, carbon roof, boot, bonnet, flipfront, boot floor, alloy door skins, polycarb windows

good luck with the project!

[Retro_10s]

Also anyone got any quick pointers on where to start for lightening the car?

start by chipping off all the sound deadening from the floor, and cutting the rear bins out Get minifin drums on the back, std drums are heavy! minifins are not!

do you usually take out the hydrolastic suspension when you put the coil overs in or just leave it to make it rigid like a rock

?

Take it out... there's no use for it once the coilovers are in

[wake_h20]

Hey, good to see another kiwi out there so you didnt have any problem fitting the motor under the standard legnth front? are you doing anything to stregnthen up the sub-frame or where it bolts onto the car? also, where are you planning on putting the radiator?

[Sam Walters]

to make it lightweight you need all the carbon panels you can find

i think 585 has been found with a cage, the front end being changed the boot and the roof skin only. oh and slidey windows
however you could get carbon doors parcel shelf boot floor, rear valance. whole front end and bumpers.