308 replies to this topic

[McMini 22]

I am currently about a year into my conversion. I had a build thread on 16v mini website but lost it all when they lost over a years worth of posts due to an error by the Web hoster.

I thought I would rebuild my build diary on here a wee bit at a time as there are more Micra conversions on here.

Build diaries have helped me so much and I hope that mine can help others who consider this conversion.

So here is my Mini. Its a 1974 and has been stuck in my garage for 16 years since the MG Metro engine started burning oil. Body work is solid and was all done up about a year before it went off the road.



I took a couple of days off and got it all sorted out and ready to start.
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Edited by McMini 22, 18 May 2016 - 01:48 PM.

[McMini 22]

So I bought a 1.3 Micra with 70 odd thousand miles on the clock for £300.  It was more than I wanted to pay but it was local so saved on hiring a trailer.

 

I made a jig and started hacking my subframe up.

 

I made a mock up of the subframe using conduit.

 

Subframe along with engine mounts

 

Engine in the frame

 

It's amazing how months of work can be sumarised so quickly!

 

 

[fuzzy-hair-man]

 

It's amazing how months of work can be sumarised so quickly!

 

 

 

Tell me about it! I've been trying to explain the work involved to friends but figure unless you've done it you don't really know. Even reading lots of build threads didn't properly prepare me.

 

Nice frame, I remember seeing it on 16v mini and thinking it looks neat.

[Karl w]

Your exhaust manifold looks interesting , is it one you have made from scratch ?

[railtown]

https://www.facebook...78600085743105/

[McMini 22]

Exhaust manifold is a Peugot 206 4-2-1 Stainless job that I picked up for a good price on Ebay.  It kicked over to the correct side so I took a gamble.  It was pretty close but required to be spaced a bit differently and would need a new flange.  So I cut the old flange off and cut down into the Y section.

 

Designed a new one with transition bungs

 

Had the flange CNCd, turned up and milled the bungs, tacked it all together and tried it on the car.

 

It  still needs a bit of work but I'll get back on to it when the engine is in (for real).

 

I bought a 40 Amp alternator fro a Kubota Tractor.  Had to mod the threaded stud and turn up a new pulley wheel.  Its tiny!

 

 

 

 

 

 

[McMini 22]

Inlet plenum complete. Still needs a good polish but I'm happy with the way it turned out.



So this is how I got there -
I bought a 4 inch U section pipe and some 38mm ID 3mm wall pipe. I cant claim credit for the design as i knicked the idea from a photo i found on one of my many evenings looking through internet. I machined the manifold flange down. I bent the down tubes using a pipe bender.
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I CAD modeled it which helped loads with working out where to cut the 4 inch pipe.


I spun some inlet trumpets with mixed success. I eventually got 4 gooduns.
URL=http://s122.photobuc...95001.jpg.html][/URL]

I made a flange for the end and welded it all up.




Well that's me pretty well up to date. Missed out all the dull stuff.

[fuzzy-hair-man]

Nice inlet manifold, good job!

[McMini 22]

Thanks. The manifold took me ages. I didn't want to rush it as i don't have much TIG experience.

I just managed to get a couple of hours on the mini and got the brake calipers painted in 2k silver. The hubs, brake shields and top arms got a coat of 2k black last week so now I can trial build the suspension to work out where the flexi to solid brake pipe brackets will fit on the subframe. Then i need to strip it all to finish welding the subframe.

[McMini 22]

Modified the end of the accelerator pedal to take the Micra cable. I had to cut the length of the cable down a bit too. It all works great but may be a problem when carpet is fitted. Easy to bend the pedal a bit.

[thelegg]

Was following this on 16v forum looks great :)

[McMini 22]

I had to re register on the 16v forum as my registration was lost with the problems they had.

Anyway, some more progress.
I wanted another engine mount/torque arm on the back of the engine. There are 3 M10 holes in the block under the water pump. I made a plate up in 6mm plate and drilled the holes to fit the block.

This is the other part that will weld on to the subframe tower. All the bolt holes will be slightly slotted so i will get adjustment in all directions. I need to remake the bit that welds on. It's too narrow.



This is how it fits. The bit that bolts to the plate on the engine has a poly bush cast into it.


How are others finding their Micra conversions for engine movement?

[fuzzy-hair-man]

Not much movement at all (less than 10mm) on landrover mounts mounted at 45 degrees and to get that you've got to lever it with a pry bar or similar.

[McMini 22]

Not much movement at all (less than 10mm) on landrover mounts mounted at 45 degrees and to get that you've got to lever it with a pry bar or similar.

I suspected there was not much movement as no one had mentioned it. I realise this mount is probably excessive but I'd hate to look back and wish I had done it.

[McMini 22]

Heater hoses -
On both the micra and mini the top hose on the heater connects to the cylinder head. The bottom heater hose connects to the bottom radiator to pump hose.
Is it important that they are connected like this?
If it needs to go this way then the top hose will have a tight double back over the heater box.

Edited by McMini 22, 01 June 2016 - 11:02 PM.