Another GT Turbo!

[gtmini]

Hi people,

Just though I'd introduce my project as I'm probably gonna need some help/advice over the next few months as things develop!

The aim is to run a starlet turbo unit (EP91 4EFTE) as an everyday road car and must fit in a standard round nose. So far so good, I've built the hybrid subframe and it 'just' fits! On with an engine rebuild now prior to sorting driveshafts and electrics. It's gonna have a 2pc fibreglass flip-front but should fit in a standard front with mods to the inner wings.

I've attached a pic of the engine in the car (please excuse the string :D ), the frame is now finished and painted etc. Pics to follow.

Very impressed with what I've seen on the site so far, much to aspire too. Keep going!

http://www.citymechanical.co.uk/hybrids/test.jpg

[BigAndy]

that looks like a nice neat install, and a very compact engine. That engine should be good fun in a mini. Good uck and keep us posted

[MattG]

yea , welcome to the club !

Matt

[FatKev]

Tidy install - I take it you're going to have something like brace bars going from the front of the subframe to the inner wings?

[gtmini]

Thanks guys, I chose the engine cos its similar in size and weight to an A-series and the final drive ratio is about right for fast-road spec. Also its easier to bolt-on power with a turbo install (so fed-up with stripping the engine to make more power!).

Regards the brace bars, I've no plans to fit them (unless a legal requirement of course). The subframe is great cos it contains all the suspension loads etc and in essence 'tows' the rest of the car behind it. However, I have strengthened/stiffened the toe-board mounts and use a 4-bolt fixing rather than the original 2-bolt. I'll get some more pics sorted this week.

I've chosen to use metro CV joints and replace them at intervals rather than engineer for the Allegro/Maxi ones, but I still need custom driveshafts. Any recommendations? Or has anyone dealt with GB Engineering in Nantwich? I hear they're very good and make bespoke shafts for the Ultima etc.

Cheers.

@Matt - it was me that emailed you about delivery leadtime for the 2pc fibre fronts - i'll email more details this week.

[BassAddict]

Look forward to seeing the progress on this - frame looks pretty tidy :) Welcome to the forums by the way :)
Rich

[DaveCoxon]

As you're in lanchashire - I can reccomend 'motorsport components' in Bolton if you decide to do the cut/welded shafts. Done properly, cut/welded shafts are more than enough for a fwd car that'd break traction before breaking a shaft...

[FatKev]

Don't know about brace bars being legal requirements but I do know a lot of MOT places do moan about flip fronted Minis that don't have them. They often neglect to accept the fact that the subframe tows the rest of the car about (as once stated by Mr Vizard) and say some strength has to be added in to replace the gone outter and inner wings. Heard this from more than one MOT tester in Scotland. :( But hey if you've spoken to your MOT man and he's happy with it then surely its all good :D

[mininut]

If you've ever had torn inner wings on a mini (which I had thanks to the wife), you'll know that the whole front end lifts about 2" even with a 1000cc under acceleration :shock: . This just goes to show how important bracing is!!

Unless of course you like the front of your car to "Flex" while your driving :?

[bodgeit]

I agree with Maz here. You will definately need some sort of bracing back to the remaining inner wings. It's not really that hard to do is it??? 8)

Matt

[gtmini]

The problem with Minis tearing the inner wings is as a result of inadequate rear subframe mounts, hence why the problem is much worse on later cars with rubber mounts. A solid rear mounting generally solves the problem as proven on numerous rally cars.

Having said that, in light of the extra power and general abuse :lol: the car gets, I have put significant plating across the toe board to stiffen the rear mount - this will also be tied in to the roll cage. Like with any structure I suppose, its easy to make it strong but hard to make it stiff, (there's a joke in there somewhere!) which is precisely the problem I had with the subframe.

Anyway, after much head scratching about all that, the result is a suitably stiff frame... I hope!

http://www.citymechanical.co.uk/hybrids/frame.jpg[/img]

[minstar]

I think that looks pretty strong and well designed. All the Australian subframes I have seen (and agreed none are flipfronts) all run off the cone towers rather than the a panels...

Cheers

Matt

[gtmini]

Its a sad day when you finally have to grow up and be sensible!!!

Unfortunately that day is upon me and I need to part company with my other half. Just gauging interest at the minute before I go ahead with a classified ad. incase any seriously enthusiastic starlet-mini people want to get in first!

Brief spec:

daily driver
1968 (tax exempt) round nose mini, red with black roof
2pc f/g removable front (standard length) inc scoop
1.3 turbo starlet motor (engine fully rebuilt ~1500miles ago)
custom hybrid subframe (all mini suspension)
metro 4-pots with servo
13x8 aleycats wearing SP9000
adj suspension all round
all lines inside (dash and interior to be finished)
remote locking/alarm/immobiliser
solid shell, needs minor tidying
nice audio install

http://www.citymechanical.co.uk/hybrids/DSC00108.JPG

If anyone is seriously interested please PM me for more info/pics etc.

Cheers, Tom.