536 replies to this topic

[TimS]

I stand corrected the F13 came on the Nova and the F15 on the Corsa

[Jammy]

To follow on from that, I have come across an F10 Vaux gearbox, any use to anyone?

[The Matt]

Tom, I have just spent ages reading this (OK, I know I should have been working) and I have to say I love the idea of this conversion!

I love the old OHC Vauxhall engines, they are great! To be honest even the 1300s are OK. I have used and worked on these engines for years and love them (especially doing cam changes without taking the head off and clutch changes without taking the box off)!!!!!

Well done mate, it's an awesome build!

Do you reckon it'd fit in a round nose OK?

[TimS]

It fits in a round nise two but you have to have a bent rad to make it all fit

[The Matt]

Okies, deffo worth bearing in mind!

Well, for the next project I am gonna stick with the '1600 K-series Turbo' that I am thinking of doing (well, I am buying all of the parts for it at the moment).

Another thing I noticed the other day (whilst I am Hi-jacking Tom's thread) is that there are a few Daewoo 16v engines that apprently fit straight onto the Vauxhall F1* and F2* gearboxes. I was bidding on a 1500 16v on ebay the other day that went for around £100 IIRC. It's great to see people reviving Minis with older engines. I know that a lot of people 'want' to keep it A-series, but sometimes it makes sooo much more sense to modernise the power unit!

[Purple Tom]

Ooooh, some posts on my project!

The Daewoo engines are the same I believe, they even do a 1.6 8V which is basically a C16SE, right down to the inlet manifold being the same! Obviously a licence built jobbie...

Anyway, yeah the conversion is great. I haven't actually driven it since November, its been run once in january when I washed the car, and I know that when I start it up ready for Newquay in a couple of weeks its going to be raring to go. I don't think I could have had so much confidence in the 1293 to stand for 6 months then just work.

To be honest though, my engine is *******. Those who went to Germany know that it smokes a bit (which I think is stem seals). It also struggles for oil pressure when first started as the light takes about 2 seconds to go out. The gearbox also jumps out of 4th which makes for scary driving round the 'Ring! Oh yeah, and the sump gasket leaks oil

But I know it'll get me to Newquay and back easily, and I also know a low milage bottom end is gonna set me back £100, a replacement gearbox £50, a few days work on the cylinder head and it'll be sorted.

It might not be as flashy or as powerful as the Vtec's or valvers, but its pretty simple, easy to work on, cheap to maintain, and still gives plenty of go when you want it, combined with 50+ mpg on a run. Not bad really.

[The Matt]

Yup, you're right Tom, piece of piddle to find a decent bottom end.

Takes me back to when I used to have my MK2 Astra SRi (C18SE engine I believe). Was a great all round car, reasonably quick too, can't imagine how much fun that engine would be in a mini!

Would like to have a go in one if I ever get chance. To be honest I've never really driven a fast mini, but a nice torquey engine with a reasonable amount of HP and a 5 speed box is deffo going to be a giggle!

[TimS]

Just to prove that the dewoo engines are the same... here is the C14SE engine in Daewoo form.

[TimS]

And another

[Bungle]

new name

[Dom]

To be honest though, my engine is *******. Those who went to Germany know that it smokes a bit (which I think is stem seals). It also struggles for oil pressure when first started as the light takes about 2 seconds to go out. The gearbox also jumps out of 4th which makes for scary driving round the 'Ring! Oh yeah, and the sump gasket leaks oil

It might not be as flashy or as powerful as the Vtec's or valvers, but its pretty simple, easy to work on, cheap to maintain, and still gives plenty of go when you want it, combined with 50+ mpg on a run. Not bad really.

Haha yeah, following you around Germany covered my windscreen a few times, smelly car too but it did go when you put your foot down.

Indeed not as flashy or powerful but from the stats and simplicity I'd like to go down this route for my next engine.... so Tim, you were saying I'd have to put a bent radiator in?

[TimS]

Yeah the clubman can use the astra rad as std, but if you have a round nose you need to get it bent in the middle to fit it around the exhaust manifold. This is about £90 I think.

[Purple Tom]

Right then, actually done something on the Mini! And started it up for the first time since January

Anyway, the last couple of days have been "Operation: oh-my-god-its-Riv-Run-on friday-and-the-Mini-hasn't-moved-since-2006-sh*t-I-best-see-if-it-still-works"!

So I made a big list of everything that needed doing:

New front tyres
Fit bonnet insulation
Wire in a second relay so I can prime the fuel pump before starting the car
Use the same changeover relay to make the fan work with the ignition on only
Wire in another fusebox for stuff
Replace the steering column bushes
Fit a better speedo sender system
Replace the sump and sump gasket
Grease all grease points
Check underneath to make sure nothings fell off
Fill it with new fuel
Modify the clutch 'master cylinder' to stop it sticking
Clean the throttle body to stop the butterfly sticking
Change the oil and filter
Change the gearbox oil
Fit new stripes
Clean it
Hoover it

So I started by looking at the speedo, and I went hmmmm.....



Then I came up with a new way of making it work inside the rear drum, by using JB Weld, three bike speedo magnets, and a hole in the backplate for the sensor to fit:





Then I decided the front tyres were definitely illegal to drive to Newquay:





So I got some more:



Then I fitted the bonnet insulation, over night using contact adhesive and taking the bonnet off:



Then I spent about 9 hours on the wiring. Wiring is alright, but the thing is no-one gets to see all the hard work, its all hidden behind the dash! The only visible sign is this switch where the choke cable would be, which now allows me to prime the fuel pump before starting the car, saving the starter and battery too much hassle:



Finally got everything else sorted, including battling with the sump for ages and fighting with grease guns and stuff, but its all done. Got my new stripes on too



So yeah, thats about it! Got some of the niggly things sorted which have been bugging me for a while anyway. I hope it makes it to Newquay and back because if it didn't then it would be embarrasing. I mean, I don't mind if it makes it there, does what I need when we're there, and then breaks on the way back! My main worry really is the engine, its a bit tired I think. Oh well, I've got AA cover if it all goes wrong

[Retro_10s]

I'VE FOUND YOU!

I've been looking for 'a clubman with 10's and a Vauxhall Lump in' for ages.. I saw this project when i first started coming on here, and then for some reason couldn't find it or remember who's car it was..

In any case... I love it mate, I adore it, worship it even!... I love the fact you've kept 10's, it's just what i'll be doing with my K-series..

[Purple Tom]

Why thank you! 10's are the only way! Your project is cracking too, respect for painting the car yourself! Its something I will try when the current paintjob needs refreshing. I'm looking forward to seeing your K as well!