78 replies to this topic

[Spherix]

My god what a project... Who puts so much filler on when there is so much metal to work with! Great potential though.

Regarding your subframes, why don't you send them off to get sandblasted instead of doing it by manual labour?

[sonscar]

From my own experience,it starts as a "thin skim" then a bit more to fill the low spots,leave it overnight and fill some more low spots.Repeat until satisfied/had enough then half inch filler.Steve..

[catch_me]

Well, it's been a while but finally have finished my Master's in Biomedical Engineering and officially can start dreaming about the Mini PUP again! That being said, there is alot of work to come, but I have some really cool ideas to incorporate. Since it's got the unique motor, especially for here in the States, it is really going to get a proper engineering job, including some better aero bits such as a flat floor, some custom cooling components that also add aero, and a pretty unique hybrid space-frame chassis that is incorporated into the body. Looking forward to really getting rolling on these ideas I've been developing over the last couple years, and bringing them to life.

 

First step will be working on a getting a mounting design for the rear subframe front and working forward on the floor framing. I will try to start updating as that moves forward in design!

 

 

[KTS]

Congratulations on your Masters ! 

 

you can start focusing on the important stuff now 

[catch_me]

Thought I would revive this thread a little, not much physically has happened on the pickup since last time I posted, but in that time have gotten other things settled and the pickup will have a heated stall to itself at our new house making it much easier to work on in the colder months. Also, since 3D scanning technology has significantly come down in price in the past 2 years, I am in the works setting up a 3D scanner for my workshop, which will really help to start progressing some of the ideas I have into reality as well as make many of the little custom touches I have planned much more managable. Hopefully it will not be another couple years for the next update ;)

[catch_me]

Well, the pickup is officially at my house! So now it is time to start getting some new parts on the way and start the process of planning and building. First two new parts on the agenda are new front and rear subframes. The current one have some pretty bent bracing, and are covered in undercoat, so I want to just start with a fresh start that I know is clean and does not have any misalignments. Then I will start the 3D scan process of making a surface mesh of my body shell as well as the subframes I get so I can start the design of the the flat floor and so on that I plan on doing to make this pickup as special as the motor going into it!

 

 

Attached Files

•  thumbnail_IMG_2906.jpg   97.49K   0 downloads
•  thumbnail_IMG_2918.jpg   44.69K   0 downloads
•  thumbnail_IMG_2919.jpg   77.67K   0 downloads

[KTS]

nice workshop !  looking forward to watching this build as it progresses 

[Java_Green]

Interesting project in deed. 

I have also had a lot thoughts about how to improve the aerodynamics of minis. "Flat floor" seems like low fruit to grasp, even if just to close the subframes. The rear one seems like fairly straight forward. When it comes to the front one, it is a bit more complex since you have to consider engine bay evacuation, cooling and flow around the sump. Since I do not have the tools to 3D scan or perform flow simulations my thinking has stayed with just thoughts based on aerodynamic knowledge. I am eager to here your thoughts and ideas.

[sonscar]

Google Guy Martin's van build for a speed record race in America and marvel at the computer generated front air dam.Just for ideas.Steve.

[KTS]

you may find this of interest

 

https://carbonweezel...sting_mini.html

[catch_me]

I have studies that a bit early on when planning on this project initially, have it printed off in color somewhere actually!

you may find this of interest

https://carbonweezel...sting_mini.html

[catch_me]

Interesting project in deed.
I have also had a lot thoughts about how to improve the aerodynamics of minis. "Flat floor" seems like low fruit to grasp, even if just to close the subframes. The rear one seems like fairly straight forward. When it comes to the front one, it is a bit more complex since you have to consider engine bay evacuation, cooling and flow around the sump. Since I do not have the tools to 3D scan or perform flow simulations my thinking has stayed with just thoughts based on aerodynamic knowledge. I am eager to here your thoughts and ideas.

Yeah, it’s all a theory till tested, I do plan to actually do some good CFD trials to design the aero dynamic features to work together (being an engineer with most of my research in CFD has led to this) so should hopefully have some data to back my ideas. One of the. Big reasons I want a good body scan to have this at the right scale exactly.

[Steve220]

I found this study a while back, i hope it's of some help!

 

 

 

 

[Java_Green]

I found this study a while back, i hope it's of some help!

 

 

 

 

Thank you for this article. It confirms a lot of my thoughts about the pressure and flow distribution around a mini. Closing the rear subframe seems like a "no-brainer". Personally, I am a bit skeptical to the different air vents and an air dam since they (according to me) ruin the "mini look". Furthermore, I would have liked to figure out how to get the most out of the flow entering the engine bay in terms of cooling using a side mounted radiator. Then guide some flow to feed the intake, a little for the cabin ventilation and block the rest to reduce drag (Cd) and lift (Cl).

[Mini Manannán]

I'm with you on the aesthetics of the air dam and I'll be looking again at the subframe void.

Edited by Mini Manannán, 30 June 2024 - 02:06 PM.