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Posted By: turbo_stu turbo_stu : mini - 6th Jan 2006 8:42pm
right here goes......
bought this mini off ebay back in september, and for the past several weekends i have been slowly restoring it. it had quite abit of rust on it including round the sills, and front. all thats gone now, most of the welding has been done. was only supposed to be a small restoration then saw several flip front mini's on the web and thought i'd have a go. one word of warning to anyone wanting to do a flip front mini, its alot of work! mine wasn't the best of fits and before you ask no it wasn't a cheaper version. its made by curley specilised mouldings. its top quality sh*t but its sort of like universal fit.

heres some pics

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the many different locating holes i had to drill to line up the hinges

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i also have a smoothed boot but its not what you think........

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its a fibreglass skin which i mated to the skeleton of the old steel one

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i also thought i'd update the suspension of this old relic so i opted for a power coated beam and some rear coilovers

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of course coilover being slighty wider that the original shocks meant i had to use abit of positive camber! as can be seen below

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Posted By: turbo_stu Re: stu (steveobennet) : mini - 6th Jan 2006 8:44pm
near future i plan to re-bumper the rear to blend in with my sportspack arches. and obviously continue to fine tune the fitment of the flip front. which brings me to my future mods. alloy minifins with built in 1" spacer, front coilovers, bucket seats, 6 point rollcage, 7x13 deepdish ultralite alloys..................this list is pretty much endless! learn and this dam cold weather!! snowman )

all comments/critisims welcome,I’ll keep ya posted
Posted By: Wheels Re: stu (steveobennet) : mini - 6th Jan 2006 10:10pm
True Pocket rocket! me licky! smile
Posted By: Mark Re: stu (steveobennet) : mini - 6th Jan 2006 10:45pm
You will have a fantastic topic to look back on if you can keep us updated with
Pictures, Problems, Progress...

I know i guy that took 7 years to make his the old fasioned 1967 one.

He had problems finding original old parts.
But he sold it for a packet thumbsup
Posted By: DavidB Re: stu (steveobennet) : mini - 7th Jan 2006 2:57am
Quality, I love the mini. The possibilities are endless.
Posted By: Sanchez Re: stu (steveobennet) : mini - 7th Jan 2006 3:42am
nice one, i used to own one with a 1325 mg engine init, wide body kit mini lites the full works, very fun car.
Posted By: Macca GSI Re: stu (steveobennet) : mini - 10th Jan 2006 3:53pm
Yo boss, hows the little min?? have to show ya me new 2.2 sri astra bud. when u next out kid?
Posted By: turbo_stu Re: stu (steveobennet) : mini - 13th Jan 2006 6:21pm
finally found some pics of it before the 'surgery'. quality isn't good as i got it off my mobile!

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will be re-bumpering the rear with a new panel within a week or so.
Posted By: red20 Re: stu (steveobennet) : mini - 14th Jan 2006 12:32am
i still cnt beleave u had over 120 mph on the way home when u got it thats jus mad
Posted By: turbo_stu Re: stu (steveobennet) : mini - 14th Jan 2006 12:52am
well actualy that was in my escort! in my mini on the motorway only got 85!
Posted By: red20 Re: stu (steveobennet) : mini - 14th Jan 2006 12:59am
SHHHH dont tell every 1 jus wnted to see wot people said
Posted By: turbo_stu Re: stu (steveobennet) : mini - 14th Jan 2006 1:16am
oops well it might do that down a hill with the wind behind it!
Posted By: turbo_stu Re: stu (steveobennet) : mini - 15th Jan 2006 6:55pm
latest developments...............

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flip front is now 80% complete so i started to fit the front arches. need to do alot more development on the arches though.

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got the bonnet pins on, gonna have one in each corner. i've made it so the bonnet come up with the flip front so you dan't have to take it of everytime you want to flip the front. tease

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and finally the fastners i am using to hold it all in place. they are dzus counter sunk type, pretty hard to get hold of! thats it for now!
Posted By: turbo_stu Re: stu (steveobennet) : mini - 23rd Jan 2006 8:49pm
this week i rebumpered the rear. i chose to install a new rear valance as the old one had more filer than metal on it! i chopped it off with a grinder cleaned around the area i intended to weld, preped the surfaces and treated the surrounding area. once the new panel was tacked in the right place i welded it on. i chose to seam weld it rather than spot weld (having a mig welder and all). the only problem i have is it sits a little too high so i'll have to shave the bootom of my hinges but isn't a fuss. finished of with abit of filler which i will smooth in so you won't even know! i know my welds may look like pigeon sh*t but they used to be worse! just try welding thin body pannels with a clarke 205te welder! heres some pics

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Posted By: Lund Re: stu (steveobennet) : mini - 24th Jan 2006 7:12pm
Another Mini man! hi

:cheers:
Posted By: turbo_stu Re: stu (steveobennet) : mini - 24th Jan 2006 7:14pm
aye that i am (sort of). always wanted one and now i sort of got one, just can't wait till i get it on the road!
Posted By: Lund Re: stu (steveobennet) : mini - 24th Jan 2006 7:20pm
Great fun...

I'll pm you
Posted By: turbo_stu Re: stu (steveobennet) : mini - 29th Jan 2006 11:48pm
the week i have raised the front end!
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also had to chop the front arch otherwise my front end would flip!
doh
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as i am already too earger to put it on the road i did a small mock up on the front wink

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i also plan to re-bumper the front soon like i have done the back, but its a bit harder than just putting a new pannel on! learn

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Posted By: Mark Re: stu (steveobennet) : mini - 2nd Feb 2006 10:48am
I just know its going to be awsome when done,
lots of hours to go.

Great work so far smile

Keep the pics coming.
Posted By: turbo_stu Re: stu (steveobennet) : mini - 6th Feb 2006 12:56am
this week includes.........
tride fitment of my lovely boot! had to extend it so i wouldn't have big gaps and have leaks in the boot!
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also managed to source a righthand tank of ebay, although tis not genuine it does the same job for a fraction of the price! cut the hole for the neck, just slightly out so will be working on that soon ish
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also done a few more bits and bobs! just trying not to rush as i want this looking good when its finished!
Posted By: Mark Re: stu (steveobennet) : mini - 10th Feb 2006 11:49am
Again, great reading,
i enjoy following this project as we can view over time the changes,
time and effort gone into this.

Dont worry that many arnt posting,
but they are reading smile

Keep up the good work.
Posted By: scoop Re: stu (steveobennet) : mini - 10th Feb 2006 7:46pm
incredible work mate,cant wait to see it with paint on.This gonna be a nippy car when its finished?? weighing naff all and everythin
Posted By: turbo_stu Re: stu (steveobennet) : mini - 10th Feb 2006 8:10pm
should be very nippy, the mini weights around 700kg fully laden i think, and am planning to get a 1380 engine which should produce around 110hp if i set it up right. worked out the power to weight ratio and compared to my old mk5 escort i would have needed 200hp to keep up with this! obviously just a rough estimate as gear ratios will be different as other factors are!
Posted By: SL1D3R Re: stu (steveobennet) : mini - 11th Feb 2006 1:56am
sounds like a quality little car being built liek webby says makes interesting reading watching everythin take place step by step, cant wait to see the end result as im sure you cant! keep up the good work, will be worth the blood and sweat when its finished
Posted By: Lund Re: stu (steveobennet) : mini - 13th Feb 2006 9:08pm
Yeah looks great, about that insurance you said, i quoted and you were right £800! But thats for my Mini standard... ah well!

Keep up the good work and all the best.
Posted By: turbo_stu Re: stu (steveobennet) : mini - 18th Feb 2006 12:52am
not much been happening recently, just the annoying odd jobs left to do. removed my fiberglass front to do some final hole fills and finishing off.

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latest purchase was these mirrors

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keep with the mini theme! they are identicle to the spc sold by demon tweeks but don't cost as much!

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Posted By: spinking Re: stu (steveobennet) : mini - 18th Feb 2006 5:13pm
I might have mag wheels for a mini need a good clean thought.
Posted By: turbo_stu Re: stu (steveobennet) : mini - 18th Feb 2006 7:45pm
pm me with some pics if you can
Posted By: red20 Re: stu (steveobennet) : mini - 18th Feb 2006 7:48pm
looking good might pop down tomorw
Posted By: turbo_stu Re: stu (steveobennet) : mini - 19th Feb 2006 8:50pm
today pushed my car out to let some air into it! also needed to clean the piles of shit gathering underneath it! also had a chance to get some pics of it in the daylight.

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with the worst part of the work now over i reckon i shall be sending it away to be sprayed by the end of march hopefully. managed to attempt the re-bumpering of the front, it looks ok from the distance but when you get close the gaps don't. need to concentrate on the front arches now as i have chopped them the need some adjusting so they line up snuggly. due to it being injection moulded plastic nothing sticks to it so may need to get fiberglass ones.

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just looking back it seem i have posted the same pic twice what i meant to show was the right hand tank by its self

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and it installed with the left hand tank

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Posted By: turbo_stu Re: stu (steveobennet) : mini - 26th Feb 2006 8:29pm
finally after years of sanding, i have finished my bootlid! its 95% complete now just need to spray the inside, did a small mock up for ya

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have ordered my fiberglass arches to re-do the front as i would never get the perfect finish with the injection plastic ones! just pricing up what my total cost is so far and what it will have cost when it should be on the road...........
Posted By: turbo_stu Re: stu (steveobennet) : mini - 26th Feb 2006 8:53pm
Spent so far…

1989 Mini city off ebay – 900
clear front side repeaters – 10
non-genuine sportspack arches – 50
non-genuine fiberglass sportspack arches – 60
2 piece fiberglass front with hinges, brace bars – 290
rear powder coated beam axle – 150
rear coilovers – 60
non-genuine righthand tank – 110
pair of new front outer cv joints with bearings – 50
stainless steel bumpers 2 – 50
chrome plated bumper (bought first but decide to go stainless!) – 17.50
real carbon fiber matting for custom dash – 30
polyester resin kit for making door cards and dash – 80
carbon mirrors - 80

total – 1937.50!!!

plus extra for primer so around 2000

still to come….
Spray job – around 1000 – 1500
Polybushes all round – 70
Front coilovers – 250
Brake improvement kit front and rear – 100
Heavy duty adjustable bottom arms and tie rods – 80
13 x 7 deep dish ultralite alloys with yoko rubber – 450
6 point rollcage – 180
cobra Monaco bucket seats – 300
snap off steering wheel – 80
med trackday engine – 2300
twin hs4 su carbs - 400
plus many finishing extras – around 500 – 1500


so total for my mini bits to come – 7210!!!!!!

Complete total – 9290 otr

This is just a rough estimate of what it will cost to have my mini on the road so looks like I won’t be done for a year or two!
Posted By: Lund Re: stu (steveobennet) : mini - 26th Feb 2006 9:03pm
Quote
Originally posted by tupac:
I might have mag wheels for a mini need a good clean thought.
Mag wheels? What? confused
Posted By: scoop Re: stu (steveobennet) : mini - 26th Feb 2006 9:08pm
magnesiums? race car inspired alloys

Looks ace mate,sounds expensive
Posted By: turbo_stu Re: stu (steveobennet) : mini - 26th Feb 2006 9:09pm
think he means magnesium wheels
Posted By: turbo_stu Re: stu (steveobennet) : mini - 26th Feb 2006 9:10pm
yeah i try not to think how much it will cost as it will probabily be more! but the best stuff always costs more
Posted By: Lund Re: stu (steveobennet) : mini - 26th Feb 2006 9:24pm
Magnesium wheels hey, get him to post a pic - hey Steve found out what your Mini wa!
thumbsup
Posted By: spinking Re: stu (steveobennet) : mini - 1st Mar 2006 6:48pm
Was in my garage today and i still have mini parts if you are interested.

Roll cage
wheels

also dazza my (not 100% sure) have a turbo and bits for a mini.

Magnesium are in the way will be very cheap you name the price.

There are others there aswell.
Posted By: Macca GSI Re: stu (steveobennet) : mini - 2nd Mar 2006 10:47am
Sweet, its like alittle toy to you stu!! u best get them mag wheels!!
Posted By: turbo_stu Re: stu (steveobennet) : mini - 12th Mar 2006 7:42pm
this week..........
bought something! got bored of doing small jobs so bought a ally sump guard. tis really shiny as the pics show! won't be fitting it for a while though

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started work on my carbon doorcards.initally i use a clear gel coat but it turned too yellow so sanded back some of it and laquered it.

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and of course with the snow today meant i couldn't work on it so went and built a snowman! i know i'm still a kid! lol

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Posted By: Rossyboy Re: stu (steveobennet) : mini - 12th Mar 2006 8:30pm
that snowman is class....so is the car. its comin on nicely, should look really nice when its finished. i've got a bit of a soft spot for old minis, i think they are very very nice.
Posted By: Lund Re: stu (steveobennet) : mini - 14th Mar 2006 6:00pm
Quote
i've got a bit of a soft spot for old minis, i think they are very very nice. [/QB]
happy

laugh laugh Lookin good Stu, do you know that you have to drill holes in the subframe to fit the sump guard...i also wanted on ebut decided against it for that reason
Posted By: turbo_stu Re: stu (steveobennet) : mini - 14th Mar 2006 7:28pm
yeah, already drilled hole for my front flip hinges, so what har will a few more do! just have to make sure i hammerite it well.....
Posted By: Lund Re: stu (steveobennet) : mini - 14th Mar 2006 9:41pm
Quote
Originally posted by steveobennet:
yeah, already drilled hole for my front flip hinges, so what har will a few more do! just have to make sure i hammerite it well.....
laugh

Oh yeah just realised - hey that pic in your sig of the mini being blue and with double exhaust - is that the mini or a photochop?
Posted By: turbo_stu Re: stu (steveobennet) : mini - 15th Mar 2006 12:02am
it was a rough photochop i did, just getting some ideas of how it might look. heres the bigger pic

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Posted By: turbo_stu Re: stu (steveobennet) : mini - 26th Mar 2006 7:12pm
right, have had to resolve to fortnightly updates as the little jobs i have been doing weren't really worth posting about! fiberglass arches finally arrived, they were a little too used for my liking but thats what you get sometimes when buying off ebay! the pictures below show how it will sit and a buldge which i will have to get rid of!

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not much left to do till i send it away to get sprayed! can't wait!
Posted By: red20 Re: stu (steveobennet) : mini - 26th Mar 2006 7:20pm
heard u are geting this sprayed very soon
Posted By: turbo_stu Re: stu (steveobennet) : mini - 26th Mar 2006 7:35pm
dam! u found out! yep got everything i wanted to to done this weekend so am going to pop round again this sat for a quote.
Posted By: scoop Re: stu (steveobennet) : mini - 26th Mar 2006 7:48pm
what colours it gonna go?
Posted By: turbo_stu Re: stu (steveobennet) : mini - 26th Mar 2006 7:54pm
rover tahiti blue with a white roof, heres a pic of the colour

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unfortunately i don't have the funds to have the same engine! but the colour is like this
Posted By: scoop Re: stu (steveobennet) : mini - 26th Mar 2006 7:58pm
nice colour,keeps it looking like it shud.What engine is this hiving,what sorta power u gonna be lookin at,and what will it weigh?

And will it remain positive rear camber or u onna alter that?
Posted By: turbo_stu Re: stu (steveobennet) : mini - 26th Mar 2006 8:10pm
right gonna get my engine from med, been told their the dogs dangalies, at their prices they should be! it'll be their trackday 1380, bullet proof - ish, they say its fine for everyday use but i'm going to phone them more near the time. they have had 115 bhp from this unit but i'm only expecting 100 as i'm running it on twin hs4 su's. the standard weight of the mini is around 700kg fully laden. since i've removed quite abit of weight i reckon it'll be around 650 - 600, not exactly sure but will get it weighted some time! that'll give me a car thats rapid to 90 which is all i need!
Posted By: turbo_stu Re: stu (steveobennet) : mini - 26th Mar 2006 8:14pm
got a beam axle on the rear, which allows me to adjust the camber to what i want, and getting all adjustable front bits, but probabily gonna run 1.5 negative front and rear. can't adjust the toe on the rear though....................yet
Posted By: red20 Re: stu (steveobennet) : mini - 7th Apr 2006 11:25pm
saw this down in the body shop to shid be getting sprayed urly next week he said so did u chose a colour he had in there
Posted By: turbo_stu Re: stu (steveobennet) : mini - 8th Apr 2006 12:13am
not telling! going down next weekend to get some progress pics then when i get it back shall reveal all!
Posted By: turbo_stu Re: stu (steveobennet) : mini - 9th Apr 2006 7:16pm
spent most of my weekend stripping the rollcage that i got from 2pac. tis only the front section and am on the look out for the rear if anyone sees one tell me! had a few colour ideas but decied to go with metalic purple. after it was stripped primered it. the did a base coat of black to darken the purple. sprayed the purple, just 1 coat. then finally 2 coats of laquer to bring the shine out. still need to polish it so its super - reflective!

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Posted By: red20 Re: stu (steveobennet) : mini - 11th Apr 2006 6:23pm
when donw yesterday an saw this in the spray booth looking very nice
Posted By: turbo_stu Re: stu (steveobennet) : mini - 11th Apr 2006 6:25pm
woo hoo! what they done! what they done! can't wait! why can't it be the weekend now! god i'm feeling like a little kid!
Posted By: turbo_stu Re: stu (steveobennet) : mini - 15th Apr 2006 2:06pm
its done! went down today to pick up some bits and get some pics. has a few niggly bit here and there but all in all i am very pleased with it! once the car is up and running they said to take it back to them to get it flattened and polished so it looks like glass! anyway heres a taster

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will post up some more pics next weekend, when its at home and i've stoped licking it! lol
Posted By: scoop Re: stu (steveobennet) : mini - 15th Apr 2006 4:41pm
looks ace that fella,shudda got more pics,wheres the fron,where are the arches.Cracking job
Posted By: turbo_stu Re: stu (steveobennet) : mini - 15th Apr 2006 7:14pm
got the arches, seam covers and boot today. they took off the front to spray it seperately. waiting till next weekend, when the car is home, so i can do a small mock up and take loads of pics!
Posted By: Mark Re: stu (steveobennet) : mini - 22nd Apr 2006 12:28pm
Love the colour, its going to look amazing.

Cant wait for the next batch of pics smile
Posted By: Lund Re: stu (steveobennet) : mini - 22nd Apr 2006 5:04pm
I love Tahiti blue! happy
Posted By: turbo_stu Re: stu (steveobennet) : mini - 22nd Apr 2006 6:54pm
mini still isn't here! went down friday to pay off some of the money and they had flattened all the paint and polished it! its sooo shiny! hopefully i shall have it by monday so i shall take some pics then!

so far this week bought some 3 dial clocks, found them on ebay going at a reasonable price so i snappped them up! if anyone wants the union jack dials pm me as they will be going in the bin! they aren't the look i'm going for.
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managed to get a rear cage for ebay as well! tis a genuine safety device ones so matches with the front from tupac.
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removed the diagonal today

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sprayed the front legs off my cage as well today.
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first i removed everything off them, the rust powdercoating and and paint.
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primed them with 1 coat and added 2 base coats of gloss black.
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them painted them ford purple velvet (looks abit like cadburys purple) 2 coats and finally added 2 coats of laquer to make them shine like so!
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Posted By: Mark Re: stu (steveobennet) : mini - 23rd Apr 2006 10:33am
Your making this all look far too easy.

I'm sure when its finished,
your going to be one happy chappy.

Cant wait to see it in the flesh.

Well done excellent topic,
just think if you get another one, you can just read this back through
for all your tips laugh
Posted By: turbo_stu Re: stu (steveobennet) : mini - 25th Apr 2006 7:18pm
got some progress pics! they flattened and polished it for me! excuse the first pic, don't know what they were thinking! pic courtesy of shaun bar the last two.

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then finnally got it home today!

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was tempted to take more but i'll let you all wait until its on the road!
Posted By: jimbo4x4 Re: stu (steveobennet) : mini - 25th Apr 2006 9:25pm
I must confess I've not been keeping up with this topic, but I've just had a look through and eek wow! You've certaintly been busy fella and it looks to be really paying off. Looks awesome mate, you must be well proud happy
Posted By: turbo_stu Re: stu (steveobennet) : mini - 25th Apr 2006 11:01pm
dam right man! the real works starts soon. will be building it up and buying new bits! can't wait, looks better than i imagined!
Posted By: spinking Re: stu (steveobennet) : mini - 25th Apr 2006 11:59pm
DAME YOU'VE BEEN BIZZY.

Love the colour matey.

Mate still hasnt got intouch with me and he has been out (so his girl says) everytime i have knocked will be knocking in a different way when i see him next.

Car (what there is to see raftl ) so for looks GREAT bet your looking forward to the finish line now.

When do you think it will be up and running and road legal??
Posted By: turbo_stu Re: stu (steveobennet) : mini - 4th May 2006 8:27pm
latest progress.spent the last weekend working from 10am till 10pm all 3 days removing bits, puting bits on all while being ever so careful so i don't scratch paint!

loom waiting to go in! pretty small compared to some of the newer cars! mind you it is only for the lights and coil! lol
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some sunshine on the paint!
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drivers door assembled and arches have been put on
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rear end done, almost
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Posted By: Lund Re: stu (steveobennet) : mini - 5th May 2006 6:21pm
Amazin' thumbsup
Posted By: turbo_stu Re: stu (steveobennet) : mini - 5th May 2006 6:27pm
be alot better when its on its wheels and be a stonker when its on the road!
Posted By: Lund Re: stu (steveobennet) : mini - 5th May 2006 6:44pm
Quote
Originally posted by steveobennet:
be alot better when its on its wheels and be a stonker when its on the road!
I'll have trouble keeping up in the 850! doh
Posted By: turbo_stu Re: stu (steveobennet) : mini - 5th May 2006 6:46pm
not for the fist 1000 miles or so! got to break the new engine in!
Posted By: turbo_stu Re: stu (steveobennet) : mini - 14th May 2006 9:55pm
biggest achievement this week was getting the cage in. after spraying it, i took a piece of rope to the bottom of the rear legs to pull them in so they would just fit past the b-pillars! its one hell of a squeeze, but a perfect fit.

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i'm am at teh moment a little strapped for cash, so the next update will be in a fortnight or so. unless anyone wants to donate..........
Posted By: red20 Re: stu (steveobennet) : mini - 15th May 2006 8:20pm
looks realy nice that wot u got planed for the inside of the car
Posted By: Macca GSI Re: stu (steveobennet) : mini - 16th May 2006 11:47am
one word, sweet! well done stu, when u puttin the engine in??
Posted By: turbo_stu Re: stu (steveobennet) : mini - 16th May 2006 1:21pm
inside of the car is going to be a stripped out look with buckets and 4 point harnesses, and abit of carbon fiber. engine ain't going in for a while! still got to buy it yet! still deciding whether to build it myself or not.
Posted By: red20 Re: stu (steveobennet) : mini - 16th May 2006 7:44pm
think it wud be better to buy it ready built an jus drop it in . i might be doing that with my next car will cost a bit more but at least if u buy from a desent suplyer u know that u wont have any problems
Posted By: Mark Re: stu (steveobennet) : mini - 20th May 2006 12:01pm
The car is coming along amazingly Steve,
i'm not sure if i missed it but
what are your plans once complete?

Do you have plans to sell it?
Or Keep it forever?

You should keep it for a while at least,
after all the hard work that has
gone into it.
Posted By: turbo_stu Re: stu (steveobennet) : mini - 21st May 2006 6:52pm
am deffo keeping this car forever! well maybe till i get bored or want something with more give in the suspension! thought i'd done every thing that i could do without buying more stuff but i was wrong! started to re-glaze the car passanger rear is in also drivers front, but is wound down so you can't see it! also assembled passanger door

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bought with liitle money i have these 2 pound stickers! just the finishing touch to my 6 pointer!

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Posted By: Johnny Alan Re: stu (steveobennet) : mini - 21st May 2006 9:14pm
looks gud mate, your topic is proberbly the most interesting one ive seen, bet your enjoying it more now as you can see it really coming along. Keep it up happy
Posted By: scoop Re: stu (steveobennet) : mini - 22nd May 2006 12:22pm
Looks incredible,definately THE topic to follow,looking more and more like a car every day
Posted By: turbo_stu Re: stu (steveobennet) : mini - 29th May 2006 9:59pm
cheers for the comments, makes this long wait worth it! this weekend started on the interior. instead of buying a tailored carpet set for 50quid i bought a whole roll of carpet for 30quid! enough to do 4 minis! pics below

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now i've put carpeted boards on the back so i can use it everyday and throw stuff in the back without worrying about damaging the paint! also sprayed the front subframe the same colour as my cage and mounted it!

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Posted By: Mark Re: stu (steveobennet) : mini - 30th May 2006 10:52am
Excellent.

There isnt that much you cant do really is there?

Looking Amazing, cant wait to see it in the
flesh or in Blue smile
Posted By: turbo_stu Re: stu (steveobennet) : mini - 30th May 2006 5:51pm
plenty more yet to do! rear brakes, front brakes, wheels, interior, and so on! only problem now is i've got more time than money!
Posted By: turbo_stu Re: stu (steveobennet) : mini - 4th Jun 2006 9:20pm
this weekend............ put the front back on along with a bit of the bright work. i'm not going to go too over the top on the chrome bits as i think it will make it too tacky.

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also got a rear brake refurb kit which includes new ebc shoes, new ebc pistons, a fitting kit and goodridge briaded hoses. gave the rear arms and backpaltes a clean and coat of hammerite.

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also wanted to see how low i can go on the coilovers i have so put the wheels on the other way round (to give that rustic deep dish look!) and put the rear to the ground. i think i can go one cm lower if i wish. thats it for now

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Posted By: Mark Re: stu (steveobennet) : mini - 8th Jun 2006 11:10pm
Just noticed you have the holes in the pacel shelf for your speakers already lol..

Its amazing the work you have done,
whats been the worst part so far?
Posted By: turbo_stu Re: stu (steveobennet) : mini - 9th Jun 2006 7:28pm
thats my old parcel shelf! speakers won't fit with my right hand tank in place. worst part was probabily sanding down all the bodywork. i am happy with the bodywork but the paint does show some flaws (though the camera doesn't show them) and i keep thinking if i'd spent a bit more time on it, it would look better. most awkard was hammeriting the underneath, had to crawl under the bugger!
Posted By: scoop Re: stu (steveobennet) : mini - 9th Jun 2006 7:31pm
6x9 shape subs,mounted upside down, wouldnt wanna see the holes go to waste now would we lol.But then again,ICE=weight,and this shud be a trackcar
Posted By: turbo_stu Re: stu (steveobennet) : mini - 9th Jun 2006 7:34pm
i like your thinking scoop! might mount some speakers in the car somewhere but will stealth them in (i.e so you can't see them) just soi have the options of listing to something other than my exhaust.
Posted By: turbo_stu Re: stu (steveobennet) : mini - 11th Jun 2006 10:06pm
some more progress! done a few bits here and there including refurbing my brake cylinder and bits, finished carpeting the rest of the car, and with a bit of spare time wanted to see what it would look like with all 4 wheels on! alas i am reaching that time of month where money is a little sparse which gives me time to polish her, heres the pics

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Posted By: scoop Re: stu (steveobennet) : mini - 12th Jun 2006 6:43pm
it looks like a car,i cant believe it. Get the windows in mate,maybe whack some tint film on em all first tho. Hate to point this out but u got the front reg plate on the back
Posted By: turbo_stu Re: stu (steveobennet) : mini - 12th Jun 2006 7:30pm
wahey! waiting for someone to say that! yep i know its the front plate just getting an idea how it might look also damaged the rear plate trying to get it off the boot. windows are going to be left untouched for two reasons firstly they have a few deep scratches on them so isn't worth tinting them plus i dont really have anything to hide inside the car! might end up having them done once its on the road. don't let the pics fool you it is far from ready, considering that the jack is holding up the front end! front coilovers will be arriving in 3 weeks or so. also those wheels are my old 12" wellers turned the other way round which is far from safe.
Posted By: Mark Re: stu (steveobennet) : mini - 17th Jun 2006 2:03pm
I dont think anyones asked this?

What was the motorvation behind this project?
Why a Mini?

It is amazing and i wish i could do somthing
as good as that with a car.
Posted By: turbo_stu Re: stu (steveobennet) : mini - 18th Jun 2006 10:38am
after crashing my first car i was wondering what car i would like to do up as a project, always being a fan of the mini for its light weight, cheap insurance, and huge potential it was and obvious choice. to get this car looking and going as i want it will probabily cost me in the regiion on 15k (on the road in 10k) yet it would cost twice as much as that if i were to go for a modern car. so it is also cheaper too! also bar the elise nothing outhandles it (if set up right). i just saw more pros than cons, only con i can think of is it might be difficult in getting in and out of with me being 6 feet 3!
Posted By: turbo_stu Re: stu (steveobennet) : mini - 1st Jul 2006 10:02pm
right think its time for an update.........

bought a pair of alloy super mini fins, before anyone asks the are alloy drums for the rear with cooling fins to help prevent brake fade. got a sort of before and after pic, and comparing the two.

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also bought some front coilovers to match the rear ones. only problem is they sent 2 shocks and 1 spring! be on the phone tyo them monday morning. anyway also got some beefy brackets required to hold them.

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now with these large brackets on the brace bars don't fit, doh! time to get the engineering head on see what i can come up with!
Posted By: turbo_stu Re: stu (steveobennet) : mini - 2nd Jul 2006 7:44pm
did i hear people say they want to see more pics? well i'll show you anyway!

a la derier
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Posted By: scoop Re: stu (steveobennet) : mini - 2nd Jul 2006 10:53pm
Really is getting there now mate. How much longer?
Posted By: red20 Re: stu (steveobennet) : mini - 2nd Jul 2006 11:20pm
when an saw this today an it looks 10 times better in the day time keep it up stu u will get there soon lol
Posted By: turbo_stu Re: stu (steveobennet) : mini - 2nd Jul 2006 11:57pm
another few years! will try and get it done for november-ish. like i said the only thing holding me back is money........so if anyone wants to donate...........
Posted By: red20 Re: stu (steveobennet) : mini - 5th Jul 2006 11:48pm
yes if any1 wants to donate his arse is for rent lol
Posted By: turbo_stu Re: stu (steveobennet) : mini - 16th Jul 2006 5:05pm
this week got me some fully adjustable bottom arms and tie rods. so now i can choose whatever camber/castor/toe combination i want! also poly bushed everything up so there is no movement. guess which is the new one
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pic of old one on the car

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pic of new ones!

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heres how it looks from far away

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side profile without front

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top corner look

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also been deciding which wheels to get, got 2 choices both 7 x 13", which do you think i should get?

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Posted By: turbo_stu Re: stu (steveobennet) : mini - 16th Jul 2006 5:07pm
started on the custom center console too,

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Posted By: scoop Re: stu (steveobennet) : mini - 16th Jul 2006 6:11pm
This is gonna be such a car. Probably THE BEST project on the site ATM. I reckon u shud go for the minilite style ones mate. and that centre console shud bring the interior bang up to date. Kudos mate
Posted By: turbo_stu Re: stu (steveobennet) : mini - 17th Jul 2006 8:26pm
cheers!! as said before the car is being made to my liking, and if anyone else likes it thats just a bonus!
Posted By: Sanchez Re: stu (steveobennet) : mini - 18th Jul 2006 5:27pm
your are my hero, love it, quality, 10 out of ten, what sort of engine are you lookin to put in it
Posted By: turbo_stu Re: stu (steveobennet) : mini - 18th Jul 2006 5:53pm
an a-series engine will be going back in, but at what state of tune??????? who knows, trying to do a deal on an engine soon.............far from standard tune, watch this space.
Posted By: turbo_stu Re: stu (steveobennet) : mini - 23rd Jul 2006 4:44pm
center consloe 50% complete!

[Linked Image]

god time seems like its dragging, sent the boot back to be re-done as the edge was bubbling up! also have some carbon fiber door cards on order which should be here in a week or so.
Posted By: turbo_stu Re: stu (steveobennet) : mini - 30th Jul 2006 9:10pm
bi n buying a few bits this week..........

here are some indicators off an mgf! don't look much but they are more modern and include the sidelights and headlights on the stalk instead of a switch on the dash. these were also fitted to late mpi mini's and rover 200's plus a few others! but it is suprising how the can differ in price, although they are theoretically the same unit. have started to mount it on my new steering coloum but can't go futher without getting a steering wheel.

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instead of scratching my arse thinking of what next to do i decieded to give flattening and polishing the bodywork a go. the body has already been done by the bodyshop just the arches needed doing.

used some 1200grit sand paper with plenty of water and went about smoothing it so it was virtually flat

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then with an attachment to the drill polished the arch until a glimmering shine!

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there are different types of rubbing compounds (g3, g10, etc) but due to me being on a budget i used autoglym's super resin (the best polish in my opinion) you could do this by hand but you would have been there all day, only took around 15mins with the drill!

the below picture shows a strut in the reflection to compare untouched paint (left) and flattened and polished (right)

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whether the pictures show it or not, it is a vast improvement. so much so that i will be doing the whole car so it looks like glass!

essay over, you can wake up now.
Posted By: spinking Re: stu (steveobennet) : mini - 30th Jul 2006 9:48pm
You are doing such a good job on this car matey.

If i hadnt met you i would swear you were a old man with 30years in the car trade.

Keep up the good work and I AM looking forward to seeing the car at one of the meets.
Posted By: Johnny Alan Re: stu (steveobennet) : mini - 31st Jul 2006 5:22pm
Looking gud bud you should be proud that youve done it by yourself and are still motivated as much now as when you started.
Posted By: red20 Re: stu (steveobennet) : mini - 31st Jul 2006 5:38pm
by the time he has finished this he will be 30 lol. the pics do not do the car justace is lovly in real life
Posted By: turbo_stu Re: stu (steveobennet) : mini - 1st Aug 2006 7:35pm
because i'm doing the car to my taste, i will always be motivated (sort of), also the comments help me along! alot of the stuff i know is from asking question or looking at guides on the internet. like the flating of the bodywork, a few question here an there and i was willing (but abit cautious) to give it a crack and it turned out to be good.
Posted By: turbo_stu Re: stu (steveobennet) : mini - 6th Aug 2006 4:45pm
this week, got some mitsubishi 3000gt bonnet struts. only because they were going for 99p, and adapted them to fit on my front. made some brackets for it to secure against the front and mounted it on my brace bars. had to burst each strut as it was impossible to close (my front only weights around 1/4 of a 3000gt bonnet!) heres some pics

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Posted By: scoop Re: stu (steveobennet) : mini - 6th Aug 2006 4:48pm
great idea. But with them being burst what do they do now? do they just stop the front from overrotating forward? and when closed do the sampers not interfear with the front sitting right?
Posted By: turbo_stu Re: stu (steveobennet) : mini - 6th Aug 2006 5:01pm
its suprising how rock solid they are when off a car! the holes in each is tiny so they have a little damping force, the main reason they are there is to stop the front from hitting the floor. could have used steel cable but when the front is closed it can get trapped in any number of things! so this was the best solution.
Posted By: turbo_stu Re: stu (steveobennet) : mini - 8th Aug 2006 6:12pm
lookie what arrived today!

[Linked Image]

muha ha ha!
Posted By: Johnny Alan Re: stu (steveobennet) : mini - 8th Aug 2006 6:35pm
very nice look very wide what are they 6" how much were they if ya dnt mind me asking???. When are ya planning on being out in ya car??
Posted By: turbo_stu Re: stu (steveobennet) : mini - 8th Aug 2006 6:39pm
wheels are 13" by 7 deep dish superlites with yokohama a048r road legal slicks! 560 in all and came with wheel nuts and locking wheel nut. it seems like poeple are only reading the odd post, as mentioned before i plan to have it on the road noverber-ish. might be longer if i don't get a pay rise soon!
Posted By: red20 Re: stu (steveobennet) : mini - 8th Aug 2006 7:17pm
those are some nice wheals there so nice it makes me wana get a mini to put a set on
Posted By: scoop Re: stu (steveobennet) : mini - 8th Aug 2006 7:19pm
Incredible wheels,even more incredible tyres,and at a price thats spunkworthy. What a car,say that again!
Posted By: xhotchick2005x Re: stu (steveobennet) : mini - 10th Aug 2006 12:50pm
helooooo stu thought id just say hya and compliment u on all ya hard work wit the mini!keep it goin matey.xxx
Posted By: turbo_stu Re: stu (steveobennet) : mini - 10th Aug 2006 8:24pm
ta all, i getting loads of comments but not critisms as of yet! right now on to the intressting bit.........the engine. obtian this engine off a mate at a handsom price of 0.00p. he was told it was a 1450 race engine, which has been used a few times round a track and then left for storage for about 2-3years. just got it tonight and have done a bit of investigation. removed the head to check up on this "race" engine. measured the bores at 73.5mm which means it is definately a cc of 1380+ (for those who i have lost you standard 1.3 mini enigne is of the 1275cc, you can obtain quite easliy over bores of many varities the most popular being 1293,1330, 1380,1430. most go for the 1380 as a max for a road enigne, but it is possile to make a 1600 (though it is rare and extreme impracticle))

futher investigation will continue at the weekend. the head (of the 5 port variety) has 35.7mm inlet and 29.6mm exhaust which indicates a standard 1275 head. this alone has led me to question this "race" engine, which i think is homemade. if it does turn out to be the worst i do have the option now of obtain a enigne kit at a cheaper price (as i have an enigne to exchange!) which i might actually end up doing!

still with me? heres some pics

the "race" engine (mmm look at the size of those cylinder walls!
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the gearbox it was run on
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and the 998 taken originally from my car
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Posted By: scoop Re: stu (steveobennet) : mini - 10th Aug 2006 8:32pm
Cylinder walls are looking a bit SLIM there mate. Just get the head worked and uve got a nifty engine,altho that really is bored out to feck,can walls that thin survive??

Gearbox,need reconning,its gotten a bit rusty?
Posted By: turbo_stu Re: stu (steveobennet) : mini - 10th Aug 2006 8:40pm
belive it or not they can stand up to alot of punishment (although only being 3-4mm thick!) but it looks like the bores have worn, only futher investigation will tell! definately upgrading the head, maybe 37inlet and 31exhaust. though i am tempted by an 8port head! aslong as it is the same type as the one currently on my 998 i can interchange bits but might go for reconning that as well! and a nice beefy 4pin diff to help get the power down.
Posted By: turbo_stu Re: stu (steveobennet) : mini - 13th Aug 2006 7:47pm
bores look alright but the cc isn't measuring up! the pistons indicate its a 1293 but it can't be with its 73.5mm bores. have to work it out using the stroke aswell, but i may end up exhanging this for a brand spanking new unit. will take the lightened duplex timing gear off this engine thou

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having problems with my front coilovers, they hit the subframe when the wheels have a 2 inch gap from the arch! will make some custom brackets soon!

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Posted By: Lund Re: stu (steveobennet) : mini - 14th Aug 2006 10:47am
Hey Stu, all is looking well, ok you want criticism;

About the white roof, would have preferred the roof in silver for the later cooper look, not much to criticise...yet lol! laugh I am confused by the 'under wheel arch pic' what is that bump on the inner wing? confused

Anyway its looking good, now the fun starts with the engine, that 'race' engine looks a bit of a mix match, home-made jobbie as you say, its probably put together for max performance, 1380 block? 1275 head ? ...hmm happy
Posted By: turbo_stu Re: stu (steveobennet) : mini - 14th Aug 2006 12:24pm
woo hoo someone doesn't like the colour! no i don't like it with a silver roof, white looks alot better, and it masks all the errors in it!

the suspension pic shows it almost hitting the subframe, and the engine isn't in yet! making some custom brackets to put it closer to the wheel.

tell me about it! i think i won't bother with this block as the more i think about it the worse it seems, looks like i will be going with a 1380 kit!
Posted By: Lund Re: stu (steveobennet) : mini - 14th Aug 2006 12:42pm
Quote
Originally posted by steveobennet:
woo hoo someone doesn't like the colour! no i don't like it with a silver roof, white looks alot better, and it masks all the errors in it!

the suspension pic shows it almost hitting the subframe, and the engine isn't in yet! making some custom brackets to put it closer to the wheel.

tell me about it! i think i won't bother with this block as the more i think about it the worse it seems, looks like i will be going with a 1380 kit!
happy tease
Posted By: turbo_stu Re: stu (steveobennet) : mini - 14th Aug 2006 12:47pm
doh! i don't think anyone has try to go this low on coilovers, the bump stop is on the coilovers them selfs but i will be putting a wee one on the subframe for precautions.
Posted By: Lund Re: stu (steveobennet) : mini - 14th Aug 2006 1:08pm
Quote
Originally posted by steveobennet:
doh! i don't think anyone has try to go this low on coilovers, the bump stop is on the coilovers them selfs but i will be putting a wee one on the subframe for precautions.
You sure there's room!? laugh
Posted By: turbo_stu Re: stu (steveobennet) : mini - 14th Aug 2006 1:11pm
i could just chop it off and weld a plate in its place, but look at the angle of that top arm, don't think they designed it to go that high! lol
Posted By: Lund Re: stu (steveobennet) : mini - 14th Aug 2006 1:43pm
Quote
Originally posted by steveobennet:
i could just chop it off and weld a plate in its place, but look at the angle of that top arm, don't think they designed it to go that high! lol
Definately ask on The Mini Forum, they will know! happy Yeh, the setup just isnt like anthing ive ever seen before, and it doesnt look right somehow!? confused
Posted By: turbo_stu Re: stu (steveobennet) : mini - 16th Aug 2006 9:36pm
new bits, carbon door cards, mmmmmmm real carbon! will get some pics up with these on on the weekend.

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Posted By: spinking Re: stu (steveobennet) : mini - 16th Aug 2006 10:40pm
Going to have to come rnd again soon and see how this is in the flesh carnt belive how much you have done matey.

No offence to anybody else but i think your car is one of the best on the site.

THIS IS MY VIEW BECASUE OF THE WORK THATS BEEN PUT INTO THE CAR BY THE OWNERS FROM A SHELL.

Nextyear i think you could be up for car of the year.

PS get yourself down the bbq even if you have to get the car towed.
Posted By: turbo_stu Re: stu (steveobennet) : mini - 17th Aug 2006 5:56pm
lol, i'm come down on a recovery truck! car of ther year 2007...hmmmmmm (i say 2007 because i keep moving the completion date back! lets say it will be ready for next summer) ta, more than welcome to see it in the flesh.
Posted By: turbo_stu Re: stu (steveobennet) : mini - 20th Aug 2006 6:00pm
only put the passanger one of these on so far, but all it needed was abit of trimming, and some hole cut in it and then ta-da

[Linked Image]

spent most of the weekend fabricating some bracket for the front coilovers. compared to the pic above it has moved the shock away from the body. it has also lower the car a wee bit, but with the engine in it should sit properly at the front. all that is left to do now is cut off the corner that protrudes out so it won't hit!

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Posted By: BMW Joe Re: stu (steveobennet) : mini - 20th Aug 2006 8:09pm
lookin good! I like the carbon door cards matey, they look very smart happy
Posted By: turbo_stu Re: stu (steveobennet) : mini - 20th Aug 2006 8:31pm
cheers, forgot to mention that i will be replacing the poor door furniture. so far in my carbon bag is door mirrors and door cards, will be getting a carbon dash then i think that will do for the carbon side of things..........for now.....
Posted By: Lund Re: stu (steveobennet) : mini - 21st Aug 2006 10:34am
Quote
Originally posted by steveobennet:
cheers, forgot to mention that i will be replacing the poor door furniture. so far in my carbon bag is door mirrors and door cards, will be getting a carbon dash then i think that will do for the carbon side of things..........for now.....
[Linked Image]

smack

It would still have yours tease tease
Posted By: turbo_stu Re: stu (steveobennet) : mini - 21st Aug 2006 6:14pm
looks like i'm going the rust route then!
Posted By: BMW Joe Re: stu (steveobennet) : mini - 21st Aug 2006 6:48pm
"Rust is lighter than carbon fibre!!"

raftl raftl raftl
Posted By: turbo_stu Re: stu (steveobennet) : mini - 22nd Aug 2006 6:14pm
latest purchase,new clock faces. but not any old faces electro luminescent ones! at day they look like this

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at like this at night!

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shall put these somewhere safe till i need them!
Posted By: Mark Re: stu (steveobennet) : mini - 30th Aug 2006 10:35am
whooo they look amazing.

Good purchase happy
Posted By: turbo_stu Re: stu (steveobennet) : mini - 3rd Sep 2006 9:49pm
not much progress this weekend, been cutting back the paint to make it gleem with g3 and a wee bit of g10 (liquid compound) just need to polish it up and wax it, will get some pics next weekend. also bought some chrome outer door window seal strips. more to come soon
Posted By: Johnny Alan Re: stu (steveobennet) : mini - 6th Sep 2006 7:17pm
you should look at this

E-bay Link
Posted By: turbo_stu Re: stu (steveobennet) : mini - 9th Sep 2006 10:07pm
right so far been doing small things getting it looking fab etc.

[Linked Image]

you may have noticed that in alot of the pics i only have 1 headlight, this is due to one accidently getting smashed! doh! so bought 2 new ones! also on the pic above you may be able to see the new chrome strip on the door. not really worth an update i know but i ani't got much else to say! took the wheels off to prevent them from getting damaged or corroding while the car isn't in use! also took off the grille for the same reason and too allow some access. have put new gaters and track rod end on the steering rack along with checking everything. the power plant is the next thing i will focus my attention on, and i'll start with a gearbox re-build............soon......ish
Posted By: turbo_stu Re: stu (steveobennet) : mini - 10th Sep 2006 11:06pm
gearbox strip down part 1

right time to start on the gearbox. first i removed the diff. you will notice than it is a standard 2 pin diff, i will be throwing this away and going for the more stronger 4 pin diff, but i still need the ring gear off this one!

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here is the box with the diff casing removed. and the above shot minus the laygears.

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managed to remove the laygears and shaft. from the top down you have the laygears, roller bearings they run on, the shaft, the thrust washers which go either side, reverse gear and the shaft it sits on.

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the layshaft has abnormal wear on it due to it being installe dincorrectly but i will be replacing that anyway, as it comes in the refurb kit.
Posted By: Lund Re: stu (steveobennet) : mini - 18th Sep 2006 10:01pm
Hey you! Don't want you slackin' I demand to see some progress! think Hows the gearbox goin?
Posted By: turbo_stu Re: stu (steveobennet) : mini - 22nd Sep 2006 7:30pm
will get some pictures up this weekend. i ain't slacking just haven't got money to buy anything, plus i may be getting my engine soon so i will have to save up for that!
Posted By: turbo_stu Re: stu (steveobennet) : mini - 23rd Sep 2006 7:00pm
here you go then. finnaly got my boot back after i sent it back to the bodyshop as the edges had started to bubble.think its been 6-7 weeks, i wasn't in a rush but come on its only a small boot! flattened it with 1200 wet and dry, compound polished it with g3 and the a quick spin over with autoglym super resin polish and its 90% done.

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also been waiting on a 38mm deep socket so i could take out my main/input shaft. so here it is! all 4 gears and both sincros! for those who want to know it goes first to fourth from left to right. will strip this down to check the bearings.

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here is the almost empty box, you can see the 2 selector forks and mechnisms there. they will be coming out and will be checked. just need to fit this big bugger into my bag so i can take it into work and give it a clean on the parts washer.

[Linked Image]
Posted By: turbo_stu Re: stu (steveobennet) : mini - 1st Oct 2006 3:02pm
bought a push button start, looks like the honda one

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stripped the main shaft, just need to get second and third off so i can check the bearings. from top left to right 4th gear with the bearing, the 4 bualk rings, the main shaft with 2nd and 3rd still on, the smallest cog is the output to the diff, then theres first gear, then a transfer gear, then the 2 syncromeshes (the one with the teeth is for 1st 2nd and reverse) and finally the sellector shaft

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finished and painted the bottom coilover mount

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Posted By: Mark Re: stu (steveobennet) : mini - 1st Oct 2006 5:52pm
One day i'm going to have great pleasure
in sitting down and reading this
from the beginning right to the very end.

Has to be the most detailed and intresting
Modified Car Topic anyone has done. IMO

Keep it up smile
Posted By: turbo_stu Re: stu (steveobennet) : mini - 1st Oct 2006 9:45pm
much appreciated, even going back a year to when i first got the car i still can't believe what i've done. hopefully stage one of this car should be ready for next summer. thats right i've got 2 stages for this car, the first one its staying true to a mini that it can be, subframes (sort of), engine, chassis (apart from the coilovers)etc. i'll drive it around, enjoy it for a year or two then it goes back away for something more sinister.
Posted By: craggy Re: stu (steveobennet) : mini - 1st Oct 2006 10:50pm
Back to the old skool. I like it!

Looking good. Keep it up mate!
Posted By: turbo_stu Re: stu (steveobennet) : mini - 5th Oct 2006 6:35pm
more random buying! got myself a carb to run my invisible engine on. for those who are wondering its a dellorto dhla 40, puzzled? its similar to the weber dcoe 40, also came with an inlet manifold which has seen some porting, but i will do abit more!

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Posted By: Mark Re: stu (steveobennet) : mini - 20th Oct 2006 6:38pm
You should seriously think about nominating
your car for car of the year mate.

Nominations end 21st
Posted By: scoop Re: stu (steveobennet) : mini - 20th Oct 2006 6:42pm
agree with webby on both his posts here. Car of the year material AND the most intresting MMC going. I cant wait to see this thing moving
Posted By: turbo_stu Re: stu (steveobennet) : mini - 29th Oct 2006 5:24pm
haven't been here in a while! don't worry the car still exists. cheers webby and scoop. in my opinion i don't think it is worth putting my car up as no one has seen it in person yet! (plus its a little late now!) next year i should have some good competition with the hotrod and the other mini so we shall see.

haven't really done much to be honest, have decieded to chuck my poor 1970's stlye switches in favor of some savage ones. just got 1 at the mo but gives you the idea. also got my gearbox sparkling on the parts washer at work, but when i came to get the rebuild kit the had sold out!

old switch holder
[Linked Image]

savage switch
[Linked Image]

pollycarbonate holder with old surround
[Linked Image]

at the moment my project is going slow (trying to find an engine as i can't do much else to the car) but i will keep you posted if anything happens!
Posted By: turbo_stu Re: stu (steveobennet) : mini - 12th Nov 2006 5:26pm
just been browsing through my topic and it seems i don't have many pics of the car on its shiny new wheels.
[Linked Image]

[Linked Image]

[Linked Image]

[Linked Image]

also did lend some seats off a mate to see whether they fit, but they are far too wide so i shall be giving them back to him

[Linked Image]

oops! webby will need to edit the top pics! half of it is missing
Posted By: spinking Re: stu (steveobennet) : mini - 12th Nov 2006 5:58pm
Carnt wait to see this on the road matey.

Love the colour.
Posted By: Johnny Alan Re: stu (steveobennet) : mini - 12th Nov 2006 6:20pm
agrre with alot of the comments their was alot of talk between member over yours and lund mini, keep up the gud work very nice. What bhp do you think it will be giving out when finished??
Posted By: turbo_stu Re: stu (steveobennet) : mini - 12th Nov 2006 7:16pm
ta peeps. only going to be running a wee power plant for now, aiming for around 100hp, with either a 1380 na a-series engine, or a 1293 turbo lump. still trying to decide!
Posted By: Johnny Alan Re: stu (steveobennet) : mini - 12th Nov 2006 7:17pm
100bhp in a mini is still a big power to weight ratio
Posted By: turbo_stu Re: stu (steveobennet) : mini - 12th Nov 2006 7:20pm
aye but thats just for now. gonna get it on the road for a year then might be thinking about throwing a 2.0l red top or v-tec at it.
Posted By: turbo_stu Re: stu (steveobennet) : mini - 23rd Nov 2006 5:11pm
alas, i've bought a motor, a metro turbo one at that!

heres the spec for ya

New Built Engine
Metro Turbo Block Bored To 1293Cc,
New Omega Pistons,
Standared Turbo Crank,
New Mains,
New Bigends,
Centre Main Strap,
New High Pressure Oil Pump,
Big Vave Head,
Polished Ported,
Broze Guides,
New Double Heavey Duty Valve Springs,
Standared T3 Turbo
New Avonbar 13 Psi Actuator,
New Avonbar Dizzy
New Avonbar Dump Valve
New Avon Bar 10 Psi Carb Needle,New 2"
Rs Turbo Inter Cooler
New Hell Oil Cooler With Braded Hoses,
New Grey Diaphram, AP Rally/Race clutch
Recon Turbo Gear Box With Cenre Oil Pick Up,
Duplex Timing Gear,
Standard Turbo Cam,
comes with side rad and fan
silicome hoses throughout

and some pics

[Linked Image]

[Linked Image]

[Linked Image]

[Linked Image]

[Linked Image]

[Linked Image]

[Linked Image]

i've got a chioce of running it with or with out an intercooler, i may run it without for now. can't fit it just yet, need to hack away at the bulkhead to create space for the turbo!
Posted By: spinking Re: stu (steveobennet) : mini - 23rd Nov 2006 5:25pm
omg turbo'd mini love it.

You really should of entered car of the year matey DO IT NEXTYEAR AS YOU WILL BE GETTING MY VOTE.

That will sound great Once running and will go like a mother.

Love it matey.
Posted By: Johnny Alan Re: stu (steveobennet) : mini - 23rd Nov 2006 5:36pm
quality mate, really going to look gud under the bonnet cant wait till ya come out in it.
Posted By: turbo_stu Re: stu (steveobennet) : mini - 23rd Nov 2006 6:20pm
i can't wait till i hear the sound it makes, woooooosh, tissss. almost make me wanna get a loan.........
Posted By: Sanchez Re: stu (steveobennet) : mini - 24th Nov 2006 6:28pm
wow, you are still my hero, i love it, is it tricky to get the engine running on a turbo ?
Posted By: turbo_stu Re: stu (steveobennet) : mini - 24th Nov 2006 6:44pm
the engine was originally from a metro turbo (the ones they made between 1980-90). it the same enigne as a 1.3 mini but all they did was lower the compression ratio (to about 9.4:1 i think) sealed the carb and beefed up vital stress parts. their compression ratio was marginally acceptable.

basically you can turbo just about anything!

as for fitment into a mini, you have 2 choices regarding the bulkhead, you can either buy a 350pound manifold that only allows fitment of a t2 turbo (the r5 turbo is what is mainly used) but mean you don't have to cut the shell. or the other option is to chop away at the bulkhead to make room, and fit a 40pound bulkhead box.
Posted By: Lund Re: stu (steveobennet) : mini - 25th Nov 2006 7:23pm
happy WOW!

This all sounds too good! lol Lovin the turbo...Well I can finally give you this Link! TurboMini

Keep up the good work! thumbsup
Posted By: turbo_stu Re: stu (steveobennet) : mini - 26th Nov 2006 7:37pm
forgot to add it came with an injection tank aswell! spent most of the weekend cleaning, and checking the spec. but also had time to improve the interior. i'm getting rid of the old worn out switches and replacing them with some shiny new savage ones! only have 1 at the mo but more will come soon.....
[Linked Image]

[Linked Image]
Posted By: turbo_stu Re: stu (steveobennet) : mini - 3rd Dec 2006 7:33pm
i'm finished............

[Linked Image]

ha got you all looking! nope still a while to go yet. just had to throw my engine in for now to make sure i was cutting the right place. seems a bit cramed in there, don't forget i also have to try and fit an intercooler in aswell!

[Linked Image]

[Linked Image]

you can see there isn't much room for the carb

[Linked Image]

and the parts of the turbo that get in the way!

[Linked Image]

at the moment i have almost cut a whole for it. hope to have it welded in and primered by next sunday.
Posted By: Johnny Alan Re: stu (steveobennet) : mini - 3rd Dec 2006 7:49pm
woow amazing looks really well, bet you cant wait now, should be fairly quick what do you expect 0-60 7-8sec???. Will the old fire wall go straight down instead of slanted in order to give the clearance?? Looks gud again
Posted By: turbo_stu Re: stu (steveobennet) : mini - 3rd Dec 2006 7:54pm
0-60 i reckon about 7-8 seconds yea, am fitting a pre-made turbo box, so all i had to do was line up and cut!

[Linked Image]

Posted By: Johnny Alan Re: stu (steveobennet) : mini - 3rd Dec 2006 7:58pm
I know this must sound a bit strange but I like the look of those tyres. Really nice tread pattern, these the kind they sell for road use and track day???
Posted By: turbo_stu Re: stu (steveobennet) : mini - 3rd Dec 2006 8:03pm
they are nice ain't they! they are road legal, but are quite a soft compound. i recckon i'll need to replace them every 4-5000 miles (or less with enthuastic driving ;)), which i don't mind at all, only 80 quid a corner (the advantage of having small wheels!). you also find these tyres on the lotus exige.
Posted By: Sanchez Re: stu (steveobennet) : mini - 3rd Dec 2006 8:39pm
im pretty sure it will beat 7.8, my mini only had the mg 1.325 engine in it and that was 8 ish seconds, so with that turbo, i reacon your lookin at high 6's low 7's.
Posted By: turbo_stu Re: stu (steveobennet) : mini - 3rd Dec 2006 9:28pm
any idea what power it was runnin sanchez? still unsure what i want to run this at. after all the gearbox was only meant to take 40hp, i could be possibly runing 3x that through it!
Posted By: Macca GSI Re: stu (steveobennet) : mini - 4th Dec 2006 11:14am
should be able to give the new motor a run for it money .
Posted By: Sanchez Re: stu (steveobennet) : mini - 4th Dec 2006 6:15pm
hmmm, i definatley have a re think on that gear box, the way i see it the car weights sod all, and the old gearboxes on them are tough so it should be ok but have a word with a to b auto s in hoylake about a better gear box, i think that the power from the mini i had was around 80bhp.
Posted By: turbo_stu Re: stu (steveobennet) : mini - 4th Dec 2006 8:41pm
don't worry about the box, it can handle a certian ammount of power. only really weak spot is the second sincro. when you start pushing over 100bhp, you need to think about an uprated diff. 120bhp and the drop gears will need to be straight cut, and idealy straight cut the whole box. anything above that and a dog box is called for, some have even seen 200+bhp from a 1.3 aseries! don't think i'll be pushing it that far!
Posted By: turbo_stu Re: stu (steveobennet) : mini - 8th Dec 2006 9:24pm
a wee bit of progress, finished the hole in my bulkhead. the box sits in nice and snug now, should hopefully have it welded tomorrow afternoon if the weathers good

before
[Linked Image]

after
[Linked Image]

and how it fits
[Linked Image]
Posted By: turbo_stu Re: stu (steveobennet) : mini - 10th Dec 2006 6:56pm
got the turbo box welded in and painted. i know i rushed it, and it would have looked better if i took my time, but most of it will be covered anyway! picture was taken while it was still wet. the colour match won't be perfect as i did this using rattle cans.

[Linked Image]

thats it for now
Posted By: BMW Joe Re: stu (steveobennet) : mini - 10th Dec 2006 7:06pm
looks like you did a good job. Shame about the colour match though, does it look a closer match dry?
Posted By: turbo_stu Re: stu (steveobennet) : mini - 10th Dec 2006 7:47pm
can't really check now, the problems with changing engine ideas after you've done the bodywork. the surrounding area is completely covered in dust, i shall clean it off next week, and if it shows and obvious line then i shall re-paint the whole underbonnet area.
Posted By: BMW Joe Re: stu (steveobennet) : mini - 10th Dec 2006 8:00pm
do you think it'll be worth it even if it's not going to be much visable?
Posted By: turbo_stu Re: stu (steveobennet) : mini - 10th Dec 2006 11:57pm
we shall wait and see!
Posted By: turbo_stu Re: stu (steveobennet) : mini - 16th Dec 2006 7:05pm
spent money i didn't have on a new cross pin differential from minispares! built it up today in work, and plan to put it in the box tomorrow.
comparison to standard differential
[Linked Image]


hmmm i wonder which one i will fit.....
[Linked Image]
Posted By: turbo_stu Re: stu (steveobennet) : mini - 17th Dec 2006 4:33pm
engine went in today, not with ease though! bought some bottom engine mounts of ebay, the ones with nuts welded on the actual mount to make putting your engine in a lot easier, trust me it doesn't! i struggled for an hour with the fubaring things, in the end abuse with a hammer got one side on, and the other i ripped of the welded nut and just put a bolt through!

i should have just got normal mounts, as it would have been a doddle! ah well i know for future now, the paint match on the bulkhead is pretty good, but due to applying too much paint in one go, i have quite bad orange peel on it, but hey at least its blue! the engine should be hopefully staying in now for good, have already fitted the differential, shimmed it up and torqued it up! i did put my turbo box in the right place, thankgod, and i have quite abit of room around it, as to keep the turbo cool. enough chat heres some pics!

[Linked Image]

[Linked Image]

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Posted By: turbo_stu Re: stu (steveobennet) : mini - 1st Jan 2007 7:58pm
not much done over chrimbo. the 13x7 wheels that i got were from a mini supplier but were made by midland wheels, and i can see why mws have such a bad reputation. my wheels have seen no road use at all, just been exposed to abit of water and the laquer has already started to peel and go cloudly! now i could return these and get some others but no doubt they would only do the same. so i have resulted in remove the laquer just on the metal. its hard to see by the pictures, but the one with the laquer removed is now more shiny than the laquered one! i've only done the one, and the laquer was removed crudely by some brake fluid! they have been polished up with autoglym's metal polish, and they should last a month or two with out re-polishing with some belgom alu!

no laquer
[Linked Image]

laquer
[Linked Image]

other than that i've just replaced the fuse box with something more reliable! plus i have plenty more spaces for more gadgets!
[Linked Image]
Posted By: turbo_stu Re: stu (steveobennet) : mini - 7th Jan 2007 6:47pm
i've been full of cold this weekend, so couldn't do as much as i wanted. lots of small bit bought, inc gaskets, turbo down pipe, braided oil feed pipe. hopefully i won't be doing this agian too often, fitting the head gasket

[Linked Image]

and the only other thing was to fit the turbo down pipe, which i struggled with for an hour! but its on now

[Linked Image]

and a random image of the car in the air

[Linked Image]
Posted By: turbo_stu Re: stu (steveobennet) : mini - 15th Jan 2007 8:38pm
little odds and sod done this weekend. one of them was the heater. now i do want to be warm in winter and with the fitment of a turbo box i needed to re-mount it. so this is my solution. the rear is suspended if you will on 2 long bolts on l brackets at the back. at the front i have 2 more bolts which go into the holes in the bottom dash rail. some people might find it crude and half finished but it is secure and it will do for me!

[Linked Image]

now we all know the mini shifting mechanism on a mini seems abit loose and well sloppy. i will be getting a kad shifter to help but also i am trying this minispares slick shifter. it certianly makes a difference, for those who don't know what its for it is basically a spring used to center the gear stick in neutral right between 3rd and 4th. it was originally created for 5speed gearboxes to prevent 2nd to 5th shifting. gives it a more modern feeling.

[Linked Image]
Posted By: turbo_stu Re: stu (steveobennet) : mini - 19th Jan 2007 6:25pm
the mini is damaged, what can i say. its bad, not too bad but it isn't even on the road yet!

it happened yesterday when the wind picked up some of the corner pieces on the roof of our neighbors, and thrown it on my car! only 2 hit one that hit the roof dented it, and punctured it. it the bounced on the window, also scratching it, and finally dented the rear quarter. the one hit the front of my wing, cracking the fiberglass and breaking off the headlamp. now because it came from the neighbor roof, i will be claiming on their house insurance, so hopefully i won't need to fork out a penny! still it is a blow when you come home to see your mini wrecked! the pics are abit blurry, so i'll get some better ones on the weekend.

[Linked Image]

[Linked Image]
Posted By: Matty GTI Re: stu (steveobennet) : mini - 19th Jan 2007 6:42pm
gutted for ya matey, hope you get the claim through, very impressive project
Posted By: Mark Re: stu (steveobennet) : mini - 19th Jan 2007 7:30pm
Gutted for yu also.
Keep the pics for the claim smile
Posted By: StuyMac Re: stu (steveobennet) : mini - 19th Jan 2007 7:42pm
Gutted about the wind damage, this car was really coming on frown

Still, just a pain in the arse and a minor setback...

Do you have a pic of the wheels pre rub down?
Posted By: turbo_stu Re: stu (steveobennet) : mini - 19th Jan 2007 9:09pm
second pictur of the two is the one still with the laquer on, did you want one with the laquer removed, before polishing?
Posted By: red20 Re: stu (steveobennet) : mini - 20th Jan 2007 12:11am
was your car down by dna body shop by kfc the last few days
Posted By: Johnny Alan Re: stu (steveobennet) : mini - 20th Jan 2007 12:10pm
gutted for you matey, must add its still coming along very well. I would leave them small repairs till your finished and then any others you do between then can also go on their insurance lol.
Posted By: turbo_stu Re: stu (steveobennet) : mini - 21st Jan 2007 6:43pm
nope car has never bin down dna! i know a guy who works there also into minis!

here is what hit the car (this one took out our fence)

[Linked Image]

and this is how their roof looks!

[Linked Image]

unfortunately house insurance doesn't work like car insurance, so if we wanted to claim it would be on our own insurance, which we may do to help lighten the load on paying to fix it. now i could march round there with a bill saying pay up, but i know they would say no, and i'd take them to court and blah blah blah. it would just escilate (spelling) and we would probabily end up paying anyway! so i'm getting the bodyshop to pop round and give me a quote on how much to fix it next weekend, and i may get a professional dent person round to smooth things out! here is some better shots of the damage.

[Linked Image]

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right so with that out my mind for now, i have done abit more work on the bugger! clutch master is now fitted and plumbed up, with a new goodridge stainless steel braided hose. the feel of the clutch is nice and strong! and adjustable engine steady has also been fitted, so i can adjust the engine position if i need to!

[Linked Image]

[Linked Image]
Posted By: Johnny Alan Re: stu (steveobennet) : mini - 21st Jan 2007 8:28pm
sod that I would be round there with a bat b4 i was to pay myself. At the end of the day it could have been worse and could have hit some1. I definatley would consider getting them to pay without any doubt.Okay they are your neighbours so surley that would be more of a reason for them to pay up with out arguement.
Posted By: turbo_stu Re: stu (steveobennet) : mini - 21st Jan 2007 8:42pm
shit happens, i would love to make them pay up but to be honest, its not worth the hassle. as stuy said, its only a set back.
Posted By: Johnny Alan Re: stu (steveobennet) : mini - 21st Jan 2007 8:55pm
well okay but atleast when you get the work done get a reciept and go around their and ask him to pay at least half, how could he possibly argue. But i will stop going on and on now cause am going of the subject lol
Posted By: scoop Re: stu (steveobennet) : mini - 21st Jan 2007 10:49pm
Absolutely gutted for ya mate, have u shown him what his roof done??? maybe he'll offer to help u out?
Posted By: turbo_stu Re: stu (steveobennet) : mini - 24th Jan 2007 6:09pm
no chance of him helping out! they are and old couple, and right tw*ts. all they can do is moan and what not. they are claiming benefits and there is nothing wrong with them! i might go round to them will a bill and ask for a donation, but it looks like i'm forking out myself.

got a quote to fix the damage today, £400. this isn't including parts needed though, which are rear quarter glass, front headlamp and bowl. so the total should be under £500. my plan now is to get it running, and the drive it down to the bodyshop, get it fixed, drive it back, and then finish it off.
Posted By: Macca GSI Re: stu (steveobennet) : mini - 26th Jan 2007 9:26am
If you ask me go round and knock the fooker out if they won't pay!!! u know me bud
Posted By: StuyMac Re: stu (steveobennet) : mini - 26th Jan 2007 10:16am
Really gutted mate, such a shame.... frown

Fustrating as it is not to claim, i can hear what you mean about dragging them through the courts etc, and its prolly more stress / hassle (not to mention time) that its really worth, plus your getting on with it again, and will have it sorted long before a long winded battle with insurances etc.

Just be thankful we dont get Tsunami's and Massive earth quakes - at least this is repairable...

thumbsup
Posted By: turbo_stu Re: stu (steveobennet) : mini - 27th Jan 2007 7:50pm
as mentioned a few pages ago i am removing the laquer from my alloys (thanks to those great people at mw) i've left this wheel for a while, an this is what peeling laquer looks like. this wheel though has been rectified.

[Linked Image]

right now to what i bought, well, i'll let the pictures do the talking

[Linked Image]

[Linked Image]

[Linked Image]

[Linked Image]

thats right, some nice new shiny alloy 4pot calipers. i can squeeze 6pots under my 13 inch wheels but i can only budget for these. but before i fitted these, i had to do some brake pipe repairs, namely the rusty front subframe one, and the rear servo one to the splitter. the second one was only made to allow more room if i need to pass a intercooler hose through.

[Linked Image]
Posted By: Johnny Alan Re: stu (steveobennet) : mini - 27th Jan 2007 8:49pm
looks good and callipers look really nice think 4 pots will be plenty anyway 6 pots would be insane lol. Looking at the area were the corrosion has occured it looks like they may have damaged the lacquer slightly when fitting the tyre. Small thing like this arnt going to be so noticable on such a good looking car keep the good work coming
Posted By: turbo_stu Re: stu (steveobennet) : mini - 27th Jan 2007 9:06pm
i think the damage was done when they were delivered to me, although they had cardboard to seperate them the still got through, and when removing them from the package it lifted some of the laquer with it. anyway these wheels are renound for the laquer peeling, so i've just removed it.
Posted By: turbo_stu Re: stu (steveobennet) : mini - 28th Jan 2007 10:05pm
abit more progress,this is when the oil cooler is going. there really is no where else to put it!

[Linked Image]

finnaly decieded on a place for my intercooler, right on my brace bar. just a note the one recieved with the engine was damaged in transit so this one was shauns old 200sx one.

how i secured it to the bar, i will be making a stone sheild for this to prevent debris hitting it!

[Linked Image]

i am using one of the elbows but i am custom making the other.

[Linked Image]

certianly is snug in there!

[Linked Image]

it is away from any heat here aswell. plus when i take this to any track days i can remove the light and have an instant cold air feed!

[Linked Image]

and this pic shows how one pipe will travel to it, and the other goes by the resivoir, behind the rocker cover.

[Linked Image]
Posted By: turbo_stu Re: stu (steveobennet) : mini - 4th Feb 2007 11:12pm
got myself a straight piece of pipe, stainless, to link my turbo down pipe to the rear

[Linked Image]

have been sorting out the front hubs and the alike, just tightening bolts to the correct torque, finally bleeding the system, fitting the correct high tensile bolts where they are needed! but my main focus was the boost pipes to and from the intercooler. i have the one from the turbo sorted, but the one to the carb hits the inside of the of the boonet so i may have to reroute it or adap it.

[Linked Image]

[Linked Image]

plenty of room!
[Linked Image]

just incase you were wondering yes it is exhaust pipe which i have used, i'm just contamplating on a finish what do you reckon, polished, painted silver or painted black?

Posted By: red20 Re: stu (steveobennet) : mini - 4th Feb 2007 11:59pm
wana try an keep as much of the intercooler pipeing as metal as posible to stop it expanding under presure will had the boost alot better
Posted By: blinkyspoogle Re: stu (steveobennet) : mini - 6th Feb 2007 10:33am
a very impressive project, very jealous
Posted By: turbo_stu Re: stu (steveobennet) : mini - 7th Feb 2007 8:08pm
had to use up a few holidays off work so i decieded to do a bit more work!

have almost completely wired up the fuel pump.i have run it by the fusebox, and fitted an inertia switch just incase the worst should happen. have also been figuring out where each wire goes. its simple when i know which does what, but so wires i'm still pondering about.

[Linked Image]

also removed my wiper motor, cleaned it up and sprayed it black. a new connector plug was needed after my old one pulled of the connectors with it!

[Linked Image]

right as you may know i have been changing my mind through out this project, and have done again. the way my flip front is secured is by using dzus fastners. to be honest they don't really work riveted onto fiberglass. as below shows

[Linked Image]

so i looked for something to replace them, that also has a locking mechanism. hence cometh (if thats even a word) these superior aerocatches

[Linked Image]

they are basically the same as bonnet pins. two versions are available locking and non-locking. both types are avaliable in a flush fit and a bolt on top fit. the ones i choose are hidden under the bodywork to keep a smooth look to the exterior. also the pin can enter directly from beneath the pin, or from either side. they come with all fixings and a template, making marking easier.

[Linked Image]

i hate cutting up perfectly fine bodywork, but out with the dremel and a hole is cut.

[Linked Image]

some sandpaper, and a drill and the hole is ready for test fitting

[Linked Image]

now where i am mounting them, the arch does have a minute curve in it, but when bolted on the aerocatch sits snug with the body

[Linked Image]

just imagine it without the dzus. should have the pin mounted on the weekend, and we shall see whether it holds the front tight enough.
Posted By: StuyMac Re: stu (steveobennet) : mini - 8th Feb 2007 8:55am
Love the way this cars coming on, cant wait to see it on the road smile
Posted By: Lund Re: stu (steveobennet) : mini - 9th Feb 2007 10:24pm
Originally Posted by steveobennet
nope car has never bin down dna! i know a guy who works there also into minis!

here is what hit the car (this one took out our fence)

[Linked Image]

and this is how their roof looks!

[Linked Image]

unfortunately house insurance doesn't work like car insurance, so if we wanted to claim it would be on our own insurance, which we may do to help lighten the load on paying to fix it. now i could march round there with a bill saying pay up, but i know they would say no, and i'd take them to court and blah blah blah. it would just escilate (spelling) and we would probabily end up paying anyway! so i'm getting the bodyshop to pop round and give me a quote on how much to fix it next weekend, and i may get a professional dent person round to smooth things out! here is some better shots of the damage.

[Linked Image]

[Linked Image]

[Linked Image]

[Linked Image]

[Linked Image]

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[Linked Image]


Never did like that roof haha! OJ tease *silver* cough, 1 - 1 yipee
Posted By: turbo_stu Re: stu (steveobennet) : mini - 10th Feb 2007 6:33pm
so it was you! oj, the roof is staying the same colour, unless i change the shade of white it is.
Posted By: turbo_stu Re: stu (steveobennet) : mini - 18th Feb 2007 6:42pm
yet again the funds have ran dry so have been tidying up small bits on the shell. i have mounted one of the bonnet pins for the front but my cheap £2.99 pop rivet gun decieded to give way after 2 hard rivets! the aerocatch works well with holding the front down, and are certianly easier to latch on when securing the front end with the body. they may need a bit of adjustment to pull the front in.

Posted By: Lund Re: stu (steveobennet) : mini - 18th Feb 2007 6:52pm
Originally Posted by steveobennet
so it was you! oj, the roof is staying the same colour, unless i change the shade of white it is.


I'm innocent! tease

All sounds good, any random Mini pics?? think
Posted By: Lund Re: stu (steveobennet) : mini - 18th Feb 2007 7:31pm
I have a random image for you: 'Two of the finest' Im sure you'll agree grin

[Linked Image]
Posted By: turbo_stu Re: stu (steveobennet) : mini - 25th Feb 2007 6:34pm
firstly and aerial shot of the car, to show you where the tile hit

[Linked Image]

i have been sorting out several things this weekend, but mainly i have been sorting out how i will get the fuel from the tank to the front. 8mm copper fuel lines should do. my car won't be run stupidly low, so i see no danger in running them under the car.

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and at the rear i have use a filter of a ford focus, should be up to the job.

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the exhaust system is almost finished, just a mock up at the moment, also i have alter the pipe leading to the back box to bring it up more. one more thing, as unique as this is, it isn't my idea. i have seen it on a mini before, and i used the influence of the tvr sagaris aswell. should be mounted properly next weekend

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Posted By: Sanchez Re: stu (steveobennet) : mini - 25th Feb 2007 9:08pm
don t like the exhaust, can you not get a motor bike one, its too big.
Posted By: MrPhil Re: stu (steveobennet) : mini - 25th Feb 2007 9:22pm
Originally Posted by sanchez
can you not get a motor bike one, its too big.


got to agree, cool
Posted By: turbo_stu Re: stu (steveobennet) : mini - 25th Feb 2007 10:14pm
we shall see
Posted By: turbo_stu Re: stu (steveobennet) : mini - 1st Mar 2007 8:15pm
i'm with you on the exhaust thing, it looks to big, and rpotrudes too much out the rear. i'll sort something out

i have wired up my savage hazard switch. i think i have come to a solution of a problem everyone has with mini hazards, there are 2 switches on the rear. the wires leading to the back of the original switch need to be kept seperate, otherwise when you use the indicators both or no indicator lights will flash. to prevent this i bridged the feed to the hazard lights (one of the group of 4 wires) to both sides. this is so one side does the left and the other does the right. excuse the spagetti on the back this has now been cleaned up. it works but i've wired the light to the switch on the right hand circuit so every time i indicate right it flashes, so i've only got to put it to a different pin.

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excuse the blue wing lights, they're the only bulbs i have!
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the rear space. excuse the mess, basically i'm using the 6disc changer and standard rover radio, so the changer is going behind the passenger side so i have abit of room behind the driver.

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this is what i can fit in the rear bins

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i've painted the dull grey cards

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and finally my interior light is slight blocked by the cage, so i might have to improvise if i want to see inside in the dark

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Posted By: Sanchez Re: stu (steveobennet) : mini - 1st Mar 2007 8:39pm
i had a spare honda light if you want it, ill even drop it in to you so that i can check out the beast !
Posted By: turbo_stu Re: stu (steveobennet) : mini - 2nd Mar 2007 9:01pm
a wee bit more done

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as you can see, the air filter has been fitted, and a new dizzy cap, coil, and 8mm silicone leads have been fitted. also this should be the final arrangement for my boost pipes. i've wired up the fuel pump, it goes via the fusebox, through an inertia switch, to the ignition live. flows fuel quite nicely! my pressure regulator is mounted on the brace bar, and has been plumbed in too.

i'm using the standard radiator for now, just to get it to the body shop, and then when its back i'll uprate it. i've got a bigger battery from work, to power it. i've also started to wire up my mpi style indicator stalks, just done the indicators for now, again the rest will be done when the bodywork has been fixed.
Posted By: Mark Re: stu (steveobennet) : mini - 2nd Mar 2007 10:14pm
Youve probably answered previously, but what'ts it off to the body shop for?

With the exhaust could you not do side exits?
Obviously not with that exhaust.

Looking stunning mate,
cant wait to see it in the flesh.
Posted By: BMW Joe Re: stu (steveobennet) : mini - 2nd Mar 2007 10:47pm
It's coming along very nicely now.

As webby said, can't wait to see it in the flesh.

You work too fast! I'm struggling to keep up with uploading the latest pictures lol

What else is to be done?
Posted By: turbo_stu Re: stu (steveobennet) : mini - 3rd Mar 2007 12:17am
its going the bodyshop to remove thy huge dento from ones roof!

i'm going to try a small exhaust in its place, if it still doesn't look right, the thy trusty side exit will do me!

still plenty to be done got to finish the interior (seats, buy a front carpet, dials, switches, etc)

some more exterior bits, apart from the damage, just need to buy a headlight and bowl, and sort the lights out.

have to tidy and finish the wiring, to various things.

got to get the enigne running, then some fine tuning, and several small bits to fit and tweek.

tidy up some bits, and then try and get insured!
Posted By: Johnny Alan Re: stu (steveobennet) : mini - 5th Mar 2007 9:24pm
[Linked Image]
Just got one of these for the herald might be just what you need for the mini and only £35. Anywayz looking good
Posted By: turbo_stu Re: stu (steveobennet) : mini - 12th Mar 2007 8:35pm
she runs! and she bloody loud! spent most of saturday scratching my head trying to figure out how to wire the ignition! the coil was fine it was the fact i was changing the starter from pre-engaged (the one used for the 998) to inertia (the one to use on the new engine), turns out the red wire to switch the solenoid (orignally used in the starter relay) wasn't connected! doh! also the 998 i had used a ballast system, it runs fine on the ballast wire, but i might change it just to be sure.

i got an r1 exhaust just to check whether it was smaller, but its bigger! so for now i'm going to keep the original carbon one on, but change to a maniflow side exit before it gets on the road.

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the boost pipes were originally painted silver but it look abit naff, so they are now polished. also i thought i'd treat you all will an 8 second video! woo! this was the second start, and before you say anything its not set up yet so thats the reason why its a bit lumpy and hunting slightly. once i get it setup with the colour tune, i'll put a longer video on panning around the car, and maybe giving it a little rev!

[Linked Image]
Posted By: spinking Re: stu (steveobennet) : mini - 12th Mar 2007 9:03pm
Exellent work matey.

Its one of the best fellings when you here your car running for the 1st time.

Carnt wait to see this on the road.
Posted By: BMW Joe Re: stu (steveobennet) : mini - 12th Mar 2007 9:06pm
As Tupac said

Looking forward to see it

Sounds sweet
Posted By: turbo_stu Re: stu (steveobennet) : mini - 18th Mar 2007 6:30pm
have been playing around with the engine, made sure everything was tight. the cooling system was very rusty, so i have flushed it several times untill the water became clear again. i've tried tuning the engine with a colour tune but without sucess so far, plenty more weekends to do so though. i plan on taking it to a rolling road once its done anyway. heres a random image.

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Posted By: fordsteve Re: stu (steveobennet) : mini - 18th Mar 2007 8:29pm
looking sweet mate well done you got to be happy with how its turning out
Posted By: turbo_stu Re: stu (steveobennet) : mini - 31st Mar 2007 1:02pm
drove it into work yesterday, on works trade plates so everything was sort of legit! the tracking was way out as it was weaving all over the road. left it there over night. went to it this morning and sorted the tracking. then wisked it to the bodyshop mid morning. shall pop in mid week and check on the progress but hopefully its only going to be there for a week or so, mind it doesn't matter how long they take as long as its done right! here some pics of it in work

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also the seat i ordered over four weeks ago isn't due till the middle of next week, so i source a standard one from chester.

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Posted By: Wheels Re: stu (steveobennet) : mini - 31st Mar 2007 1:26pm
looks awsome mate!
Posted By: Johnny Alan Re: stu (steveobennet) : mini - 31st Mar 2007 1:50pm
agree with every1 else bloody awsome, looks so clean and well done. Cant wait to see it. Should get loadsa looks lol
Posted By: turbo_stu Re: stu (steveobennet) : mini - 1st Apr 2007 7:34am
i was getting a few people looking at it as i took it down. don't know whether they were impressed or shocked by the exhaust!
Posted By: turbo_stu Re: stu (steveobennet) : mini - 12th Apr 2007 8:40pm
well she back, and she looks better than before! shame i had to fork out to fix it.

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heres where they welded and pulled out the roof

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also both aerocatches were sprayed and the old dzus fastners holes filled and both wings sprayed

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also my corbeau forza seat and subframe have arrived so i will fit them on the weekend. i also have to strip parts off the engine, sort the leaking joind on the turbo downpipe. got to some how plumb in my gauges as well. more pics to follow on the weekend
Posted By: spinking Re: stu (steveobennet) : mini - 12th Apr 2007 9:21pm
Carnt wait to see this in the metal.
Posted By: Matty GTI Re: stu (steveobennet) : mini - 12th Apr 2007 9:48pm
wots goin on with tha exhaust mate, u fookin mad, lol
Posted By: Mark Re: stu (steveobennet) : mini - 13th Apr 2007 9:19am
I had to go back a page to catch up,
wow, its amazing mate, shame about the dents from the storms
but at least there done now and you can move on.

What was it like driving it on the roads?
Where heads Turning?
What do the lads think at work?
Posted By: StuyMac Re: stu (steveobennet) : mini - 13th Apr 2007 9:30am
Stunning car matey - you gonna bring it down to a meet sometime, would really love to see all the fruits of your labour smile
Posted By: turbo_stu Re: stu (steveobennet) : mini - 13th Apr 2007 5:12pm
all the fruits o thy labour hey, yep when its ready i'll bring it down. don't worry that exhaust isn't stating, does suit the car, but it was all i had!

it was pretty good driving it, bit sketchy on the way to work, as the tracking was way oot. had a few people point and some girls on the side of the road said oh my god, must be amazed at how i fit in a mini! (am 6ft 3)

all the lads at work know about it, and have been taking the piss as they do! they did appreciate the work that i've done though.
Posted By: BMW Joe Re: stu (steveobennet) : mini - 13th Apr 2007 5:21pm
That repair work is amazing.

What bodyshop did you take it to?

I can't wait to see it either!

What parts you gotta strip off the engine?
Posted By: turbo_stu Re: stu (steveobennet) : mini - 13th Apr 2007 5:32pm
its the one i took it to to have it sprayed up originally (behind the carphone warehouse). the downpipe to the turbo is leaking, also i've got a leak somewhere in the boost system so i'll need to find that. have got to try and hook up my gauges (oil pressure and oil temperature). i have a leak on the gearbox which i need to find.
Posted By: MattLFC Re: stu (steveobennet) : mini - 14th Apr 2007 12:02am
The paintwork looks stunning in the daylight matey, your doing an excellent job with this project.

smile
Posted By: turbo_stu Re: stu (steveobennet) : mini - 15th Apr 2007 5:53pm
took the carb off the engine today, with it off it allows me more room to get at the turbo to sort the leak on the downpipe. radiator taken off, fan spruced up. i did originally think of getting a 6 blade jobbie, but i reckon the 11 blade with a 2core radiator should do! i've finnaly sorted the wiring for the wing indicators, and cleaned up the front wiring. also have glued a make shift roof lining (£10 of fabric from abikan (spelling)) and trimmed it. and have fitted my one bucket seat! its been sat in my room for a while so i've been testing it for comfort, and i can quite happily sit in it for a few hours! all i need now apart from harnesses are a pair of seat extenders, so i can drive comfortably.

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Posted By: turbo_stu Re: stu (steveobennet) : mini - 22nd Apr 2007 5:01pm
this weeks progress. i polished it. not much else i can do with drying up funds! finally got the 3 extra gauges i shall be hooking up to the engine. boost oil temp and oil pressure. they are all electro lumenesent to match my EL clocks.

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i managed to get a adapter to fit the oil pressure sender into the turbo's oil feed, and have got a sandwich plate on the way so i can throw my temp sender in there.

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Posted By: Lund Re: stu (steveobennet) : mini - 25th Apr 2007 12:40pm
Its looking great so far Stu, love the dials! the Forza's look abit harsh on yr bum! thumbsup
Posted By: fordsteve Re: stu (steveobennet) : mini - 25th Apr 2007 5:59pm
looking sweet mate
Posted By: BMW Joe Re: stu (steveobennet) : mini - 25th Apr 2007 6:29pm
I cannot wait to see this.

You've put a lot of hard work into it and you should be proud thumbsup
Posted By: turbo_stu Re: stu (steveobennet) : mini - 6th May 2007 7:04pm
right i'm getting sick of my seat at the moment. i'm a tall broad guy, 6ft 3 and abit of a beer gut basically! it didn't go back far enough on the original brackets, so i bought some seat extenders. what a load of crap they are! way to flimsy and still didn't give me enough leg room, so i fabricated my own. only to find out my seat hit my rollcage! so now i have to sit at a sort of angle, which is a ball ache! i might be able to move it forward, but to be honest its just pissing me off now.

i'll leave it now till the end, if its still shit then i'll see about removing the cage.

fitted the oil sandwich only to snap the oil sender inside it! doh! but it fits well and looks shiny! also have made a sheild for my intercooler, its made of perspex, and only covers the side protruding the brace bar.

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Posted By: turbo_stu Re: stu (steveobennet) : mini - 7th May 2007 3:21pm
i have wired up my mpi stalks. well they are actually take from an mgf. you find these types of stalks in rover 200's, and 400's but i needed one without a rear wiper. i spent some time looking at the haynes manual, and thought bugger it! a few fuses later, and its all working. the main reason for me using these types of stalks is not only for a more modern look and feel to them, but also now the side lights are on the stalk itself.

the indicator self canceling doobrie was taken from my original stalk, and the center of my new stalks widened to take it. as for fixing it to the steering i still have to come up with something. as you can see from the below pics it took some butchering, but it does just fit in the original cowling. i have butchered the cowling by opening the holes up, but i will put some sort of rubber boot or cloth in its place for a professional finish

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Posted By: BMW Joe Re: stu (steveobennet) : mini - 7th May 2007 3:42pm
They must have took some work getting sorted!

looking good though thumbsup

Gutted about the seat situation thumbsdown

Whats planned next?
Posted By: jonny boy Re: stu (steveobennet) : mini - 7th May 2007 4:18pm
what about, using original(classic)type bucket seats, my mates got a mini with them in and, i'm 6ft and slightly (read largehehehe) heavy set, and i fit in no probs, am guessing your seats are new tho, so you prob wanna utilise them, just a thought tho
Posted By: turbo_stu Re: stu (steveobennet) : mini - 7th May 2007 4:30pm
i've been sitting in it all day today sorting the wiring, and its ok, i could do with it moving back one more click but i think i can live with it.
Posted By: turbo_stu Re: stu (steveobennet) : mini - 13th May 2007 7:46pm
new exhaust almost fitted. spent all day struggling like a bitch just getting the link pipe sorted. started raining again today so for now the backbox is loosley on.

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a much improvement over the original conception, also a side shot for you all.

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Posted By: BMW Joe Re: stu (steveobennet) : mini - 13th May 2007 9:00pm
Looks much better thumbsup
Posted By: MrPhil Re: stu (steveobennet) : mini - 13th May 2007 9:16pm
Originally Posted by BMW Joe
Looks much better thumbsup


agree with him old 1 looked to ott like a chav, this looks just right happy
Posted By: turbo_stu Re: stu (steveobennet) : mini - 27th May 2007 1:53pm
so far this weekend, have fitted a magnet into the oil feed to the oil pump. as you may or may not know the a-series engine in a mini shares its engine oil with its gearbox oil (the gearbox is the sump). so the main reason for this is to prolong the life of my wee engine. so particles that do happen to get past the gauze on the central oil pickup will be hopefully stopped by this!

it goes in where the blanking plate is on the gearbox.

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comparing the new and old

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and the new one fitted.
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Posted By: BMW Joe Re: stu (steveobennet) : mini - 27th May 2007 2:09pm
Looks like it was a bitch of a job to do.

I didn't know the oil was shared.

Is there a reason for it?
Posted By: turbo_stu Re: stu (steveobennet) : mini - 27th May 2007 2:37pm
bitch isn't the word! the supplier reccomends that you do this job with the gearbox out and i can see why!

to be honest i don't know why it is, maybe to save on production costs? all i know is it has been realitively the same design since 1959. only real special requirements are thicker oil should be used around 20w50.
Posted By: Mark Re: stu (steveobennet) : mini - 28th May 2007 10:02am
The Italian Job.
That sums up your motor for me. So which banks first?

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Stunning, impressive, i would love to have one.
Posted By: fordsteve Re: stu (steveobennet) : mini - 28th May 2007 12:41pm
that looks stunning mate fantastic job well done
Posted By: turbo_stu Re: stu (steveobennet) : mini - 28th May 2007 8:49pm
italian job, lol. cheers mark. hold the congrats till she reaches the road! don't want to jinx anything!
Posted By: MattLFC Re: stu (steveobennet) : mini - 28th May 2007 8:54pm
All the hard work has almost paid off! Looks stunning matey, well done, somethin to be really proud of!

smile
Posted By: turbo_stu Re: stu (steveobennet) : mini - 10th Jun 2007 10:48pm
bought a new radiator from minspares. have a problem with the old heater matrix, so had to bypass it to the head. got her running again, she sounds even sweeter with the new exhaust on. due to hearing about a few people who have had people run into the back of them, and also due to the poor light out put of the rear lights, i have put a 3rd high level led brakelight on my car, to let the old dear behind me know when i am breaking. spent a few hours wiring in the electro luminescent dials and gauges, and have wired the wipers in. it will be like spagetti junction behind my dash when i'm finished.

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this should be what my engine bay should finally look like bar the coolant hose going over the engine

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Posted By: BMW Joe Re: stu (steveobennet) : mini - 10th Jun 2007 10:51pm
making good progress matey - looks great.

Good idea with the 3rd brake light happy
Posted By: Johnny Alan Re: stu (steveobennet) : mini - 11th Jun 2007 6:39pm
looking good. Do all mini's have the radiator mountd side ways? will this be capable keeping the temperatures down?. Either way under the bonnet is looking really clean.
Posted By: Lund Re: stu (steveobennet) : mini - 11th Jun 2007 9:21pm
Yerh I wanted one of those high rear brake lights, its a good idea because 4x4's are so high up and our brake lights are so low! Mine are really bright tbh, helps with coloured lenses and colourbed bulbs wink

All is looking amazing
Posted By: Macca GSI Re: stu (steveobennet) : mini - 12th Jun 2007 2:10pm
when is she goin to be on the road!!??
Posted By: turbo_stu Re: stu (steveobennet) : mini - 12th Jun 2007 11:55pm
yep all minis upto 1997 had side mount radiators, which is also their weak spot. the standard radiator can just cope with the standard engine. hence the reason for this uprate 2core jobbie. i was thinking about getting a fan that could push more air through but the standard 11blade jobbie should do.

probabily won't be that clean for long! cheers all, otr soon......ish
Posted By: MattLFC Re: stu (steveobennet) : mini - 13th Jun 2007 2:38am
Cool, will be great to see this baby finally on the road, all the hard work and time will then seem insignificant compared to the fun and pleasure ye will get out of it and the proudness ye will feel looking at it.

smile
Posted By: turbo_stu Re: stu (steveobennet) : mini - 17th Jun 2007 8:34pm
got the old beast running again today, thought i'd have a bash at fine tuning the carb again with thy trusty colourtune. still not right. its running way too rich than it should, and thats with it adjusted in to lean! so i'm going to have to find a rolling road very close to home! apart from appreciating the burbling sound from the exhaust, decied to crack on with fitting the brightwork to the car. looking more promising everyday! also got some ice white bulbs, they have a blue tint on the glass to help them shine white, along with the xenon gas. what i wasn't expecting was for them to give the headlamps a nice blue tint in day light, look pretty cool i think.

oh and if i leave the car running enough to get hot the lefthand headlamp steams up

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Posted By: Mark Re: stu (steveobennet) : mini - 18th Jun 2007 5:26pm
That lamp may come in handy for Doggin lol

Amazing, it looks fantastic mate wink
Posted By: scoop Re: stu (steveobennet) : mini - 19th Jun 2007 1:32am
Amazing progress.Love it! wish i could have one
Posted By: CustomIce Re: stu (steveobennet) : mini - 19th Jun 2007 8:37am
Looking really good mate! Starting to make me wish i had one again lol!
Posted By: turbo_stu Re: stu (steveobennet) : mini - 24th Jun 2007 8:20pm
apart from keeping it nice and shiny this weekend, i bodged up a washer bottle. the original was too big to fit in the wheel arch, so this substitute shall do nicely.

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Posted By: BMW Joe Re: stu (steveobennet) : mini - 24th Jun 2007 10:56pm
raftl like it

hope you washed it out properly! haha

that a permenant fix then?
Posted By: turbo_stu Re: stu (steveobennet) : mini - 25th Jun 2007 5:23pm
yea it going to stay, either that or i fork out £30 odd quid for a smaller one. very cost effective i think! not long now......
Posted By: turbo_stu Re: stu (steveobennet) : mini - 7th Jul 2007 9:58pm
today spent a little time sorting out, my leaking master cylinder. it had a small leak into the booster, so bought a master cylinder seal kit from minispares and fitted it today. just have to bleed the brakes (again) tomorrow.

fitted my era turbo bonnet scoop. for those who don't know, rover did a limited run of a few turbo minis. the company who carried out the conversions (Era), put metro turbo engines in them. they had a body kit fitted to them, and this bonnet vent (but obviously not in carbon)

spent no time messing around and got the dremel out. i've decided to fit this under the bonnet rather than on top, just for a smoother look. bonded it on first, and have fiberglassed over the underneath. i got some sort of body/seam sealer from work, which is shit hot, so the black on the scoop is that, but i'll clean it up when its cured.

also have watched my bonnet pins slowly corrode on the front, i thought i use some of those aerocatches again. i bought the ones that fit on top, rather than flush just to save on more bodywork, work. got them test fitted and shall spray them tomorrow.

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Posted By: BMW Joe Re: stu (steveobennet) : mini - 7th Jul 2007 10:19pm
I admire your courage to go hacking at that shiney bonnet with a dremel happy Good job
Posted By: krisGTi Re: stu (steveobennet) : mini - 7th Jul 2007 10:23pm
looks spot on mate
Posted By: spinking Re: stu (steveobennet) : mini - 8th Jul 2007 10:22am
Like it wasnt sure wheni 1st looked at the scoop thought it was going to look like a scooby copy but looks spot on.

The the aerocatches i will be getting once i get a carbon bonnet.
Posted By: turbo_stu Re: stu (steveobennet) : mini - 8th Jul 2007 11:42am
i wouldn't destroy this mini by fitting a scooby scoop to it! its main function is to let hot air from around the turbo out.

heres a pic of an era turbo mini
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Posted By: turbo_stu Re: stu (steveobennet) : mini - 8th Jul 2007 6:56pm
not much done today, fitted a clock in the place of where the ash tray went. strictly no smoking in this car!

some more pics

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Posted By: fordsteve Re: stu (steveobennet) : mini - 8th Jul 2007 7:56pm
looks the dogs nuts mate like the scoop as well
Posted By: turbo_stu Re: stu (steveobennet) : mini - 15th Jul 2007 3:58pm
been doing some modifying on the cheap this weekend. still waiting for my alarm to arrive, so i went up the road and bought some leather like fabric for £5. some cutting and sowing later, and i have a nice gear and handbrake gaitor for alot less than what it costs in the shops!

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Posted By: spinking Re: stu (steveobennet) : mini - 15th Jul 2007 5:39pm
Exellent cheap as chips and look good.
Posted By: turbo_stu Re: stu (steveobennet) : mini - 20th Jul 2007 2:59pm
i have security! installed a clifford g5 arrow 5.1 alarm to my car over the past 2 days.

now because i have installed it myself it isn't thatcham approved, but i only bought it for my own piece of mind. when this is finally on the road i do plan on fitting a central locking kit to it, and i can just wire that into the alarm aswell.

what i got
[Linked Image]

did someone say spagetti junction?
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don't worry it all neatly cleaned up, and tucked away in the dash.
Posted By: fordsteve Re: stu (steveobennet) : mini - 20th Jul 2007 4:21pm
bloody hell mate would not no were to start with that lot
Posted By: turbo_stu Re: stu (steveobennet) : mini - 20th Jul 2007 5:00pm
well the red wire is the live, the green is a sensor wire, amd the orange.......well i forgot what the orange did, but it definately goes somewhere.

tbh is a piece of piss compared to these modern cars! note the haynes manual in the footwell!
Posted By: turbo_stu Re: stu (steveobennet) : mini - 22nd Jul 2007 6:03pm
more random images, due to changing the seal on the master cylinder, i needed to bleed the brakes, again! also tried some bpr7es spark plugs in as its what everyone reccomends for turbo engines, and it actually runs worse on them! so i poped back the b8es in.

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Posted By: spinking Re: stu (steveobennet) : mini - 22nd Jul 2007 6:10pm
How long till its on the road matey.

Looking forward to seeing it.
Posted By: turbo_stu Re: stu (steveobennet) : mini - 22nd Jul 2007 6:42pm
3 months. just got a steering wheel seat and dash to buy, also been getting quotes on insurance. just what i expected really.
Posted By: krisGTi Re: stu (steveobennet) : mini - 22nd Jul 2007 7:06pm
lookin good mate cant wait 2 c this on the road
Posted By: turbo_stu Re: turbo_stu : mini - 30th Jul 2007 7:23pm
spent most of the weekend on my mates ps3 so only did a small bit of work. rebuilt the carb, started the car and already it sounds better than before. also decided to sort out the resistive wire that used to run on the 998. opened up the loom and traced the wire up to the fuse box. replace it with some approiate wire, which should now let my ignition see 12v!

a wee pic
[Linked Image]
Posted By: Mark Re: turbo_stu : mini - 30th Jul 2007 8:15pm
These fiddly bits don't seem to phase you?
I would be well peed off tracing wires etc..

It looks awesome with out its cloths on.
Posted By: turbo_stu Re: turbo_stu : mini - 30th Jul 2007 10:00pm
these fiddly bits i should have done when i did it first time round! i don't mind doing them, its a piece of piss once you get your head round it.

like my car nude do you! tell you what having the front removable (or flip) makes working on it so much easier.
Posted By: turbo_stu Re: turbo_stu : mini - 5th Aug 2007 7:15pm
some new harnesses and a steering wheel has turned up at my house. passenger seat should be here next week. but for now this weekends work, put in one harness. also managed to link my new steeing wheel and boss to the center doobrie, which auto cancels the indicators.

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cracked on with sorting out the carb on my engine, was running back on the b8es, trying to get a smoth idle on it. the only problem was in order to do this it had to be over fueling quite abit to hold idle! threw some bpr7es in, got it up to temperature. threw the colour tune into cylinder 1, and managed to get a nice blue light at around 1100. so i'm getting a decent burn on idle now! managed to take a small vid, and though i do get a few funny sounds from the exhaust it does run smoothly-ish.

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Posted By: fordsteve Re: turbo_stu : mini - 5th Aug 2007 7:17pm
dam good work yet again mate fantastic job thumbsup
Posted By: BMW Joe Re: turbo_stu : mini - 5th Aug 2007 7:40pm
deffo coming along now.

love this picture:
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Posted By: fordsteve Re: turbo_stu : mini - 5th Aug 2007 7:42pm
dam that a good pic mate looks sweet you got to be made up with it
Posted By: turbo_stu Re: turbo_stu : mini - 5th Aug 2007 9:22pm
indeed i am, not long now. a switch and dash to buy then i'm saving for insurance. gulp.
Posted By: turbo_stu Re: turbo_stu : mini - 13th Aug 2007 8:50pm
i still had to sort and tidy some of the wiring on the inside of the car, this weekend. while i was there i was thinking of the lack of immediate storage space. some quick thinking and i managed to use something i would have scrapped. the old radio housing that was used to mount the radio under the dash, has now been turned into a convient moblie, cd or wallet holder.

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Posted By: MattLFC Re: turbo_stu : mini - 13th Aug 2007 9:38pm
Good idea there fella... will you be having sound in the car though?
Posted By: BMW Joe Re: turbo_stu : mini - 13th Aug 2007 10:14pm
I like it.

Hows it mounted?
Posted By: turbo_stu Re: turbo_stu : mini - 13th Aug 2007 10:44pm
i'll have some form of sound, using the standard radio in the above picture, and 2 speakers mounted in the rear. not really a huge sounds guy, its just excess weight.

the compartment is mounted onto some polycarbonate which is bolted to the lower dash.
Posted By: Sanchez Re: turbo_stu : mini - 13th Aug 2007 10:52pm
i hope u aint puttin that piece of crap tape player in are u mate ?
Posted By: Mark Re: turbo_stu : mini - 14th Aug 2007 5:55am
I think you should get a perspex bonnet.
Its just looks too good to hide away wink
Posted By: turbo_stu Re: turbo_stu : mini - 14th Aug 2007 5:56pm
yep that crap tape player is going back in, it has a six disc cd changer hooked up to it so it will do for now. don't have money to spare for a decent unit.

like i said i'm not a big sounds guy, i don't see the point in rattling my teeth out, plus its excess weight.

Posted By: MattLFC Re: turbo_stu : mini - 15th Aug 2007 6:48am
Tis fair enough imo smile
Posted By: StuyMac Re: turbo_stu : mini - 15th Aug 2007 9:12am
I say junk the Stereo, I know mine will be getting pulled out of the car when I get it back.

Its never on, and when it is, you cant hear it raftl
Posted By: Sanchez Re: turbo_stu : mini - 15th Aug 2007 3:50pm
fair enough, i didnt realise it had a cd interchanger linked in to it
Posted By: turbo_stu Re: turbo_stu : mini - 19th Aug 2007 6:28pm
a wee bit of progress, seat still hasn't arrived, did phone up p&l minis but i left it too late as the people at corbeau had already gone home!

painted the gear stick this weekend. after looking over my topic i saw the ugly tatty stick, so a bit of wet and dry, and some spray and vola! with the wet weather this weekend i thought i'd leave the car without its cover on, to source out any leaks, and alone behold i have one on the rear windscreen! there is just a smal gap where it seems to gush through! so i'll chuck some sealant on it soon.

before
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after
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Posted By: jonah Re: turbo_stu : mini - 19th Aug 2007 6:42pm
lookin good fella, gets better every time... thumbsup
Posted By: BMW Joe Re: turbo_stu : mini - 19th Aug 2007 8:04pm
makes a different thumbsup

whats the green wire hanging down?
Posted By: turbo_stu Re: turbo_stu : mini - 21st Aug 2007 5:23pm
the green wire has a flush type switch on the end. its the controls to the electro luminescent dials. one button changes the colour, about 5 different hues between green and blue, and the other controls the brightness of the dial.
Posted By: turbo_stu Re: turbo_stu : mini - 8th Sep 2007 7:39pm
i have a dashboard! bought the carbon fiber one from a mini parts supplier. the one they sell doesn't include the three holes above the radio, so i set straight away at cutting these out with the dremel. the 3-clock surround mounts seperately to the dash to enable you to fit it. 3 brackets, and six wing nuts later its in. also got the final switch for the switch panel which is also finished. only big thing i am still waiting on now is the passenger seat.

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Posted By: spinking Re: turbo_stu : mini - 8th Sep 2007 9:06pm
Yet aagin matey you have done a top job and bought somthing that looks good and not over the top.

So looking forward to seeing this car.
Posted By: Sanchez Re: turbo_stu : mini - 9th Sep 2007 1:36pm
i am so so so so so so so so jealous. well done mate, that looks mint !
Posted By: turbo_stu Re: turbo_stu : mini - 16th Sep 2007 3:38pm
my other seat finnaly arrived! but not all was fine and dandy. it appeared that the subframe they sent me was the wrong type, as it was completely different compared to my other subframe looked almost universal. so a quick call later and it turns out this is the only subfrmae corbeau do now. it fits, but it just doesn't seem right. it will do for now, but i might see about getting a earlier one sometime in the future.

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just got to sort an electrical problem now!
Posted By: Johnny Alan Re: turbo_stu : mini - 16th Sep 2007 3:53pm
seat look tidy, I had the same in my punto, be carefull though with the plastic part which your harness feeds through as mine kept spliting into two and falling off. keep up with the good work.
Posted By: Mark Re: turbo_stu : mini - 16th Sep 2007 3:54pm
I love the wont be beaten attitude happy
Posted By: Davey_Martin Re: turbo_stu : mini - 16th Sep 2007 3:54pm
great modding - looks the part
Posted By: turbo_stu Re: turbo_stu : mini - 16th Sep 2007 4:14pm
cheers fellas, literally days from being finished and a blooming electrical problem comes up! i can do a quick fix so it'll get me through the mot, but i'd rather find the root of the problem, so its out with a multimeter next weekend!
Posted By: spinking Re: turbo_stu : mini - 16th Sep 2007 4:47pm
Nice seats matey.

Just noticed you have the same steering wheel i had on my 325.

There like shirt buttons there that small.
Posted By: turbo_stu Re: turbo_stu : mini - 30th Sep 2007 4:35pm
well shes on the road

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sailed through the mot, just adjusted the emissions so she would pass. i've taken her for a drive 2 times so far, and i can feel every bump in the road! don't really want to use it till it has been setup properly, so i've booked a rolling road session for tuesday. i'll get some more photos up by next weekend!

oh and just found out my diaphram on my dump valve has gone. so i've got that lovely chatter noise instead!
Posted By: MattLFC Re: turbo_stu : mini - 30th Sep 2007 6:30pm
Any chance we may see you at the next meet in it? Its worth the wait if not, but it would be great to see it and yourself there!

smile
Posted By: turbo_stu Re: turbo_stu : mini - 30th Sep 2007 7:07pm
hopefully i can come along, i'll keep an eye in the local meets section.
Posted By: MattLFC Re: turbo_stu : mini - 30th Sep 2007 7:15pm
Sweet man hope to see you and this baby there smile
Posted By: CustomIce Re: turbo_stu : mini - 2nd Oct 2007 8:35am
I'd love to see this little monster in the flesh!
Posted By: turbo_stu Re: turbo_stu : mini - 2nd Oct 2007 6:15pm
an eventfull day today. took the mini down to mikeanics in congleton (rolling road). got there for around half one. watched for half an hour or so then went for some grub to let him get on with it. overall results were 105 bananas and 110 curly whirlys! its only running 5-6 psi of boost i think he said, this is due to an unknown compression ratio, which i will work out soon. also i could get a few more horses out if it if i ran bp8es plugs but i not bothered right now. also it appears i'm not running a standard dizzy, so he had to strip mine and alter it. i'm am more than happy with this though, as on the road it pulls really well. i'll take a picture of my graphs, but for now this wee pic will have to do.

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i can reccomend him to anyone whether its a turbo mini or not, great guy. also along with the faults you find when first driving, i've got a knock noise from the top engine mount, the exhaust rubs on the body right by your feet, and the rear suspension is scraping the rear arches. other than that its sweet!

also speedo stopped working
Posted By: spinking Re: turbo_stu : mini - 3rd Oct 2007 10:19am
Saw you today matey comming out of Halfrauds (bidston) get anything nice.

I was at B&Q getting paint YAY more house work.

Anyways the car sounded nice even my misses liked it and that takes some doing as she hates cars.
Posted By: turbo_stu Re: turbo_stu : mini - 3rd Oct 2007 10:56am
lol, just got some small bits and pieces, to keep the gem running sweet
Posted By: Mark Re: turbo_stu : mini - 3rd Oct 2007 11:03am
Well done mate, appreciate you keeping us updated with your progress smile
Posted By: turbo_stu Re: turbo_stu : mini - 3rd Oct 2007 6:24pm
graph printouts

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picture overload

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too much spare time on my hands
Posted By: Wheels Re: turbo_stu : mini - 3rd Oct 2007 6:33pm
mate your car is amazing

was that 105.1bhp?
and 109 torque
Posted By: MattLFC Re: turbo_stu : mini - 3rd Oct 2007 6:34pm
105bhp very nice fella :thumsup:
Posted By: MattLFC Re: turbo_stu : mini - 3rd Oct 2007 6:34pm
109 is the torque??

smile
Posted By: fordsteve Re: turbo_stu : mini - 3rd Oct 2007 6:37pm
that looks brill mate well done looks stunning on the road you got to be well pleased thumbsup
Posted By: turbo_stu Re: turbo_stu : mini - 3rd Oct 2007 6:56pm
indeed! just trying to find out if its at the wheels or flywheel. only running about 6psi of boost i think, not bad considering the standard engine runs 7psi and only produces 90hp at the flywheel.
Posted By: jonny boy Re: turbo_stu : mini - 3rd Oct 2007 10:09pm
i guess with you only just getting it on the road it aint been used in anger properly yet.... wondering what you think of those tyres, thinking of getting a set after winter

looks real sweet btw
Posted By: turbo_stu Re: turbo_stu : mini - 3rd Oct 2007 10:21pm
they are very grippy in the dry, well worth the dosh. have yet to test them in absolute soaking wet, but the bit of rain we had today made driving lively!
Posted By: jonny boy Re: turbo_stu : mini - 4th Oct 2007 5:12pm
i need to sort my understeer problems out, soon as i get the back of the car to step out the front just goes, tried loads of different ways round, i have a low profile on the front and dropping the pressure does nothin except wreck tires, think am gonna have to get smaller wheels and bigger profile tires, will get a set of your tires for the track tho for sure
Posted By: turbo_stu Re: turbo_stu : mini - 5th Oct 2007 3:32pm
problems already! i don't know if anyone noticed when i left but the car was misfiring, i thought nothing of it and just tootled home when i could look at it properly. that wasn't all, by the time i reached borough road my gear linkage fell off, so i was stuck in forth! i just struggled to make it home.

woke up at the crack of dawn to crack on fixing the dam thing! linkage is noe sorted, so it shouldn't come apart again. worked out the misfire down to a faulty spark plug. sorted that today and took her for a good long run just to check everything.
Posted By: MattLFC Re: turbo_stu : mini - 5th Oct 2007 3:37pm
Fooook sounds like you had some fun there lol. It sounded a bit rough when you left, didnt really think much of it though lol.

Bet you enjoyed the good long run though haha, for every cloud theres a silver lining grin
Posted By: BMW Joe Re: turbo_stu : mini - 5th Oct 2007 8:24pm
gutted, least its sorted now

evrything good now then?
Posted By: turbo_stu Re: turbo_stu : mini - 5th Oct 2007 8:36pm
almost, its very twitchy when it comes on boost, meaning i'm weaving all over the road! unfortunately i was going down a tight road and hit the kerb. the damage isn't too bad, just a scuff really.

i've set the tracking up the same a regular mini with slight toe out, this may be causing my problem. so i'll put some slight toe in on the bugger and see what thats like.
Posted By: BMW Joe Re: turbo_stu : mini - 5th Oct 2007 8:43pm
Hope you sort it, gutted about the scuff, but I s'pose it's bound to happen sooner or later now its on the road.

not saying your a bad driver though lol
Posted By: spinking Re: turbo_stu : mini - 5th Oct 2007 8:43pm
Torque steer maybe???

Great car matey looks better live so to speak.
Posted By: turbo_stu Re: turbo_stu : mini - 5th Oct 2007 10:07pm
possibly tony, but i find the steering very responsive, maybe too responsive. maybe its just how a mini handles (never really driven a standard one). but i'll have a play and see what happens.

also i've got a good excuse to buy another set of wheels!
Posted By: Mark Re: turbo_stu : mini - 6th Oct 2007 10:39am
I love your Attitude to your car Stu

Meaning that yep there was a problem when i went to sleep.
Woke up Fixed it : Happy Days wink

Glad you got it sorted and miffed at your attitude lol
Posted By: turbo_stu Re: turbo_stu : mini - 6th Oct 2007 6:17pm
indeed mate, spent 2 years building it, not gonna just let it sit on the drive being broken.
Posted By: jonny boy Re: turbo_stu : mini - 6th Oct 2007 7:56pm
i'd say your right in thinking its an alignment problem, you should have set it to toe-in slightly. The road will pull the wheels out when driving/accelerating.
i took my car to the alignment centre in liverpool (they are THE BEST) got digital printouts, even tho i had set it pretty much bang on, they did adjust it slighly, deffo worth the money IMHO

(another thought could be badly balanced wheels?)
Posted By: turbo_stu Re: turbo_stu : mini - 7th Oct 2007 3:30pm
well checked the allignment in work again this sat, couldn't believe i missed something out! forgot to take measurement of the length of each side! well to say the least it was way out! set about getting it within 3mm tollerance.

the way a mini is usually set up it has a degree of toe out up front, don't know why but it does. set mine straight this time instead, also the camber on the fornt wheels doesn't look to be equal. i have all the stuff at work to set it up, just need to spend a day setting and testing.

another day of driving on sat afternoon, see seem alot better, still like to go where it wants on boost, but it is easy to handle. don't like doing high speeds in it though. can't really trust my speedo, its under-reading so when i'm doing 30 it say 25 and i think 70 it shows somewhere between 50-60. so i'll need to either get the speedo re-calibrated or change the pinion and spur wheel.

plenty more testing and adjusting to be done in the near future.
Posted By: MattLFC Re: turbo_stu : mini - 7th Oct 2007 3:33pm
Lol, good to hear its running better. Good job your a mechanic lmao!

smile
Posted By: turbo_stu Re: turbo_stu : mini - 10th Oct 2007 10:31pm
bad news, head gasket has gone. good news i get to play around with the engine again! i think (yet tbc) that it started when i took it on the motorway earlier this night. gave it some stick and heard piniking from the enigne, so got off at the next exit. everything seemed fine. gave it some more right pedal and a boost pipe blows off. pull over, put it back on, just pulled out to check if its still boosting, and it belowed out white smoke!

new gasket is already ordered, hopefully i can sort it out! will get pictures up this weekend when i get round to fixing it......
Posted By: MattLFC Re: turbo_stu : mini - 10th Oct 2007 10:33pm
Gutted for ye about the HG, hope it dont need skimming, you will know all about that better then most though lol.

As ye say you get to take it to bits again lol!
Posted By: BMW Joe Re: turbo_stu : mini - 10th Oct 2007 10:39pm
Originally Posted by MattLFC
Gutted for ye about the HG, hope it dont need skimming, you will know all about that better then most though lol.

As ye say you get to take it to bits again lol!

withthat
Posted By: turbo_stu Re: turbo_stu : mini - 10th Oct 2007 10:42pm
i just hope it has done any damage to the engine while it was pinking. might have to get on the blower to the rolling road guy again.........
Posted By: Johnny Alan Re: turbo_stu : mini - 11th Oct 2007 9:44pm
hope you get it sorted buddy,glad to see it on the road now looks very well done.
Posted By: Mark Re: turbo_stu : mini - 11th Oct 2007 10:25pm
Originally Posted by turbo_stu
i just hope it has done any damage to the engine while it was pinking. might have to get on the blower to the rolling road guy again.........
Think you should be ok wink
Posted By: turbo_stu Re: turbo_stu : mini - 13th Oct 2007 8:52pm
big-ish story so go and get yourself a cuppa....................


right, it turns out that my engine steady bush that bolts to the engine melted! don't know if was down to inferior materials, or whether the engine just got too hot. that has been replaced with a new polyurethane bush. i wasn't running a thermostat for about 3 days when it first initally got on the road. what happened with the cooling system was when stationary the engine reached a certian temp, but as soon as you started driving it went straight to the blue on the gauge. so it was overcooling the engine effectively. so i put the 82degree thermostat from the 998, and drilled 2 4mm holes in it, as my bypass for the water pump has been blocked off. so this has made warming up the car alot faster, and keeps it at a stable temperature.

turns out my headgasket went on cylinder 2 into one of the coolant passages. the damage may have been caused by pinking (pre-igntion/detonation) and was finally blown threw due to the boost. it turns out that my actuator (doobrie that controls the boost) had split the hose which causes the boost to push against the diaphram to open the wastegate. this means i was running way more boost than i should (don't know exactly how much, i don't tend to stare at the boost gauge). this is the most probable cause of the pinking and the reason why my headgasket went. a new re-inforced pipe has been used to supply the air to the actuator. a new headgasket, and manifold gasket has been used also. she fired up first time, bit of a misfire but that soon went when it was warm. took her out earlier to get her to temperature, and make sure everything was fine.

my speedo problem of under-reading has hopefully been fixed. i have swapped the pinion from a 17 one to a 15, and accoring to mini website this should give me the correct speedo reading. i check this with a gps soon. i just have to re-torque the cylinder head down tomorrow when its cool, and check the valve clerances and give it a good wash! no pictures unfortunately, was too busy concerntrating on the job in hand.
Posted By: Johnny Alan Re: turbo_stu : mini - 13th Oct 2007 9:09pm
glad it sorted for you and wasnt to costly.
Posted By: turbo_stu Re: turbo_stu : mini - 13th Oct 2007 9:13pm
thats the great thing about building your own car, you get to know what goes wrong, and can fix it yourself! tbh i missed not driving it the past 2 days
Posted By: BMW Joe Re: turbo_stu : mini - 13th Oct 2007 11:19pm
fook me, you work fast!

glad to hear its sorted smile
Posted By: turbo_stu Re: turbo_stu : mini - 23rd Oct 2007 10:25pm
guess what blew again
Posted By: Mark Re: turbo_stu : mini - 23rd Oct 2007 10:32pm
Begins with H ?
Posted By: turbo_stu Re: turbo_stu : mini - 23rd Oct 2007 10:37pm
indeed! its ok, got stuff on order all ready. when i pop the head off this weekend i'll lower the compression ratio to help with the problem.
Posted By: Mark Re: turbo_stu : mini - 23rd Oct 2007 10:39pm
We hope so too wink
Posted By: turbo_stu Re: turbo_stu : mini - 24th Oct 2007 10:32pm
right what happened was i was on the motorway, giving it abit of stick, and hear the tell tale pinking noise. i back off and get off at the next exit, only to find a roundabout beggin to grace my wonderous rubber. pooof! white smoke belows out the back. shit. thought bugger it, i'll just get home as i'm not waiting 2hours when i only live 10minutes away. that was yesterday. took head off when i got home from work, and its blew in the same place on cylinder 2 in the water passage. so with the head off i thought i'd get some measurements of the size of the dishes. just roughly it looks like its 21cc, which i think is standard so my compression ratio must be higher than i thought! will calculate the compression ratio tomorrow as i'm too tired now.

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on a lighter note i manage to get hold of some 1.5 ratio full roller rockers for a price you wouldn't believe.........free! they are second hand and have quite a bit of wear in place but all the important bits are in good nick.

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for those who don't know this is what the standard rockers look like

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these roller rockers reduce valve train wear and because they are 1.5/1 ratio its like putting a mild road cam in the engine. too tired to explain it fully now.

she'll soon be back too this

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Posted By: BMW Joe Re: turbo_stu : mini - 24th Oct 2007 11:01pm
I hope so mate.

Its amazing how you just take her apart and put her back together like lego.

its taken me 9 months to fit a new gasket to mine (plus I saved up for a re-con head) but still.

nice price on the rockers as you say happy
Posted By: turbo_stu Re: turbo_stu : mini - 28th Oct 2007 10:15pm
no time like the present!

turns out that my head needs skiming, as it looks like a banana! no wonder i was going through headgaskets. right after i've finished grinding my combustion chambers aswell.

for all those wondering how you measure combustion chambers, get some perspex, or anything clear and flat then drill a hole in it. put a small smear of grease on the head to help seal.

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then use a syring to input you desired liquid (light oil or meths usually do) in

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thats how you find out what the cc of the chambers in your head are. plenty of grinding and shaping and you have a open chamber. it important to think about the shape of your cylinder head as it isn't a certian shape for no apparant reason! doing what i have done with mine will give me less power low end but the turbo doesn't spool up till 3000!

comparison between a standard head i have

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when i get it back i'll have to check them and probabily adjust them aswell.
Posted By: Davey_Martin Re: turbo_stu : mini - 28th Oct 2007 10:19pm
interesting stuff... i dont know shite about cars really... just as well my bro is pretty gd with the knowledge side of things... problem is he is 280miles away from me up here in scotland lol
Posted By: BMW Joe Re: turbo_stu : mini - 28th Oct 2007 11:06pm
ahh interesting, thanks for the info
Posted By: Mark Re: turbo_stu : mini - 28th Oct 2007 11:41pm
Yeh some great hints and tips there wink

Fingers crossed for you fella smile
Posted By: turbo_stu Re: turbo_stu : mini - 2nd Nov 2007 6:47pm
well a good day today. came back with a bit less torque at only 100ft/lbs but 5 more ponies at 110hp. the power graph is alot smoother now, and power delivery on the road is smoother too! i'm only running 8-9psi of boost. when i get megajolt (map-able ignition) set up on the car i'll run around 10-11psi. i'm limited really at the moment with the distributor, so i've got a mix between low end and top end driveability.

two short vids

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Posted By: krisGTi Re: turbo_stu : mini - 2nd Nov 2007 6:54pm
car looked the dog balls last nite fella,
Posted By: spinking Re: turbo_stu : mini - 2nd Nov 2007 11:15pm
Its a NAIL raftl

Looked verygood good to see its running ok now.

Whats next if anything?
Posted By: turbo_stu Re: turbo_stu : mini - 3rd Nov 2007 7:27pm
mapable ignition same as what rhys is doing. not much else planned really. i guess you could say its sort of finished.
Posted By: Macca GSI Re: turbo_stu : mini - 6th Nov 2007 1:07pm
Its never finished till it can keep up with my toy!!lol
Posted By: StuyMac Re: turbo_stu : mini - 6th Nov 2007 1:09pm
Originally Posted by Macca GSI
Its never finished till it can keep up with my toy!!lol


think ?????
Posted By: Macca GSI Re: turbo_stu : mini - 6th Nov 2007 1:15pm
vx220
Posted By: StuyMac Re: turbo_stu : mini - 6th Nov 2007 1:26pm
raftl

Stu - you got a long way to go matey - dont think theres much that will touch one of those on a twisty set of lanes with the right driver....
Posted By: turbo_stu Re: turbo_stu : mini - 6th Nov 2007 5:36pm
but i can keep up with it........to 70mph. my car handles like a go-kart, only weights a max of 700kgs. oh and only stage one is complete. i do want small things like central locking, mapable ignition, and to sort some rust out.

then i'm aming for 200hp, not from this engine though......
Posted By: Macca GSI Re: turbo_stu : mini - 6th Nov 2007 5:39pm
when are u robbin that bank then bud?? am in!!
Posted By: Beemertastic Re: turbo_stu : mini - 6th Nov 2007 6:49pm
Originally Posted by StuyMac
raftl

Stu - you got a long way to go matey - dont think theres much that will touch one of those on a twisty set of lanes with the right driver....

vx220....its still a vauxhall!!!!
not as great as everyone makes out or believes...they trade on a reputation built by lotus....
yup ive driven a vx220 turbo thats been tweaked to over 280 bhp...and i wasnt that impressed!
Posted By: Beemertastic Re: turbo_stu : mini - 6th Nov 2007 6:50pm
at the end of the day...theres no substitute for cubic inches!!
Posted By: turbo_stu Re: turbo_stu : mini - 6th Nov 2007 7:00pm
but you can't beat a 1.3 turbo that gives most hot hatches a run for their money
Posted By: Beemertastic Re: turbo_stu : mini - 6th Nov 2007 7:11pm
Originally Posted by turbo_stu
but you can't beat a 1.3 turbo that gives most hot hatches a run for their money

oh without a doubt!...in the hothatch dept....
Posted By: Macca GSI Re: turbo_stu : mini - 6th Nov 2007 11:54pm
Originally Posted by Auditastic
Originally Posted by StuyMac
raftl

Stu - you got a long way to go matey - dont think theres much that will touch one of those on a twisty set of lanes with the right driver....

vx220....its still a vauxhall!!!!
not as great as everyone makes out or believes...they trade on a reputation built by lotus....
yup ive driven a vx220 turbo thats been tweaked to over 280 bhp...and i wasnt that impressed!


what a bone head!! lotus actally made the vx220!!!!
Posted By: StuyMac Re: turbo_stu : mini - 7th Nov 2007 8:33am
Unfortunatly, I dont think the phrase "poor mans Lotus" is gonna help the Mini frown

Somewhere really tight and twisty, like 3 Sisters I can see the Mini doing very well, but on a faster track, I recon the power of the Vauxhall will be more of an advantage - also remember though, the VX has a much bigger engine than the Mini.

Its a grudge match Id like to see handbag
Posted By: Beemertastic Re: turbo_stu : mini - 7th Nov 2007 10:25am


what a bone head!! lotus actally made the vx220!!!! [/quote]

yes numb nuts...lotus had an "input" on the vx220...hence why it trades on their reputation..when after all of that its STILL a vauxhall!
me thinks a well sorted mini like stu's in a twisty road would give a straight vx220 a pasting!...and thats something id like to see!
Posted By: turbo_stu Re: turbo_stu : mini - 8th Nov 2007 12:12am
thats it! hand bags at dawn.......
Posted By: MattLFC Re: turbo_stu : mini - 8th Nov 2007 12:36am
lmao
Posted By: Beemertastic Re: turbo_stu : mini - 8th Nov 2007 5:40pm
Originally Posted by turbo_stu
thats it! hand bags at dawn.......

hell yes! bring it on biatch! LMAO!
Posted By: Johnny Alan Re: turbo_stu : mini - 8th Nov 2007 6:08pm
I did think this was a topic on stu's car not wether you did or didnt like the vx220, to be honest I think they are a really nice car even though it is a vauxhall, sounds like your a bit jealous to me, but hey thats oppinion the same as your oppinion on vauxhalls lol
Posted By: Beemertastic Re: turbo_stu : mini - 8th Nov 2007 9:36pm
yea..its a topic on stus car..comparing it to a vx220..which i think would get pasted by stus mini...
and er no..if i wanted a vx220..id go buy one..but its a vauxhall!..and im not impressed by them!
Posted By: Mark Re: turbo_stu : mini - 10th Nov 2007 9:15pm
Cough Cough Thought you might like this smile

[Linked Image]

Well done Mate smile
Posted By: spinking Re: turbo_stu : mini - 10th Nov 2007 10:01pm
VERYWELL DONE MATEY TOP CAR.
Posted By: BMW Joe Re: turbo_stu : mini - 10th Nov 2007 10:03pm
Well done clap yipee
Posted By: turbo_stu Re: turbo_stu : mini - 11th Nov 2007 12:13am
cheers fellas, makes all the blood and sweat worth it. much appreciated, just going to enjoy driving it (when its not breaking down) and try and keep it in one piece!
Posted By: turbo_stu Re: turbo_stu : mini - 9th Dec 2007 10:13pm
well i have been enjoying it so far! she has got a few mile on her now. had a few problems with batterys and alternators, but new ones solved that problem. shes travel to blackpool and back twice, going strong. snapped the front engine steady bolt, so a new one was used. also fitted a rear engine steady. also oil found a nice way of leaking out the oil cap, dipstick, and out of the breathers. i've fixed this (hopefully) by fitting a oil catch system to the engine. aswell as using both standard breather points, i drilled and tap a point into the rocker cover. the zip ties are only there for a day till i can get some jubliee clips.

[Linked Image]

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Posted By: Sanchez Re: turbo_stu : mini - 9th Dec 2007 10:45pm
bloody hell, cant belive your still finding room under the hood to put stuff lol, congrats on the CW car of the year btw !
Posted By: Mondeo_Scott Re: turbo_stu : mini - 9th Dec 2007 11:27pm
congrats on winnin cw car of the year a well deserved award with all the time and hard work been put in and i think so would many others would agree thumbsup
Posted By: Mark Re: turbo_stu : mini - 10th Dec 2007 4:58pm
Yeh get a pic up with the Trophy on the Car wink
Posted By: turbo_stu Re: turbo_stu : mini - 10th Dec 2007 5:54pm
will do! even if it means washing the car in the blistering cold, and polishing it!
Posted By: turbo_stu Re: turbo_stu : mini - 4th Mar 2008 10:12pm
still haven't got that pic............oops

right so some progress for you all. 3000miles later and i want more power! so what do i do? fit programable ignition thats what!

what is programable ignition i hear you say? well most modern cars have an ignition map inside the ecu, this caters for all what the enigne needs but is fixed. older cars like mine have the trusty distributor and coil, while good and cheap are very limiting. the good thing about programable ignition is you can adjust it to suit your needs, whether wanting more economy or more power. plus its also cheap at only £100 for the megajolt, and the other bits have only cost me £50 so far.


in order to run megajolt you need some basic early ford bits. edis 4 ignition module, a coil pack (with leads to suit) a trigger wheel (36 - 1 vairant) with vr sensor. one other thing i needed was a distributor blank.

all here

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with the programable igntion shown here

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first job was to remove the dizzy, and the gear it drives

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then fit the trigger wheel anc check for clearance

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proposed location of the coil pack, and vr sensor fitted

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and here is the edis module

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just have the wiring to sort out tomorrow, and she should be running hopefully. i plan on upping the boost to 10psi. testing will be on thursday and if all goes well i should be at the meet later on! i will get a rolling road sesion book for next month and find how many ponies she puts out, and fine tune her.
Posted By: Sanchez Re: turbo_stu : mini - 4th Mar 2008 11:57pm
bowdown bowdown bowdown

Thats all im saying, you've been quiet for a while, then you come back with this.


SHEER CLASS
Posted By: placidmaster Re: turbo_stu : mini - 5th Mar 2008 12:26am
even looking like this i still prefere the old mini
Posted By: MattLFC Re: turbo_stu : mini - 5th Mar 2008 1:55pm
Ive ad a bit of basic hands on experience with the Megajolt stuff through Rhys and his hotrod, and it is the business.

I love this car haha its a beast matey, no wonder it won car of the year... you planning any other mod's, or ye gonna keep em quiet and see what course the future decides to take hehe!

Nice one btw mate smile
Posted By: BrightSpark Re: turbo_stu : mini - 5th Mar 2008 7:42pm
real good stuff there stu, how much extra power you expecting??
Posted By: turbo_stu Re: turbo_stu : mini - 5th Mar 2008 8:21pm
not really planned anything, i just buy something when money is burning a hole in my pocket. engine wise i don't want to push too much out of it some i might leave it alone after this.

shes all running! took the advice given and check she ran in limp home mode (with out megajolt attached) first. it took more time but enabled me to make sure everything was right. wired up megajolt and she purrs like a puma! already she is better at starting and idling when cold.

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everything laid out

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quick engine bay pic

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the edis module tidied up and a new air filter

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and the megajolt bolted in place


took her for a quick run today, nothing too lary just a quick check. as above i'm already impressed with the way it picks up and its not even setup! going to spend all of tomorrow having a go, so at least i've got something till i get it rolling roaded

cheers
Posted By: turbo_stu Re: turbo_stu : mini - 16th Mar 2008 6:32pm
i've adjusted the map again, so its on a safe setting till i can get a rolling road session booked. had to replace a tie rod end, as a new one i bought had started to have play in the bearing. have fitted a dawes boost controller to the car, and adjusted the boost to just over 10psi, certainlly feels abit quicker. changed the thermostat, as the old one was buggered. also a ball joint has started to become slack, and my tyres are looking low on the front, so more huge bills for next month (£80 a corner for just 13" wheels!)
Posted By: Johnny Alan Re: turbo_stu : mini - 16th Mar 2008 6:40pm
glad to hear your using the megajolt excelent tidy piece of kit for the £100, as with seting up it would be something that would take me lots of practice to get right. I think you can download various maps from the site. well done though, if you want have some brand new black diamond performance leads in blue if yu want, will bring them to the meet next time I am down p.s they are in blue aswell
Posted By: turbo_stu Re: turbo_stu : mini - 8th Apr 2008 11:36pm
ooo blue, its ok got these brand news ones from work anyway. so recent events, my main oil seal went and sprayed oil all over my clutch, nice! so it was slipping whenever i booted it. and i have just had to fork out for 2 new tyres at £80 a corner! this weekend just gone decided to get the engine out and change both the crown wheel and pinion (to a shorter one so i can sit on the motorway at lower revs) and put a new clutch and seal in.

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engine out!

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flywheel cover off, look at the shiny oil sprayed everywhere!

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flywheel puller on, over 200nm require to break this bad boy off!

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diff out, this it the pinion i'm changing

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flywheel off, new seal in place, and primary gear end float checked

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new crown wheel in place and diff back on ready to be shimed up.

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and engine going back in

Posted By: StuyMac Re: turbo_stu : mini - 9th Apr 2008 7:43am
Looking good matey smile

What does the Megajolt actually do? Is it just controlling the timing on your car as I guess you cant really control the fueling too much with a carb...?

Can you use if to control a variable ignition advance / retard throughout the rev range, and what sort of figures are you running at peak power / rpm / boost?

Also, at what point does the std 3 port manifold become restrictive?
Posted By: turbo_stu Re: turbo_stu : mini - 9th Apr 2008 9:57pm
its fully adjustable ignition. its done on a 3d map so it takes into account the boost/vac aswell. its helped alot lower down in the rev range, so its actually drivable at slow speeds, and picks up a whole lot better. i've got a safe-ish map on it till i can get some money together to get it rolling roaded again, but i'm running just over 10psi now. might push it to 12 on the rr. you can get near 180hp out of this motor with the 5 port head, with a fair few modifications. the carb itself is good for over 200hp and can easly take 18psi, with a few people running 22psi. the manifold is pretty shite tbh and you can get a bespoke one made up but it only fits t2 style turbos.

the most restrictive part on an a-series is the cylinder head. going 8 port certianly make it breath a whole lot better, kad do a kit and you can easy see 160hp from a na setup. only problem is the price, £4000+. for that i may aswell stick a vtec motor in.
Posted By: turbo_stu Re: turbo_stu : mini - 25th May 2008 5:26pm
since i've done sod all to the car recently, except watching it leak oil and spit flames! i thought i'd do abit of bodywork.

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this was the state my a-panel was in, so thought its only best to renew the panel.

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the rust behind it. all removed and the metal that was left was treated.

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new panel on, lined up. its a non-genuine panel so it took abit of fiddling but its on now.

[Linked Image]

some rust proof hammerite primer. lets hope it does its job.

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and final colour on.

also decided to get a new intercooler that could fit directly behind the grille. this one was from an audi a3 or a4. fits a treat plus its right in the airflow so should keep the air cool!

[Linked Image]

also fitted my oil cooler. because its summer my oil has been seeing close to 100oC on the warmer days (not that we'll get anymore!).

[Linked Image]

[Linked Image]
Posted By: BMW Joe Re: turbo_stu : mini - 25th May 2008 11:04pm
and theres me thinking you had used up all the space under the bonnet no I was wrong lol
Posted By: turbo_stu Re: turbo_stu : mini - 25th May 2008 11:57pm
took me a while to find a decent sized intercooler! i didn't really find any more room, just shuffled things about.
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