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!

[rictus01]

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]

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

Originally Posted by DarrenSV650S

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!

[mister c]

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.