MY MINI
 |
||||
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
This is more of a wishlist at the moment so basically I will take you through what I intend to do to my new (well for 1972) Clubman 1100. As things progress this page will grow longer as I change things quite radically. And will incorporate a series of photos which will show the transition from a cream coloured and very straight Mini to something slightly out there! To give you some idea I purchased the Mini you see here in about August 2001. I have taken 3 weeks off from 26 November 2001 to complete the major parts of the restoration. As I write this paragraph I am half way through my holidays and things are going to be tight but I believe I will have the Mini operational by 17 December 2001 when I go back to work!! I'll keep you posted...
Update: July 2004: Well I have had the Mini on the road and she ran very well for quite a while. But eventually the engine gave up the ghost it still pulls hard but produce a very strong petrol smell and generally was running pretty rough. Given this juncture I intend to put it in the shed and then begin the resto. I am buying a place with a shed so finally I will have somewhere to really work on it. Watch this space.
Update 4 April 2005: Well if you have looked at the rest of the site you will know that I am a fair way down the engine conversion route. But the whole process is taking a lot longer than I thought. But this is mainly the subframe work. Once that is done and in the engine bay I think things will be a lot easier and move alot quicker. Anyway I have updated the wishlist below so this should now make more sense than it did before. Cheers Matt. Here is a basic list of what is left to do to have the Mini on the road:
- Paint Engine Bay
- Install front subframe
- Install Front Suspension
- Install Engine (for the last time!!!)
- Refurbish, Paint and Replace rear subframe
- Create EFI system (ie. Surge Tank, Return LIne, High Pressure Fuel Pump etc)
- Install Alternator
- Install Wiring Loom
- Install Radiator
- Install Front Mount Intercooler
- Install Brake and clutch systems (Brake is dual circuit so a little more involved)
- Get Exhaust/Dump Pipe/Cat Converter/Muffler Made up.
- Get her running
- Testing and Certification
- Registration
- Burnouts
First of all here is the wishlist for July 2004 (Updated to April 2005):
| Task | Done? | How? |
| One straight Mini | Yes | Purchased said Mini about two years ago after the first one caught fire and was incinerated. Cost $500 bucks actually a bargain really... |
| Installation of a Japanes 1.3L DOHC EFI Engine | 50% Done | As at April 2005, the subframe has been practically completed and should go back in the car very soon. The |
| Taking off of front subframe and replacing with dry cone style front and rear end | 50% Done | I have the dry cone subframes and have manufactured the custom subframe for the Starlet engine. Haven't laid a hand on the rear subframe as yet. |
| Reattaching the subframe and replacing all bushes in the process | Yes | See Engine Conversion |
| Conversion to Disc Brakes | Yes | Done (see this in the technical page) |
| New Carpet | Yes | Have obtained a full set of moulded carpets for the Mini from Tru Fit Carpets |
| New Dash made out of Australian Hardwood | No | Something with a nice grain? I am getting lots of tools soon so this dash things should be alot easier. It will have to be a custom dash as the new Starlet Engine will have a different loom and also a completely different dash setup (Obviously!). As with all things on this site watch this space... |
| New Cobra Sports Seats | No | Have decided that a set of sports seats out of some little japanese rocket will be cheaper and in the long run more comfortable |
| New Exhaust | No | Can't do anything about this until the new engine is in. This could be expensive. |
| Stereo (Not a massive one, if I want that I'll retire to my loungeroom) | Kinda | Managed to take out the very good Sony stereo out of the Pintara before trading it in so there is the stereo taken care of I just have to install it which looks very difficult! |
| Floodlights | No | This will literally be the last thing I do... |
| Twin Tank | Yes Kind Of | I originally thought that this was going to cost me an arm and a leg but was on Ausmini and managed to get one from a guy there for $350. Needs a bit of work but overall in reasonable condition. Will look good all painted up. Have yet to install it. Was originally going to run the return line to it but decided that this would ruin the tank. |
If you want to know how much the conversion to a Starlet GT engine is going to cost please refer to my costings page, where I am keeping a running tally of all the things directly related to the conversion.
