184 replies to this topic

[micraminiman]

New genuine Nissan sump arrived today, prime for modifying to clear the tie rod.

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[thelegg]

Think my exhaust was off an mg-zr or a MGF I can check back through my build thread and let you know if it helps ?

[micraminiman]

Aye, dare say any info would be great, thanks. Picked up a few old tubular manifolds at the weekend, but still need the main 1.5" bends at the top yet if I go the complete home made route.

[lawrence]

For mine I stuck rover exhaust in eBay. Can't remember what the name was so just looked at the photos. There were loads of mild steel ones for £20ish quid

[micraminiman]

I dont suppose you have a pic do you? Theres loads, but they all have the large pre-cat.

[Artstu]

I dont suppose you have a pic do you? Theres loads, but they all have the large pre-cat.

 

Most of the ones I've seen use the 4-bolt MGF manifold, you need the lower Rover 200 part as well of course, and some lose the flange.

 

 

Edited by Artstu, 06 September 2016 - 01:22 PM.

[micraminiman]

Excellent Artstu! I have found both, a used manifold, and a brand new set of 200 downpipes and flexy! Im pure delighted! Thanks very much.

[McMini 22]

Micramini - only thing to be careful of is that the mounting flange between these pipes comes in 4 stud and 6 stud so make sure you have a match unless you are welding them together.

[micraminiman]

I bought both in 4 bolt versions. If the flange is too big, I will get rid of it. Maybe use overlap joiner pieces and clamps so it can still be removable?

[McMini 22]

I had to make my manifold in 4 parts as the manifold will not fit down the front of the engine with the bends in the bottom end.
Sometimes I wish I'd gone for a removable front end.

[micraminiman]

I must say I will never go back to a regular front end. The steel flip/removable front is brilliant. So much more room to play with. I will make up some inner wings this time though in alloy or similar to keep dirt away.

[micraminiman]

Another evening in the garage and the engine, frame and hubs etc are all stripped off the car and back to a bare frame again ready for more welding this weekend. Also modified my new genuine sump pan that came from ebay using various hammers, beating it carefully into shape to clear the tie rod on the O/S.

I turned my replacement 1.0 crank pulley on the lathe yesterday, and removed the outer section of pulley. This has allowed the engine to move over by another 16mm towards the O/S and allows the N/S driveshaft to be as long as possible then as I was advised to do. (See I do listen to advice! lol)

 This weekend I will be plating up the rear area between the mounts, and also plating up the front tie rod mounts on the frame.

I will also be going over some poor welds with my new Mig welder to see how it fares against the dreaded dirt and crud trapped between the plates of the old subframe bits that was blowing holes in my Arc welds. Looks great on first trials though.

Have been getting a steady supply of parcels at home. The exhaust bits have begun to arrive, and my Mpi fuel tank is now on its way here as well. The wife is going nuts! Hahahahaha........

[micraminiman]

Frame is finally finished!!

 Its been a very busy weekend in the garage, but its worth it.

Here you can see the pics of the 3mm plate I added between the rear floor mounts to beef up that area a wee bit.

I also used 3mm to plate up the front tie rod mounts. They are now tough as old boots.... Should do the job just fine.

I test fitted the frame to the Mini again, and it fits just perfectly.

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[micraminiman]

Engine fitted back into the Mini, and chocked into position using 7mm thick wood to get a good fit in all the tight places and ensure even gaps on each side and around the diff casing etc.

I'm now very happy with the location, and the low front crossmember I wanted will allow me to keep the hinge line low as I had it before. This allows the front end to hinge completely vertical, and gives loads of room to work on the engine without removing it.

 I have made up some nice cardboard engine mounts so I have some templates to cut out the 5mm plate steel for the mounts.

 

 I then tested the front end back on just to make sure it all fits right before finally making up the mounts this coming week. Main engine plates for the front two mounts are cut out, ready to drill.

 Its been a good weekend here!

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Edited by micraminiman, 11 September 2016 - 10:21 PM.

[micraminiman]

Thats the front two engine mounts almost finished, just some gussets to make and add yet. The engine and frame are now back out ready to make some cardboard templates for the rear mount tonight.

 Ive also removed the speed sensor from the gearbox, and have cut the top off the connector part and soldered wires directly to the pins, which are now bent flat. This gives more clearance for getting the engine in and out, and stops the sensor hitting the bulkhead. There is now 9mm between the sensor and bulkhead, so Im happy.

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