16 replies to this topic

[Jimbo Limbo (Trials Chimp)]

Hi,

My mini was in an accident and all the front panels have been damaged. I thought this would be the perfect excuse to fit a carbon flip front. However I have spoken to MiniSpeed who say that the fronts are the exact same measurements as a standard mini front.
This gives me a problem as I had to grind my standard arches to fit my wheels in. How would i go about cutting the carbon?
Or does anyone produce a carbon front that is made to fit bigger wheels without the need to modify it?

Thanks.

[Jammy]

Not sure on your exact questions, but I will say that if your have another little accident with your mini, a carbon front will be ALOT more expensive to replace or repair than a fibreglass front.

[Jimbo Limbo (Trials Chimp)]

Yeah I see your point there, Fibreglass would be ok, but again id need to know how to cut the arches to fit my wheels in?

[minimole]

if you take it some where to be fitted you need not worry about it because they will fit it for you thats of course if the trust the place to fit it

[AlexM]

Fit a steel flip front, the perfect compromise!

[Jimbo Limbo (Trials Chimp)]

Thanks for the replies.
I dont really want a steel one as part of the attraction of a carbon / glass fibre front is that it will not rust. I'd prefere to do as much of the work myself as possible as im trying to keep the cost down.
I'm very tempted to go for the fibreglass option, I havnt found any advice on the net saying i cant grind it, only that the resulting dust could irritate my eyes and skin, which isnt a problem, however some advice from someone who has fitted one before would be good as I have not attempted anything like this before.

[binge]

Im in the same situation. The front end of my car is about 20% filler! :tongue:

So Im going to be replacing the drivers side door, Both A-pannels, Scuttle pannel. And fitting a fiberglass flip front.

Cutting fiberglass is easy, you can cut the arches with a jigsaw with a fine blade on it.

Im just a bit unsure about flipfronts too.

Does anybody have a guide to doing the conversion, I understand that box rail need to be welded down the front of the car to act as a sway bar and reinforce the front end.


Anybody know if its possible to have the flip front clamp down with bonnet pins rather than those yukky looking clippy things across the scuttle and A pannels?


<|Ben|>

[Jimbo Limbo (Trials Chimp)]

http://members.lycos...ont_intro_2.htm This guides pretty good.

The bars you need are called brace bars and theyre about £30 from Minispped.

[simong6]

again here is where we call on the services of smudger he quoted me £250 for a 2pc carbon flip just waiting for the ex to stop trying to take all my money from me so that i can buy it!!!!!

[Guess-Works.com]

How to flip front is on the tmf_cd :cheese:

Edited by GuessWorks, 19 October 2005 - 08:28 AM.

[simong6]

How to flip front is on the tmf_cd :cheese:

which is very informative and reasonably priced, if you don't already have a copy may i suggest you buy one!!!




ha ha shameless plug there GW!!!!!!

this way

[oggy1380]

get an ian curly carbon front,i had no problems at fitting mine,it lined up very nice,my front was only 200 quid,and far better than fibre glass,its easy 2 cut,just use a diomand coated cutting blade,just think it will never rust,just dont crash.if ur cuting fibre glass just cover ur skin up,ive bin wrking with the stuff 4 6years and i stll ich afer playing with it,and ware a mask 2

[Jimbo Limbo (Trials Chimp)]

Thanks for your help, I've gone for a Curly Fibreglass front, it sounded easier to cut and its a lot cheaper. It'll be hard to tell the difference when its painted anyway so i didnt think it was worth the extra for carbon fibre.

[Bam]

If you are going to get a flip front end then i would recomned a one peice. it doesnt look as good but it is stronger than the two peice front neds. you can get a one peice for £99.99 from www.customminis.co.uk. if you want to cut out the arches then you can get special cutting tools to fit onto a jigsaw.

[binge]

it looks like alot of work to fit a flip front.

Its just, Im really scared about the front end of me car, I dont know how rotton it is behind the front. theres filler in every joint!

:saywhat: