Gary's Redtop

[MrBobK]

Hiya people

My name's Gary and i thought it was about time i showed what ive been doing on my mini.

I am fitting a red top engine to my cooper. I have made my own subframe by modifying the original mini one. I plan on fitting injection using motorbike throttle bodies but ive not sorted that out yet.
Below is a picture of how far ive got so far. I will post some more pics of how i got here later on.

http://i184.photobucket.com/albums/x149/MrBobK/S6000418small.jpg

[BassAddict]

Welcome to the forums MrBobK ! :) Looks like a nice tidy conversion - look forward to seeing a few more pics :)
Rich

[MrBobK]

This is my car before i started the redtop conversion. I had already fitted a metro turbo engine but wanted something that would hopefully be a bit more reliable as well as quicker.

http://i184.photobucket.com/albums/x149/MrBobK/DSC00020s-1.jpg[/img]

Soon got rid of that old lump tho

http://i184.photobucket.com/albums/x149/MrBobK/DSC00036s.jpg

http://i184.photobucket.com/albums/x149/MrBobK/DSC00038s.jpg

http://i184.photobucket.com/albums/x149/MrBobK/DSC00211s.jpg

http://i184.photobucket.com/albums/x149/MrBobK/DSC00001s.jpg

Then the fun begins making the frame. Would have loved to have bought one but funds didnt allow it so i got cracking with the angle grinder. When i started this i didnt know how to weld so i got a few pointers off my mate and started practising. The way i did it was to just tack the frame in position and my friend later seam welded it for me.
I took lots of inspiration from peoples builds on here and tried to base my frame on those ive seen. Soon realised you just need to get stuck in and lots and lots of trial fitting later i ended up with a frame of my own.

http://i184.photobucket.com/albums/x149/MrBobK/DSC00208.jpg

http://i184.photobucket.com/albums/x149/MrBobK/S6000022s.jpg

http://i184.photobucket.com/albums/x149/MrBobK/S6000063s.jpg

Heres my finished subframe (or so i thought at the time) but found out later that i would end up changing quite a bit as the build progressed.

http://i184.photobucket.com/albums/x149/MrBobK/S6000132s.jpg

http://i184.photobucket.com/albums/x149/MrBobK/S6000136s.jpg

[pengy666]

I think this man deserves a club member status?


Nice job looking swwwweeeettttt

:wink:

[mincento]

Gary im loving the build pics and the fact of a what looks to be bargain XE build, i too am thinking of going the route of building my own frame, as although i can afford the £700 i cant really justify it when i can get the matterials at trade cost, have already got all the tools needed and have someone who could check the weld quality (my uncles an instructor) 8)

what parts of the frame did you end up changing and why?, also i notice that from the top pic it looks like the engine sits quite a way forward, is this as far back as it can go or just how the frame turned out? and where did you get the engine mounts from?

good luck and keep the pics coming

wayne

[XEValver]

looks just like my frame 8)

good job!

i ended up changing my frame a few time during my build too. it nothing unsual :lol:

mine started out as a 'budget build'... but now i'm £5000 down the line and its still not done, i've kinda knocked the budget on the head :lol:

good luck with the rest of the build...

i suggest you start a build diary. not just for our benefit, but it will help you too. mine has been good for times when i've thought "when did i do that agian?" etc. :lol:

[MrBobK]

Hi Wayne

I changed quite a few things on my frame as i went along. Mostly to give more clearance in areas such as lowering the bottom rail to clear the sump as i was trying to get the engine as low as possible. Though i later raised the engine a little as it fouled the tie bar when i lowered it onto its wheels.

The engine is as far back as i could get it while keeping the mini suspension. There is very little clearance as can be seen from the photo below. In some places there is even less room so im hoping the engine doesnt rock too much.

http://i184.photobucket.com/albums/x149/MrBobK/S6000061s.jpg

The engine mounts are from a landrover and i think the part number is NRC2053


Hi Joel

My frame does look a bit like yours. I used your build pictures to help me get started and then just fitted things around the engine with lots of trial and error.

I would like to start a build diary but i dont have Club Member status so cant yet. If someone could move this thread into the build diary section ill carry it on from here.

Also like to say thanks to everyone on here. Without this website i wouldnt have had a clue how to start my build.

Thanks Gary

[XEValver]

ahhh, just realised who this is!

hey Gary!

it didn't click that it was you at first :oops:

awesome to see some pics of your build!

were the photo's you took of my pedal box any use to you?

[MrBobK]

Hi Joel

Took me a while to get round to doing the pedal box but ive been making it today. Hopefully have it finished tomorrow.

Thanks for the pix. Just hope my welding is good enough lol.

[KEV@POWARTEK]

when fitting the xe, what changes are required to the steering column?

[bodgeit]

when fitting the xe, what changes are required to the steering column?
none

[mininut]

when fitting the xe, what changes are required to the steering column?

none!

[bodgeit]

great minds think alike Maz!!!

[DarrenW]

I have amended your status, nice build.

Keep the pictures coming, Welcome :D

I will transfer this to the build diary section.

[MrBobK]

Thanks Darren for moving this to the build diary section.

I shall sort through my photos and find some more to put up.

[MrBobK]

Here are some more random pictures of my build

Had all the usual rot to deal with. Never done bodywork before so it was a steep learning curve

http://i184.photobucket.com/albums/x149/MrBobK/S6000041s.jpg

http://i184.photobucket.com/albums/x149/MrBobK/DSC00043.jpg

Im skint so decided to fix the shock absorber mount rather than replace them

http://i184.photobucket.com/albums/x149/MrBobK/S6000069s.jpg


http://i184.photobucket.com/albums/x149/MrBobK/S6000071s.jpg

I welded an extra plate here for strength as i shall be adding a support here for the subframe

http://i184.photobucket.com/albums/x149/MrBobK/S6000394.jpg

Here is the box to clear the gear linkage

I know my welding is pants but im getting alot better now

http://i184.photobucket.com/albums/x149/MrBobK/S6000396.jpg

http://i184.photobucket.com/albums/x149/MrBobK/S6000392.jpg

http://i184.photobucket.com/albums/x149/MrBobK/S6000403.jpg

Some more subframe pics

Had to alter these for more clearance

http://i184.photobucket.com/albums/x149/MrBobK/S6000024.jpg

http://i184.photobucket.com/albums/x149/MrBobK/S6000026.jpg

http://i184.photobucket.com/albums/x149/MrBobK/S6000398.jpg

http://i184.photobucket.com/albums/x149/MrBobK/S6000077.jpg

http://i184.photobucket.com/albums/x149/MrBobK/S6000076s.jpg

[MINI_BOY_IAN]

looking good my man keep it up 8) 8)

[XEValver]

yeah it looks awesome

feel free to pop round if you wanna look at any parts of mine, or take any pics of it.

will you be taking the trip up to MITP?

[MrBobK]

Hey Joel

Yep i will definitely be going to MITP

Hopefully one day i will actually be able to drive to a show in a mini

[MrBobK]

Here is a load of pictures of the pedal box i made

Its made out of my original pedal box which i cut up so i could bring the master cylinder inside the car and convert to cable clutch

I have temporarily bolted on this extension to my brake pedal so i can see if the leverage is right. Once i have plumbed the brakes in and checked all is well it will be fully welded up


http://i184.photobucket.com/albums/x149/MrBobK/DSC00112.jpg

http://i184.photobucket.com/albums/x149/MrBobK/DSC00111.jpg

http://i184.photobucket.com/albums/x149/MrBobK/DSC00109.jpg

http://i184.photobucket.com/albums/x149/MrBobK/DSC00109.jpg

This is my clutch arrangement. I have made the hole in the clutch lever the same distance away from the pivot point as it was on the vauxhall however since trying it i may need to move it to gain a bit more travel. I think this is because there is less pedal travel available in the mini. Its an easy fix i will sort out later.

http://i184.photobucket.com/albums/x149/MrBobK/DSC00104.jpg

http://i184.photobucket.com/albums/x149/MrBobK/DSC00098.jpg

http://i184.photobucket.com/albums/x149/MrBobK/DSC00097.jpg

Yippee all painted and ready for the car.

http://i184.photobucket.com/albums/x149/MrBobK/DSC00094.jpg

[bodgeit]

good progress, looks just how i was planning to make mine :wink:

let us know how it works :D

Matt

[XEValver]

awesome 8)

thats saved a wadge of cash, and looks spot on! keep it up! :D

[MrBobK]

http://i184.photobucket.com/albums/x149/MrBobK/S6000442.jpg


I had originally planned to fit a large alloy fuel tank in the boot so i moved the battery to behind the passenger seat. I changed my mind due to lack of funds so ive kept the original fuel tank. I need a fuel return for the fuel injection so i have welded a pipe to the top of the fuel tank and welded a larger bore pipe for the feed at the bottom.

No battery in the boot left me a nice convenient space for the fuel pump so i made this. It houses the fuel pump and fuel filter on rubber mounts.

http://i184.photobucket.com/albums/x149/MrBobK/DSC00016s-1.jpg

http://i184.photobucket.com/albums/x149/MrBobK/DSC00017s-1.jpg

Here it is fitted in the boot and my fuel lines hopefully out of harms way from stuff in the boot.

http://i184.photobucket.com/albums/x149/MrBobK/S6000444.jpg

http://i184.photobucket.com/albums/x149/MrBobK/S6000447.jpg

http://i184.photobucket.com/albums/x149/MrBobK/S6000446.jpg

For my fuel lines i have used 8mm copper tube for both the feed and return. These i have run under the car to keep the interior less cluttered.

[XEValver]

thats well tidy!

i love how your doing all this with the spare wheel still in the boot :lol:

[MrBobK]

Ive been trying to fit my front end recently.

I have been trying to keep a standard length front but as can be seen from the photos the engine is already poking through in places. It doesnt leave much room for a radiator so i may try and fit a small one over the gearbox or admit defeat and lengthen the wings.

I havent decided what to do yet so i may take a trip to some scrapyards and see what radiators i can find

http://i184.photobucket.com/albums/x149/MrBobK/S6000429.jpg

http://i184.photobucket.com/albums/x149/MrBobK/S6000428.jpg

http://i184.photobucket.com/albums/x149/MrBobK/S6000430.jpg

[XEValver]

Any more progress with this Gary?

Quick question, what fuel pump are you using? have you got some TB's yet :P ?

cheers 8)

[ed4ran]

Looks like the standard bosch type pump, comes on a lot of production cars, mine was from a Jag, can pick up new replacements on ebay for £25 dont know how reliable they are though. :oops:

[bodgeit]

looks like a bosch one to me too :wink:

[MrBobK]

Hello guys

I havent had chance to touch the car for a while i have been busy with my house. I have also sold lots of my not needed mini parts. I now have some money for the car and a much emptier garage. I will be back to working on the car soon.

My fuel pump is a metro turbo one as i had it lying around and it looked similar to many injection pumps. Im not sure it will produce enough pressure for injection (does anyone know?)

I havent got any throttle bodies yet as im not sure which ones to go for.

Hey Joel i would like to come and have a look at your R1 bodies some time i need to decide what ones to go for so i can get on with it.

[MrBobK]

Im sorry to say that i am now considering selling this car as yet another unfinished project.

I have run out of both money and enthusiasm at the moment so am thinking about selling whole or breaking for parts. I am still undecided at the moment and just considering my options.

If anyone wants to make me an offer or come and have a look over the car just PM me.

I also have another C20XE redtop engine that i was keeping as a spare which i shall sell if i do decide to sell my mini.

[cooper_mark]

arhh man sorry to hear u might be selling up your project...
i still trying to get started on mine.......
just brought a mk2 golf gti so my mini project won't get started again for a while
if u do decide to get rid let me know....

[MrBobK]

Hello people

After a long time doing nothing to the mini i am back at it again.

Spent the last couple of months doing a fair bit so thought i would do an update.

Im now using a set of R1 carbs to run the engine and i made an inlet manifold out of the old injection one. It aint pretty but it works and it fired up almost first go with no tweaking of the carbs at all. Yey!

Heres a few random pics just to show what ive been up to.

http://i184.photobucket.com/albums/x149/MrBobK/Picture152.jpg

http://i184.photobucket.com/albums/x149/MrBobK/Picture200.jpg

http://i184.photobucket.com/albums/x149/MrBobK/Picture206.jpg

http://i184.photobucket.com/albums/x149/MrBobK/Picture209.jpg

http://i184.photobucket.com/albums/x149/MrBobK/Picture217.jpg

http://i184.photobucket.com/albums/x149/MrBobK/Picture269.jpg

http://i184.photobucket.com/albums/x149/MrBobK/Picture275.jpg

[Marcus Nordblom]

I love carbs!

Looking good, keep it up :wink:

//marcus

[cooper_mark]

nice to see the project up and running again...loving the carbs...any idea how much u will have to extend the front......? and will your front be removable or fixed.....??

[MrBobK]

Yeah carbs are great but my main concern is what the fuel consumption will be like! Time will tell i guess.

I also have no idea yet how to tune them properly. I will need to look into that but the engine runs well enough for me to have a little test drive.

I have extended the front end by about 85mm and im gonna make it removable but probably using bolts rather than quick release.

[Aband]

well on mine at combe my carbs drain about 3/4 of a tank in 15mintues and its a 30ltr tank! but there not yet set up :oops:

[Mini Vlatko]

Did I got this right? You are using standard Mini suspension?
Will it work? Isn't that engine a little heavier than A series :shock:
Loving the progress BTW keep it up :wink:

[XEValver]

Looking good gary!!

with regards to the carbs, give Bogg Bros a call and ask them how to set them up for your engine, its what i did when i ran R6 carbs on my polo, and they were great, i put the phone on speaker and they talked me through it while i was out in the garage working in them, top blokes.

[MrBobK]

Just a quick update cos i had to tell someone lol

Had my Mot today and it passed! So thats another 16v mini terrorising the streets. :D :D :D

Its great to be finally driving it even tho it still needs lots of finishing off. Only downside is i already have a problem with my gearbox so it looks like the engine will be coming out again.

Oh the joys of mini ownership

[Owen]

PICS PICS PICS PICS PICS PICS, are we missing something? :?


Congrats on the MoT!

[The Mighty Mallott]

Congratulations! another 16v mini ripping up plymouth!

[BadMonkey]

Blimey I missed all this thread - old age and poor eyesight :oops:

Gary congratulations on getting your Vaux Mini MOT'd, yay at least 3 of us in Plymouth now (Mat you don't count as Plymouth :wink: ).

Where in Plymouth are you ? Be good to catch up and have a look.

Bill

[jonny_ayr]

Yeah carbs are great but my main concern is what the fuel consumption will be like! Time will tell i guess.


what is the consumption like?

[214_si]

what managment you running on that matey?

[garyshoose]

what is the consumption like?

Johnny, It's pants. Don't expect much :?

[MrBobK]

Hiya

I havent been around all weekend end ive been to the Winter Warmer in newquay. Much beer drunk and made a tit of myself as usual :lol:

what is the consumption like?

Afraid i havent done enough miles yet to know what the consumption is like and its running really rough so still need to sort things out.

To 214_si Im not running management im using a distributor setup. Which i actually got from a volkswagen polo of all things!

Hello to BadMonkey. I live over Eggbuckland and your welcome to pop over for a cuppa anytime. Its great that there's a few 16v mini around these parts now.

[Mini Vlatko]

You are using standard Mini suspension?
How does it work? Isn't that engine a little heavier than A series :shock:

[cooper_mark]

You are using standard Mini suspension?
How does it work? Isn't that engine a little heavier than A series :shock:
read somewhere u need stiffer shocks

[MrBobK]

You are using standard Mini suspension?
How does it work? Isn't that engine a little heavier than A series :shock:

I am using standard rubber cones yes. The only alterations i have done are adjustable shocks, Hi Los and adjustable tie rods.

I do plan on getting coil overs when i have the money but having said that so far the handling seems really good. I dont know how much heavier the XE lump is but i dont feel it has made the handling much worse.

[MattG]

stick with the rubber ...

[MrBobK]

stick with the rubber ...

Why?

Have you used both? did you find the rubber cones better?

[cooper_mark]

as garys hoose wrote earlier this week to MY CARB'D EX PROJECT
I'd try my damndest to stick with the standard suspension set up, even The mini suspension is a lot easier to keep in a straight line and there's plenty of off the shelf parts to improve an already proven set up. XE's can take a lot of setting up to transfer the power efectively (and safely) onto the road
i was going to go for coilovers...but when thinking anbout it mini's handle well even with a standard setup...
i'm sticking with the rubber dognuts and adjusta ride...will get some stiffer shocks...if need be

[NudgerSS]

Eggbuckland? Are you making that up? :?

[BadMonkey]

Hi Gary,

Not far then in Eggbuckland, I'm in Plympton, there's a few of us going to Exeter Kit Car show tomorrow (Sunday) meeting at the texaco garage on the Embankment at 9.20am, if you fancy a run to Westpoint your more than welcome to tag along (we won't be ragging it as we have an A series running with us too, although his is pretty nippy anyway).

I work away from home throughout the week but I'll drop you a shout when I get a Sunday free next.

Bill

To NudgeSS no he's not making it up, it's a real place, we have some weird place names down here like Pennycomequick, Crapstone and Leg O' Mutton :lol: if you think I'm making that up Google it

[cooper_mark]

hows this 1 going...haven't heard any more since u had a problem with the gearbox

[cooper_mark]

any more pics on how u have done your alternator...? also what alternator are u using

[MrBobK]

Sorry for the lack of updates :oops:

To Cooper_Mark i am using the standard vauxhall alternator and ill have a look if ive got any pics of how i mounted it.


Oh and im currently building my megasquirt ecu and realising how little i know about it all! Hopefully soon to be running injection.

[cooper_mark]

Sorry for the lack of updates :oops:

To Cooper_Mark i am using the standard vauxhall alternator and ill have a look if ive got any pics of how i mounted it
geat thnx...
i have standard vauxhall and also a rover 400 one just can't see to see how to mount it on mine....seems to stick out to far..

[MrBobK]

For Cooper_Mark I could only find a couple more pics of the alternator. They dont show alot but ill post them up anyway

http://i184.photobucket.com/albums/x149/MrBobK/Picture190.jpg

http://i184.photobucket.com/albums/x149/MrBobK/Picture189.jpg

[cooper_mark]

how this 1 going...?? did u get your g/box done...???

[MrBobK]

Hi Mark
Gearbox is fine now. Not really been much progress on this lately im afraid. I took the car off the road a couple of months ago to fit my megasuirt injection and ive hardly touched it since. Hopefully get some time to sort it out eventually.

[cooper_mark]

hows your mini gary.........?

[MrBobK]

Bought some nice shiny things for the car ages ago so thought id finally stick up some photos. This was just before i took it off the road again and ive not touched it since.
Lost all enthusiasm for it now so think im gonna sell it. Not sure if i would be better off selling as a whole or breaking for parts, what do you guys reckon?
Just dont have the time for this anymore


http://i184.photobucket.com/albums/x149/MrBobK/Picture126.jpg
http://i184.photobucket.com/albums/x149/MrBobK/Picture125.jpg
http://i184.photobucket.com/albums/x149/MrBobK/Picture040.jpg
http://i184.photobucket.com/albums/x149/MrBobK/Picture037.jpg
http://i184.photobucket.com/albums/x149/MrBobK/Picture016.jpg
http://i184.photobucket.com/albums/x149/MrBobK/Picture014.jpg
http://i184.photobucket.com/albums/x149/MrBobK/Picture004.jpg

[cooper_mark]

u could try selling as a whole but people don't seem to want to pay much lately
mattG tried selling him 8vturbo but go little to no interest and was very cheap
best bet put it up in for sal section and see what sort of response u get...hth

[MrBobK]

Thanks for the reply mark. I have decided to break my mini up and sell as parts.
Started pulling it to bits today so will be sticking things on ebay soon. If anyone wants anything before i stick it on ebay drop me a PM.