324 replies to this topic

[thelegg]

So I've been wanting to do a 16v conversion for a while due to the unreliable nature of the A series engine and also the fact that I keep chucking money at it and it still goes wrong. A few months back my gearbox decided to go bang and seeing as the mini was coming off the road for welding I decided it would be the best time to start the conversion.

My plan is to use a modified mini subframe so that I can keep the original suspension set up with a custom inlet manifold so that I don't have to cut a big hole in my bulkhead and crossmember ! It's also all fitting under a standard length round nose front
so here's a few pics showing the general welding that I've done and also a few pics of my subframe jig

 

DE0FA7D9-0877-4167-B7FA-19A496357BD0_zpswjkpkfgo by Ryan Legg, on Flickr

 

FB_IMG_1445951433627_zpsqq1ovchl by Ryan Legg, on Flickr

 

A0A85A80-0E34-40AD-A5DF-D63710CDA53E_zps5v6d6x45 by Ryan Legg, on Flickr

 

DA2C142C-C26F-4682-A727-699AE7FCE9AF_zps9f67eqee by Ryan Legg, on Flickr

 

BCC3102F-95AE-46B2-8C02-532156E69735_zpsbvxrkbow by Ryan Legg, on Flickr

 

2BAC6130-C1C5-485F-BE93-267F2BBDC3C7_zpsqifjnikz by Ryan Legg, on Flickr

 

D605D573-5212-4292-9517-BE9CE3538968_zpssqewlzvl by Ryan Legg, on Flickr

 

F4E9A3C0-E697-44C8-B25B-ADEDEEA1616F_zps9tmtkwhg by Ryan Legg, on Flickr

 

F67D0511-23FB-4E52-A1BC-49A4AA463C39_zpsynzjvfpj by Ryan Legg, on Flickr

 

20150917_195509_zpsdbq6pgrb by Ryan Legg, on Flickr

 

20151012_183510_zpsxkkjtam3 by Ryan Legg, on Flickr

 

received_10153069347046372_zpsmefxbak2 by Ryan Legg, on Flickr

 

More updates soon to follow

Edited by thelegg, 04 July 2017 - 09:39 PM.

[thelegg]

After hunting for the perfect donor car I finally found one, only problem was it was a 545 mile round trip but the micra only had 29 thousand on the clock with a full service history so I decided to hire a truck n trailer and set off to get it with my mate Chris butler.
Once we arrived it soon became clear we were at a scrap yard and there in a heap under another car was the micra straight away I thought "oh dear"

 24E18C5A-4707-4B83-ABF6-0733B98D0E15_zpsjqvmp54v.jpg   83.75K   4 downloads

He picked it up with a fork lift and dropped it in the middle of the yard and surprise surprise it didn't start 😡 the distributor was smashed to bits but not wanting to leave empty handed I knocked the bloke down to £100 and loaded it up

 62044D4C-C845-46D0-AEFB-87814FF23725_zpsvh7gtce6.jpg   38.61K   5 downloads

Once back home I fitted a new distributer and it roared into life and sounded sweet as a nut so all in all I'd say I've done well I even took it for a little drive round my yard :)

engine out

 20151026_213250_zpspo8rrf3z.jpg   62.8K   2 downloads

Next job will be to finish removing the loom and any other important bits before starting to build my subframe

Edited by thelegg, 02 July 2017 - 09:36 PM.

[thelegg]

Got the loom removed last night, there's so many wires tho 😮

[Carlos W]

Got the loom removed last night, there's so many wires tho

Wiredbywilson has wired up one of these before.

[WiredbyWilson]

Yup, we wired up the micra engine in 666junky s car.

We needed to install a separate fusebox for the micra side of things and it took a while to identify the wiring because she wanted to keep the stock immobiliser.

[thelegg]

Well the plan is to use stalks from the micra so all the switches and relays will be kept but the problem I seem to be having is half the wires in the loom are different colours than the Haynes diagrams and I also have lots of plugs that weren't connected to anything, I've identified some as driving lights so I'm guessing the others are also lights of some sort ?

[WiredbyWilson]

Personally I wouldn't over complicate things by keeping too much Micra stuff. The mini system works and can be upgraded fairly easily. Also to use the stalks you have to keep the full Micra fusebox.... which will include far more than you need. In fact you'd probably end up splicing the mini loom into the fusebox and its gonna get messy...

 

I recently wired a Honda B18 into a mini and we decided to keep the two separate because its easier. We are reducing the standard loom to basic functions while upgrading the headlight loom to a WBW Non-Total Failure item with spotlights included.

 

Each to their own but making mpi stalks fit a non-mpi is hard enough - i wouldn't want to try and make non-mini fit and work as well.

Edited by WiredbyWilson, 30 October 2015 - 02:00 PM.

[WiredbyWilson]

But give me a shout if i can help - I had the same problem re the Haynes not matching the physical loom.

[Carlos W]

Each to their own but making mpi stalks fit a non-mpi is hard enough - i wouldn't want to try and make non-mini fit and work as well.

And make the self cancelling etc work? 

 

I'm not sure it's worth the hassle!

[thelegg]

Well I always like a challenge lol if it doesn't work then I can just plug the mini loom in for everything none engine related, so far I've removed the air bag wiring and all the stuff from the rear of the loom except for stop lights etc. self cancelling indicators wow such luxury lol I've never had them in my mini.
Thanks for the offer of help I shall keep you in mind :) I think before I chop much more out I better get to a stage where I can plug the loom in to check everything still works.

Quick question what fuel tank/ fuel pump setups are people running ?

[thelegg]

Well after spending all of today taking the loom to bits I feel happy that everything is now clearly labeled up to make reconnecting "easy" and that I have removed all that I dare.
It's now been chucked in a box lol I've left all the central locking bits because I wasn't sure if there connected to the N.A.T.S security system anyone got any ideas ?

Edited by thelegg, 02 July 2017 - 09:30 PM.

[lawrence]

Wish I had taken the injection from my micra donor, only regret of my conversion

As someone who made their own frame and LJones will back me up here made sure you measure it accurately
On making the frame I've got some tips that will be handy
>Make sure you can remove the waterpump engine in situ.
>make sure you can take of the waterpump drive pulley with the engine in situ also
>make sure you can take the engine off the gearbox in situ

I had luck with all three on my frame design but only as a stroke of luck. For me to take the engine out and leave the gearbox on I had clearance on about 2mm with the gearbox all the way to the right. For your sake give yourself some more room when you make the side frame reinforcement parts!
Any questions ask. There's a few micra conversion chaps on here and the micra forum is handy too

Lawrence

[666junky]

Yaayyy another one! Had lots of fun building mine and you will learn alot too. Wired by wilson is the way to go, he worked wonders with mine and ive been able to use the imobiliser on an optional basis. Pretty useful backup :)

Im using an mpi tank and pump. The spi pump isnt strong enough to supply the correct pressure. Fortunately my car already had the lines running under the car but making your own is simple enough.
And make sure the alternator is lined up bang on straight or it can cause issues lol

[thelegg]

Wish I had taken the injection from my micra donor, only regret of my conversion
As someone who made their own frame and LJones will back me up here made sure you measure it accurately
On making the frame I've got some tips that will be handy
>Make sure you can remove the waterpump engine in situ.
>make sure you can take of the waterpump drive pulley with the engine in situ also
>make sure you can take the engine off the gearbox in situ
I had luck with all three on my frame design but only as a stroke of luck. For me to take the engine out and leave the gearbox on I had clearance on about 2mm with the gearbox all the way to the right. For your sake give yourself some more room when you make the side frame reinforcement parts!
Any questions ask. There's a few micra conversion chaps on here and the micra forum is handy too
Lawrence

Hey I'm actually just reading through your build now :) Im pretty sure I've read all the others and I'm already on the micra forum due to driving one as my daily, when you say I need to leave clearance is that so I can change the clutch without removing the engine or something ?

[thelegg]

Yaayyy another one! Had lots of fun building mine and you will learn alot too. Wired by wilson is the way to go, he worked wonders with mine and ive been able to use the imobiliser on an optional basis. Pretty useful backup :)
Im using an mpi tank and pump. The spi pump isnt strong enough to supply the correct pressure. Fortunately my car already had the lines running under the car but making your own is simple enough.
And make sure the alternator is lined up bang on straight or it can cause issues lol

Hopefully I can keep nats on mine was always the plan from the beginning :) as for fuel lines I was going to rob them off the micra and plum them into which ever tank I go for