1978 Mini Clubman Estate, 8" drop, RWD, 20vt

[RobinJI]

I made some good progress with the start of the rear subframe today. I chopped out the front and back sides of a standard mini front subframe, so as to make space in it for the engine and gearbox to be mounted inline. I also positioned it in the car and attached the front mounts to set it in that position.



Since that was taken I've also made a start on the left hand coilover top mount.

[will]

Bookmarked ;D

'He who dares' and all

[RobinJI]

I got a bit more done over the weekend, but I've run out of steel for now.

I've managed to get most of the left hand side of the rear subframe done:





Today I've basically added the shock tower and braced it all to the rear valance, as well as putting in a brace that'll go under the sump. The shock will mount on the front side of the vertical box and pass under the diagonal that's going forwards.

Need to do the other shock mount when I've got more steel, then I can make a bolt-on strut-brace type thing to brace the shock mounts to each other, then it'll get a few gussets and be ready to cut out and add mounting plates to bolt it back in with.

A quick shot of it a tiny bit higher than the final height, with the correct wheel this time. Works out as 44.5" from the ground to the top of the roof .

[Jackman]

WOW! That looks awsome! I will be watching this

Quick question, will you be using the standard front setup on the rear? The reason i say is the top arms look quite angled from the pictures and the ball joints can lock up with the movement and possibly snap.

[RobinJI]

I will be yeah, I've checked the ball joints movement, theoretically it should be fine as it is there, although they look very angled, they were actually about 3/4 of an inch off the bump-stops before I cut the towers off. The ball joints have enough movement in them to give a good 3" wheel travel from ride height, which should bottom out the coilovers before they can do any nasty things. That's the plan anyway haha.

The reason it's at that height is to let the driveshafts clear the suspension arms through the full range of travel, as I want to get the engine and box as low down as I can.

[Jackman]

Ahh ok, as long as you have checked the movement. Still looks amzing that low, I'm going to try and run mine low but don't think ill get it that low.

Where did you get those rear doors from too and do they fit well?

[RobinJI]

Cheers, you won't get it that low with the standard floor unfortunately, not without digging a 1" deep whole to put the floor in anyway, haha. They do look better low though.

The rear doors are from Arc Angels, I'm doing my work experience there, and those are some damaged ones they had that I got cheep. They fit really well and feel very solid. There website's www.The-Arc-Angels.co.uk.

[bmcnut]

This is going to be nuts.

[octagonalpaul]

this looks mental! love it

[luckygti]

That looks awesome. You are cracking on with it at a fair pace as well. This is going to give new meaning to the word pocket rocket

[Mephiston]

thats the nicest rear quarter of any car ive ever seen i think

[RobinJI]

Cheers guys, I'm glad to see people are liking it.

I managed to get some more done on the rear subframe today:

[RobinJI]

I spent Saturday this week hacking away at a lump of insulation foam to make a plug for the front splitter. It looks kinda cool even if I say so myself . I'll hopefully get some glass on it today so I can sand it back and take the mould from it.

I know it's a bit early to be making bits of bodywork at this stage really, but I'm doing the splitter as a composites project for college, and the plug and mould have got to be in by the 23rd I think, so I need to get on with them! haha.

I'll probably make the one for college out of fiberglass, and if it comes out well I may think about making an exposed carbon one. Would be rather nice I think.

So if anyone wants a front splitter for a clubman, let me know because I'll soon have a mould for one! (But bear in mind that if your cars standard height it might sit over 8" from the floor. haha)

I'll get some pictures up when I can find a lead that works with my phone.

[Rob]

Smart . . . looking forward to progress on this!

[Gas Works]

absolutely mental! duley bookmarked and awainting further updates


got the IVA book printed off infront of you?

[RobinJI]

Unfortunately due to a very heavy work load at college this term, I'm officially putting the mini on hold until the end of term.

The good news is, that's only 5 weeks away now, and then I've got nearly 4 months off over summer to get one with it.

The front splitters coming along alright though, I should be able to make the mould on Monday. Looks quite nice, but I'm not convinced it'll last long during road use, I've got a feeling it'd get ripped off pretty quick.



That photo gives some idea of the shape, but it's a hell of a lot smoother now.

[Lawsy]

awesome work - i wouldnt even have a clue where to start, watching this one...

[RobinJI]

Splitters all done now.







I'm pleased with the results, it should look good on the car, and at least if I do break it I've got the mould to just make another one, it only cost about a tenner in materials to make the final product (4 times that for the mould though). I'm pleased with the final weight too. Worked out at 1.2kg.

The mould:

[nutter81]

hi robin that splitter turned out great remember seeing the plug at area52 didnt know what to make of it but looks like its turned out a ok is it in carbon

[RobinJI]

Cheers. I'm quite happy with how it's turned out really.

I've just used fiberglass this time around. I might have a go at a carbon one sometime but I've been doing it for college, and it's gotta be in next week, so I didn't really have time to faf around any more. Carbon would be nice but I'd like to get a bit more practice in on simpler shapes first.