Teeny tiny winter project....
Nickp - 27/10/17 at 06:40 AM
I've struck a deal to double my kit car count and keep myself busy in the man-cave this winter 
It's a Mk2 Midas (mini based) and shouldn't take up too much room 
It's all there but will need a full recommission and the front subframe / 1275 engine refitting, if this proves OK when I whip the head off.
I plan to get it roadworthy with the A series then look at an engine swap to liven it up, either K series or something Japanese and 16v. Apparently in
early 80's road-tests this was quicker round a track than the original Honda CRX and the now highly regarded cult classic Toyota Corolla AE86
Description
Benzine - 27/10/17 at 06:47 AM
Very cool. 
Ugg10 - 27/10/17 at 07:31 AM
there are some nice Yamaha R1 front subframes available ! You could also do the BMW K series 16v head swap ?
adithorp - 27/10/17 at 08:10 AM
They're a very usable kit as well as handling quite well (didn't Gordon Murray have some design input). I had a customer who used one for a
daily commute between Wrexham and Manchester for several years.
nick205 - 27/10/17 at 09:25 AM
Nice project - should keep you occupied over the winter months.
jps - 27/10/17 at 09:56 AM
I really wanted to get one - but wimped out in the end and bought a 1.7 Puma. I think they look great and the mini engine can sound great when tuned.
How much did you have to pay for it?
Simon - 27/10/17 at 02:01 PM
I reckon the 1.0 ecoboost would suit that - with a remap 😊
CosKev3 - 27/10/17 at 04:43 PM
As above,R1 engine FTW 
Nickp - 27/10/17 at 04:49 PM
quote:
Originally posted by adithorp
They're a very usable kit as well as handling quite well (didn't Gordon Murray have some design input). I had a customer who used one for a
daily commute between Wrexham and Manchester for several years.
Apparently so, but I think his might've benefited from a bit of lowering
Nickp - 27/10/17 at 04:55 PM
quote:
Originally posted by Ugg10
there are some nice Yamaha R1 front subframes available ! You could also do the BMW K series 16v head swap ?
Both sound awesome if a tad expensive. There's plenty of alloy blocked 16v options from Rover/Suzuki/Nissan/Toyota in the 100-120bhp region which
will all be lighter than the old A series and give this 600kg pocket rocket plenty of go
Nickp - 27/10/17 at 04:56 PM
quote:
Originally posted by jps
I really wanted to get one - but wimped out in the end and bought a 1.7 Puma. I think they look great and the mini engine can sound great when tuned.
How much did you have to pay for it?
Four figures, just
Nickp - 27/10/17 at 05:01 PM
quote:
Originally posted by Simon
I reckon the 1.0 ecoboost would suit that - with a remap 😊
It would, but I was hoping to avoid the added heat of a turbo install in such a small fibreglass space tbh
Shooter63 - 27/10/17 at 06:50 PM
If you want to keep things pretty simple, put a 16v head on the mini block.
Shooter
Ugg10 - 27/10/17 at 08:40 PM
Plenty of mini sub frame kits about for Honda b series and Vauxhall’s red tops. Can a metro subframe be made to fit? Then just drop in a 1.4 k series
from one (if you can find one) and go from there up to the 1.8 vvc.
My other choice of engine would be the ford zetec se (sigma). As light, if not lighter than a k series and available in 1.25, 1.4, 1.6 and 1.7 vct in
a fiesta, puma, focus. Loads of tuning option right up to 200hp naturally aspirated.
ken555 - 27/10/17 at 08:43 PM
Nice project, apart from the engine being at the wrong end
I must admit there's something about design with it's high bonnet to clear the engine that makes it look "odd" to me, but etch to
their own.
But have a look at the Honda D16A8/9 series / Rover 216 & 416 GTi engines.
Almost the same size as an A series, but less weight and around 150bhp.
Nickp - 27/10/17 at 10:00 PM
quote:
Originally posted by ken555
Nice project, apart from the engine being at the wrong end
I must admit there's something about design with it's high bonnet to clear the engine that makes it look "odd" to me, but etch to
their own.
But have a look at the Honda D16A8/9 series / Rover 216 & 416 GTi engines.
Almost the same size as an A series, but less weight and around 150bhp.
Agreed, if it was my only car.
This is a bit of fun.
I have a silly powerful, front engined rwd 'kit' that's challenging to drive in anything but dry conditions
This could be great fun on a wet trackday and embarrass a few, for fun
Nickp - 31/10/17 at 08:28 PM
quote:
Originally posted by Ugg10
My other choice of engine would be the ford zetec se (sigma). As light, if not lighter than a k series and available in 1.25, 1.4, 1.6 and 1.7 vct in
a fiesta, puma, focus. Loads of tuning option right up to 200hp naturally aspirated.
Puma engine could be a good call, if it fits, when donors are this cheap
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Ford-Puma-1-7-MOT-FAILURE-SEE-PICTURE-OF-FAILURE-SHEET/132379984538?hash=item1ed276429a:g:SnkAAOSwAC1Z9i0~
Nickp - 6/11/17 at 05:04 AM
Safely back home now.....
Description
Nickp - 6/11/17 at 05:05 AM
Meeting its new 'roomie'.....
Description
Nickp - 7/11/17 at 06:47 AM
Woohoo +.030 overbore means I've got a full 1301cc of throbbing A series power!! Head seems to have been ported too and has double valve springs
so may have a hotter cam in too. Valve sizes are only std 1275 sizes but I'm very happy with what I've found so far
Description
Description
Mr Whippy - 7/11/17 at 12:58 PM
styling still looks good after all these years, I think if it was me I would keep it very stock
Nickp - 7/11/17 at 05:18 PM
Further evidence that there's a performance cam hiding in there? Hopefully this is a dizzy matched to the cam by Piper.
Description
ettore bugatti - 11/11/17 at 10:14 PM
I seem to remember that Gordon Murray build himself a Gold with a mid engined Alfa boxer engine.
Although the BMW K-head is a very nice engineering challenge and I'm building myself. I think that an 7 port head might be very competitive in
terms of power gain and costs compared to the twin cam head conversions.
A Japanese engine swap like the Nissan Micra CG13DE or Daihatsu 3 pot turbo might even be cheaper to do in a backyard.
Nickp - 11/11/17 at 10:27 PM
quote:
Originally posted by ettore bugatti
I seem to remember that Gordon Murray build himself a Gold with a mid engined Alfa boxer engine.
Although the BMW K-head is a very nice engineering challenge and I'm building myself. I think that an 7 port head might be very competitive in
terms of power gain and costs compared to the twin cam head conversions.
A Japanese engine swap like the Nissan Micra CG13DE or Daihatsu 3 pot turbo might even be cheaper to do in a backyard.
Mid engined?
I'm gonna see how the old A series goes first.
So far the positives are-
Overbored to 1301cc
Head very nicely ported, mainly on inlet side, where the A series needs it most.
Cam has near 300deg duration and 10.5mm lift (checked with degree wheel and dti gauge).
Could be a little revver and make about 90bhp if I'm lucky
If not then I'll be looking at head or engine swap
theconrodkid - 12/11/17 at 10:52 AM
I have put an MGF K series complete car in the for sale section if your interested
ettore bugatti - 12/11/17 at 09:29 PM
quote:
Originally posted by Nickp
quote:
Originally posted by ettore bugatti
I seem to remember that Gordon Murray build himself a Gold with a mid engined Alfa boxer engine.
Although the BMW K-head is a very nice engineering challenge and I'm building myself. I think that an 7 port head might be very competitive in
terms of power gain and costs compared to the twin cam head conversions.
A Japanese engine swap like the Nissan Micra CG13DE or Daihatsu 3 pot turbo might even be cheaper to do in a backyard.
Mid engined?
I'm gonna see how the old A series goes first.
So far the positives are-
Overbored to 1301cc
Head very nicely ported, mainly on inlet side, where the A series needs it most.
Cam has near 300deg duration and 10.5mm lift (checked with degree wheel and dti gauge).
Could be a little revver and make about 90bhp if I'm lucky
If not then I'll be looking at head or engine swap
Yup, midengined
Gordon
Murray Midas Bronze
300deg cam sounds quite racy, added with a lot of static compression and a Weber. You should see over 110hp crank power.
Nickp - 18/11/17 at 09:42 AM
Head now rebuilt after a light skim.....
Description
And bolted back on to block with valve clearances set #ruleof9
Description
Nickp - 4/12/17 at 09:37 PM
Engine back where it should be.....
Description
jps - 5/12/17 at 06:37 AM
Good stuff, I like it how the engine looks tiny even though there can't be much room in there...
