1978 (real) Mini Rebuild Project

[duke]

Alrite chaps

Just registered through being refered by my pal deathstar - seems like a cool forum!

Ok, well a little about me... I've been rebuilding a classic (real) Mini for the past year and a bit although its definately been a bit of a challenge being a student and not being able to work on it during term time, also the money situation definately isnt something to be desired! But anyway I'm sure you lot aren't interested in my life story etc etc so heres some pics...

here she is in all her beauty:


my engine build - ill post specs below:


the interior and my dashboard made from steel chequerplate:


and finally my workspace:



engine spec:
998cc bottom end with box
'Stage 3' 12g295 Head (with metro valves & 160lb double springs)
Ashley competition 3 branch LCB manifold
HIF38 carb with custom profiled needle
K&N pancake filter & 1/2" stub
Janspeed sports S/T centre exit exhaust
Swiftune SW5 Cam
Duplex Timing Gear and Chain set
Profiled dizzy curve (once dyno is done)
Sports Coil
All ancilleries replaced

other spec:
custom interior
fully adjustable front/rear suspension
- KONI adjustable dampers
- adjustable tie bars
- hi-los
- 1.5dg neg camber lower arms
- new cones/buffers/bump stops
- poly engine mounts
- adjustable rear camber brackets
braided hoses all round
custom wiring loom
8.4" grooved and crossdrilled front discs
12" rover pepperpot alloy wheels

so anyway...

hope to chat to you lot soon!

[duke]

took a video of the first startup (note its very lumpy and is crying for a dyno setup)

youtube link here:

[trg1984]

dash is cool, love the placement of the guages. i wanna put my rev counter up on the dash like that, this is the first time ive seen it in a mini. does it obstruct ur view at all??

[duke]

nah not at all, also very easy to do!

[trg1984]

cool, ill look into it. ive got a rev counter out of a 3 clock dash knocking about in the garage.

[street]

Welcome!
That dash looks nicely made, good job!
Engine spec sounds good to me, should be potent when its done
Know what you mean about bieng a student on a budget, but its all part of the fun

[iRocco]

Looking good - you're brave using steel chequerplate and not aluminium

[deathstar]

cheap thats why !

[craig1010cc]

Hello chap, glad to see your still making progress with the little fella. Once he's back on the road you'll have to pop over and join us one evening at our new meeting point (pub ) .

keep up the good work

Craig

[duke]

hey craig, didnt expect to see you on here

heh as for the progress, i really haven't made much at all recently, due to lack of money/me not being in the same country!

i don't suppose you have a spare verto clutch slave knocking about mate?

take care

[iRocco]

deathstar said:

cheap thats why !

What is - steel chequreplate?

[craig1010cc]

You never know where I'll turn up next
I'll have a check, but I'm pretty sure we're out of them at the min.

Glad to see you got rid of the french thing and have got a decent daily driver

[Mr K]

1380checkm8 said:

deathstar said:

cheap thats why !

What is - steel chequreplate?

heavier and harder to work, id take the aluminium any day!

Good project either way!

[duke]

craig1010cc said:

Glad to see you got rid of the french thing and have got a decent daily driver

me too! that thing only caused me trouble (probably the con rods made from baguette) and have since owned two sierras which not only were cheaper and more reliable, are also infinate times more fun!

[craig1010cc]

Aint they ever, used to love my old saphire 2.0GL. if you need a good set of doors, my mate broke a XR4x4 and has a good set getting in the way (and a pretty mint tailgate as well)