374 replies to this topic

[lourens]

Hi Joe , I have been following your build from your blog nou for the last 2 years , it's truly epic and I will just like to complement you on the overall quality of the build also the attention to detail great work!!!

P.s This is my build's link :
http://www.theminifo...howtopic=185579

[luke666222]

loove your mini!! lots of hard work there!

[isjakar]

Just trying to get caught up to the present time. Here's a few things that have happened recently:

The 2003 R1 motor showed up.







I wasn't real impressed that the seller didn't take two seconds to stick a rag into each inlet hole, ensuring no debris would get into the engine.



And here's the R1's instrument panel. It will look just a little out of place in the Mini but it will be a very convenient way to get all the information I need while driving. I plan to mount it right behind the steering wheel.



I purchased a copy of the original Mini dimensional blueprints. It's already proven useful for helping me pick out new front seats that aren't too wide for the car. Also interesting to find out that the rear track of the Mini is 2 inches narrower than the front.

Where, oh where does one got one's hands on "original Mini dimensional blueprints"? Did you get them in vector or raster or plain paper? Are they accurate? Have been searching for accurate body drawings for months.

[isjakar]

Oops, very sorry, just saw you already answered the drawings question. Hope that post can be removed -moderator, perhaps?
Must join the chorus of adoration for your fantastic work, though.

[MiniMenzies]

brilliant work !!! :)

[tedmcedd]

Looking brilliant! (as usual) should look even better in paint!!

Ed

[Joe250]

Looking brilliant! (as usual) should look even better in paint!!

Ed

Funny you should mention that. Bodywork should begin any day now. I haven't updated this build here or my website in some time as there really hasn't been much happening to speak of. I've puchased a few parts and lined up a few vendors but that's about all. Thankfully that is all set to change shortly....

[Mini-Mad-Craig]

Long time no visit... coming on excellent and your jacking system really is something else!!

Must be nearing bodyshop now?

[evansisgreat]

This really is one of my favorite threads, I hope i gets going again. Just out of curiosity, where did you buy buy the electrical connectors? I'm hoping that when my loom goes in it's kept nice and neat and connectors like this would make this much easier.

[benpopham]

Love this build.. just had a look through the whole lot :) Can I ask what you have now done with your front anti roll bar, it seems to have disappeared?

[Joe250]

This really is one of my favorite threads, I hope i gets going again. Just out of curiosity, where did you buy buy the electrical connectors? I'm hoping that when my loom goes in it's kept nice and neat and connectors like this would make this much easier.

My apologies for not responding sooner. I just saw your question. I purchased the quick-disconnect electrical connectors from these guys: http://www.p-r-s.com/catalog.htm

[Joe250]

Love this build.. just had a look through the whole lot :) Can I ask what you have now done with your front anti roll bar, it seems to have disappeared?

I never installed the front or rear anti-roll bar as I was getting conflicting information about the necessity of either. After much reading my current plan is to install both a front and rear bar.

[benpopham]

Glad to hear it, lots of very smart bits of engineering on here. Hope it all turns out how you want it :)

[mini_in_progress]

love this build mate, awesome project

i have been thinking of welding tube to my sills but not as elaborate as yours... not sure it would be strong now seeing how yours is lol



dave

[Hegnirst]

I've been very busy with the Mini, working on it 7 days a week. I am starting to doubt I can make my self-imposed deadline but I'm happy to be making such rapid progress, so I don't care. Here's where I'm at:



Back into the holding pen. Actually, she was off to a custom fabrication shop (and Noble specialists) to handle the car's cooling and exhaust systems. These were areas where I found it was going to be much easier to pay someone than learn how to do the work and purchase the special tools required to get the job done.



And after 3 weeks of waiting, here's what I got back. This is the Maniflow Mini exhaust but with a bypass valve added.


I wanted a single exhaust tip but that would have been way more work than it was worth. This turned out pretty well I think. The exhaust is now at a nearby shop getting ceramic coated. Hopefully I'll have that back in a couple weekends.



Some of the cooling system components installed.



I think I finally have a nice working solution for the clutch. More on this soon.



And just to remind me that I'm not the only one in my town with an unusual old car, a neighbor stopped by in his Saab Sonnet. Interesting.



And now I'm working on a custom front subframe attachment method. This is what happens when you have an early car with a late subframe and your rollcage covers up some of the normal bolt holes. More on this soon.

Joe

would you ever sell this exhaust as this is what i want to do, but i dont have the time ...