246 replies to this topic

[SukiDawg]

[custodia]

this is art!!

[kcchan]

beautiful

[miniblade81]

looks very good are you using roundnose or are you going clubby

[SukiDawg]

Hi,


This is the shell I'm using....

Engine mock up

[SukiDawg]

A couple of shell prep pics from the weekend...






Next big step is to build my chassis jig... I'll be ordering the steel this week...

Edited by SukiDawg, 28 March 2011 - 06:11 PM.

[the general lee]

Great work SukiDawg!

Just a quick question- is the mini running standard front suspension gemoetry?

Keep up with the updates- one of my faves here

The General

[SukiDawg]

Hi,

No is the short answer.. The front geometry isn't as per the standard vehicle. The change in weight distribution and also the fact that the spring/dampers are remotely mounted has pushed me towards a new geometry.

At the moment the standard front upright is shown.. I am in sort of a "middle" phase of the design process, where I am trying to fill in all the parts of the car that are missing so that I can get to a decent estimate of all up weight, centre of gravity longitudinal position and height. Once I have those I can finalise my suspension geometry and then finish everything off. Reason for mentioning that in relation to the question is that it I may end up with a new front upright design as well.

One of the disadvantages of the original is the large kingpin offset (hence large torque steer in all those FWD souped up cars - got nothing to do with driveshaft length imho).. Doesn't effect me so much as the car is RWD, but it might be good to reduce it because it will also reduce kickback through the wheel. Also I might be able to get longer wishbones in (they are a bit short because of fitting the turbo in) if I do my own hub...

[SukiDawg]

Dug a bit deeper into the bodyshell this week...



Have removed this corner of the floor now..





Inner wings gone just a bit at the top - as they do...



Some of the crud from the front..



There were several patches the PO has added as repairs to the boot floor... They were 3mm thick plate and took some cutting out...





I've ordered a few panels today, including a new parcel shelf due to this dodgy speaker installation from the past...



Found quite a lot of filler in the rear quarter panel.. may need to think about a lower rear panel... I'll dig it out tomorrow with the grinder and see how bad it is




I hate this dirty nasty bit while its still all rusty

Edited by SukiDawg, 05 April 2011 - 09:14 PM.

[sonikk4]

Bloody hell what did they use to cut out the speakers with, tin opener????

[SukiDawg]

Bit rough isn't it...

Ordered a rear wing yesterday, should hopefully turn up tomorrow along with the other bits. I've got time to work on the car (CAD and hands on) this week, so hopefully push on quite a bit...

[cptkirk]

Top work, I am glad I didnt have to do any bodywork to my shell, it just needed a respray because I wanted it a different colour black.

Looking forward to seeing the frame construction underway.

[Dolly 89]

Bloody hell what did they use to cut out the speakers with, tin opener????

By the looks of it they just wen nuts and started chewing it all out :/. really nice build by the way, i am watching this one closely

[Tupers]

Nice work on the CAD.

I know you've gone to far to turn back now but considering you've basically designed a space frame why did you not go for an FG body shell to save some more weight?

[cad13]

Keep up the good work mate.
Lovin' it!