Which mark engine?

[miniswift]

Hi ppl,

I would like to know which my engine are you using?
I would like to know the answer from ppl already fitted Zuki engine.
I cut up my subframe now and engine is in the subframe.
I noticed so many problems :cry: .
All of engine mounts brackets looks out of position compared to those of you already done this conversion.

Also, does anyone bought more than Mk1 Gti engine and car itself?
If you do, can you spare engine mount bracket for poor me :oops: .

ATM I need to make all bracket to fit this engine.
It will like, "what this I get myself in to :( !"

I will need to either make or buy:

front gearbox bracket
Rear enigne bracket
Alternator bracket
remote oil filter bracket

ppl, if you can buy mk1 Gti not MK2 onwards

Cheers
Atchi

[Swiftmini]

That is too late for some of us.

Have a MK2 engine with everything to boot.
Waiting on you to finish before I start :twisted: ,
but you you seem to be having problems :( .

I though you were going to do some drawings (CAD),
like http://www.vx200mini.150m.com/build-to-date.htm

What happened ?

Don't know a thing about CAD, but would like to do some dimensions 1st.

So, what problem you are having, met this chap who runs a
MK1 would be more than happy to help out if he can .

:D

--
Swiftmini
"When you have everthing you have always wanted in life,
you know you have screwed up big time! "

[miniswift]

Hi Swiftmini,

I am still going as it is with mk2 engine.
I need to decide either make what I need or take shorter way, buy mk1 bits.
Looks like I need to make what I need.
I shall take some of standard parts to work and draw CAD when I have a time them machine from either steel or fabricate them.

That web link you post it looks good.
I have to make my owen web site too, but 2nd one on its way and my daughter haveing chicken pox... :roll: .
Anyway, engine is in subframe and angled@15 degrees.
All, I have to do is make custom mounts and brackets..Oh joy :wink: .

Atchi

[strudel]

Atchi, I have no idea what the oem Swift brackets look like but engine mounts are not that difficult to fabricate. There are usually many alternatives to designing these. If you go with the same orientation as original you are usually the safest.

If they are anything like a Honda there is a rubber bushing part and a sleeve it fits into. The sleeve can be made from u channel or box steel in the correct dimensions. Or you can weld flat steel onto the frame rail on each side of the rubber bushing and then reinforce at least one side with a right angle plate for rigididty. I'd have to see a picture to make a judgement on what to build. I have also got pictures of an aluminum mount but it is specific to an older Integra engine but could be modified if it is similar in any way.

Don't know if that helped except for some encouragement. It is a slow process and shouldn't be rushed. You don't want them to break when racing around in the car later on. JS

[miniswift]

Hi Strudel,

My problem is that unlike yourself, I didn't buy donor car itself.
I only bought enigne, gearbox, ECU and wiring so on.
I think I took this project bit lightly hearted :oops: .
It is no problem that I need to make mounts.
I do work for engineering company well kind of.
We have CNC machine and miklling machines and so on so I'm sure I can make some.
Just that, I wanted to build it quickly and drive :twisted: !
You know how it is, look standrad mini and packs a lot of punch :wink: .
Most of brackets are made of cast iron and I will take measurement and make custom one with those measurement.
I also thinking making poly urethane mount since I got few of them lying around at work :lol: .

I think any transplant project is difficult especialy when DIY build subframe is involved.
I shall see how it goes.

Cheers
Atchi

[GTiMini]

Atchi, I used the MK1 engine and box but only because I know them best. The MK2 mounts are different and don't suit the style of installation I use.

I have 4 mounts and 1 engine steady. All of them are custom made. (obviously) There is one under the gearbox which I selected from a catalogue of mounts at my local automotoive store. Don't know what its supposed to fit but it was close enough for me to modify. The rear mount is the original GTi mount and I made brackets for the subframe and engine so I could use it. The front mount uses the GTi bracket above the oil filter and I just shorten it so it sits closer to the block. The front gearbox mount/steady is the original GTi mount and connects to a custom bracket on the subframe. The engine steady is a modified mini dog bone and mounts to the head and ties the engine back to the bulkhead so it doesn't move much. (Just like the mini design)

Ideally I would like another engine steady on the gearbox side of the engine but its not absolutely necessary.

Engine mounts are not that hard really, but need some creative thinking and engineering to get them to work correctly. The trick is that you need to have the engine line up with correct clearances after it settles on the mounts as different mounts have different compression rates. Took me a few goes and I often ended up having to shim mounts to get them right but I remake them after so they are correct. Shims offend me. :wink:

The front mount on the MK2 is completely different to what I do but can work just as well if you make the subframe to suit. The front gearbox mount is dead simple too. I deleted the rear gearbox mount as there just isn't the room for it. The original engine is mounted in six places and the mini engine was originally only 2 mounts and one or two steadies.

Having a complete donor car makes it much easier because you can even cut the mount bases off the car and remake them to suit your frame.

Whatever you do it will involve some custom engineering and fabrication. You can't just buy or get mounts or brackets to fit. Unless you get very clever in your subframe design but even then it may not be possible as there just isn't the space available like in the GTi engine bay.

Take your time, use the "put and look" method. Put it on and look at it for a long time, think about how forces will act on it and how it will move, think about the stresses on it and where it could break. Then, if necessary change it and put it back on and look at it again. Check your reference points and make sure they all line up. Look at the design of the original mounts if possible or the how other engines mounts are designed, that should give you a clue.

Remember one very important thing!!! If something fails it could kill you. Over engineer it, look at what will happen if something you make breaks and imagine what that breakage will result in, then build in something to compensate if possible. We don't build our cars to drive to church on Sundays, they will be stressed more than a normal car.

The best advice I can give is get an engineer to oversee your work and direct your design. You'd be surprised at how an experienced engineer will look at something and solve your worst problems with a simple suggestion.

Good luck.

[miniswift]

Hi Con,

Thanks for your advice.
I know that I need to make a lot things myself.

I am now thinking of making subframe itself.
I like the idea of over engineering.
I am engineer myself and CAD engineer, too.

I did Mech eng so I should be able to calcurate stuff.
Just time I think.
I will be making engine mount from poly urethane for better stength.
So, see how it goes.

Cheers
Atchi

[GTiMini]

Atchi

I haven't had a great deal of success with polyurethane engine mounts in road cars. They tend to transfer vibration much more than conventional rubber mounts. This can be very unpleasant and detract from the pleasure of driving.

However, they can be made in any shape and that can solve some problems. Have you thought of roaming the local breakers yard (if they let you) and seeing what shapes and sizes conventional mounts are available that could be adapted? Pay close attention to the Jap cars.

[miniswift]

Hi ppl,

Ok, update so far.
No engine mounts is done yet but got 1 Toyota Camry!?(did I spell it right?) engine mounts.
They are about 1 inch smaller than Swift ones.
Both upper and lower arms is more or less done on both side.
I start to make front subframe mounts to be 3 inch lower than it should be.
When I finish making them, I will post it and show it to you guys.

As I speak, my cylinder head will be made to take Yamaha R1 carbs :wink:.
My wife will be away with a new born and an older daughter to visit her forks for 2 weeks.
She said I can do my mini as much as I want (may be telling me to get on with it!?).
So, I should see some progress from next week.

Cheers
Atchi