Non Toyota - Reconditioning Car and Engine

[WanaGo]

Hey,

This is not for a toyota, but I want to start a project in my garage of restoring a small car, getting the engine reconditioned, re-doing interrior etc - and would like to know a few things from anyone who has experience in this. I know alot of people have done this sort of thing.
I am very new to doing all this, but I have to start somewhere.

Was thinking of doing up a old mini - have wanted to do so since I was about 14, but for obvious reasons couldnt at the time. I am now at a point where I may be able to start something. I plan on taking my time for this. This is going to be a learning experience, so please be nice when replying. again, I have to start somewhere.
I am a graduate engineer - but dont have experience in cars.

When I was younger, I had a mini as my first car and we had the engine reconditioned in that, but my old man cant remember the details like price etc.

To anyone who has had an engine reconditioned and rebored to something larger - not performance parts etc, but how much roughtly would it be to recondition a 1000cc mini engine, and rebore to like 1275cc or something similar. There are engines out there rebored to 1340cc or so. Not sure if they are the 1000cc engine, or a 1200 or 1300 or something, but I think a 1000cc can go to 1275.
What sort of money would I be roughly looking at. larger pistons, valves replaces and reground etc - all the normal stuff.

Body work - for something like a mini, is repairing rust on them a difficult task, and are there many places on a mini that are most troublesome? I would probably get the exterior body work done pro, as I have no experience with that - but welding/other parts, I am willing to give a go. I have done some welding and about to buy myslef a mig if I start this project.

Suspension. I have seen minis with aftermarket adjustables etc, so I know its possible - but how available is suspension for a mini, and would it be something special, or do you heavily modify the chassis and fit something regular in there?

Dash/internals. I have seen some nice custom work, and would be willing to give this a good go myself. If I fail, then there is always somewhere to take it.

If you have anything to say that would help out, please let me know.

I havent purchased a car yet, but I want to know what sort of price I am in for, and what exactly I am in for.

I dont want anything HARD OUT. Again this is a learning experience. I just want to learn how to do it right, and make the most of what I can get my hands on - without spending thousands and thousands.

Budget probably 1-3k on mini, 1k or so on engine reconditioning, and 1k for kitty. Dont necessarely want to do the suspension/mags with this budget.

Thanks in advance.

WanaGo

[Ae92typeX]

If you want a 1275, get a 1275 block. The 1000 engine cannot be bored to close that- different casting. I would suggest going to a mini specalist to discuss reco'ing the engine/box as there are a few little bits and pieces that general shops dont do (clearances, certian brands of parts better than jap manufactured ones) Strong bros or Minibitz are two good sources up here, but there are quite a few specalists in nz.
Body wise, depending on year- check sills, they rust lots. Boot floors rust often. roof gutters can get rust a little. front floor pan is also a common area. You can get replacement pannels for all these, but best look for a solid one first really as it gets a little costly if you pay others. Otherwise, easy enough to work on.
Bigger engine you will want to swap from drums to discs. That will set you back closer to 1g for genuine mini ones, or fabricate some as some in the below link have done.
Suspension wise, you can either stay with rubber cone (unless you buy a hydro one) with highlow adjustables, or go aftermarket spring/shock combos...which will cost a little.
Dash changes are easy. Ive done in all my minis I have owned.
If you are planning to get the engine done, then 1-2g will get a good enough example requiring little to be spent on the body. Sub 1g will have rust.
Here is a really good forum to look at/join:

http://www.ausmini.com/forums/index.php

Also a not so useful, but local one:

http://www.minis-auckland.org.nz/

Hope thats a starting help.

[WanaGo]

Thanks very much - really appreciated.

Minis on trademe are all rather expensive, as alot of them have already been fixed up, and engines done etc.
Really need to find some in a local trader or something - but I havent begun looking really.

So in the minis you have done up, have you changed the suspension, as per what you said? What sort of money are those options?
What sort of price is it to recondition the engine? There are two reconditioners down here, I havent talked to either yet - but I wouldnt think either are mini specialists. Parts wise, is that just the problem with standard reconditioners?

Thanks
WanaGo

[Ae92typeX]

Yeah, some pretty expensive ones on tm now...in saying that, they are going up in value for good examples now as they get older.anyway...

Suspension wise I have always kept with rubbercone/shock combos. At present my clubman is at standard height on heavy duty shocks. Ive also had highlows and also just modified trumpets. With the later I modified the shock mounting heights back and front so I could use my new heavy duty shocks, but you can also get shortened ones.
Ive always done the engines myself, so have no idea on paying someone, but ~1g was enough from memory. Get one with a good gearbox.
Some things like the primary gear clearance can be overlooked by regular builders- doing this makes for a noisy box and also it acts as a pump, rendering the main seal useless in a short period of time and dumping oil onto the clutch.
The japanese clutch plats are not good for a mini, best to spend ~100 more and get a better one (euro brand which escapes me right now)
if you get a 1000cc engine, you can take it to somewhere ~1150cc- with the 1100 crank (the only main difference between 1000 & 1100). the 1275 unit is much better for more power and can be taken past 1400cc with off centre bores. It dosent rev as easy as the little one, and to be honnest, at present I have a 1000cc block and I enjoy it the most. I am considering a 3cyl conversion however.
If you go on the Auckland Mini site above and look for Lee, he is good to ask advice of for all things mini (its what he does for a job)
Go down to your local mag shop and buy a mini world. Unlike some mags here, they are pretty useful and will give you some good ideas.
Additionally, if you plan to do engine work yourself, invest in David Vizard's 'Tuning the A series engine' or 'How to modify your Mini' I may have a loaner copy of the second somewhere. Vizzard is pretty onto it and teaches a lot of principles in the first book which apply to all things engine related.
Closer your way is Jai. He trades as minicranks on trademe I think. Ive found him useful in the past for advice and parts.
If you ever want a modified electronic dizzy (ex nissan) I make and sell them occasionally. Much better than the origonal lucas unit.

[WanaGo]

Wow that is great information, thank you.

So how much are you asking for your electronic dizzy replacement? Does it just produce a better spark or something?

Have you ever done a fuel injection conversion on a mini?

I have definitely caught the mini bug now. A mates dad said the mini bug is really contegious, and really hard to get rid of - can last for years. I better start saving.

If you do spot any good examples of minis that you think would be a good option, can you point them out to me. Not necessarely to buy, but just as an example of what would be a good starting point.

Oh - and do the GT engines fit in all models of minis, or do they only fit in the GT. Like does Layland mini ever come in 1275?

Cheers
WanaGo

[Si]

Something like that will end up costing you the best part of 30k...

[WanaGo]

Yeah - but as I said above:

I dont want anything HARD OUT. Again this is a learning experience. I just want to learn how to do it right, and make the most of what I can get my hands on - without spending thousands and thousands.

That is quite nice though.

Cheers for the pic

WanaGo

[Ae92typeX]

All minis fit the 1275 engine. Radiator bracket has to be made, but thats the only main part. rest is bolt in (excluding exhaust, but people usually put lcb or 3-1 anyway).
I'll keep an eye out for minis.
Are you looking for a roundnose or clubman?
the 1275gt has the brakes you want, or a mid 80's roundnose- but you dont see so many of those in nz.
I've never done a injection conversion, but with the two port configuration, its debatable if its really worth it. Ive usually stuck with Su carbs (single and twin) also a weber, but they are a tight fit.
A metro 1275 will also fit and is a good option for a parts car as they are cheaper than a mini often.
I usually sell ready to use dizzy's for ~85, but would also be happy to send you some instructions so you can do it yourself.

Mini bug must be hard to loose. Ive had it on off for like ever and whenever I sell one I regret it lol

Nice clubman above...for 30g it better have a nice drivetrain etc also. Just for looks it wouldnt cost near that.

[Dell'Orto]

Ooh, I know where a Metro engine is you want one too

[WanaGo]

Hey,

Would prefer a round nose one I think, like the Laylands. I am assuming all Laylands are round nose that is.
What is the metro engine exactly? Is Metro a company.... forgive the ignorance, I have never heard of one.

What did you mean by a parts engine aswell...

There are quite a few 80's minis on Trademe - do they all have the better brakes, or just the 1275 versions of them?
Assuming a 850cc 1980's wouldnt have the same brakes as a 1275GT?

Now this may seem really dumb, but 3-1 exhaust..... I always thought mini engines were 4 cyclinder? Are they only 3?
It has been quite a few years since I had a mini, and wasnt old enough to really appriciate all the details of it.
I really need to do some more reading, and get out some mini tech books.

Thanks for all the help

Still have many more questions.

Cheers
WanaGo

[WanaGo]

Ooh, I know where a Metro engine is you want one too

Is it running? or one of these ones you find in a padock somewhere?
Is it going spare?

Cheers for the help

WanaGo

[Ae92typeX]

Hey,

Would prefer a round nose one I think, like the Laylands. I am assuming all Laylands are round nose that is.
What is the metro engine exactly? Is Metro a company.... forgive the ignorance, I have never heard of one.

Minis are made by british leyland in either morris or austin branding (with minor differences in spec) Later on down the line BL went kaput and rover took over the Mini. The metro was the replacement for the mini (although never actually replaced it) and in its earlier stages had an 'a' series engine ( the same as the mini.

What did you mean by a parts engine aswell...

There are quite a few 80's minis on Trademe - do they all have the better brakes, or just the 1275 versions of them?
Assuming a 850cc 1980's wouldnt have the same brakes as a 1275GT?

I just meant buy a metro to take the engine from it. Some people say you can use the metro disc brakes, but this is not the case unless you get longer bottom arms & its still not 100% ideal.
Late 80's minis had discs, but prior to this roundnoses were drum all round...without looking in my book, about 85 or 86 was the changeover point. Not that many of them come for sale often.
1000cc is the most common engined mini generally. aside from the 1275gt, all had the same brakes from 1969 (twin leading shoe)
Well adjusted drums are ok for a standard 1275, but by modern standards the weakest point of a mini.

Now this may seem really dumb, but 3-1 exhaust..... I always thought mini engines were 4 cyclinder? Are they only 3?
It has been quite a few years since I had a mini, and wasnt old enough to really appriciate all the details of it.
I really need to do some more reading, and get out some mini tech books.

Thanks for all the help

Minis are all 4cyl, but have 2 intake ports on the head and 3 exhaust (2 & 3 share one) standard manifolds are basically a 3-1log which is also cast onto the intake manifold. 3-1 first fitted to the coopers had 3 long branches into one. a lcb exhaust has 3-2-1 of different lengths depending on brand. all are good for different applications.
Def have a look through the 1st link I posted. should learn a lot from there. otherwise miniworld and mini magazine are both great mags.
Mike

[strx7]

best piece of advise is, start with the most modern japanese car you can afford. IE something mid to late 80's.

When its comes to needing ANY parts it is SO MUCH easier, and often SO MUCH cheaper. What seems CHEAP at the start turns out to be the MOST EXPESIVE route in the long run.

By all means build a mini if thats what you want, but when you've finished (if you get it finished) you'll think, Man, should have done something japanese.

[WanaGo]

Thanks for the advice, but I have no desire at all to rebuild something japanese. Not at this stage anyway.

If I am going to do something, it will most likely be a mini. And I am not after it being the cheapest thing I could possibly do - I just dont want to spend thousands and thousands on doing it.

Cheers though

WanaGo