782 replies to this topic

[samwell]

what a beast of a project, respect for using it as a daily car.

Surely the access is really poor, even with you hatch and boot open? or do you find it ok working on the car

[ed4ran]

Yeah its a bit annoying with limited access, especially with the bits down the sides (such as alternator)
will only get worse once the boot is lined

Ed

[mr_s_leeming]

nice car, wish i had the time

[Steve W]

ed, did you ever get that handbrake stop on?

Just curious, as i haven't put mine on yet, wondered how well it worked!

[ed4ran]

Not yet
The problem is gaining access to the bolts currently there.
Also the time i have had access to the garage ive had something else to sort
Will happen eventually, but work is slowing progress.

[ed4ran]

Just thought id note i finally managed to get another alternator and car has been fine since (a week so far)
Main problem was getting hold of a dam alternator

Nothing much planned for the near future, havent been able to get back to lincoln to do anything because of the alternator, but Ill be picking up my other car when its had its paper work sorted, (sometime next month now), and still on the lookout for a workshop/garage, but doubt ill find something nearby. Although a guy from work said he thinks they wouldnt mind me using the garage at work over the weekends as long as i clean up and out by monday. :wink:

Should soon be able to get some tools that ive been saving for. Just still have other things to pay off as well

Ed

[minivanman]

Good news about the garage space Ed I'm really thinking about getting a gti engine to stick in my blue one. G13B is the one to look for right?

[ed4ran]

Dont know what to do though wouldnt really be doing messy stuff as expensive cars go in the garage.
G13B is more the block, but yes its normally called G13B engine
GTI DOHC is the one you want 1298cc (SOHC is 1324cc)

[ed4ran]

Just rememeberd there happens to be a GTI in a scrappy 2miles down the road from me

[minivanman]

With an engine?

[ed4ran]

Yeap Looks complete as well. Dont know what condition its in though

[ed4ran]

Thought it was about time I posted something,

I haven't done anything to the mini since it was put in my mums garage.
However i have been thinking alot as to what to do with it, mainly because it might not be very long until i have a garage

I have several engine ideas, as well as several body ideas.
At this point im looking for suggestions and what people think.

I would like to be able to do some track days and possible see about the 16vMiniClub sprint championship! But also like the idea of a summer car for shows and trips out. I have an daily driver and will probably invest in a trailer for the mini so no need to worry about braking anything.

So my ideas / options are as follows:-

Body:-
1. Standard
2. Body chop (similar to Minus)
3. Speedster (body chop and no roof / windows)

Engine:-
1. as is (RWD with 5 speed box)
2. Swift on mini gearbox in the front (my other project)
3. Swift on mini gearbox in the rear

So absolute minimum would be as it is but with a strip and rebuild, and id probably alter the rear suspension a bit.

Ed.

[mini93]

i think keep current engine in the rear,

would think about the chop but thats a hefty job!

[minivanman]

If it were me, I'd leave it as is. The standard body shell is going to be strongest, and if you want to track it, repairing a chopped car is going to be harder than a normal one. Engine wise I'd also leave, its a really great setup, and a big leap backwards to go onto a mini gearbox IMHO.

[Tomf]

Keep it as it is, but stipn out. Do a body chop on a differnt mini and fit the swit engine on mini gearbox in the front of that.