'73 Canyon Carver/Trackday Animal

[Chris C]

I've owned this can since April of 2007, I bought it as a running, but non-operable Mini 1000 automatic for a sum of $3000. It's my first car and I've still never driven it, almost four years later.

I've had this build over on TMF but I read 16v more often anyways, and I've been meaning to bring the build thread over here for ages. Hope you guys like it!

Bought it looking like this in April of '07:

http://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a181/Number_23/overview.jpg

http://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a181/Number_23/rightside2.jpg

http://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a181/Number_23/interiordriversside.jpg

Teardown began, which uncovered all kinds of fun things like a front end shunt and about 10 layers of paint:

http://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a181/Number_23/car%20photos/IMG_3540.jpg

Gave up trying to wirebrush all the paint off and had the car soda blasted:

http://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a181/Number_23/car%20photos%20return%20from%20anacapa/IMG_3638.jpg

http://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a181/Number_23/car%20photos%20return%20from%20anacapa/IMG_3642.jpg

http://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a181/Number_23/car%20photos%20return%20from%20anacapa/IMG_3645.jpg

http://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a181/Number_23/car%20photos%20return%20from%20anacapa/IMG_3643.jpg

http://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a181/Number_23/car%20photos%20return%20from%20anacapa/IMG_3644.jpg

This of course turned up some rust, but since the car lived its life in New Zealand up until July of 2006, there wasn't very much.

http://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a181/Number_23/car%20photos%20return%20from%20anacapa/IMG_3641.jpg

http://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a181/Number_23/car%20photos%20return%20from%20anacapa/IMG_3639.jpg

Began ordering parts:

http://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a181/Number_23/car%20photos%20return%20from%20anacapa/IMG_3637.jpg

http://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a181/Number_23/car%20photos%20return%20from%20anacapa/IMG_3635.jpg

As I started to tear into the shell I began finding some wonderful repair work. There were a lot of small rusty areas that had been just brazed over.

http://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a181/Number_23/mini%20trunk%20work/IMG_3660.jpg

More parts:

http://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a181/Number_23/new%20mini%20parts/IMG_3661.jpg

http://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a181/Number_23/IMG_3692.jpg

Cut the front end off as it had a pretty serious tweak to it, one side was about an inch shorter than the other. Originally went for a fiberglass one-piece front end:

http://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a181/Number_23/IMG_3687.jpg

http://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a181/Number_23/IMG_3688.jpg

Early repairs:

http://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a181/Number_23/IMG_3689.jpg

http://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a181/Number_23/IMG_3691.jpg

http://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a181/Number_23/IMG_3694.jpg

[Kam]

For those lot who are not on TMF this is one seriously attention to detail build! :cool::cool::cool::cool:

Good work Chris and keep the pics coming - all of them ;)

[Chris C]

At this point we're up to October of '07.

There was an issue with customs, as the container that I had a bunch of parts shipped over from the UK in contained something else that was deemed "suspicious". After waiting for over two months (when it was sitting in Long Beach Harbor, an hour away) the cage, wheels/tires, an a few other things arrived.

http://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a181/Number_23/october%207/IMG_3733.jpg

http://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a181/Number_23/october%207/IMG_3735.jpg

Painting and welding:

http://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a181/Number_23/october%207/IMG_3734.jpg

http://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a181/Number_23/october%207/IMG_3736.jpg

http://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a181/Number_23/october%207/IMG_3729.jpg

Check out the rear bumper seam. Rear end had been pushed in a bit at some point as well:

http://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a181/Number_23/october%207/IMG_3728.jpg

Fresh sill and some other patching:

http://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a181/Number_23/october%2024/IMG_3753.jpg

http://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a181/Number_23/october%2024/IMG_3755.jpg

Looking at just about all of these early repairs makes me cringe.

http://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a181/Number_23/october%2030/IMG_3780.jpg

http://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a181/Number_23/october%2030/IMG_3781.jpg

Cage and seats mocked up:

http://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a181/Number_23/November%205th/IMG_3794.jpg

http://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a181/Number_23/November%205th/IMG_3795.jpg

http://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a181/Number_23/November%205th/IMG_3796.jpg

More repairs:

http://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a181/Number_23/november%209/IMG_3799.jpg

http://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a181/Number_23/december%2013/IMG_3828.jpg

All-steel 2 piece front end:

http://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a181/Number_23/december%2013/IMG_3830.jpg

http://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a181/Number_23/december%2013/IMG_3834.jpg

Then this is where the project direction changed completely. It was supposed to be a little summer restoration that ran long, but this what the end of 2007 brought.

http://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a181/Number_23/december%2024/IMG_3839.jpg

2008:

Minitec kit came:

http://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a181/Number_23/january%2013/IMG_3950.jpg

http://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a181/Number_23/january%2013/IMG_3951.jpg

http://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a181/Number_23/january%2013/IMG_3954.jpg

Motor in for the first time:

http://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a181/Number_23/IMG_3960.jpg

The turning point I mentioned earlier? Yeah... about that:

http://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a181/Number_23/febuary%201st/IMG_4028.jpg

http://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a181/Number_23/febuary%201st/IMG_4023.jpg

Switched to LHD due to rack clearance issues:

http://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a181/Number_23/febuary%201st/IMG_4029.jpg

Notched front panel for frame:

http://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a181/Number_23/febuary%2021/IMG_4069.jpg

Modified rear subframe, all TIG'd:

http://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a181/Number_23/febuary%2021/IMG_4071.jpg

This was to accommodate the new flat floor:

http://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a181/Number_23/march%209/IMG_4181.jpg

[Chris C]

Thanks Kam! I'm going to be putting up just about every picture I have, so brace yourselves. Maybe I should have thrown that warning in earlier...

My dad had been working on a few things while I was busy with school and other nonsense. Messing with the intake, throttle pedal and shift linkage.

http://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a181/Number_23/Throttle_pedal_3w.jpg

http://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a181/Number_23/shifter_13w.jpg

http://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a181/Number_23/Mini_Manifold_2_w.gif

I came back and work began again:

http://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a181/Number_23/december%2008/IMG_4639.jpg

Interior V1:

http://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a181/Number_23/december%2008/IMG_4640.jpg

Front end, as it sat at the end of '08:

http://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a181/Number_23/december%2008/IMG_4641.jpg

For some reason, around the start of '09, I went from just having fun restoring this car to being insanely anal about every detail. This is where the build starts to get good.

Dzus fasteners on the front wings:

http://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a181/Number_23/december%2008/january%2020th%202009/IMG_4665.jpg

Panel gap:

http://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a181/Number_23/december%2008/january%2020th%202009/IMG_4666.jpg

Hinges, which use a bolt as the pin for easy removal:

http://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a181/Number_23/december%2008/january%2020th%202009/IMG_4667.jpg

Next to a buddy's truck. It's funny looking at this picture as his truck looks a lot different these days. AMERICA!

http://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a181/Number_23/january%2031%202009/IMG_4670.jpg

[Chris C]

Moved the front shock mounts more inboard, to strengthen the area as well as give more clearance under full lock. How it sat originally:

http://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a181/Number_23/March%203rd%202009/IMG_4818.jpg

Notched:

http://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a181/Number_23/March%203rd%202009/IMG_4828.jpg

Boxed:

http://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a181/Number_23/March%204th%202009/IMG_4830.jpg

http://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a181/Number_23/March%204th%202009/IMG_4834.jpg

They also use 5/16" bolts with six available mounting points.

Firewall smoothed:

http://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a181/Number_23/March%2022nd%202009/IMG_4839-1.jpg

Underside in the process of being smoothed:

http://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a181/Number_23/March%2028th%202009/IMG_4847.jpg

Tubbed the rear arches:

http://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a181/Number_23/March%2028th%202009/IMG_4848.jpg

http://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a181/Number_23/May%208%202009/IMG_4863.jpg

http://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a181/Number_23/May%208%202009/IMG_4864.jpg

Some motor parts:

http://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a181/Number_23/May%208%202009/IMG_4862.jpg

Seat belt mounts V1. You can also see brackets that the seat rack bolted too in this picture.

http://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a181/Number_23/May%209th%202009/IMG_4867.jpg

Began to work on some bracing behind the dash, as well as modifying the steering column so that it would be centered to the seat and have a more desirable angle (i.e. not a bus).

http://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a181/Number_23/May%2013th%202009/IMG_4870.jpg

http://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a181/Number_23/June%2020th%202009/IMG_4908.jpg

http://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a181/Number_23/July%205%202009/IMG_4910.jpg

http://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a181/Number_23/July%205%202009/IMG_4912.jpg

Centered:

http://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a181/Number_23/July%205%202009/IMG_4914.jpg

[Chris C]

Pedals mounted, floor mount throttle pedal installed and shift linkage V2 constructed:

http://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a181/Number_23/October%2029%202009/IMG_4966.jpg

http://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a181/Number_23/October%2029%202009/IMG_4965.jpg

http://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a181/Number_23/October%2029%202009/IMG_4963.jpg

Decided to scrap the shifter mounting and center crossmember. The crossmember was horrible dented and warped from the day I bought the car.

http://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a181/Number_23/November%209%202009/IMG_4969.jpg

Started on a new crossmember:

http://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a181/Number_23/November%209%202009/IMG_4968.jpg

Finished crossmember, as well as seat mounts V3:

http://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a181/Number_23/December%2017%202009/IMG_5039.jpg

http://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a181/Number_23/December%2017%202009/IMG_5041.jpg

http://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a181/Number_23/December%2017%202009/IMG_5046.jpg

GET LOW!

http://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a181/Number_23/December%2017%202009/IMG_5045.jpg

Dash V2:

http://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a181/Number_23/December%2028%202009/IMG_5048.jpg

http://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a181/Number_23/December%2028%202009/IMG_5049.jpg

http://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a181/Number_23/December%2028%202009/IMG_5050.jpg

http://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a181/Number_23/December%2028%202009/IMG_5053.jpg

http://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a181/Number_23/January%203%202010/IMG_5412.jpg

http://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a181/Number_23/January%203%202010/IMG_5414.jpg

http://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a181/Number_23/January%203%202010/IMG_5413.jpg

http://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a181/Number_23/January%203%202010/IMG_5415.jpg

http://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a181/Number_23/January%203%202010/IMG_5418.jpg

Big picture:

http://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a181/Number_23/January%203%202010/IMG_5416.jpg

[kcchan]

Nice to see you've made it onto here. Been an avid follower on TMF

[Chris C]

We're up to the beginning of 2010 now.

Drivers door repair:

http://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a181/Number_23/January%204%202010/IMG_5419.jpg

Modified floor pan for throttle pedal:

http://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a181/Number_23/January%204%202010/IMG_5420.jpg

Door bars:

http://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a181/Number_23/January%204%202010/IMG_5421.jpg

Handbrake mount and seatbelt mounts V2:

http://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a181/Number_23/January%2010%202010/IMG_5423.jpg

Work on the underside, then the underside was painted:

http://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a181/Number_23/January%2028%202010/IMG_5464.jpg

http://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a181/Number_23/January%2028%202010/IMG_5476.jpg

http://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a181/Number_23/January%2028%202010/IMG_5483.jpg

Back on its wheels:

http://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a181/Number_23/March%2027%202010/IMG_5548-1.jpg

Dash V2:

http://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a181/Number_23/March%2027%202010/IMG_5538-1.jpg

http://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a181/Number_23/March%2027%202010/IMG_5536-1.jpg

Walbro 255, hand-bent stainless hardlines:

http://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a181/Number_23/March%2027%202010/IMG_5540-1.jpg

http://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a181/Number_23/March%2027%202010/IMG_5541-1.jpg

Kept having problems with the rear subframe, stripped nut in the sill out and basically just said fuck it. Custom rear beam, uses 5/16" bolts:

http://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a181/Number_23/April%2018%202010/IMG_5550.jpg

Protech shocks:

http://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a181/Number_23/April%2018%202010/IMG_5553.jpg

Cleaned/painted motor and trans:

http://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a181/Number_23/April%2018%202010/IMG_5557.jpg

Muffler:

http://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a181/Number_23/April%2026%202010/IMG_5561.jpg

http://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a181/Number_23/April%2026%202010/IMG_5566.jpg

Turreted the arches:

http://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a181/Number_23/July%201%202010/IMG_0625.jpg

http://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a181/Number_23/July%201%202010/IMG_0621.jpg

http://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a181/Number_23/July%201%202010/IMG_0629.jpg

I TIG'd up the the steering components:

http://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a181/Number_23/July%201%202010/IMG_0633.jpg

http://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a181/Number_23/July%201%202010/IMG_0634.jpg

[Chris C]

How the car looked this past summer:

http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4130/5015319203_1a9bde3576_b.jpg

Began the wiring a few months back, and this brings us up to the current day. I'll post a fresh update later this evening.

http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4111/5183396297_b5cfaed7d2_b.jpg

http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4153/5183998686_6c0c21d9b8_b.jpg

http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1413/5183996270_c339e2a53f_b.jpg

http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1043/5183399655_ef4d2f3fcb_b.jpg

http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1305/5183397225_f1698a429d_b.jpg

http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1437/5183395379_089591e18c_b.jpg

http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5044/5222124969_38744f6d60_b.jpg

http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5047/5222124941_6280173585_b.jpg

http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5209/5222124963_86a8ec6ce4_b.jpg

http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5041/5222124917_a28e03ba28_b.jpg

http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5204/5321699978_21fcd503de_b.jpg

[Glenno]

More please.........

Loving this build, centre console/dash looks fab.

Nice to see our exports being put to good use....I was told that during the peak, 600 minis a month were being exported.........:mad:

[wilp99]

good stuff. cant wait to see more

[Mintegra]

Not another mouth watering American build for us all to drool over!...

Looks top notch this Chris!...

C

[apbellamy]

Good skills!

[reffle]

wow, some amazing stuff and phenomenal attention to detail!

[GingerMonkey]

Yes this build is brilliant. Have also been watching over on TMF. Lovely detail in work and in the photos taken. Big up the bike cans too :)

[Spiyda]

There's something about those photos, especially the "How the car looked this past summer:" shot thats got an almost magazine quality look and feel to them... wish I could take pics half as well !

I love the car, wish I'd got the patience to do it as properly !

[Coupe]

Wow! Loving the work. Almost makes me want to rip mine apart and start again - oh wait, I'm doing that already at the end of the year! If I can make it look half as neat as your work, then I'll be extremely happy.

[Owen]

Love the box section in the crossmember and the dash! Top work!

[Birdman]

Lovin all of it. Mini - Nice Garage and the fact that when you open the garage door it's California outside... I am living in the wrong country.

[Chris C]

WOW. I didn't expect to get such a warm response, I really appreciate all the kind words. I've got some fresh pictures taken from the other night but I need to find the CF card reader, so don't lose faith.

I've been very fortunate to have a supportive family. My dad bought himself a 7D last year so that's why the newer pictures look good (besides the wiring shots). As long as the lighting is good, every picture makes you feel like a professional photographer.

The weather is nice, but the traffic is absolutely diabolical and the people are assholes. Myself included, heh.

[Oz]

We all enjoy a bit of automotive porn ;)

[Chris C]

Alright then,

The car looks like this right now. I pulled the hubs off so that I could shim the ball joints, since for some reason I never did in the first place. I'm also converting the upper arms to be fully adjustable, so I can have more control over the caster settings.

http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4082/5412157807_c945a27449_b.jpg

ECU is mounted, bolts down to these little metal tabs with nuts welded on the back that are in turn welded to the dash bracing. The rubber mounting is probably unnecessary, but oh well.

http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4098/5412771350_521b97d007_b.jpg

Along with that is the completed ECU loom. Isn't it adorable?

http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4097/5412771978_247d0a5c39_b.jpg

Wire tuck is done, it's hard to take a picture of but instead of looping back like I had it before, all the wires are run directly to where they need to go. Superfluous wiring has been pulled from the loom as well. Wires have been shortened or lengthened accordingly. The bullet connectors are for the Painless harness to plug into, so that it can be removed separately(or vice versa) if need be.

http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5171/5412160457_8351cd51c2_b.jpg

The devil is in the details, boys.

http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5254/5412158719_baea39ec7d_b.jpg

http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4082/5412159725_611e7751f6_b.jpg

[Oz]

http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5171/5412160457_8351cd51c2_b.jpg

WTF, how do you get the alternator to mount in its original position :shock: Does that all fit in a standard length front ?

[Mini fab]

Oz Minitec frames when using a D series can have there alternator mounted at the back, but not using the Honda original alternator bracket, but with there very own design, Note: All Minitec frames sports a front coilover, so there is an available space at the back since the rubber cone suspension housing has been eliminated.But in the case of a B series which a bit bulkier had there alternator mount on top, which is the best location in case of servicing, while this set up ( picture above) will remove engine first if you ever have problem in your alternator dept.

Here a sample when a D's alternator is on top.
http://i561.photobucket.com/albums/ss55/rmrsasteel/Miniupdateapril24002.jpg

[Chris C]

Mini fab is correct to some degree, the d-series motors do have a bit more space around them and the dedicated coilover design of the Minitec frame gives you more clearance as well. However, both the block and the alternator have had some "shaving" done to them, and the alternator sits on custom brackets. It is a very, very tight fit! I need to modify it a bit more since the bottom bracket just clips the driveshaft on full bump, I'll be sure to take a picture of everything then.

There's only a pinch of adjustability but I've found a belt that fits very nicely. Yes, you would have to either pull the motor or unbolt the frame to remove it, but I've routed everything to make this slightly less painful.

Yes it all fits under a standard length front end! I can't stand the way extended fronts look. My goal with this car is to have it look like a mildly modified mini from the outside, but once you take a closer look you'll start to realize what's been done to it.

[Richspec]

Loving the attention to detail, great build :)

[krazy]

Glad to see you over here Chris, I've followed your TMF build for awhile. Always admired your welding skills, wish I could weld like that. I can't wait to see more updates!