536 replies to this topic

[marc]

Tom was saying how he could get 50+mpg easy on the way to and from germany. The same engine in an astra could probably get high 30mpg but as the mini weighs a lot less obviously!

I'm using a smallish alloy tank, i wouldnt worry about another tank.

[TimS]

A single 7.5 gallon Spi tank will be fine and last you a long time! No need for another tank at all

[Purple Tom]

Hey Marc, when I'm next in the garage i'll find out that measurement, anything else you need?

Lee - as Marc and Tim says, fuel consumption is great! I was in convoy on the way to Germany with the 850cc Mk1, doing around 50-55mph, and I reckon I got more than 50mpg. At 70-80mph it drops to something like 40mpg, as no matter how hard I push it, it still only uses roughly £1 for every 10 miles (which equates to about 40-44mpg with current fuel prices). An SPi tank is plenty big enough.

The 'how to convert your Mini to C16SE power' FAQ is on the way, but I'm pretty busy at work at the moment, so it might be a while!

Again, thanks for all the kind comments everyone - it might not be the quickest Mini out there, and it might not be the tidiest, but its mine and apart from the subframe all the work has been done by me (with welding and engineering help from my dad - thanks Dad!), so I'm pretty proud of it - it brings a smile to my face everytime I drive it and I think thats what Mini's are all about

[marc]

Thankyou, thats all for the moment, need the measuements asap pleasey, dont go out of your way though, at least it'll give you an excuse to go and see it, maybe even go for a drive!! lol.

[Purple Tom]

The Mini is now off the road - again!

Not for anything exciting though, its just SORN'd and sat in the garage waiting for the good weather.

Before I take it to its next event, which'll be the Riviera Run at the end of April, I want to sort out the oil leak by replacing the sump gasket, do an oil and filter change, and whip the head off to replace the valve stem oil seals and have a look at the bores/valves. I 'might' (read - probably will!) drop a performance cam in there too, and chip the ECU, but it depends on cost (and the missus doesn't know!). I'm going to try to find a low milage TD F15 gearbox too as mine has seen better days. The final thing is an alarm - need to get one fitted.

I also want to finally get round to making a centre console to cover the gearchange unit as I don't like it anymore, and I'm going to try to build in some storage there too.

[marc]

Good to hear its staying and having more work done on it Tom.

[markrally]

The Mini is now off the road - again!


I also want to finally get round to making a centre console to cover the gearchange unit as I don't like it anymore, and I'm going to try to build in some storage there too.

If you dont like your vauxhall gearchange unit(I agree it is an ugly peice of plastic) You need to fit one of these and dont bother boxing it in, its far too nice, an astra i used to run had one fitted, real nice kit
 076_QKE6CG.jpg   70.72K   21 downloads

Check out the quaife website.


Cheers

[marc]

Thats nice, £340 though!

[The mini]

Nice bit of kit but £340 is it worth it after spending all that!!

[Jammy]

Need a Quaife Tom?

[Purple Tom]

Nah, won't fit my gearbox!! Mine is F15

[Jammy]

Tis annoying when this happens. They NEVER come up for a Honda, and when one did a few weeks ago it was like one of the only Civic ones that wouldn't fit any of the gearboxs I have!!

[TimS]

Okey cokey, here's a few pics for you, nothing special, gives an idea of what I'm up to though!

L'engine...got it on the stand today and just getting ready to do headgasket and cam belt/water pump...





The car...



The bloody great hole in the engine bay...





The bloody great hole and lots of wires where the dash should be...



The new F15 TD gearbox (closer ratio but higher FD)



The old F13 gearbox, very low FD so no good for my size wheels:

Im confused! I thought the F13 had a longer final drive than the F15. Thinking that the F13 is from the 1.5 td corsa?

[TimS]

Iv just found the answer to the problem

Shame its from Quaiff and thus very expensive

[ed4ran]

Nah you want one of these!!
Cheapo Gearbox