104 replies to this topic

[PhoenixSimon]

hello
im tottaly new to the mini scene but not the car scene.
Ive bought a 1275 mini phoenix of one of the other forum members. Its a one peice fibreglass body built by an ex lotus engineer (the same one who built the mini marcos) from what I can find out its 1 of 54 ever made but info is very hard to come by.

My plan is to take it apart and replace any bits that need it and add a few nice bits along the way.

So far ive stripped off all the rear subframe and associated bits and got:
new rear frame and support pins
new back plates, brake shoes, springs and wheel cylinders.
braided hoses
poly bushes
mini fins
spax rsx lowered coilovers
new brake lines (when ive made them up)
new wheel bearings
radius arms overhall kit
and probably a few other bits so im hoping ive got everything I need to get the rear all back together.

only pics ive got at the mo are when I first got it but will take some more as soon as I can.

Any help or input would be welcomed and any local clubs to me ( I live near middlesbrough)

cheers Simon

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[RacingGreen]

definately a great project, something different, i will be keeping a track with how it goes, should be great when finished

Are you keeping it that colour?

[PhoenixSimon]

yeah due to it being all fibrglass even the floor! I reckon the brighter the better for less risk of being crashed into.
cheers Simon

[THedooBZ]

the rear lights look a bit strange, but otherwise i think it looks ace already, definitely different. if you could get hold of documentation to prove its rarity it would be a good selling point if the day ever came for it to move on.

what are you thinking of doing to it as you've eliminated the minis biggest killer already...........

[size=7]RUST[size=7]

o how i envy you GRP guys.

[Jordie]

tynemouth mini club.

http://www.tynemouth...forum/index.php

[PhoenixSimon]

"the rear lights look a bit strange, but otherwise i think it looks ace already"

the rear lights are from a robin rilato or reliant robin. Im not sure what to do with the back end, hopefully some different lights or at light some clear/smoked ones, but i might change them alltogether.
Im thinking of taking out the rear window and making two small windows to give it more of a van look. Then making a stainless/chrome cover to go over the bumper portion which is actually part of the tailgate, and blacking out the rear windows. Inside is going to be corbeau classics in black with chrome bits and peices inside and probably a 12" sub in the rear wheel well so you cant see it.
Any ideas would be welcomed!!!!
cheers simon

thanks jordie for the mini club link i will have a look.

[PhoenixSimon]

bit of an update
the rear frame is all painted and now polybushed, the radius arms will hopefully be back in tommorow if I can fit the new internals.
The shocks are together and should be bolted up and the brake lines I can make as tommorow the braided hoses and the new rear back plates etc should be here.

All the parts so far have come from Min-its and the guy there has been spot on with both advice, stock actually in stock and prices. No doubt he be hearing my credit card number some more in the future.

Couldnt resist taking a photo of the new vs old suspension set up.
cheers simon

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[binge]

Dont want to Hi-jack this. but Just a quick question on the Coil-overs.

If I was to fit Coil-overs, W0ould that eliminate the need for the trumpets (or in some cases, the Hi-lows).

Does the spring on the shock provide the "Lift" for the car too?


And if it does, is it no necessary to re-enforce or beef up the mointings for these shocks?


<|Ben|>

[miniboo]

yes it does binge. coilovers replace everything to the right in the picture

[Woody]

I wish i had seen that for sale

[PhoenixSimon]

I think that nobody was interested due to the reliant rear end but its all fibreglass so I can play about with it and change it pretty easily. I love the no rust thing as this was a bit put off for me having to not only sort mechanicals but also bodywork.

The way I figure it any monkey can swing a spanner but it takes an artist to do bodywork right and im no artist by any means!! I have enough trouble with my spanners!

cheers Simon

[v8mini]

if i was you i would check the top shock mount is strong enough for the coilovers, as they will now take the weight of the car as opposed to just taking the damping from the shock absorber.

[foster]

Hey si, looks like your getting stuck in mate! hope it all goes well for ya, what you do with the old subframe as i may be needing one!
I see you are gonna be using coilovers, im sure you already know but the wheel arch area will need to be strengthened to cope with the forces they produce.
dont hesitate to give me a call if you need any help mate

chris

[PhoenixSimon]

hello
I didnt realise it would have that much effect on the top mount, how would anyone suggest reinforcing the top mount to cope with the extra force/weight?
cheers simon

Chris I will give you a ring.

[Mini Mad James]

hello
I didnt realise it would have that much effect on the top mount, how would anyone suggest reinforcing the top mount to cope with the extra force/weight?
cheers simon

Chris I will give you a ring.

Ive never heard of this either someone please explain

I was going to put coilovers on my mini, can you buy stronger mounts?