Some of you may have seen this in the chassis section but it was suggested to put it in this section with this being the mid engine part!

As i drive a mini i plan on using as many mini parts as possible - engine, subframe etc but use a different chassis. Ultimatly i would want this to be road legal, not just a track car. the main idea of the design is to keep it low - but the same wheel-length of a mini. The design is that i want to use the mini engine as it usually is sat in a subframe, which would be bolted to the back like a GTM (as many of you know) so hyperthetically if you really wanted to you could remove any old engine on its subframe out of a mini, bolt it to the chassis and drive away (after connecting fuel line + battery).

Now, as far as structural designs and legalitys of kit cars are concerened im not that sure. What i do know is that the chassis i want to use needs to be enforced so it can take a smack, should anything 'wrong' happen whilst driving!
Attatched is a pic. Any comments/suggestions are welcome!
Ive had a couple of ideas for bodywork but to be fair id rather get the chassis sorted out first

The only other thing on my mind at the moment is how the gear selector works! I know its been done before for GTMs and other kits but ive never seen it done and cant imagine it! Anyone know?!


* is a bit different from the pic in the chassis section as its now basically a box with a subframe welded to the front of it and fixtures to bolt the subframe to the back.



[Edited on 29/6/07 by mic]

Mic,

While I understand your desire to build something, I really cannot get my head around using an A series engine.

They were great in the 50's and 60's, may be a decade later, but they are antiquated, and very heavy. You'd be better off, if you are on a bit of budget, making a mid engine, rwd mini.

Use a bike engine (ZZR 1100 motor about 147bhp (with ZXR750 carb tops) and about £200.

Buy a welder, get to some shows and see how peeps like Z Cars do their Minis.

ATB

Simon

You really need to check out my book then (in sig)! While I used a Honda engine, the Mini FWD drivetrain is easy. I built a mid-engine tube-frame carbon-shell Mini, so my book would be a huge help in making it happen.

[Edited on 6/29/07 by kb58]

hi simon yea i know what youre saying but im tryin to get out of that old mini shell!
as far as the bike engines go, yea id love one, but its not that straight forward. on the 'official' mini Zcar forum they quote thousands to make one - the frame alone costs something like 5 grand unless you can make your own - but if i make my own id rather do something different.

kb58 i saw your mini in the minimag! very nice will go read up on it as well as book in sig. but again, its using a mini shell which im tryin to avoid.

Check out Staniforth's book, "High speed, low cost." He made a formula car using all Mini parts. You could make wone that's street legal.

If you are determined to go with mini subframes, then I'd probably aim for something along these lines for the chassis (excuse the quick paint image!)

Cheers
Alex
Rescued attachment mini-special.jpg

This should get you the info you're looking for....

http://www.funbuggies.co.uk/gallery.htm

they build mid-engine buggies with mini engines, just like your project.

I hope it helps

Italo

keep searching as pretty much every transplant possible has been done many times over .my little reliant is along the same lines as the z-car set up but homemade with a de dion axle instead of trailing arms.

quote:

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Originally posted by FUORISERIE
This should get you the info you're looking for....

http://www.funbuggies.co.uk/gallery.htm

they build mid-engine buggies with mini engines, just like your project.

I hope it helps

Italo

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quote:

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Originally posted by ecosse
If you are determined to go with mini subframes, then I'd probably aim for something along these lines for the chassis (excuse the quick paint image!)

Cheers
Alex

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