Keith's & Paul's Builds

[substitute]

Hi everyone, another couple of converts...

Having been inspired by SpNOam's excellent conversion at Castle Combe in September 2008, (and in this month's press!) I have since acquired the basic bits of kit I think I need. This includes the rather late discovery in the MiniWorld Ads of a part converted mk3 mini 'unfinished project' already fitted-out with a home-brew subframe and engine and a number of boxes of bits; wiring loom, manifolds etc. Even so, some serious effort is obviously needed to finish off!

I am now ready to commence my conversion in February this year as is my fellow club member, Paul, alongside it so we can both problem-solve and work together (using the project car as a start guide).

I currently run a self-modified 1330 turbo (102bhp/109lbs/ft) in my '66 modified shell (mini magazine - Jan'99 so this is the 'next incarnation' of it.

Paul's is a '63 Morris Mini Minor Super Deluxe which is currently being stripped back for some essential body repairs.

We look forward to regularly posting our progress on the forum.

We will have problems but, happily, there is a mine of info on here...

Keith & Paul

These are our project minis...

The Blue One...Unfinished Project Some work to do


The Red One... 1330 Turbo (15psi)


The Green One... The (future) Wolf

[miniswift]

Hi,

Welcome guys.
I have started mine long time ago and still doing it!
If I can help you in anyway, I will let you know.

Cheers
Atchi

[Andy_S]

Welcome to the dark side

[substitute]

Thanks Atchi, any and all help will be most welcome along the way.
Andy, How dark will it get?
K'n'P

[miniswift]

We haven't heard anything for a while from you boys!
Any progress?

Cheers
Atchi

[substitute]

Hi Atchi - thanks for the nudge
Been 'distracted' with a number of things (but no excuses eh?!)
The Green One: Now in bits and boxed up ready for full body restoration
The Red One: Had to replace turbo (lunched itself) and an in process of adding intercooler (ready for Castle Combe Action Day).
The Blue One: This will be the first on the road. Needs some repair work - still in storage (a fair distance away).

We have just got confirmation of a 'hobby' workshop to rent (shared by 3 of us) 10m x 10m from this month (Sep.10) can collect everything together in one place and get busy over the winter. Looking forward to getting on with them with more space than a crowded unheated garage to work in

Been looking at this biva issue of late. No question it is a bit of a worry (who wants a Q plate on a classic 'shell?) but no one seems to have any definative answers - very frustrating.

[Joah]

Ah a fellow oxfordshire member! only just come across this but remember seeing the red one about, part of AMOC aint you? I really need to do the same with a workshop but my missus would hate it as I would permenantly be there!

[substitute]

Hi Joah,
Absolutely right (AMOC Club Treasurer).
Also right on the workshop front. My missus was not best pleased but is over it now - even said she may have to bring sunday dinners over to me... result or what!?
Have a way to go with these 3 but it is about time they are blessed with the modern engines BL/ARG should have got around to doing a long time ago. My turbo A-series is about as far as is possible to go balancing performance and reliability (for IMM round trip every year especialy) +++ you get a 5 speed tranny out of the deal... sweet

[substitute]

Update at long last...!

Blue is now a bare shell we have had a couple of weekends 'on a mission' after signing up for IMM2012.

More tin-worm found than expected. fresh tin to order this week.

No going back now - a good thing

[substitute]

Another Update...

Working hard on the Blue One - Hungary IMM2012 is looming ever closer!!!

The subframe it came with was badly engineered; No box sections, no triangulation... No confidence in it. Acquired an Allspeed fabrication and a 'spare' shell to use for dry-fit etc. while the repaired body (Welding by Andy Butcher), currently close to completion for Paint, is progressed elsewhere.



We have the unit sat in the Allspeed subframe in the spare 'shell so close to sorting out the fit





Looking through the various builds to try and work out why it is sitting a bit high so we can ease it into a sensible/recognisable position in the engine bay on the weekend.

The Inlet Manifold is fouling on the bulkhead (standard)



I remember reading the Mk1 Inlet Manifold is a better fit (?). I have a spare and it is in to be shortened by 25mm (Thanks Rob Walker). I won't mind a little local reshaping of the bulkhead on the Blue One but would like to solve the problem before pitching into the conversion of the Green One (MK 1) as we don't want to compromise the original shell if possible.

Comments on the above issues would be very welcome at the moment... every weekend and evening counts.

My Photobucket Album Links:
Bodywork: http://s697.photobucket.com/albums/v...0Blue%20Build/
Subframe: http://s697.photobucket.com/albums/v...ed%20Subframe/
Dry Fit: http://s697.photobucket.com/albums/v...e%20Dry%20Fit/


Cheers All

[substitute]

Decided to have the bulkhead modified to provide more manifold room on The Blue One (upside).

This has removed the holes for the Master Cylinders (Downside).

Cunning plan is to Reverse copy an original dual control kit (Discovered by Paul on eBay - Double Stroke of Luck as my Lad is learning to drive) so the Masters are on the Passenger side.



Another drawing to do

[Birdman]

Yes, that is what I look at doing a while back with HE-MAN dual controls. If you use two mini pedal boxes and modify the drivers side clutch pedal to have a seperate pivot, you can then run a shaft across under the dash to conect to the other pedal box for the braking. In the end I ran out of space so didn't bother.

[substitute]

Bought a 1986 Honda CRX today ONE owner!!, low mileage FSH and a 1.6 that revs freely and doesn't smoke at all. NSF wing (plastic) shattered and bodywork pretty much pants. Overall though an unexpected Total Result

http://s697.photobucket.com/albums/v...n/Honda%20CRX/

Will tuck it up for next year's next project... a bit busy at the moment as The Green One is finally off for welding in 2 or 3 weeks so we have more space in the workshop to put together The Blue One for IMM 2012 - Hungary

[Purtsi]

I'll come and check your Mini at Balatonfüred then

[spNOam]

You either have to use all MK1 bits or all MK2 bits, that is if your using the swift ecu, it won't like it otherwise. You can probably get it to work with a mix and match but it'll be loads of hassle.
MK1 fits with no bulkhead mods MK2 no such luck but its only a small mod.