mk3 rally mini soon to be 1.4 k-series (with nos) ;)

[drew_mini]

thort it was about time i started my build diary (after starting the build just over a month ago) lol.

don't get much time to work on my baby but when i do i try and get as much done as possible.

it is a joint project:
Builders: -
Me (owner)
Ed (mates dad and garage owner)

Ed has been very kind in letting me use his workshop and i helping me with my build (as i cannot weld).

CAR SPEC
NAME - Glugi
REG - K (1972)
INTERIOR - custom dash, cobra monaco s buckets, rear seat and bins cut out, all sound proofing taken out, 6 point cage, securon harnesses.
EXTERIOR - painted in Nautilous Blue, white fibreglass bonnet, white arches (unkown what they are), lucas spot on boot lid, 4 7" spots on front (2 up 2 down) :P st andrew's flag roof, MG rally graphics, door squares, 10" weller wheels.

she may not be the best looking mini in the world but she's my baby and i love her :P

as i sed early we started the build just over a month ago, so far we've done nearly all of the frame (i did all the cutting with the grinder) :P
we cut LOADS out of the frame and used a pair of brace bars to hold the tie-bar mounts in the right place, it took about 8 or 9 hours alltogether to get the engine in roughly the right place. we just couldn't get it low enough or at the right angle to be able to get the front end on.

then tacked all the frame together, moved the engine hoist and tried on the front end (and it fit) ;) YEY!!!!!

this was all in the first week (workin on it a few hours each day).

since then the gearbox ateady under the subframe has been mounted support bars under the frame have been fabricated.

BITS I'VE GOT FOR IT
*dry nos kit
*7.9" vented disks (still need to buy)
*metro 4pot calipers (got them for £20) :P (gonna moddify to fit 10's)
*mpi mini tank (hoping the fuel pump is powerful enough) (£16 on ebay)

gonna still be running mini suspension to keep the cost down but might upgrade to coilovers eventually!!!

Ed is at the TT at the mo so cant get in the workshop till next weeek sumtime :(

gonna start on the driveshafts as soon as the frame is properly finished and its back on its wheels so i can get the shafts the right lenght!

The gear linkage also needs finishing, erm........ it's been modified and works, just needs attaching to the bulk head (and the massive hole we cut plating up) then need to shorten the rest of the linkage in the car to wer i want it.


thats it so far,

i'll update when we've dun more, we're hoping to get her back on the road by the end of July if not before :P

WISH ME LUCK :S

[duck]

What extra power are you aiming for with the NOS, any reason why you went dry and not a wet kit ?

Interesting sounding project, keep us all posted with progress please :D

[drew_mini]

hoping for about 10 or 20bhp extra with the nos, depending on what jet i put in :)

going for a dry kit purely because of cost, got the full kit off a mate for £150 with a 20pound bottle.

dunno how much i will actually get bhp wise, i'll just have to wait n see :P

[drew_mini]

I've added some pics to go with my diary

check out my gallery
http://www.16vminiclub.com/gallery/index.php?cat=13123

more pics to come soon as these pics are a few weeks old now.

Drew xXx

[drew_mini]

today.......
been workin on my frame as ed got back from the ilse of man yesterday so i can now get back in the workshop :P

90% of the frame is finished now, just need to sort the bottom arm pin on passenger side and then make 2 brackets for the brake flexi hoses to mount to.
have dun a few pics and a video explainin the frame.

http://i146.photobucket.com/albums/r248/drew_zxr/IMG_0001.jpg

http://i146.photobucket.com/albums/r248/drew_zxr/IMG_0002.jpg

http://i146.photobucket.com/albums/r248/drew_zxr/IMG_0003.jpg

check out the video
http://i146.photobucket.com/albums/r248/drew_zxr/th_IMG_0004.jpg (http://s146.photobucket.com/albums/r248/drew_zxr/?action=view&current=IMG_0004.flv)


tomorro......

gonna clean n paint the engine while ed finishes the frame, then i can paint that.

then we can get on with the bulk head and mounting the gear lincage.

then can get the frame and engine in (TO STAY IN) :P

still left to do after tomorro:

#drive shafts
#wiring
#fit mpi fuel tank
#fit exhaust
#sort brakes
#DRIVE IT :P

he he

keep watching this space :D

Drew xXx

[chrisg]

seems like a familiar design :wink: one thing i would say is to realy put a lot of strength into the engine steady bracket, engines very floppy on just the 2 mounts and with the plans you got its going to be recieving a few good jolts. dont want the one and only steady giving way on you :shock:

[drew_mini]

cheers for the advice about the steady bracket, will have a look at adding something else aswell to hold the engine still :)

forgot to mention that i still need to sort out the remote oil filter as the frame is in the way of wer it should be :(

[drew_mini]

TODAY.........
went pretty well actually :)
as well as ed's normal work (customers cars)
he managed to sort the top arm out and tack in the plates on the bulk head to mount the gear lincage to.

while he was doin that i split the engine n bos, cleaned them both, roughed them up n sprayed them silver with VHT paint, also painted the ancileries (i.e. starter motor, engine mounts, dipstick tube, gearbox end) satin black. the box is like new :)
i've had to order the plastic bushes for the clutch release arm coz thers loads of play, they will come on saturday morning and are costing a whole £2 lol.
then i can bolt the box and engine together again so its ready to fit for the final time :)

sum pix of the engine today:
http://i146.photobucket.com/albums/r248/drew_zxr/KSJO723.jpg

http://i146.photobucket.com/albums/r248/drew_zxr/KSJO72.jpg

http://i146.photobucket.com/albums/r248/drew_zxr/KSJO722.jpg

http://i146.photobucket.com/albums/r248/drew_zxr/KSJO721.jpg

tomorro.....
as we didnt get chance to sort the bottom arm out today we'll have to that tomorro so i can get the frame tidied up and painted.
akso today i bought some new polly bushes for the bottom arms, tie bars and towers.

so jobs for tomorro...
*finish frame n paint it
*finish welding bulkhead and prep it ready for paint (maybe paint it too) :P
think thats it tomorro as we're stuck really without the clutch arm release bushes :( as soon as they arrive the engine will be back together and straight in the hole :P

then do the shafts, but thats gonna be another day.........

Drew.

P.S. I'VE FIXED THE DATE AND TIME ON MY CAMERA :D

[drew_mini]

FRAME IS FINALLY FINISHED AND PAINTED :P

http://i146.photobucket.com/albums/r248/drew_zxr/newframepics006.jpg

http://i146.photobucket.com/albums/r248/drew_zxr/newframepics007.jpg

we finished welding the bulkhead too so just need to brace across the old turbo box to add a bit more strength then prep and paint it so i can get the frame and engine in tomorro night :D

http://i146.photobucket.com/albums/r248/drew_zxr/newframepics004.jpg

Drew xXx

[drew_mini]

yesterday....

engine bay painted, frame bolted in, engine in :P

HAD SOME GOOD ADVICE FROM PEOPLE OVER THE PAST FEW DAYS SO THANKYOU TO BOB AND EVOLUTION FOR YOUR INPUT.

looks like i may need a bit more strength underneath and another engine steady of sumsort, i'm gonna get it runnin frist n then see what it needs :)

WIRING ON MONDAY
i like wiring but i'm a little confused with the ecy wiries so i'll search the forums for some help.

drew xXx

[drew_mini]

http://i146.photobucket.com/albums/r248/drew_zxr/engineinpics020.jpg
http://i146.photobucket.com/albums/r248/drew_zxr/engineinpics019.jpg
http://i146.photobucket.com/albums/r248/drew_zxr/engineinpics021.jpg

[drew_mini]

yep, glugi is now on her wheels,

wiring all finished

driveshafts dun

new tank in

brake lines made up

exhaust is all sorted

only thing left to do now is something for the oil filter :( gonna sort that tomorro.

hopefully be able to test drive her on friday :D

then make a new front end :P

he he.

ENJOY MY NEW PICS

http://i146.photobucket.com/albums/r248/drew_zxr/19THJUNE-WIRINGANDSHAFTS004.jpg

http://i146.photobucket.com/albums/r248/drew_zxr/19THJUNE-WIRINGANDSHAFTS005.jpg

http://i146.photobucket.com/albums/r248/drew_zxr/onwheels007.jpg

http://i146.photobucket.com/albums/r248/drew_zxr/onwheels008.jpg

[drew_mini]

Sorted the brakes today, man they were a b*****d. i'd forgoten that u need the metro drive flanges to go with the 4pots and vented disks, n e ways, managed to track a pair down for £10 (bargain).

all fitted and stuff with shiny new braidedness :P

take a look ;)
http://i146.photobucket.com/albums/r248/drew_zxr/brakes001.jpg
http://i146.photobucket.com/albums/r248/drew_zxr/brakes002.jpg

i know the calipers could do with a paint, i'll do them when i have more time.

this is of baby glugi, she was feeling left out and wanted a pic taken :P

http://i146.photobucket.com/albums/r248/drew_zxr/brakes004.jpg

Drew.

[drew_mini]

had a bit of a problem today with the electrics as i was wiring my MPI tank in, ther was no live coming from the fuel pump relay, i was scratchin my head for about 2 hours trying to think what it could be.

Turns out ther was a brown and a black wire taped together which i just thort wer live feed for sumthin.

they actually needed to go to a live and an earth to power the ECU and all the engine loom (silly me) :?

but all sorted now.

still not sorted the oil filter yet, tomorro mornings job i think, then it can go brum as everything else is done :P

started on my front end tho thisafternoon, tis no clamped together on the car to get all the gaps right, when i'm 100% happy with it i'll start weldin the wings to the front pannel n then make a cover for the alternator as it sticks out the front bay about 3inches :(

pics of front end:-
http://i146.photobucket.com/albums/r248/drew_zxr/frontend002.jpg
http://i146.photobucket.com/albums/r248/drew_zxr/frontend003.jpg
http://i146.photobucket.com/albums/r248/drew_zxr/frontend004.jpg
http://i146.photobucket.com/albums/r248/drew_zxr/frontend005.jpg

hopefully get them painted tomorro night so ready to put the lights in on monday morning :)

Drew xXx

[drew_mini]

Didn't get much done today, Ed's son dave had a nasty accident in his mini last night so we not in the right mind frame to do work :(

he's snapped his leg, cracked his hip bone and needs reconstructive surgery to his forehead and nose :( but he will be ok we hope.
his car is foooooooobard as he had to be cut out of it.

got my removable front welded up today and my spot lamp brackets mounted to see wer they would sit (i made them last week :P)

the front his clamped on at the a-panels at the mo.

http://i146.photobucket.com/albums/r248/drew_zxr/removablefront012.jpg

http://i146.photobucket.com/albums/r248/drew_zxr/removablefront016.jpg

Drew xXx

[XEValver]

I love those spot lights! always wanted a set like that 8) good work!

sorry to hear about that accident! :( i certainly hope that he recovers ok :)

[drew_mini]

TEST RUN TOMORRO BEFORE SHE GETS PAINTED :P

I CAN'T WAIT

HOPEFULLY ON THE ROAD NEXT WEEK :D

DREW xXx

[MarcE30]

Where are you going to put the radiator?

Fast work, very impressed!

[drew_mini]

Radiator is in at an angle under the left hand wing, not got n e recent pics coz sum1 has stole my camera :(

drove her today, OH MY WORD!!!!! i sh*t myself, LOL. was amazin. can't wait to get her on the road :D

Drew.

[drew_mini]

GLUGI IS NOW PAINTED, WILL BE TRIMMING HER UP TOMORRO AND GOING FOR A DRIVE :D YEY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[drew_mini]

not happy :( finished trimming up and went for a drive round the estate, went lovely, plenty of power and nice and smooth.

2 problems tho :(

1/ need to raise the front suspension slightly as the frame nearly touches the floor :S

2/ when the oil gets hot HOT i get a very fine spry of oil coming for the take off plate for the remote filter.

so will try sort that out tomorro and try again with the driving thing. lol.

Drew.

[pengy666]

what you gonna do about rear track? seems rather narow compard to front, May just be angle of pic I looked at?

Why are the callipers not inside the wheels?? looks odd??

Very quick build nice going, I hate you I hate you!!

:lol: :lol:

Now I need to finish mine! I took nearly four years!

[drew_mini]

calipers not in the wheels coz i've got 1inch spacers on the front so i can run 10's until i can afford alloy 4pots and 7.9's. been runnin spacers for about 2 years and had no problems. gonna cpace the back out a bit too to match it up with the front. i'll try borrow a camera to take pics of her now i've nearly finished.

only reason i've been able to get her done so quick is because i've worked on her for about 4-5 hours a day in between shifts at work (drive a school bus for special needs kids so only work 2 hours early in the mornin n then 2 hours in the afternoon).

so i get plenty of time to work on my baby :) :kseries:

[pengy666]

Where do you get money then? only working four hours a day is not long>?

Only reason i say that is my mini is a firkin money magnet :lol:

Good going, I think I have taken so long cause I have moved house four times, Had a son , got married twice (to the same lovely woman, trust me its a love thing :lol: ) and only get 6 hours on a saturday with the mini on my own?

And i got a lot of stuff in my little garage, and I have changed engine plans twice during build!! 1.4 to a better 1.4 to a brand new 1.8 COUGH 1.4 :wink:

[drew_mini]

well i still live at home with my parents so don't really have any bills other than my insurance. my mini was road legal before i started the conversion and already had the interior and everything i wanted in it, everything in my mini is either second hand n i've reconditioned it or i've fabricated myself :D i dont believe in paying some one to do work on my car, i get more out of it doin it myself :D

plus, ebay is a god send ;) lol

if i lived closer to somerset i'd give you a hand to get it finished quicker, but seein as i'm up by liverpool i dont think its possible lol

[drew_mini]

not put the NOS in yet, gonna get used to the engine first lol

[drew_mini]

ok, glugi is REALLY annoyin me now, i fixed the oil leak that she decided to create yesterday, BUT, she decided to create yet another one today on the same plate :( the oil filter take off and remote plates are goin to an engineering shop tomorro to see if they can sort them out for me. this is the LAST thing to do.

i really wanna drive her home but all she wants to do is pee oil everywer :(

:kseries: but annoying!!!

drew xXx

[drew_mini]

she's now 99.999999999% finished

alll i'm waitin for now is for the new oil takeoff plate to come back from the engineers tomorro n see if it stops her oil leaks. i cnat wait :D

new pics (taken today):

http://i146.photobucket.com/albums/r248/drew_zxr/DSC_0097.jpg
glugis new face (with power buldge for alternator) :)

http://i146.photobucket.com/albums/r248/drew_zxr/DSC_0115.jpg
not too sure if i like these arches, might try some group2's???

http://i146.photobucket.com/albums/r248/drew_zxr/DSC_0113.jpg
glugis tummy :P

http://i146.photobucket.com/albums/r248/drew_zxr/DSC_0105.jpg
sexy bum ;) (oops, still need to fit her lucas boot lamp againO

http://i146.photobucket.com/albums/r248/drew_zxr/DSC_0102.jpg
custom dash (needs cleaning)

http://i146.photobucket.com/albums/r248/drew_zxr/DSC_0100.jpg
mmmm, so pretty :P

can't wait to get her out on the open road!!!!!

i think fuzz may pull me up on my number plate being hidden but oh well :P

[Smurfy]

Looks Great.

The bulge is very subtle with the lamps tho, I scrolled straight past it without noticing the 1st time :D

Well done :D !!!!

[drew_mini]

cheers smurfy, glad u like it :)

[pengy666]

I gotta say for how quick it has taken you the quality of the build is very good

well done chap!!

get some videos done!!

[drew_mini]

will do :) cheers.

[bodgeit]

got married twice (to the same lovely woman, trust me its a love thing
That IS dedication! 8)

Matt

[chrisg]

if you later want rid of the alternator bulge it is possible to get one of the small alternators from a suzuki something or other to fit so its level if not further back than the exhaust :) what i ended up doing, had to remove a little bit of metal from the block and make a new bracket but works a treat. most tricky part was tracking down a 315mm belt :lol: