B16A1 Allspeed Frame Build

[Quadra]

So here goes nothing, I bought a Mini about one year ago and drove it for the first six months, all 40bhp of it :D

Then it failed its MOT on numerous things, but it didn't matter as it was always the intention to pull it apart and rebuild.

This is my car

http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y156/DaxQuadra/DaxRush006-1.jpg

I then bought an Engine from a local lad who had reversed his CRX into a lamp post at warp factor nine. I saw the engine running in the car before we removed it.

Got it home and spent a coule of nights getting rid of 20 years of crud.
http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y156/DaxQuadra/landrover022.jpg

http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y156/DaxQuadra/landrover024.jpg

http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y156/DaxQuadra/landrover029.jpg

I bought an engine stand , but it didn't come with any legs to attach to the engine so I made a frame to attach to the engine. Whilst welding the frame up I realised that the petrol soaked rags in the bin had started a party on there own.
http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y156/DaxQuadra/landrover025.jpg

I then set about the wiring loom removing unwanted wires and re-using the excess.

http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y156/DaxQuadra/miniloom1.jpg
http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y156/DaxQuadra/miniloom3.jpg

Excess wire for using later.

http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y156/DaxQuadra/landrover020.jpg

I then bought a new fuse box and associated relays and fuses, and thanks to Duck started to build an internal loom to power the engine.

http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y156/DaxQuadra/landrover011.jpg

I have been collecting other bits i.e. roll cage, driveshafts, subframe etc

And now its warmer in the garage I am just about ready to start chopping tha car up.

All help greatly accepted.

Cheers Mike

[baker_boy]

thats a good start mate, looks like you got a good base, mk1 looks quite tidy

[Birdo]

Looking good already, hope there aren't any surprises hiding underneath.

Will keep an eye on this build :)

[Quadra]

Already found a few little suprises, but nothing too serious. Progress is a bit slow at the moment due to the kids being on holiday, but come September both my boys will be at school full time (woohoo!) so should be able to get on with it then. I bought a S9B LSD box and a full cage, so I have plenty of bits to be going on with.

Cheers Mike

[baker_boy]

does that lsd bolt straight onto the a1 i assume?

[Quadra]

It does bolt straight up, but you need a different flywheel and clutch to match the box. I am going to buy a lightweight flywheel and a new standard clutch.

[baker_boy]

aah good, thats not a bad thing having to buy new c+f because it gives you an excuse in my eyes to buy uprated like what your doing, ill be starting my a1 build hopefully at the end of the year too :)

[Quadra]

Now that the boys are back at school, I have been able to get on with the conversion.
First issue to sort was the toe board, as this had suffered some damage (from a front end accident) at some time in its life. The panel was bent and the steering rack wasn't straight, so out it came.
http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y156/DaxQuadra/DSCN3116.jpg
http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y156/DaxQuadra/DSCN3117.jpg
And new panel in, just like that!
http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y156/DaxQuadra/DSCN3118.jpg

Once that was sorted I moved on to the shock mount which was slightly rusted.
http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y156/DaxQuadra/Mini001.jpg
http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y156/DaxQuadra/Mini004.jpg
http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y156/DaxQuadra/Mini005.jpg
http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y156/DaxQuadra/Mini006.jpg

Then a quick check to see if the frame would fit.
http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y156/DaxQuadra/Mini008.jpg

And eventually back to a rolling shell, complete with new steering rack.

http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y156/DaxQuadra/Mini009.jpg
http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y156/DaxQuadra/Mini010.jpg
http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y156/DaxQuadra/Mini011.jpg

Next job is to drop the engine in and see what room is left. I also want to check if my home modified manifold will fit.
http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y156/DaxQuadra/DSCN0037.jpg
http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y156/DaxQuadra/DSCN0044.jpg
http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y156/DaxQuadra/DSCN0038.jpg

[Quadra]

The engine is in, but I need some M14 x 1.50 70mm bolts to attach the gearbox mount to the S9B box as they are a different size to the Y2 cable box I had before. It feels like a milestone has been reached when the engine goes in, loads more work to do but satisfying none the less.

http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y156/DaxQuadra/DSCN3422.jpg
http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y156/DaxQuadra/DSCN3425.jpg

[Kam]

Looking good, are you keeping standard nose or extending?

Will follow this build one aswell :D

[Quadra]

Not sure yet, I would like a standard length roundnose, but clubman might be easier. I am going to get everything in place as tight as possible and see what room is left.

[ChrisClubmanEstate]

Really liking this build :)

[Quadra]

Thanks, I like it some weeks.

[Quadra]

More progress. With the engine pushed all the way back, my modified manifold still touched but only a bit, so I set about adjusting the bulkhead. Piccies.

http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y156/DaxQuadra/DSCN3447.jpg
http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y156/DaxQuadra/DSCN3450.jpg
http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y156/DaxQuadra/DSCN3463.jpg

I wanted it to look as if it had always been there and I am quite happy with how it came out.

[Dowz]

Great looking build, very neat bulkhead work. Squeeze a roundy over it and keep the classic style.

[Mintegra]

Hi Mate,

Slowly but surely is the key to these builds! as Im finding out..

Are you intending using coilovers upfront??

Cheers
Chris

[Quadra]

Great looking build, very neat bulkhead work. Squeeze a roundy over it and keep the classic style.

Thanks, I am using your project as inspiration. I definately would like a round nose but will have to see how it progresses.

[Quadra]

Hi Mate,

Slowly but surely is the key to these builds! as Im finding out..

Are you intending using coilovers upfront??

Cheers
Chris

Chris

I was thinking of using coilovers all round, but so many people with Minis say stick with doughnuts, so i am unsure, need to do a bit more investigation first.

Cheers Mike

[Mintegra]

One thing to bear in mind if going coilover route is that they dont line up exactly with the front top arms!... wish I had known this before I assembled mine... Looks like I will have to move the mounts further forward, I will also reinforce at the same time as all that weight going through the original mounts doesnt look to reassuring!!...

Cheers
Chris

[Quadra]

I've noticed that some people use a bracket that attaches to the top ball joint and also seems to give a better angle of deflection for the strut. Do you have a picture of a coilover on your car, just so I can see what you mean.

[Mintegra]

I also had to get some 400lb 8" springs as the standard ones that came with my coilovers weren't strong enough

Here you can see the slant of the spring!!

http://www.16vminiclub.com/gallery/albums/userpics/Photo0098.jpg

As far as Im aware all the coilover setups mount to the top of the top suspension arm!..

http://www.16vminiclub.com/gallery/albums/userpics/Photo0097.jpg

[alexcrosse]

i like that bulkhead mod, looks very OE, good work mate

[nerdymind]

nice work...am doing a vtec project 2 with b16 engine like u have...i wana know if i can take the harness from minitec for the engine..do u think it would be less work for the loom?

thnx

[Hario']

Loving the Mk1 look, the blue is nice too.

[Quadra]

Thanks, not much has happened recently due to having an extension to the house. Should be backon it soon.