Rear wheel drive 1800 VVC project

[rwdvvcmini]

Hi folks, thought id start my own thread, seeing as ive looked at so many on this site, new ideas, info etc.

I do have my own site at www.rwdvvcmini.co.uk and the full build diary can be viewed there

Been wanting to do a similar project for many years, after driving minis in my youth ( im now 37 ), so in september 08 i bought the bullet, sold my smart car, 4 year old with under 8k miles on it ..., to finance the start of the project, shell, tools and sundries.

started looking around for suitable engines and somone to do the fabwork to fit it, found Z-cars and Watsons, at this point i was still looking at honda engines.

i trawled around the zcars site, their stuff is superb, but to my mind stupidly expensive, i mean, 5 grand just for the basic kit, good kit mind, but at the price of a new small car its just too much. then theres the engine, total build was going to be in excess of 10 grand and maybe in the region of 15+ complete. i watched their dvd, it struck me as very clinical, you did a bit of cutting, plugged in the kit, wired it up, drove off, bit too easy :)

made a decision that although the kit is good, it was too expensive, so started looking at the Watsons stuff, went through to Wakefield, which is only 12 miles from me, spoke to Geoff, a top bloke, bought their dvd and watched it.

the difference is like chalk and cheese, Zcars is for the Guys who want to buy a good shell, buy all the bits new, put it all together and drive off. Watsons is for the guys who want to get their hands dirty and do the majority of the work themselves.

i decided to buy the watsons kit, which at 1500 quid was much cheaper than the zcars kit.

started looking for engines, was still looking at hondas at this point. found a load that were just way too expensive and the cheap ones were too hig miles.

i decided to expand the search to other alternatives, then noticed that the kit watsons provide is modified k series, so that was my first choice. Watsons kit was around 750 quid for the subframe, half the price of the honda conversion, which gave me more to play with.

started looking around for k series engines and found an 1800 VVC engine and gearbox, with subframe and suspension from an MGF.

and the project was born.....

each post will be roughly a weeks worth of work, with updates etc inbetween.

[rwdvvcmini]

decided to rescue some poor beast from the scrappers

http://www.rwdvvcmini.co.uk/project/week1/mini_w1_b1.JPG

http://www.rwdvvcmini.co.uk/project/week1/mini_w1_b2.jpg

http://www.rwdvvcmini.co.uk/project/week1/mini_w1_b3.jpg

doesnt look too bad at first glance huh ? oh how wrong i was ....

http://www.rwdvvcmini.co.uk/project/week1/mini_w1_b4.jpg

offside rear wheel arch

http://www.rwdvvcmini.co.uk/project/week1/mini_w1_b5.jpg

nearside wheel arch

http://www.rwdvvcmini.co.uk/project/week1/mini_w1_b6.jpg
http://www.rwdvvcmini.co.uk/project/week1/mini_w1_b7.jpg

inner sills

http://www.rwdvvcmini.co.uk/project/week1/mini_w1_b8.jpg
http://www.rwdvvcmini.co.uk/project/week1/mini_w1_b9.jpg

boot area

it gets worse, believe me ...

this week, ending 06/07/08, i mainly cried a lot at the damage, while ordering tools, made the mistake of being rushed into buying a sealey welder instead of the clarke i wanted, which was out of stock :evil:

[rwdvvcmini]

started removing inner nearside inner wing

http://www.rwdvvcmini.co.uk/project/week2/mini_w2_b1.JPG

cleaned up door post after removing inner wing

http://www.rwdvvcmini.co.uk/project/week2/mini_w2_b4.JPG

removed near side rear pockets and found ....

http://www.rwdvvcmini.co.uk/project/week2/mini_w2_b5.JPG

more rot...

got out the angle grinder again and removed the majority of the boot floor

http://www.rwdvvcmini.co.uk/project/week2/mini_w2_b6.JPG

subframe held up by sections 'just' held on the floor,

http://www.rwdvvcmini.co.uk/project/week2/mini_w2_b7.JPG
http://www.rwdvvcmini.co.uk/project/week2/mini_w2_b8.JPG

cutting through filler and seam sealer and god knows what else is NOT fun

removed rear valance, and with the rust ended up cutting right back to the edge of the boot, well, i did decide i am going to deseam ...

http://www.rwdvvcmini.co.uk/project/week2/mini_w2_b10.JPG
http://www.rwdvvcmini.co.uk/project/week2/mini_w2_b11.JPG

tidied up parcel shelf lip

http://www.rwdvvcmini.co.uk/project/week2/mini_w2_b9.JPG

there ends week 2, still waiting for tools, prior to removing subframe and starting actual repair work

[matt]

Sounds good with vvc in back. But i dont understand why you brought a watsons frame and you say you have a complete rear mgf frame? The 2 frames are just a metro frame which you will need to make major modifcations to put it in the back. You will need to make up a rear cage to hold the subframe and fabucate the mgf frame into the back. Have a look at his build and you will see what i mean http://www.16vminiclub.com/forums/viewtopic.php?t=5727

[rwdvvcmini]

finally bought an engine, from an mgf, chap lived in coventry, very helpfull, used his hoist to get it into the back of my van, which complained all the way home :shock:

http://www.rwdvvcmini.co.uk/project/week3/engine_b1.JPG

took it to watsons the following day, talked to him about making it RWD, he hadnt done it before but was willing to try, top bloke :)

meanwhile, trial fitted the offside inner wing

http://www.rwdvvcmini.co.uk/project/week3/mini_w3_b1.JPG

http://www.rwdvvcmini.co.uk/project/week3/mini_w3_b2.JPG

scuttle panel area of inner wing

http://www.rwdvvcmini.co.uk/project/week3/mini_w3_b3.JPG

bulkhead view of inner wing, needs more work

http://www.rwdvvcmini.co.uk/project/week3/mini_w3_b4.JPG

dashrail view of inner wing fit, quite pleased

http://www.rwdvvcmini.co.uk/project/week3/mini_w3_b6.JPG

lower bulkhead inner wing fit, quite close

http://www.rwdvvcmini.co.uk/project/week3/mini_w3_b8.JPG

floor pan area of inner wing, will need to check it against a new floorpan

http://www.rwdvvcmini.co.uk/project/week3/mini_w3_b9.JPG

slowed up by crappy welder, 2 minutes welding, 5 minutes playing with wire feed. sheesh

[rwdvvcmini]

Sounds good with vvc in back. But i dont understand why you brought a watsons frame and you say you have a complete rear mgf frame? The 2 frames are just a metro frame which you will need to make major modifcations to put it in the back. You will need to make up a rear cage to hold the subframe and fabucate the mgf frame into the back. Have a look at his build and you will see what i mean http://www.16vminiclub.com/forums/viewtopic.php?t=5727

i decided to buy the kit, i didnt actually buy it, never got that far 8)

after buying the mgf setup and shipping it to watsons we decided to use as much as we could of the frame and suspension that i had and fabricate what we didnt have

the car will be rollcaged, with the rear section providing the majority of the frame holding the rear subframe in place, with from my talks with Geoff, the rest of the frame we hope to tie into the old mini rear subframe mounts, providing easy reference points for the builders

[rwdvvcmini]

week 4 saw the removal of the front subframe and steering rack, which allowed me the space to finish the removal of the nearside inner wing

some things from the removal off the front subframe

http://www.rwdvvcmini.co.uk/project/week4/week4_b1.jpg

front subframe mount

http://www.rwdvvcmini.co.uk/project/week4/week4_b15.JPG

and the mount bracket, how the hell did this thing hold together for this long :oops:

fitted the inner wing

http://www.rwdvvcmini.co.uk/project/week4/week4_b7.JPG
http://www.rwdvvcmini.co.uk/project/week4/week4_b2.jpg

fitted the inner sill

http://www.rwdvvcmini.co.uk/project/week4/week4_b4.jpg

door step

http://www.rwdvvcmini.co.uk/project/week4/week4_b6.JPG

floorpan

http://www.rwdvvcmini.co.uk/project/week4/week4_b3.jpg

bought a trailer, and lost the nearside arches off it the first time out

http://www.rwdvvcmini.co.uk/project/week4/week4_b5.JPG

cleaned up the nearside bulkhead

http://www.rwdvvcmini.co.uk/project/week4/week4_b8.JPG

started the cleanup off the offside bulkhead

http://www.rwdvvcmini.co.uk/project/week4/week4_b9.JPG

muddled along with the cleanup of the lower front bulkhead

http://www.rwdvvcmini.co.uk/project/week4/week4_b12.JPG

started to remove the offside wings and found ....

http://www.rwdvvcmini.co.uk/project/week4/week4_b10.JPG

had to sit down for a while after find the extent of the rot....

removed the majority of the tar from the nearside rear floorpan prior to fitting the outer sill

http://www.rwdvvcmini.co.uk/project/week4/week4_b14.JPG

removed the outer sill and found this

http://www.rwdvvcmini.co.uk/project/week4/week4_b16.JPG

from bad to worse lol...

[rwdvvcmini]

this week was mainly spent finishing cleaning up of the panels fitted last week

finished the fit of the outer sill, removed the waxoil and road dust from underneath of the car and lashed on the first coat of paint

http://www.rwdvvcmini.co.uk/project/week5/mini_w5_b1.JPG

please excuse the crappy pictures, im not a photographer :)

also removed the scuttle panel in its entirety and the old bonnet hinges, which were stopping me from getting to the top area of the bulkhead

spent a day collecting new bits, second hand 175/50 13 minilite wheels, new steering column, mgf handbrake cables and gear selector + cables, also a second hand loom with lots of other interior bits

[philster]

looks like a good project, midengined is the way forward :D

[rwdvvcmini]

week 6 saw the arrival of the new Clarke 90 en welder i originally wanted, i threw the POS sealey back at the supplier, oh what a difference in wire feeds, i was using a roll of wire a week with the sealey, this week, with the clarke its more like 1 a day

if youre going to buy a welder Clarkes wont see you wrong.

this week i managed to fit the offside inner wing

http://www.rwdvvcmini.co.uk/project/week6/mini_w6_b2.JPG

inside lower bulkhad view

http://www.rwdvvcmini.co.uk/project/week6/mini_w6_b5.JPG

new offside floorpan

http://www.rwdvvcmini.co.uk/project/week6/mini_w6_b1.JPG

inner sill

http://www.rwdvvcmini.co.uk/project/week6/mini_w6_b3.JPG

doorstep

http://www.rwdvvcmini.co.uk/project/week6/mini_w6_b6.JPG

all that and still managed to fitthe new steering rack, clean and refit the front subframe

http://www.rwdvvcmini.co.uk/project/week6/mini_w6_b10.jpg

last job of the week was fitting the new scuttel panel, go heritage here, fits a treat

http://www.rwdvvcmini.co.uk/project/week6/mini_w6_b11.jpg

[rwdvvcmini]

not much happening this week, mainly finishing cleaning up and painting of week 6s panel fittings

losing a lot of time due to hospital visist after getting some steel in the eye, yes, i was wearing eye protection ...

week 8 saw me trailer the car over to watsons for the subframe fabrication work and on the way home lost the other wheel arch off the trailer.

still, gives me something to do while i wait for Geoff :)

[philster]

week 6 saw the arrival of the new Clarke 90 en welder i originally wanted, i threw the POS sealey back at the supplier, oh what a difference in wire feeds, i was using a roll of wire a week with the sealey, this week, with the clarke its more like 1 a day



bought a 90en about 10 years ago, been a cracking welder.

[rwdvvcmini]

bought a 90en about 10 years ago, been a cracking welder.

yes, the wire feed roller on this one has a series of grooves cut into it, which really enhances the grip. no matter how you wind the cable from the machine it just keeps feeding the wire through.

not like that sealey thing i has before, sneeze at it and it stopped feeding, inconvenient when youre flat on your back underneath a mini welding.

[Thelooneytuner]

Alright my fellow south yorkshire'er :lol:
Love the project :) will be a cracking car :). Glad to see another vvc'er too.
Where abouts in barnsley you from?

[ludsonline]

Looks a good project m8, Are you not fitting a metro front subframe to keep the track the same?.

[rwdvvcmini]

Alright my fellow south yorkshire'er :lol:
Love the project :) will be a cracking car :). Glad to see another vvc'er too.
Where abouts in barnsley you from?

South Hiendley up near Hemsworth, a quiet little village, except when i have work to do on the car :twisted:

Looks a good project m8, Are you not fitting a metro front subframe to keep the track the same?.

No, staying with a standard mini front subframe, refurbing all the important bits, balljoints bearings etc. will have to see how odd it looks when the wheels are on, then think about what to do about it.

Was at Watsons today and seen the work Geoff has done, it is looking GOOD, the engine leans forward over the axle, so the weight balance will be good. hopefully avoiding the balance issues the hondas have when rwd.

Bad news is that i may not be able to use 13 inch wheels, they wont clear the lower arms of the MGF subframe im using. Pain in the ass as ive already bought a set of minilites with good tires.

I may have to go up to 14s, but i have not found any second hand sellers, may have to look at getting a set of mgf alloys which are 15s. theyre cheap enough but its how theyll look on the car. i saw a car on these forums with 15s and i cant bloody find it now, humbug :cry:

[philster]

I may have to go up to 14s, but i have not found any second hand sellers, may have to look at getting a set of mgf alloys which are 15s. theyre cheap enough but its how theyll look on the car. i saw a car on these forums with 15s and i cant bloody find it now, humbug :cry:

I'm pretty sure it's minimivic who's running 15's

[rwdvvcmini]

found his posts and his mini with 15s, they look quite good :) thanks bud

http://www.16vminiclub.com/gallery/albums/userpics/DCP01566.JPG

Spoke with Geoff today, there should be no problems with the rears as they suspension is mgf anyway, fronts, is going to be all new. he will alter the pcds to match

only issues is cutting the panels to the right size, maybe the arches, as the ones to fit 13s look odd, may have to fab some arches myself.

now, just to sell the wheels i had bought for thsi project already, minilight 175/50/13s with 2 brand new tires and 2 goods. pfft. ill get round to it eventually :)

[matt]

Could you not narrow the frame. I know you will then need to get drive shafts but Watsons make drive shafts for the honda conversions. Even if its only 2inch to keep it simple it would make the rear track look more mini? Just a idea while the car is in bits :wink:

[rwdvvcmini]

Could you not narrow the frame. I know you will then need to get drive shafts but Watsons make drive shafts for the honda conversions. Even if its only 2inch to keep it simple it would make the rear track look more mini? Just a idea while the car is in bits :wink:

bit late for that now and thinking on it, it would take a lot of fab work, moving mounts etc

a few new pictures from my latest visit to watsons

http://www.rwdvvcmini.co.uk/project/week14/mini_w14_b4.JPG

showing the fabricated suspension turret, the hydroelastic unit having been removed and replaced with a coil spring

http://www.rwdvvcmini.co.uk/project/week14/mini_w14_b2.JPG

showing how far the frame has intruded into the rear of the car.

http://www.rwdvvcmini.co.uk/project/week14/mini_w14_b7.JPG

rear view, big ass exhaust

http://www.rwdvvcmini.co.uk/project/week14/mini_w14_b5.JPG

a view from the nearside rear window, can you see how the engine leans forward, should make for good weight balance

http://www.rwdvvcmini.co.uk/project/week14/mini_w14_b6.JPG

the discs here are almost aligned with the outer body.

im in the middle of buying a set of mgf alloys, i plan to get them, run em over to watsons and fit em up, at least the rears, so we can see how they look

[ludsonline]

Have you seen this build diary?

http://www.16vminiclub.com/forums/viewtopic.php?t=5727

[rwdvvcmini]

yes, very nice project, shame he didnt finish it :(

[ludsonline]

What are you planning on doing about the different track width and wheel offset?

[rwdvvcmini]

for the moment, i dont know mate.

there are so many jobs currently ongoing that im finding it hard keeping track, and im fast running out of cash

im honest with myself though and not expecting it finished this year, im giving myself 18 months to do it, so ive plenty of time to work thing like that out.

[rwdvvcmini]

not much happening, watsons still have the car, took em some bits and bobs.

http://www.rwdvvcmini.co.uk/project/week14/mini_w14_b8.JPG

they got my rear wheels on :) those are 195 50/15 mgf alloys, which are actualy the fronts, the rears are 205s, i think they look ok.

should be good for traction, no tire shredding madness due to dropping the wheel radius down, gearing will be the same as mgfs, so the speedo should be accurate.

that leaves getting the speedo cable from the back to the front :!:

http://www.rwdvvcmini.co.uk/project/week14/mini_w14_b9.JPG

and took another picture of the engine balance thing i was talking about earlier, this one is a bit easier to see the angle of the dangle 8)

once i have the tank, radiator, battery and 15 stone lardass in the front, should be fun.

[Thelooneytuner]

Just seen ya mini pal :D looking goood :D didnt have a good chance to have a look though, or have a chat with Geoff was busy getting ready for his rally.

Good piece of kit you've got going there 8)

[blackminiman]

hello mate, have you got any recent pictures? This looks like an interesting build

[rwdvvcmini]

unfotunately not, Geoff Watson still has the car.

he is a busy man and i am not in a rush to have it back, still has a few bits to do, spoke to him this week and he hopes to have it back to me next week maybe

meanwhile, i am concentrating on the finishing the decorating :(

[rwdvvcmini]

Just a quick update to let you guys know how things are going

car is still at Watsons, should be back this week, or next.

yes its been there ages, i told him not to rush, to get on with real work and leave mine till later if needed, in no rush, need time to save the pennies :oops:

meanwhile, i have updated my website with a new look, and the pictures gained from Watsons over the last few weeks, please have a look if you have a spare 5 mins and let me know what you think, and maybe some ideas to improve it, if you can :lol:

sites at www.rwdvvcmini.co.uk

parts still to buy

seats / seatbelt, not sure wether to go for buckets / harnesses here.
dash, ie the frame, not the clocks
MGF speedo cable
mgf accelerator cable
fuel tank
radiator
battery
front lights and indicators
door hinge kit

windows,
looking at standard front, 'maybe' heated,
door windows, not sure wether to go full mk1 sliders or a full peice with a vent of some sort, or just removable.
rear side windows, looking at perspex or lexan and making them removable for engine access
rear window, same

still some way to go :)

[matt]

You should upload your images on to this site because its to much effort to go onto anoughter if you know what i mean :|

[evolotion]

surely the speedo is electronic?

[rwdvvcmini]

You should upload your images on to this site because its to much effort to go onto anoughter if you know what i mean :|

i know what youre talking about, but its only a matter of cutting and pasting an address, and i dont think i want to bug the forum disk space with hundreds of piccies, theyre all on my own web space anyway :)

surely the speedo is electronic?

mk 2 mgf are electronic, mk1 is mechanical :(

[ed4ran]

i dont think i want to bug the forum disk space with hundreds of piccies, theyre all on my own web space anyway

Doesnt take any Forum webspace if you link from yours.
http://www.rwdvvcmini.co.uk/project/week13/mini_w13_b5.JPG

Looks like its getting there :D

Ed

[evolotion]

You should upload your images on to this site because its to much effort to go onto anoughter if you know what i mean :|

i know what youre talking about, but its only a matter of cutting and pasting an address, and i dont think i want to bug the forum disk space with hundreds of piccies, theyre all on my own web space anyway :)

surely the speedo is electronic?

mk 2 mgf are electronic, mk1 is mechanical :(

jsut convert it, be easier than routing a huuge cable :) all you need is later spec clocks, wire everything on the clocks in as per the old ones ( you may get lucky and itll jsut plug in!) then fit a electric speedo sender, it requires a ground, +12v feed and one signal wire which goes straight to the clocks :) jsut incase you wish to go down that route!

[rwdvvcmini]

Yes Evolution i could convert to electrical, but its extra cost

to stay mehcanical all i need is a cable, route it, job done

to go electrical i would need new clocks, new sender, cabling between the two etc

its a longer and more expensive route, i cant afford it, ill stick with the easy option for now :)

[evolotion]

fair enough, jsut i recon you could do it all for less than the cost of the speedo cable :) .. still its another option for you if the cable prooves to be a hastle :)

[picKup]

I would also say go with electronic as it is easier to convert the signal for different gearing with the right black box.
But if you are keeping the geering the same all you need is this!
http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/MGF-MG-F-MK-1-complete-manuel-speedo-cable_W0QQitemZ260296418166QQcmdZViewItemQQptZUK_C arsParts_Vehicles_CarParts_SM?hash=item26029641816 6&_trksid=p3286.c0.m14&_trkparms=72%3A1301%7C66%3A2%7C65%3A12%7C39%3A1%7C 240%3A1318

[rwdvvcmini]

yes wheels are using 15 inch mgfs, so will be spot on gearing wise

tons of mgf stuff on ebay, im waiting a bit nearer the time before i start buying more bits, mainly cause im thinking about what other parts i'll need

not in any rush to buy anything else before i finish the body work.

'should' take delivery of a fibreglass front end, boot lid and doors this weekend, has postponed twice already, cheeky bugger charged me over 100 quid delivery costs and is bringing em up himself when he comes up with some other customers...

[DarrenW]

Must be time for some more pictures :wink:

I have amended your status to club member, so you can use the gallery if you wish and see all parts of the forum :D

[rwdvvcmini]

thanks mate

will check that out later

working on some new pics now its back from watsons

unfortunately, project is going to slow dramatically as i've run out of cash, everything has cost near double what i projected, including new tools, trailer etc, bah, so no new bits till maybe march-june depending on how good i am at saving etc. still plenty to be going on with the bits i have :)

[rwdvvcmini]

first with the new toys i think

http://www.rwdvvcmini.co.uk/project/week15/mini_w15_b1.JPG

fibreglass boot lid, single skin, plan to fasten it on with Dzus (sp) fasteners for easy removal

http://www.rwdvvcmini.co.uk/project/week15/mini_w15_b3.JPG

new front end

http://www.rwdvvcmini.co.uk/project/week15/mini_w15_b4.JPG
http://www.rwdvvcmini.co.uk/project/week15/mini_w15_b5.JPG

fibreglass doors, these things are light compared to steel, glazing kits arnt gonna be fun to fit, or buy lol :)

http://www.rwdvvcmini.co.uk/project/week15/mini_w15_b6.JPG
http://www.rwdvvcmini.co.uk/project/week15/mini_w15_b7.JPG

wheel track is about spot on thanks to some meaty spacers fron Geoff, which youll see in the next pics

http://www.rwdvvcmini.co.uk/project/week15/mini_w15_b9.JPG
http://www.rwdvvcmini.co.uk/project/week15/mini_w15_b10.JPG

new discs, calipers, pads, balljoints, bearings, flanges and spacers from Geoffs, plus an aeroquip braided pipe set

will be slowing down the build, cash flow and its just too damn cold :(

[ludsonline]

Gonna need some mega arches to cover them wheels m8. :D


http://www.7ent.com/newmini/images2/DougAndMini.JPG

[tomfc]

Or some f**king mental neg camber lol.

Love this project, cant wait to see more progress.

[rwdvvcmini]

thanks for the good words fellas.

arches are gonna be wide, but theyre standard items, i looked at some at Watsons, theyre perfect for the job. will buy some when the money allows, maybe 2010 lol

first job is to get the metal work sorted, specifically, getting the rollcage painted, and the extra rear bracing geoff made. thats cause its currently all bare metal

but as far as the project is going

the engine / gearbox is in
handbrake is in and working
gear lever is in and working
pipes for cooling, ie radiator in front is in
gross metalwork is done, ie the panels

things to do

speedo cable
dashboard
wiring
front end, purchased but not fitted
boot lid, fitting
rear valance(sp) going to be pain as the exhaust in the way
deseam
seats and belts
doors, bought, need glazing kit

etc etc

[DarrenW]

Sorry got to ask, why did you put big spacers on the front? Putting spaces on the front wheels just doesnt like a good idea to me:oops:

Why not just bolt on a cheap K series frame and chop back the front :?

Are you finishing it all off etc, as it is back home? :D

[rwdvvcmini]

dont be sorry to ask :)

simple answer is i didnt think of it and now its all refurbed and fitted

yes its home, ill be working on it again weather permitting

[rwdvvcmini]

good day today, managed to drag my sorry ass out of bed early enough to get some work done

so i got to painting the metalwork Geoff Watsons installed

http://www.rwdvvcmini.co.uk/project/week16/mini_w16_b1.jpg

nearside rear hoop mounted to some box section geoff installed to stop rear end movement, prior to this the entire rear end was loose, side to side anyway, perfect now.

http://www.rwdvvcmini.co.uk/project/week16/mini_w16_b3.jpg

offside version of above

http://www.rwdvvcmini.co.uk/project/week16/mini_w16_b2.jpg

rear leg cross painted

http://www.rwdvvcmini.co.uk/project/week16/mini_w16_b4.jpg

nearside rear hoop

http://www.rwdvvcmini.co.uk/project/week16/mini_w16_b5.jpg

dash bar

http://www.rwdvvcmini.co.uk/project/week16/mini_w16_b6.jpg

offside door dogleg

next job, second coat :)

[spNOam]

Are the brake hoses a little close to the CV joint gaiter?

[rwdvvcmini]

i shall check it out tommorow.

easy enough fix if they are, remove the gater :)

wont be a problem as the cv joint is only the outer section holding the bearings in.

[spNOam]

Losing my marbles :shock:

[Thelooneytuner]

hi ian looking great :). Bet your looking forward to driving this monster :).

Russm

[rwdvvcmini]

hi ian looking great :). Bet your looking forward to driving this monster :).

Russm

i am indeed, looking forward to driving something that does 0-60 inside of a minute :D

long way to go, lots to do, but steps are being taken :)

Losing my marbles :shock:

hehe, no worries mate

easy way to solve that though, angle grind the bottom of em, wont roll around, kids wont steal em, job done :)

[TonyWells]

Sorry got to ask, why did you put big spacers on the front? Putting spaces on the front wheels just doesnt like a good idea to me:oops:

Why not just bolt on a cheap K series frame and chop back the front :?

Are you finishing it all off etc, as it is back home? :D

Or fit the k series frame and another vvc engine :twisted: :lol:

[rwdvvcmini]

Sorry got to ask, why did you put big spacers on the front? Putting spaces on the front wheels just doesnt like a good idea to me:oops:

Why not just bolt on a cheap K series frame and chop back the front :?

Are you finishing it all off etc, as it is back home? :D

Or fit the k series frame and another vvc engine :twisted: :lol:

the thought had crossed my mind.

i was looking today at teh area between the engine and the side of the car, ie over the gearbox. looking at it thinking theres room for a radiator there.

i know many have put radiators in the front and had no problems, but im thinking of the poor water pump pushing all that extra water around.

other thoughts were ducting outside air in from the area in front of the wheels just behind the passenger doors for the radiator and the drivers door for the engine air.

hmmm, its a thought, wont happen this build, but maybe in the future ...

[rwdvvcmini]

got the metalwork painted yesterday, and today being christmas, decided to not piss off the neighbours by cutting metalwork up.

so, took a few photos and sat down to plan my next moves

http://www.rwdvvcmini.co.uk/project/week16/mini_w16_b7.jpg

how to do the rear valance ?

http://www.rwdvvcmini.co.uk/project/week16/mini_w16_b8.jpg

http://www.rwdvvcmini.co.uk/project/week16/mini_w16_b9.jpg

planning to come down off the bottom of the subframe mounts and tie in to the lower edge of the bodywork

http://www.rwdvvcmini.co.uk/project/week16/mini_w16_b10.jpg

also thinking about bringing a piece of cage across between the two box sections

[BigAndy]

Hmmm, this looks familiar...

Let's see some updates!

My one is still around somewhere, a guy from Northampton area (I think) bought it and I believe he had it up and running within a week or two.

I'd be very interested if anyone has some info on how its doing now...

[evolotion]

Hmmm, this looks familiar...

Let's see some updates!

My one is still around somewhere, a guy from Northampton area (I think) bought it and I believe he had it up and running within a week or two.

I'd be very interested if anyone has some info on how its doing now...

was on ebay as a shell not long ago im sure .. check the for sale section sure someone on here linked to it.

EDIT: tadaaaa

http://www.16vminiclub.com/forums/viewtopic.php?t=16568

go on, buy it back and finish it properly :lol:

[rwdvvcmini]

wont be any updates for a while. busy with the garden as it was seriously overgrown

then whilst feeding the bramches through the shredder, the thing kicked back and bit me, taking a chunk of my hand with it, so, 2 weeks before i can start again

also trying to save up some cash before i start up again, always seems to be something i need ...

as this is a hobby thing, i dont mind if it takes a while, i want it done right, not fast :)

[Thelooneytuner]

Ouch sounds nasty ian. Need to get some progress :) want to see this monster :twisted:

Russ

[rwdvvcmini]

Ouch sounds nasty ian. Need to get some progress :) want to see this monster :twisted:

Russ

you might be seeing it a bit sooner that you thought, if i cant figure out the wiring :D

[Thelooneytuner]

Ouch sounds nasty ian. Need to get some progress :) want to see this monster :twisted:

Russ

you might be seeing it a bit sooner that you thought, if i cant figure out the wiring :D

Well if ya need a hand I'm just down the road :). And got most of diagrams.