View Full Version : Restoring/modding an old mini
My brother, and maybe me too, is looking at getting an old mini and restoring it but also modding it a bit (but tastefully). Has anyone done this on here or got any hints/tips.
We've only just started thinking about it at this stage so we really dont know what we're potentialy letting outselves into!:scratch:
rictus01
24-12-07, 11:20 PM
If you're talking the original Austin mini type then check subframe and engine mounts, general body rust but especially behind the front wheel well-bottom of the door as that bit is double skinned an a right pig to cut out and replace (has the bottom hinge mount on it), also the bottom inside the boot lid as they rust quite badly.
obviously depended on age, the shell seals and floor pan, athough most of these are available in part panels to be welded in once the rot had been cut out. you can also get bright work kits new at reasonable prices so don't worry to much about that, just go for a sound body.
Engines are fairly simple and easy to work on, performance upgrades are also affordable.
Cheers Mark.
Fun to drive round corners but not very quick, unreliable rust traps and a pain to work on. Get an old ford if you want something cheap to modify
I spent far too much of my life and money wasting time modding Minis, don't waste yours, they really aren't worth it. Last one was a 10 year old 1380 MED engined creation that I threw the best part of 6 grand at, I could have bought a new one for that much at the time. When you've just finished welding one bit, you find something else that requires doing. It starts to become a chore not a pleasure.
I stick to bikes now, they're easier
DarrenSV650S
24-12-07, 11:32 PM
Have a look on this site. They are very friendly and helpful :)
http://www.theminiforum.co.uk/forums/
Thanks for the advice guys. I'm not looking for anything thats going to be massively quick just something that I can do up and call my own work. It'll proably not come of anything but I've been thinking of doing something like this for a while now and I keep coming back to this. I've had a quick look an there seem to be a few 1970's minis that are fairly cheap as a basis for the project.
Keep the opinions coming both good and bad;)
If your looking for engine mounts give me a shout as my company are the original makers, if you buy them off the shelf from mini sprot you'll pay n arm and a leg, i'll get em buck shee ;)
Have a look on this site. They are very friendly and helpful :)
http://www.theminiforum.co.uk/forums/
Ha ha, I've just spent over an hour on the site and now I'm really into this! found a couple starter projects at much cheaper than I thought they'd be.
Thanks Cuffy, I may well hold you to that!:D
mister c
25-12-07, 10:05 AM
If it is the original Mini you are modding, then, if you can find one, an Austin 1300GT engine fits straight in. Fit a different exhaust, it goes like stink & handles like it's on rails. My brother did his about 20 years ago and it saw off XR3i's no problem
MG Metro A+ engines make more power than the 1300GT A series and are easier to find. The trouble with the 1300GT was the block, it had a big hole in the casting above the centre main bearing, so wasn't that strong. The same block was used for early Cooper S motors. Later motors were stronger as the crank couldn't flex as much.
Also, it's far easier to keep an HIF44 carb in tune than muck about with twin 1 1/4 or 1 1/2 SUs. A single HIF44 on a quality manifold will flow more than enough for a 110bhp A+ motor, so there's no need to go the twin carb route. HIF44s were fitted to just about every Metro 1300.
i always wanted an old VW beetle/baja bug, but have not got the technical ability to do it up
wheelnut
25-12-07, 10:59 AM
MG Metro A+ engines make more power than the 1300GT A series and are easier to find. The trouble with the 1300GT was the block, it had a big hole in the casting above the centre main bearing, so wasn't that strong. The same block was used for early Cooper S motors. Later motors were stronger as the crank couldn't flex as much.
Also, it's far easier to keep an HIF44 carb in tune than muck about with twin 1 1/4 or 1 1/2 SUs. A single HIF44 on a quality manifold will flow more than enough for a 110bhp A+ motor, so there's no need to go the twin carb route. HIF44s were fitted to just about every Metro 1300.
Metro. Ah, after my time Im afraid:p Me and a mate built one from a MG1300 engine but we had to change the camshaft & diff to make it worthwhile. The big socket to change the sprocket cost more than the engine.
It did go like the proverbial shovel launched excrement though. It would corner on rails too as it had some great wide tyres on dry suspension.
I reckon my old Volvo would be faster nowadays though
3.44:1 diff works well with a 1275 and either 10" or 12" wheels...if you can find a good one nowadays.
I always preferred the look and feel of 10" wheels with servo'd Copper S discs/calipers. Hillman Hunter remote servos worked well
i always wanted an old VW beetle/baja bug, but have not got the technical ability to do it up
TBH I don't think I have either but I figured I just as wel give it a try and see what happens!!
Stick a Bussa engine in it:cool: See here http://www.zcars.org.uk/index.htm
Stick a Bussa engine in it:cool: See here http://www.zcars.org.uk/index.htm
This project is already getting out of hand. It's gone from a pie in the sky idea to a serious proposal of doing it on the cheap, and now I'm looking at doing it semi-seriously costing more than it would to buy a decent second-hand modern car!!!:D Still it'll look :cool: when it's finished.
Saying that the Hayabusa engine looks like a great idea:smt077. Hows the motorcross going Billy?
always fancied doign this & rallying it.
Would've used the Mini gt 1275 as it may have been easier to get the engine in & out.
...then a double petrol tank
...and fat wheels
...and a roll cage
....bucket seats & an extinguisher
.ooh nice!
post the piccies on here!
andywilson460
26-12-07, 12:01 AM
Having owned a couple, always check the wheel arches (as said before) and also pull back the carpet in the drivers and passengers footwells, sometimes it will be a rubber carpet, if that makes sense. A lot of minis will either have holes here where the floor pan has rotted through, or have water from a leak. Both my minis suffered from the water gathering there. I owned an 81 Mini City and more recently a 1973 Mini Clubman (with wood effect inserts!).
The Mini Owners Club is really really good for help and advise - still getting my club magazines as I only sold the last one 7 months ago.
My main bit of advice would be get it on a mechanics ramp if possible - Have a look at all the running gear and then make a decision. Did that with my Clubman when it got to the last MOT - a mate who is a mechanic said don't bother - There were yellow marks all under the car where it had been highlighted at an MOT a couple of years previous that it would need welding shortly - and the floor pan was pretty much shot, as were the brakes, hubs and a hole from wheelarch into the car.
The car looked in great, original condition on the face of it, but probably had at least £2-2.5k worth of work just to make it a half good'un, if you are thinking of showing it off at events you should probably double/triple that figure.
Great fun to drive, but need a garage and a careful pair of hands.
I'm not planning on showing it at all just using it as a fun/different car to commute in & at weekends. Thanks for the advice, I'm still looking around for a 'donor' car at the moment so will keep this thread updated as to the progress (if any :) ).
build a kit car! loads more options and loads more ways to customise it performance wise.......would still cost you roughly the same as the mini
This project is already getting out of hand. It's gone from a pie in the sky idea to a serious proposal of doing it on the cheap, and now I'm looking at doing it semi-seriously costing more than it would to buy a decent second-hand modern car!!!:D Still it'll look :cool: when it's finished.
Saying that the Hayabusa engine looks like a great idea:smt077. Hows the motorcross going Billy?
Not to bad Now I've got myself a van i will be able to get out more! Without Tracy moaning about me taking the car and getting the inside covered in mud;)
Try here for parts matey www.rallydesign.co.uk (http://www.rallydesign.co.uk) well worth a look.
Merry Christmas
Had a mini a few years back, looked the business but all the electricals were shot and I couldnt afford sort it all out. Great little cars but make sure the subframes are sound. They can be changed but if its good underneath then its a lot more easier. A panel in front of the doors, the door skins themselves, under the front windscreen and under the headlamps all should be checked for rust as it seems these are prone areas. All are easily sourced. The engines are easy to work with but I found them a pain for access as theres not a lot of room in the front.
minifun
27-12-07, 10:58 AM
Check the shell for rust, sub frames can be changed, shell has to be welded! Check boot floor where sub frames mounts, under back seat in corners, rust here fails mot as its close to subframe mount. inner and outer sills and floors and the bottom of front windscreen. They rust around headlights and top of wing. I bought one mini that looked great till I pressure washed it! The in had holes as I blasted the filler out! doh
My last mini was a 1996 cooper S, it had a 2 inch wide and about a foot long hole in the boot, right at the back, holes in the boot floor, I patched both sills, the bottom of the front windscreen was gone, I had to rebuild it, I replaced an a panel, not a hard job and doesn't take long but then you have to get it painted or paint it yourself! I had this mini from 2002 and it already had holes at 6 years old! I sold it like that as a project after using it for 3 years as an everyday car!
They are worth it though! I don't have a mini any more but I have had about 10 and most of my friends have more than one! lol They might not be that quick but they feel quick, fantastic fun on a track!
Good luck with finding one!
Em
What can we do to put you off this idea?
It'll be expensive in time ands money, it won't be that good, they never were that good, oh and don't crash in one.
But hey, have fun.
Defender
27-12-07, 09:24 PM
One of my neighbour's sons bought one to do up - then he went to college. My neighbour then took it upon himself to do the car up.
18mths later he's selling the finished item and cant wait to get rid of it.
My first car was a mini and I spent hours on it with a mate who, luckily was a mini enthusiast. I hated that car and regreted the money I wasted on it.
Good luck :)
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