Hello :o) New member

[shaggy]

:lol: Hello,
I have just begun my K-series powered mini, the shell is bare and the repairs have begun...GULP!
I have read most of the threads and thought it only polite to say hello, lots of quality information here, well done everyone.
Just a couple of questions....
My plan is a nice simple 1.4 with a watsons frame, (cluby front) the aim being Riv run in May next year :shock: ...ok stop laughing now! i think i'm going to get a complete car so I can remove everything, any particular models better than others? I read here somewhere that the alloy inlet manifold motors are simpler to wire up?
Still feeling a little lost on this project! :?
Any help much appreciated

[Geehawk]

If you are going for a complete car then get as late a Metro GTi (MPi) as you can, this will get you all of the bits you will need should you upgrade in the future.
As long as you get the whole car then wiring should be no more difficult for plastic.

[shaggy]

Thats what I thought, ideal as they are hardly expensive or hard to come by, is the Watsons kit comprehensive? I'm trying to collect bits inbetween buying panels and tools in an attempt to spread the cost! I have budgeted for an injection tank with new (larger bore) line to front, I plan on getting the watsons kit when the body is finnished up to the a panels but maybe a MOT'd metro to run around in before.
Love the twin lights on the clubby looks like BL put them there! 3 grills you say...hmm

[peskett]

Sounds like the same boat i'm in wanting it done 4 the rivera run i've just started mines too! I'm going down the homemade frame route!hopefully see you there! :D

[shaggy]

:lol:
Mine will be there.... on a trailer! lol :P
I would prefer to DIY but I just dont have the time, not to mention the skills!! At the moment its sitting there stripped missing a huge chunk of its arse! Waiting for a new bootfloor and back panel, and thats the just as a warm up!
What engine are you planning?
do you usualy go to Riv run?
Chiz

[peskett]

sounds like mine! hasn't made it to riviera run yet due to the mot always failing 2 days before! so hade to go in saxo last 2 years! putting a 1.416v in for now!as i picked complete car up for £100 with tax n test so driving it around till christmas holiday when i'll rip it apart for the vital organs! :)

[shaggy]

:D
Yeah its not good going to riv run in anything but a mini, I did it in a bimmer last year and got greif from my mates all weekend! :oops:
We should have 2 fresh builds down there, my dads reshelling my mates J plate cooper for her and fingers crossed my Kseries will be done, I'm going the 1400 16v route to keep it simple, besides I dunno about you but I dont fancy some wheelspinning monster! I just want a Mini with a 5speed gearbox and an engine I can play with the management on!

[peskett]

jusy gonna keep it standard till after the RR then goona go for throttlebodies or webbers and a set of cams and aftermarket ecu! just wanna prove to my mate i can get more power than him as he's just spent £1400 on a 1293! hopefully mines will cost less! and hopefully see u down there!

[shaggy]

:lol:
Yeah much the same idea as me, keep it simple get it on the road, THEN play,
I just wanna build the mini I allways wanted!
Just trying to decide if I should go straight for 1600 rather than the 1400... :?

get a haynes book,
the wiring for the engine is on its own part of the loom, the connector to the rest of the car is on the top right of the engine bay, the ign, crank, oil light, temp sens and ground are the only ones to worry about, the colour codes for these are shown by haynes, however if its a later one it will have the rover 5as alarm/immobiliser, you have to transplant this as well not all the wiring is shown by haynes, so you may have to work it out, or better still transfer the 'ole loom to the mini, at least you'll have more than a couple of fuses.
sean.