Slowly but surley 1.8 vvc build

[zxbikerboy]

Hi people, thought I better put a little post up just to say hi, been reading and watching the site for about 6 months now and have decided on a k-series 1.8 vvc build.

I’ve had this mini for about 2 and a half years drove it for 6 months, then it was parked up for 18months and now I have the space its been moved and I’ve started the long process of welding it up, not the best example to start with but hey you got to start with something.

I’m hoping the welding of the body is nearly complete so now thinking about building my frame. I have the donor car still all running at the mo so will be ripping all the necessary parts out of that in the near future.

Will try and get some pics up soon

My first hybrid mini build so we’ll see how it goes…..
:? :? [/b]

[zxbikerboy]

some pics of the mini at the start

http://i552.photobucket.com/albums/jj360/zxbikerboy/18aug022.jpg

http://i552.photobucket.com/albums/jj360/zxbikerboy/18aug023.jpg

the donor car

http://i552.photobucket.com/albums/jj360/zxbikerboy/DSC00091.jpg

[zxbikerboy]

Right people bit of an up date, the work I’ve done on the mini so far is stripped the rear end, remove subframe and wire wheeled the underside only to find that the mini needed much more welding than I first anticipated (of cause it did it’s a mini!!)

I’ve carried out all the welding needed on the rear including o/s inner and outer sill, repaired rear heel board and subframe mounting point. Remove and replace rear valance and removed bumper lip, fitted plates for early style lights.


http://i552.photobucket.com/albums/jj360/zxbikerboy/18aug008.jpg

http://i552.photobucket.com/albums/jj360/zxbikerboy/18aug009.jpg

http://i552.photobucket.com/albums/jj360/zxbikerboy/18aug032.jpg

http://i552.photobucket.com/albums/jj360/zxbikerboy/minifeb09020.jpg

http://i552.photobucket.com/albums/jj360/zxbikerboy/minifeb09019.jpg


Once I had done the welding at the rear, I fitted a rear beam purchased from john speed with new radius arms and wheel cylinders with an old pair of spax off set coil overs (which I was told I needed to go with the beam).

[zxbikerboy]

Now I could get the mini back on its rear wheels and turn it round and start on the rot on the front of the mini!!

I’ve replaced the front floor on the n/s and part of the floor on the o/s. Then started on the fun part.

Ripped the front of the mini off along with the ‘a’ panels.

http://i552.photobucket.com/albums/jj360/zxbikerboy/minifeb09023.jpg


http://i552.photobucket.com/albums/jj360/zxbikerboy/minifeb09022.jpg

Out came the 1000cc engine.

http://i552.photobucket.com/albums/jj360/zxbikerboy/minifeb09033.jpg


Then the subframe.Brakes servo wiring everything til the bulkhead was bare

http://i552.photobucket.com/albums/jj360/zxbikerboy/minifeb09042.jpg

http://i552.photobucket.com/albums/jj360/zxbikerboy/minifeb09044.jpg

http://i552.photobucket.com/albums/jj360/zxbikerboy/minifeb09045.jpg

Once again ended up replacing more panels than expected including scuttle panel as you can see!!!

http://i552.photobucket.com/albums/jj360/zxbikerboy/minifeb09060.jpg

http://i552.photobucket.com/albums/jj360/zxbikerboy/minifeb09071.jpg

http://i552.photobucket.com/albums/jj360/zxbikerboy/minifeb09063.jpg

[zxbikerboy]

As for the donor car, rover 220 coupe, 1.8 vvc, bought from e-bay for £220 but had to collect from central London which was a bit of an adventure!! Had a slight miss fire but wasn’t that fussed as was planning on doing the head gasket before fitting into the mini.


Whipped the head off and found a burnt out exhaust valve, so new valve, head set, bolts and cam belts both ends.

http://i552.photobucket.com/albums/jj360/zxbikerboy/minifeb09054.jpg

http://i552.photobucket.com/albums/jj360/zxbikerboy/minifeb09048.jpg

http://i552.photobucket.com/albums/jj360/zxbikerboy/minifeb09055.jpg

Wanted to do all the work while the engine was still in the car so i could make sure it was all running sweet before the bit change over.

I’ve now stripped the rover and removed everything I think I need, Engine and box, engine wiring, gear selector, coolant bottle, speedo with all dash wiring including the factory fitted immobilizer ecu etc (anything else you think I’ll need please let me know asap!!) also kept the radiator and hoses just in case.