117 replies to this topic

[Deanios]

well here goes
i bought this van a few months ago that had been a vvc originally but nothing was straight in the engine bay ie subframe and nothing really lined up,rough is the word.
some of you might know the van!
my intensions were to put a zx10r bike engine in the rear but due to funds i decided to put the vvc back in and make a new subframe etc,therefore i had to get all the relevant parts,plenum chamber,engine loom,alternator,ecu,5as and the list goes on,im sure it would have been cheaper to just buy a scrapper and rob all the parts off that,lol

after getting all the bits together i set about making a new subframe,bit daunting at first going at it blind,
i havent had a mini since i was 17 so it was many years ago.
will post a few pics and see what you all think of what ive done so far,
good comments,bad comments,help,advice is all welcome and taken as constructive criticism.

pictures to follow shortly

[Deanios]

 18.jpg   49.04K   104 downloads

the start of the subby build

Edited by Deanios, 10 September 2012 - 09:21 PM.

[Deanios]

the lump 1.8 vvc 143 bhp

[Jordie]

sounds just like my project, 1.8VVC in a clubvan

[Deanios]

ive spent many hours scratching my head over this,
will check out your build jordie

[Jordie]

Not much to see at the minute, welding rusty bits with new metal.

[Deanios]

will get some more pics posted later

[charie t]

Why is the bar between the towers split into 3 matey?
Looks a good start though

[Deanios]

good question,thats what i thaught,that was somebody elses attempt and didnt want to alter it just yet,
ive cut all the rest of the crap off and started a fresh apart from the bar between the towers,
once the rest is braced i will cut it off and put it straight and make it neat.

[Deanios]

the lump, looks to big for a mini,im sure it will be fun to drive!  19.jpg   50.1K   55 downloads

[Deanios]

subby coming together quite well,hit a few snags but got around them,will take some more pics.
has anybody used a 52mm throttle body on the 143bhp engine and can you tell the difference?

[charie t]

use the body of the 52mm and all the sensors from your original engine
If you have an alloy sump, pretty sure you do, the drivers side lower brace will cause you clearance issues with the bonnet/wing

[Deanios]

whats the plus side of using a 52mm,gain more hp? induction roar? etc

[charie t]

less restrictive

[Deanios]

ok i will use the 52mm body,
i came across the clearance issue on the drivers side sump so i lifted the mount and adjusted/cut and welded the frame where it was close.
final welding of the frame at the weekend and brake flexy mounts to weld in then off for galvanising.