by Alan D. » Mon Dec 15, 2008 11:42 pm
Hi Brod,
Good to hear from you. I too have a little bit of a workshop, tig welding, metal cutting etc. I'm from a engineering background but that's a long time ago. With regards to the rear beam, I think Ali would be great, I hope that you have thought about making the suspension adjustable. That would be great to be able to set the car up for handling. I think in the 80's the car was very good in the handling department, much better than the standard Mini, I'm told! But with the knowledge that we have today it could be superb!
With regards to increasing the rear track, as is always with these things. You do something to one component and you then have to alter another. If you increase the track, you move the bottom suspension mounting on the stub axle further out, you then cannot get the coilover to attach to the stub axle stud as it is to far away. Below is a couple of pictures how we got round this on the Mk3, but the same reasoning would apply to the Mk's 1& 2.
I know that it looks a bit of a long extension, but it's 25mm in diameter and made from EN19 steel and there is not a lot of load on the rear suspension! There are four cars running with this mod and there are no reported problems.
With regards to the front subframe, I've already made one to take a more modern engine. it's been in the car once and it didn't fit. So I altered the subframe and fitted shorter engine mounts and am about to try and fit again when time permits.
I've already got brackets made for front coil overs, but am not happy bolting them to fiberglass inner wings. I think I need to brace them from the steel of the subframe. But one thing at a time, my old brain needs more ROM memory!
I'll keep you informed of any further developments and your welcome to any information which I have, after all this is what this forum is all about. It's about time more people noticed this great little car. But that will only come if we modernise it!
Regards Alan D.
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