C20XE into a Metro subframe

[plastic rules]

I'm hoping to fit an XE into this subframe to fit to my metro based Midas, cut some big chunks out of the frame today, hope to see if the engine will fit next.

]http://preview.sleach8.photosite.com/~photos/tn/5479645_1024.ts1161630045000.jpg

http://preview.sleach8.photosite.com/~photos/tn/5479539_1024.ts1161629694000.jpg

[mooncat]

What subby is in the midas as standard is it Mini..??? and why didnt you use the a series metro frame..??? and will you have track width issues.. etc etc, also I dont want to see no use of my *patented* curtain poles...!!! :lol:

[plastic rules]

Hello Keith, curtain poles? whatever do you mean :wink:

The black midas is A-series Metro based and that is an A-series metro subframe with some bits removed.

Believe or not I'm thinking of using some small box-section. I don't want it ending up too heavy and because of the design of the metro mountings I won't need the same kind of strength that a mini frame would need.

[mooncat]

Cool.... look forward to seeing how you get on.. I have an old a series metro frame and might use it in the future.... good luck. 8)

[plastic rules]

Thanks Keith, I think I might just need all the luck I can get.

The phrase "coming together slowly" springs to mind, I'm also hoping to use mini bottom arms and tie bars, and a coil-over damper similar to the MGF TC, I do have some Watsons springs but prefer the more flexible coil-over, if I want to change the spring rate it'll be a lot easier than having a 4" 4000lb watsons type spring made.

Stuart.

[XEValver]

nice midas! 8)

did you get busy with a hacksaw on that frame or use a plasma cutter? :lol: :D

will be awesome when done :P you gotta try to beat 8 days to get the engine in the frame :P :lol: :roll:

good luck, i'll be checking back frequently!

Joel

[plastic rules]

8 days Joel :oops: more like 8 weeks :cry:

I was all set for an afternoon with the hacksaw when a friend said "no you don't want to do that, bring it round to mine and I'll cut it out with the angle grinder" 20 mins later the job was done.

Don't check too often, once a week should do you.

Stuart.

[plastic rules]

Only had a few minutes today, I spent too long sorting out all my old A-series stuff.

Tried the box in the subframe

http://preview.sleach8.photosite.com/~photos/tn/5509899_1024.ts1161716384000.jpg

[XEValver]

looks like it was made for it! but remember to leave space for the engine too! :| :lol: :oops:

[plastic rules]

Tried the C16 in today, it's a bit lighter and easier to lift in your own than the C20. It seems to fit OK, I just need to fine tune the position with a view to getting it to fit under the body-work but also make sure the sump isn't too low.

http://preview.sleach8.photosite.com/~photos/tn/5561735_1024.ts1161883647000.jpg

[XEValver]

any progress over the weekend mate?

[plastic rules]

No sorry. went to the NEC classic car show this weekend, spent friday night in a layby which wasn't too bad. On saturday night I went into Coventry, a friend was stopping in a hotel there, so we went out for a Chinese.

I parked in what I thought was a quiet street not far from his hotel, never again, very rowdy people going by all night, even at 5am. I felt a big jolt on the side of the van around 2am, and this guy said to his mates " I've just hit that van as hard as I could with my left shoulder, the last time I did that there was a nice big dent" luckily mine is GRP side-walls, not a mark.
I had someone try the door-handle, a 5am knock knock and a Police car give his siren a quick blast whilst at the side of me.

Remind me to never park in the street again, that's a world I've never seen before and not one I want to see again.

[XEValver]

so hows it going Stuart? 8)

[mininut]

No sorry. went to the NEC classic car show this weekend, spent friday night in a layby which wasn't too bad. On saturday night I went into Coventry, a friend was stopping in a hotel there, so we went out for a Chinese.

I parked in what I thought was a quiet street not far from his hotel, never again, very rowdy people going by all night, even at 5am. I felt a big jolt on the side of the van around 2am, and this guy said to his mates " I've just hit that van as hard as I could with my left shoulder, the last time I did that there was a nice big dent" luckily mine is GRP side-walls, not a mark.
I had someone try the door-handle, a 5am knock knock and a Police car give his siren a quick blast whilst at the side of me.

Remind me to never park in the street again, that's a world I've never seen before and not one I want to see again.

That's because you were in coventry mate!! :shock:

[plastic rules]

so hows it going Stuart? 8)

Hi Joel, compared to your build mine is a snails pace :oops: I've got an engine lift and made up a bit of a work bench with a vice, just having the vice is a huge bonus. I did a bit of house wiring and wired up a light above the bench.

I've cut some extra cooling slots in the front bumper, I'm going to fit a discreet spilter to direct the air into them.

I thought I'd found a good stainless manifold on the Regal site £220 as a apposed to the normal £330, no longer made or in stock :(

The A-series engine and subframe are still in the car but just about ready to come out. I've ground some metal off a pair of new radius arms and am now waiting to get some new stub axles with an extra stub to take the rear coil-overs, the metro rear-subframe is ready to be powder coated, I just want to make sure I have everything I need powder-coated all together.

I,ve cleaned up the garage a bit and put a dehumidifier in to dry it out a bit, but it's still cold dark damp and miserable.

I'll post some photos soon.

Stuart. I take it Coventry is rough then Maz?

[mininut]

I take it Coventry is rough then Maz?

I dont think i could be honest without upsetting someone! :wink:

M.