mic
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| posted on 29/6/07 at 10:10 PM |
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mini based mid engine project
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]
www.retromods.co.uk
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Simon
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| posted on 29/6/07 at 11:00 PM |
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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
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kb58
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| posted on 29/6/07 at 11:01 PM |
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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]
Mid-engine Locost - http://www.midlana.com
And the book - http://www.lulu.com/shop/kurt-bilinski/midlana/paperback/product-21330662.html
Kimini - a tube-frame, carbon shell, Honda Prelude VTEC mid-engine Mini: http://www.kimini.com
And its book -
http://www.lulu.com/shop/kurt-bilinski/kimini-how-to-design-and-build-a-mid-engine-sports-car-from-scratch/paperback/product-4858803.html
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mic
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| posted on 29/6/07 at 11:21 PM |
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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.
www.retromods.co.uk
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kb58
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| posted on 30/6/07 at 01:02 AM |
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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.
Mid-engine Locost - http://www.midlana.com
And the book - http://www.lulu.com/shop/kurt-bilinski/midlana/paperback/product-21330662.html
Kimini - a tube-frame, carbon shell, Honda Prelude VTEC mid-engine Mini: http://www.kimini.com
And its book -
http://www.lulu.com/shop/kurt-bilinski/kimini-how-to-design-and-build-a-mid-engine-sports-car-from-scratch/paperback/product-4858803.html
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ecosse
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| posted on 30/6/07 at 08:13 AM |
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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
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FUORISERIE
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| posted on 30/6/07 at 09:46 AM |
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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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froggy
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| posted on 30/6/07 at 05:54 PM |
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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.
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akumabito
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| posted on 30/6/07 at 06:53 PM |
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quote:
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
That thing looks like fun.. it's kinda ugly, but fun nonetheless.. Surprisingly heavy though.. 520kgs for a road-legal version? What does the
A-series engine/transmission weigh? Scrap it and put a bike engine in the back..
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mic
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| posted on 30/6/07 at 08:08 PM |
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quote:
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
that 'quick paint image' is like the mona lisa compared to mine! but yea, thats the one i want to do.
ive come across the old mini based 'Landar' if anyone remembers them! the Landar 6 used a bolt on subframe at the back but the Landar 7
didnt, the engine was bolted to chassis mounts. but the shape of em (bodywise) is cool and will fit over that kind of chassis as the drawing shows
yea not too keen on the buggys 
www.retromods.co.uk
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