Hi guys,

This is my first Mini Restoring experience but im thinking it wont be the last. I have a few questions about some things I havn't been able to find. Its a 1967 MK1 mini and its a little rusty. It has the old hydrolastic suspension and I would like to convert that to high-lo's with springs and struts. If anyone has done this or knows what needs to be done any information would be great. I am only needing to convert the rear because im converting it to use a honda VTEC motor. Can I reuse my subframe or do i need to buy the subframe from a "dry" car. I will post some pics up later of where she stands now.

Thanks

 

If you do convert I may be interested in the old hydro bags.Thanks

email: hblimey@columbus.rr.com

 

There is plenty of info online in tech section on mini boards on wet-to-dry conversions. Also lots of helpful owners. Try Minimania.com

That said, please reconsider what you are about to do. A 67 MkI Cooper S is a rare body shell and deserving of restoration. These are getting more and more impossible to find even in the UK. http://mcr.mywowbb.com/forum30/


If it has only a "little rust" it would be a sin to modify it with a VTEC conversion. To show the extent to which we go to preserve older shells, look here at my 64 Cooper S project:

http://s355.photobucket.com/albums/r...%20Cooper%20S/

Please consider selling it on to someone who'll appreciate it and getting a later model shell. Later model Minis (Mk3, 4, 5) are around that make a better starting point. First off, they are dry suspension to begin with. Because of their numbers they are cheaper. No one cares about them.

Also, before embarking on this process, be aware of the amount of time and money it takes to complete a VTEC conversion. Most people I know that have done them have taken 12-18 months and spent a good $20,000+ to do it correctly. Talk to "N.J." on Minimania's message board. He is in the Atlanta region and worked closely with the VTEC conversion company. He knows a lot about the process.

http://www.minimania.com/web/threadi.../msgthread.cfm

Here's one in process cheap:
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/Cars-...1%7C240%3A1318

Here's another since you will chop off the front anyway:
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/Cars-...1%7C240%3A1318

Another thought - there is an extremely cheap R1 kit available in Canada at the moment. http://www.minimania.com/web/threadi.../msgthread.cfm


Good luck with your project.

 

Wow, please clarify what you mean by no one cares about Mk 3, 4, and 5 Minis.

Cheers,
Jeff

 

My, are we sensitive?

CLARIFICATION TO ALL THOSE EASILY OFFENDED:
MOST people don't care as much if you modify a later model Mini as there are so many of them (and so many rusty ones)

 

I did the conversion myself. Here is a complete right up right here. http://www.clubscmm.com/board/index.php?topic=5982.0

 

I wasn't offended, I just thought it might be nice getting clarification on the context of your statement. It's all good .

I personally agree, leave the intrusive modifications for the newer less collectable Minis.

Cheers,
Jeff

 

Jeff, just kidding....

Tavis, can you relate your experiences and costs to convert to help 99sedan328 out? maybe some PM advice?

 

very cool step by step

 

I could'nt find any help anywhere, not even from Mini Mainia who sold "The complete kit" which is not complete at all. I had get the other parts from Seven Mini Parts and Heritage Garage. In short it cost me more money and time to do research and just to dive in with out any knowledge or help from M.M. I am so very thankful for Graham at Heritage who helped me along the way and gave great advice even though most of the parts I did not get from him. He is now my A-1, top notch guy to go to for all my parts, service and advice and if I had to do it all again I would have got all my parts from him the first time!

 

Thank you!

 

Wow guys thanks for all of the posts

Im not sure what to say about conversion of the MK1 compared to the later models except this is the car that I happend to find in my price range. I didn't want to buy a perfect car because I know the extent of modification that I have to do to it. It doesn't really matter to me how old the car is to me as long as its older than 25 years old so i can title it in the US so if someone has a newer model car and wants an MK1 mini let me know.

Thank you very much tavis1 for that write up... I beleive you have answered most of the questions that I had about the conversion process. I couldn't have asked for more.

I know that converting a mini to accept a newer Honda engine is a lot of work but it is right up my alley. I think that working on the car is half of the fun and I have a considerable amount of experience with honda B series engines. I have been doing honda motor swap projects and turbo projects for years which is one of the main reasons why I wanted to do this. I love the classic mini but i want the reliability of the honda motor.

 

Your welcome! If you have any more questions don't hesitate to ask!

 

Just reading your thread and you asked is it possible to convert wet to dry using same sub .......Yes it is just Knock back the Bayonets and insert rubber cone or metay equilevent.....................