14 replies to this topic

[mljb59]

as progress is slow on the cooper build due to more toys than time i thought i would give an update on the build of the ministox, before you all have a go accusing me of killing a lovely mini this one was well and truly dead when i started so at least its getting reincarnated as a race car, isnt that what all little cars want to grow up to be?

anyway, at warton stock car they are returning to running ministox (originaly for kids with 1000cc engines) for adults (now called senior minis), using a 1275 engine with limited mods and 13" slicks being the favorite tyre choice.

the car started out as a very, very rotten rolling shell, it was stripped of all the unwanted parts (just about everything) and the build began, we are currently about 1/2 way through the build and about 50 hours eachg for 2 of us so far have gone into the build. current progress can be seen in the photos below, at the moment the chassis is pretty much complete but i an a litle concerned we are under the minimum weight limit of around 700 and odd kg (cant quite remmeber what it should be).

the car is built from memory from my last car with some minor changes as i dont like building any 2 cars the same. the purple car below is my last one about 5 years ago when i last owned it.

i have now sourced most of the parts for the engine but for the moment dont really want to say too much about that until i finalise the parts and get it on the rollers, needless to say it has taken more hours scouring ebay for the right engine parts than it has to build the car.

i will update prgoress as it goes and if anyone is interested and would like to get involved in a great budget motorsport please get in touch, would be great to find more driver and make this retunr of the senior minis at warton a success.

[mljb59]

another week has gone by and we have made some progress, the rear radius arms are now mounted without the subframe, just need to get hold of some coil overs if anyone knows where there is some at reasonable money, i need the ones with the eye both ends.



Mounting the radius arms like this gives the option of altering the camber, last time i made it adjustable, this one has fixed. Also the tracking can be altered by installing shims.

The body is nearly ready for fitting, just need to put a bit of extra steel into the roof and its ready, the wings and bonnet have now been welded together and all the unnecassary bracing has been removed, starting to look like a proper mini again, another week maybe 2 and we should be somewhere near.

[Bungle]

how much of a mini body is used ?

looks like the top of the wings the pillars and the roof

[Dan1991]

What exact metal do you use for making the frame?

Am I right in thinking it uses the normal Mini 'shell, but cut about to fit with the frame?

[mljb59]

the only bits of the original mini that are used are the roof, pillars, bonnet, wings and bulkhead. We also use all the front subframe and suspension.

The steel all has to be minimum of 37mm and 3mm wall for the main steel, smaller can be used for minor strenghtening.

The door tops can also be used but i dont bother, its easier to use sheet steel. some also use 150mm of the boot lid but i am not sure wether to bother.

[clubby]

good luck...

[mljb59]

the worst thing is once i have completed this one i have another to build! the only problem of having a nice sponsor.

[Bungle]

at least they pay the bills

[GiroUnit]

would of loved to race a ministox.. but im far to old now and it seems the adult version is only on northern tracks how much does the spec differ from the kids version? i guess as your using a 1275 you get a lot more freedom?

[mljb59]

spec wise there is not that much differance, the chassis are virtually the same, front hub choice is a little better as you can run 12 or 13" wheels. The rear you can do away with the subframe as in my car, and use coil overs.

the engine as you say is a little better but not alot, as its almost as restrictive as the juniors.

[mljb59]

spec wise there is not that much differance, the chassis are virtually the same, front hub choice is a little better as you can run 12 or 13" wheels. The rear you can do away with the subframe as in my car, and use coil overs.

the engine as you say is a little better but not alot, as its almost as restrictive as the juniors.

well due to ill health on the part of my sponsor it was necassary to sell up the lot so never managed to get my big return.

over the last few months i have been having second thoughts and despite selling the shells/frames i did manage to keep holds of my engine bits. due to the now limited space and time i am having to look at buying a 2nd hand car but never mind i will return, cant wait!

[mljb59]

well with the pressures of work, family and running my own business i havent really got time to start building again so ive been out and bought a car. Its had a bit of a bump and bent the front but nothing that cant be easily straightened.





so just waiting for the club to decide if they are changing the rules for 2011 and happy days.

anyone got any 13" alloys lying around, odd ones, scraped ones?? anything goes, the wider the better, weller 8's??

[minimaff]

Looks like good fun, racing and crashing.

I use to go to Odsel stadium in BFD as a kid on tuesday' and watch stock car racing, im sure there where a couple of minis there.

Keep up the hard work

[mljb59]

Looks like good fun, racing and crashing.

I use to go to Odsel stadium in BFD as a kid on tuesday' and watch stock car racing, im sure there where a couple of minis there.

Keep up the hard work

crashing isnt really the point, its only minimal contact, we leave the crashing to the banger lads

[mljb59]

Here we go again, few ore seasons of racing have gone by and we're here again with another build. Based on a full brand new chassis.