782 replies to this topic

[Will]

Been watching this project for a while now, nice progress.

So, come on then, how did "The Chop" go then?

Get some pics up when you outta the garage!!

Keep up the good work, looks an awesome project!

[ed4ran]

Ok, guess ill have to find some calipers and have a play around.

LOL @ Will, I was just updating as you replied!!

Did a little more today :'(


























I dropped it (rear seats and boot floor) in one big lump!!
Frame needs to come forward by an inch or two (as you can see in the pic)
its limited at the mo by the floor hitting the frame so ill just notch the floor around it.

Im gonna bolt all the suspension on so i can get it all lined up properly,
ive got new bushes on order (not the plant variety) so it should all be tight and in place (not sagging / no play).
Onces its lined up then its just a case of cutting the bars that tie it into the cage!!
and making the brackets for the shocks.
Then chopping out enough to be able to remove the rear section to fully weld it up.

Whats the lowest people have a mini?
(i.e. so you can still get it over speed bumps?)
As the lowest part of my car will be the floor itself (should be anyway) so i want to get it pretty low.

[miniboo]

looks nice and neat i like how you have kept the rear parcel shelf. should give it a more stealth appearance when people look in the rear window

[ed4ran]

I was contemplating making what would look like a big sub box to cover the engine so people just think i have subs in the back

[Mincento]

I was contemplating making what would look like a big sub box to cover the engine so people just think i have subs in the back

Sounds a very good idea as thats the only thing i dont like about the bike engined cars as at most people have just fitted an elloy sheet syle bulkhead which is an instant giveaway if youve been a few shows and seen the cars etc

And overall frame looks good and the install looks a good idea, not sure on the swift power plant in the back as no ones dont one before have they? how much bhp and torque did they produce standard?

good luck with the progress you do seem to be moving swiftly

wayne

[Alburglar]

100bhp
little less on torque i think. more than enough to chug a mini along nicely. with a 5 speed box too! you'd have to pay 6grand to get the equivalent from an A-series.

[Mincento]

so its the same power and torque roughly as the 1.6 8v vauxhall small block conversion? interesting and agree AL a series tuning is way over priced which is why i can understand all the various conversions especially the more reliable vauxhall conversions etc

Interested in the swift rear wheel drive idea though, its something different which is always good

wayne

[Jammy]

I have my mini lowered by 40mm I think and its nice and snug on 10s, I think OldSchoolBabys is lower, might want to ask him how well his goes over speed bumps.

See you've got some of those 'period' Cornish square wheels in yellow!

[ed4ran]

LOL, yeah the wheels are running a little lumpy at the mo,
was thinking of using some broom handles for drive shafts?

hopefully today while i have someone at home to help ill be doing some measuring to get the frame sitting closer in intended position.
and probably cut and notch the floor bar so it can sit in place.
Will just have to see what else i can get done.

Thanks for all the comments.

[ed4ran]

Well didnt get a huge amount done
Ive cut and notched the floor bar, i just need to cut the exhaust tunnel
then the bottom bars of the frame can be cut to length and welded on the floor bar.
I got the frame in a fairly close position to where it will be, but im waiting on bushes so i know its all correct before i cut or weld anything,
but i have got the wheel more central and now its sat on the hub (not bolted yet)
I also split the CV's from the shafts so i can have the wheels bolted on without the shafts getting in the way.

[chairchild]

my GOD!!!

first time I've seen this thread, and I thought it was awesome enough just rebuilding it from virtually nothing - but then to throw caution to the wind, and then just chop out a HUGE section of the back of it, to try a homemade subframe.........


just put it this way - you have my permanent respect now!


you ROCK!

[ed4ran]

Thanks Just playing around though really
and will have to get a proper job when its finished.

[ed4ran]

Havent really been able to do to much in the last 2 days :'(

Im still waiting on the stupid lower arm bushes
then i can finally get it all lined up and tacked in place.

So ive had to busy myself with selling stuff, and cleaning up stuff,
Thought it would be a good time to clean the suspension bits so its one less thing to do when i come to put it together.

[GraemeC]

I have some standard bottom arm bushes and (I think) some poly ones. Any use?

[ed4ran]

I ordered some the other day, and they turned up this morning,
But thanks anyway.