54 replies to this topic

[John H]

Last year I bought a 1993 SPI Cooper.

The plan was to run it for a year or so then pull it off the road for a full restoration and rebuild the engine.

However! The car proved to be very unreliable and in worse shape than first thought (aren't they always?).

So I have now started my full restoration earlier than planned. Aim to be back on the road for Spring 2009 2010.

I will add some pics of the stripdown, some of the bits I have for it and a brief description of the proposed spec.

Picture below of how it was when I first bought it.

Edited by minimadmotorman, 27 February 2009 - 12:31 PM.

[mk1leg]

Have fun and take your time and use genuine replacement panels from BMHT as they fit best...........

[John H]

For the panels we will have to see what Mr Budget can afford. I already have a hadrian bonnet, hadrian full scuttle and a second hand replacement boot lid as mine is bent.

After a quick inspection it would seem that the car requires. Front panel, wings, bonnet, scuttle, a-panels, drivers door/door skin & rear valance.

It has already had a tip top job done of replacing the inner & outer sills and the boot floor.

Edited by minimadmotorman, 20 May 2008 - 03:49 PM.

[John H]

If any of you are following apbellamy's project thread you may already know that on the 17th of May we collected an MG Metro Turbo.

Last night I went down to the Metro and got it running. Pleased to say that everything seems to be in order.
Comes on boost ok and the gearbox feels good. So I guess its time to pull the Metro apart.

The plan is to chop in a bulkhead box while restoring the cooper and install the MG Metro Turbo unit.

While I have the engine out I plan to do a couple of mod's to it.

I have a Calver Stage 3 cylinder head which I am going use (ensuring the correct compression ratio). I have also sourced an MG Montego Turbo plenum, which will enable the fitting of an intercooler. Looking into using an R5 GT-Turbo intercooler due to its small size. Also if my budget permits I may also install an uprated cam.

Not bothering with the Metro ECU going to run without it and either put some more preload on the existing actuator to bring the boost back up to around 7-8psi or replace the actuator with an uprated one.

Hopefully this should make for a nice, quick and driveable car while I rebuild one of my spare 1275's with scope for more boost/power. But that is another project.

Couple of pics below of the Metro.

[John H]

The more I read the more I learn. Won't be upping the preload on the existing actuator as this is a poor solution so will either go for an MBC or fork out for the actuator.

More specs and hopefully progress pics to follow!

[clubby]

hye mate~!

is it mk4 or mk5?

[John H]

MKIV SPI Shell.

Why do you ask?

[clubby]

because up to mk2 n mk3 it not looks CLASSIC instead of mk1 and mk2

but still OK because you still have mini

mkIV like Mini Rover from Japan...

[John H]

Okie doke while I have a spare 5 Min's waiting for a callback from a supplier I may as well put up a proposed spec.

Strip back to bare shell.
Replace any goosed panels & chop out and replace any tin worm etc.
Fit turbo bulkhead box.
Full in & out respray.
Very comprehensive rust protection scheme!
While in pieces everything is going to be inspected & if required reconditioned or replaced.

Looking for a quite subtle finish so was thinking.

Exterior
----------
Tartan Red with Black Roof
MPI roof Aeriel
Black 12" Revo's with Yoko's
Black Rover Minilites with Yokohama A048R Tyres
Wood & Pickett Style Arches
Body Colour Wing Mirrors
Body Colour Rear Number Plate Light
New Cooper Grille & Surrounds
New Genuine Bumpers
New Door & Boot Handle Set
All new seals (door, boot etc)
All new chrome work
Halogen Headlights
Clear Indicator Lenses & Side Repeaters
Clear Rear Lenses (fog light moved into o/s reverse lamp)
Winged bonnet & boot badge with black Turbo insert
Welded up LHD wiper holes
New Genuine wiper arms & washer jets

Interior
---------
1995 Cooper big bolster front seats with matching rears and door cards
Brushed Alloy door furniture
Moto Lita John Cooper signed leather steering wheel
John Cooper alloy gear knob
Steering column lowering bracket
Digital clock in upper dash rail ashtray slot
Burr walnut dash with 3 aux gauge holes.
Magnolia Clocks
52MM Boost PSI, Oil Pressure & AFR gauge's
Grey fabric headlining from Mini 35
Black deluxe carpet set

ICE
----
DVD/MP3 Head Unit (Undecided On Make/Model)
JBL GTO327/427's in dash (welding up fresh air vents in shell)
JBL GTO 936's in rear shelf
May Use 4 Channel Amp I have laying around in garage.

Running Gear
----------------
Standard MG Metro Turbo Bottom End
N/A MG Metro Camshaft
Duplex Timing Gear
Modified Hi-Boost Cylinder Head
Jack Knight 4spd SC/CR Box
Jack Knight 1:1 SC Drops
X-Pin Diff with 3.2 FD
Modified Plenum with DV
Escort RST S2 Intercooler
Megajolt Ignition
Modified Ex Manifold
Enlarged T3 Elbow
STD Metro T3 Turbo
Avonbar Billet Actuator
Pre-Verto clutch & flywheel setup with Grey/Double Grey Diaphragm
Maniflow Turbo Downpipe
Maniflow Turbo Exhaust System
Playmini 3" Stainless back box
Minispares 2 core radiator
Wide blade fan
Aux fan on inner wing connected via thermostatic switch
Fully rebuilt braking system using vented Metro 4 pots
Remove servo in favour or additional space under bonnet for Intercooler etc
New uprated/poly bushes all round
GAZ adjustable shocks
Adjusta-rides/Hi-Lo's
Adjustable Tie bars & Bottom Arms
Adjustable Rear Camber/Castor Brackets

I'm open to comments suggestions from anyone!

Edited by minimadmotorman, 10 November 2008 - 09:46 AM.

[apbellamy]

Those pic's of the Mutro look familiar....

[John H]

Made a bit of progress last night.

Inlet manifold off, ecu out, engine loom out, front loom out, radiator out, headlamps, indicators etc.

Poked a few holes in the wings and rear valance just to see how knackered they were.

got the exhaust and lcb off after fighting with the y piece.

also took the dash out, top rail off heater out etc and all the carpets and sound deadening from the front of the car.

hopefully apbellamy should be getting his engine hoist soon so that can come out.

took some photo's of where the radiator has boiled over down most of the inner wing. and of some of the top notch (NOT!) wiring!

take a look!

[John H]

Did a bit of strip down work on the metro last night. Took most of the ancillaries and bits out from under the bonnet. Hopefully next visit should be lifting the engine out of it then I can concentrate on getting the mini stripped ready for the shell repairing.

[John H]

Went to the yard on saturday and got the engine out of the metro.
apbellamy also took the brakes off that he was wanting.

Once the engine was out it was covered in degreaser and cleaned off. Hasn't come out too bad really.


Pics Attached

[John H]

Right then engine is out. More rot that I expected however my cousin is popping over at the weekend to have a look at it and give me a verdict on how much work will be involved in repairing the shell.

More pics to follow.

[apbellamy]

More rot that I expected.

Yep! I've seen some rotten minis in my time, but I've never managed to put my finger throught the bulk head before!

It's a good job you're putting a turbo bulk head box in.