14 replies to this topic

[overbored]

Hi all. For reasons that relate to the driving dynamics, I would like to reinforce the frame of my Mini. Here in Italy it is not possible to equip a car with a rollbar so I'm looking for alternative ideas. Can anyone help with this? Thank you. 

 

Dario

 

[HarrysMini]

Are you talking about strengthening the shell or the subframes?

[overbored]

Both. Right now my car is a bare shell so it's the perfect moment to do such works.

[Dan]

  Simply seam welding it all makes a huge difference.

[overbored]

Thank you. Are there any images or previous posts to which I can refer?

[HarrysMini]

Here are some pictures of my rear subframe. It was seam welded and gusseted before being galvanised.

 

[pickuptruck1994]

On project binky they put tubes inside the sills to give extra strength

[overbored]

I've just seen the Episode 1. Terrific fun!

[sonikk4]

Inside the car at the rear under the seat is the heelboard. This is spot welded in place so if you were to strip off all of the sealant and providing there is no rust then this can be seam welded. The same applies to the toeboard as well.

 

The seat crossmember is another good candidate for seam welding. 

 

Under the bonnet the cross member is spot welded as well so this is another area that could be seam welded as well.

 

There are ways you could add reinforcement but it would need some serious cutting and welding. This is when you start looking at the A, B and C pillar's and what you could possibly insert inside them. Also with the roof lining out there are the internal channels inside the roof panel that could be adapted. 

 

It really boils down to materials and ability but there is always a way to do things and keep them hidden.

[Sheikh Pip]

Blimey, who welded that Harry? Were there lots of Pigeons about?

 

 

 

Here are some pictures of my rear subframe. It was seam welded and gusseted before being galvanised.

 

[tiger99]

Once it is seam welded, and attention given to particularly the A pillars, the next way of increasing stiffness is by foam filling the sills and lower A pillars. Now that will be controversial, and some will say that it will cause corrosion, but I think the results achieved by BMC when they were doing that on early MK 1 models suggest otherwise, and it very significantly increased the torsional stiffness. Best done with plain sills fitted, without the drainage flutes, and these can be made by someone with a large enough folder. The seat crossmember also adds significant torsional stiffness, and should also be foam filled.

[overbored]

"It really boils down to materials and ability but there is always a way to do things and keep them hidden."

It sounds to me like some sort of illegal fun!  

I'm going to go into it. Thank you very much boys.

[HarrysMini]

 

Blimey, who welded that Harry? Were there lots of Pigeons about?

 

 

 

Here are some pictures of my rear subframe. It was seam welded and gusseted before being galvanised.

 

 

 

 

 

Yes, I would like to point out, that is not my welding!

 

I bought it like that with the galvanising done.

[sonikk4]

"It really boils down to materials and ability but there is always a way to do things and keep them hidden."
It sounds to me like some sort of illegal fun!  
I'm going to go into it. Thank you very much boys.

The chap I buy my metal from is a fabricating god and his current project a very very very heavily modified four wheel drive Cosworth Mini has got a very well hidden roll cage using the principles I have already mentioned. You do have to look twice to see how subtle it is. I will see if I can find some pictures.

[sonikk4]

Not the best picture i can find (deleted the others i think) but you can see the slightly different shaped A pillar and if you look carefully you can see the B pillar as well