184 replies to this topic

[micraminiman]

The rear engine mount is made, and the Nissan engine is now mounted properly in the Mini subframe. The two become one! lol
Have to take it all out and apart again to fully gusset and weld all 3 mounts up, then try it on the Mini shell again for size and to make up the exhaust manifold and downpipes next.

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[micraminiman]

That's the engine mounts finished and given a quick clean up.

Frame back on Mini for test fit again now that the mounts are done, and the engine back in. It all fits nicely.

 

Bolted the header onto the engine, and cut the K series header off the MGF tubular manifold. A few tweaks will be needed to get it to fit, but it looks good to me.

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[micraminiman]

Been fighting with the exhaust manifold tonight.

I need to join the downpipes to the manifold in a small area, neatly and securely. How on earth have others done this as I had to cut off the original 4 bolt flanges? I'm so tempted to join the manifold using the Y piece from the downpipes and use a single downpipe yet to make it easier. Might not be a bad idea to be honest....maybe Ive answered my own question. lol

[smudger068]

Check mine out it is exact exhaust you have. I did have to add a small piece of pipe between 4 outlets to 2 outlets.

[micraminiman]

I had a look, thanks. The only issue I have thats different is the lack of removable crossmember.

 

 Ive done some drawings today, and think I have it sussed out. (hopefully)

Attached to the twin 1.5" outlets on the MGF manifold will be a short Jetex Y piece Ive just ordered from Demon Tweeks, welded on, with a single 2" outlet. This will join onto a single pipe of the Rover 200 downpipes, using a split overlap join and a band clamp. This will allow it to be removable, small and hopefully neat.

I will of course be losing the benefits of the twin long downpipes, but the rest of the mini system was 2" diameter anyway, and its still a lot better than the original pea-shooter!

I also cut up the MGF manifold, to move it closer to the engine and to shorten it slightly to provide room for the new Y piece and the overlap join. I ordered a new threaded Lambda mount to weld in at the side of the manifold, pointing out sideways towards the gearbox.

[micraminiman]

Just ordered an exhaust expander from Ebay for just £9 to do the overlap joins at the bottom of the manifold and the end of the downpipes to my straight 2" pipe that I used to use on the A Series, with the original back box. That should see the exhaust sorted. I also have a spare MG TF tubular manifold that I bought in error that will be coming in handy to supply one of the tighter radius bends for my MGF manifold. Lots of careful cutting and joining coming up this weekend......

[McMini 22]

good progress.

 

Not quite sure what you mean about the exhaust fabrication but I'm sure I will get it when you get some photos up.

 

I bought one of these exhaust expanders and it struggles on the stainless pipe I am using.  I think the stainless pipe is a wee bit thicker than mild steel.

[micraminiman]

Im not 100% sure I get my exhaust ideas myself yet! lol

 

 Im waiting for other bits to come home off ebay, and I should be able to figure it all out. Basically the K series manifold was too close to the bonnet for my liking, and needs bits chopped to get it closer to the block. Also the ports were spaced a fair bit further apart on the mgf, which needed bringing together. Im sure it will all come together in some way eventually.

 

 Stainless is a lot stronger than mild steel. I can quite believe it struggled with it even if it was the same thickness. Hopefully it works, there is another design of expander I can try if not, but its a bit more expensive.

[micraminiman]

Managed to get some work done on the exhaust manifold last night.

 Its just tacked up just now and looking rough as feck as its not been cleaned after I welded the Y piece n the bottom, and there is the one pipe to the right of the pic that needs cut back to size yet, but its getting there.

 

I have the Y piece I bought welded in place, and the single rover downpipe slips inside it nicely for a neat join that will use one of those band type clamps over a split in the bottom of the manifold Y piece.

 

 The exhaust heads down the car in the correct location to clear the gear selector nicely it would appear. (fingers crossed!)

Wee bit of cutting and fitting on the last pipe tonight, and it should be ready for welding up fully (by bolting it back to back with the old Micra manifold to ensure it doesnt twist, and welding slowly, letting it cool.)

 

Ive decided that the gear selector is next, before finishing off the exhaust fully to ensure clearances. Any advice for the Gear Selector fitting/modifying?

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[Artstu]

I think it's just a case of making the rods a bit shorter.

 

I forget whose this is, a bit late now though. Yours looks good though.

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Edited by Artstu, 23 September 2016 - 09:32 AM.

[l_jonez]

I think it's just a case of making the rods a bit shorter.
 
I forget whose this is, a bit late now though. Yours looks good though.

That's one of my early ones, basically cut the flanges off and extend the manifold a bit then used exhaust clamps to hold the downpipe on. Later versions are the same but with v band clamps welded in

[smudger068]

That picture is a few years old haha.

[micraminiman]

Here is my manifold and downpipe.
Finished apart from welding in the new lambda boss on the side, painting, and heat-wrapping.

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[McMini 22]

Here is my manifold and downpipe.
Finished apart from welding in the new lambda boss on the side, painting, and heat-wrapping.

Heat wrapping?
It will be a shame to hide it.

[micraminiman]

Its nothing fancy, just a mix and match mild steel manifold. It wouldnt stay shiney for long!

 Going to see if I can get some silver high temp paint from somewhere. Planned on the heatwrap to keep the under bonnet temps down. And it will be close to the alternator and bonnet. Does other folk do that?