I forget his name but if we're talking about the same guy/car, it's featured in Minitec's gallery. Tahiti Blue (or similar) with a Zeemax body kit. I didn't see it in person, but it photographs really well. It, too, would be a MBT subframe w/4" extension flipfront. I forget the name of the coastline, but on Maui there's a remarkable, very twisty road on the way to the black sand beaches. Mabye too tight and twisty for a B-series type R. It would be so easy to launch it into the bamboo groves. Wouldn't want that. I drove that road about 8 years ago in a mustang 'vert rental car (all the while wishing I had been driving something that could corner...). I've only visited Kauai and Maui. Each time, I've loved the twisties and scenery, but was hindered by the hordes of fellow tourists. Are there any less-traveled, but cool roads on those islands? Awesome places attract lots of people. Just one of the tradeoffs, right?

 

Hi Mini Maniacs,
The Franknmini has not disappointed in the fun department. Power is bone-stock, having dynoed at 140hp at the wheels, 160 at the flywheel (estimated). My DC Sports headers that took me a month to get, add nothing other than a great look and more sound. The car has not been trouble-free, but not too bad either. The boys at Minitec double-filled it with oil and it developed a pinhole coolant leak at the intake throttle body. It also was not delivered with the Falken tires Norm said it would have, instead, it was shod with some E-bay Bridgestone European Potenza's one of which had a plug in it. After about 2000 miles on the clock, I've managed to spin the fronts practically down to wear bars without even trying.

The car as delivered had wicked torque steer that didn't disappear until I bumped a curb at work and had to replace the rack. The new rack made all the difference in the world (very little torque steer and a much more pleasant car to drive). The two wiring harnesses on the steering column seem to be causing intermittment computer/speedo problems and error code faults that have eldued deciphering.

This weekend, the new rack decided it didn't like me turning the steering wheel without the car in motion, and is now behaving like it's broken teeth off (clunking noise when I turn the wheel). I'm very frustrated and perplexed by this problem. I also need to replace the two terminal blocks on the column as a couple of wires are coming loose. I'm going to contact Norm tomorrow to see if perhaps he's heard of a bad batch of rack and pinion units coming out of the UK (my mini is RHD). I purchased this replacement from his supplier, GB car parts back in May.

I've had issues with the clevis rod on the Wilwood brake pedal coming loose and making braking almost no-existent. It also causes the brake light switch to stay on permanently. I've also had to tighten lots of bolts due to vibration. Some minor surface rust appears on the subframe and some bolts (not a big deal, as i keep up with cleaning,lube/refinishing as necessary). I don't drive in the rain unless I happen to gte stuck in it, so it's a little annoying, but it's English, so I guess it upholds the tradition!

The lamp in the driving light switch has gone out and the wipers are completely ineffective and removing water from the windshield. I'm told by other mini owners (and Norm) that this is totally normal.

The turn signal flasher took a dump and I had to replace it with the "heavy duty" version ($6). It was easy to remove the dash panel, but a real pain getting it back on. My wife had to replace the washers and wingnuts becasue my hands were just a little too big to get them through the vents with enough dexterity to get them lined-up and threaded back on the retention studs.

The wide tires kick up stones that pock mark the leading edge of the rear flares, Norm says this is a problem that they have never had a good solution for.

My mini has a racing fuel cell and I've had trouble with the gauge wires coming loose at the tank and I'm also have some trouble with the float sticking in the tank.

The last problem is an annoying oil seepage from the VTEC solenoid that is just annoying and not serious.

If I can solve my steering rack problems I'll be very happy. I would be interested in hearing if anyone has had similar issues with their classic minis. The rack is a standard miini part and I'm going to look for a beefed-up racing version, if such a thing exists.

The car is a hoot, I love it and it was worth the wait. It's not perfect and needs to tinkered with, but it's fast, fun and good value for money. I do wish that Norm and Ben were better at communication both before and after delivery.

I'll bet that a D-series mini will be plenty fast and fun to drive. My B16 never disappoints in its ability to move along. The K must be a handful and Lance's (Meno's) supercharged K must be insane.

 

Thanks for the updates on the vtec mini. I can't get enough of them. I used to have a heavely modified 64 cooper S that was a handfull to drive. I can only imagine (dream) of what yours must me like. Did your vtec Mini come with some kind of warrantee? Those small naging problems with a car can take all the fun out of them.

 

Keith,

I'm reposting my questions in your thread... where they belong (instead of Meno's build)

How's your frankenmini doing? Do you have the steering rack/column electricals under control? Any advise for those of us with baby bionics that are still in the Minitec labratory? I really hope Norman (Tom?) has a "Version 3.0 interface" for the steering column electricals, guages etc.

I was just thinking, your car (maybe mine as well?) still have trace amounts of Lucas electrical-- wiper motor & switches, turn signals and ignition switch. Right? Are any of those causing you problems these days?

I'm still hoping for a relatively maintence-free bionic little bro... partly due to minimal electronic options. No radio, no auto-dimming mirrors, no power locks, no ICE, "no nothin'" other than bare bones mini.

Right now about the only in cab option that I'm considering is a gun rack for my BB gun--and Lucas doesn't make those!

Do your gauges behave?

 

I am so jealous! I have gone absolutely Classic Mini nuts... Would love to see more pictures...

 

Still in process but I should have a Vtec powered Mini pick-up by the end of May. Pictures, etc. can be found here: http://classicmini.wordpress.com/cat...ec-conversion/

 

Don,

Why don't you extend an invite to Keith to the Vtec event while you are here? He may be ready to move from Michigan anyhow.

 

Meno,

Good idea, but I still have tentative work scheduled, which conflicts with the Minimania event. Hmm, don't want to miss a good work opportunity, as this is how I pay for these toys anyway. We'll see.

Haven't heard from Keith lately. Suppose I ought to just call him.

 

Ooops! I should have clarified as to which "Don" I was referring. Sorry for the confusion Dmini but I was following the entry made above my entry by "Don Racine", the owner of Mini Mania. BUT it works for both actually. Either way I was trying to woo Keith to the dark side of the force.

Don Racine, you should invite Dmini to the Vtec gathering as well as his D series truck is being manufactured by the hillbillies, I mean, the associates in Royston as we speak.

 

This just on Reuters: "a black classic Mini with checker flag ensigmia whisks Kwame Kilpatrick away from angry mob outside of his Detroit home..."

Can anyone verify the validity of such a claim?

 

Is Detroit out of the winter freeze yet?

 

Indeed, the Vtec Powered Minis will be a feature at our 7th annual Nevada City Adventure, Saturday May 17th. Our Car Show, local Gold Country Tour, Mini Mania Open House, vendor displays, etc. will also include Dyno testing for all comers. It will be great to see a classic Mini, a Vtec Mini, a first generations BMW MINI Cooper S and one of the latest MCS on the same dyno!
A few pictures from history tells a great story.

 

Recent reports of embattled mayor Kwame Kilpatprick having escaped Detroit in a classic mini have not been substantiated. After all, if you listen to the mayor, there was nothing to cover up therefore no cover-up, therefore no reason to escape. Please pay no attention to logic, reason or eveidence . . . Oh, and that $9,000,000 of taxpayers money (I'm one of them), that's not important either.

Other problem, Kwame is the largest human being I've ever met. He's so tall and wide that Escalades look like Fiat 500's when he's in them.

Cheers from sunny, corrupt Detroit!!

 

Keith,

How's the frankenmini runing? If you need someone to drive it, you could always ship it down here to me. I'll only drive it on warm, sunny days!

 

Hi Don,
Sorry for the huge delay in responding. The mini is OK. It's still got some bugs that are annoying, but the car is very enjoyable overall. The speedo acts weird, the fuel gauge is stuck on full, the computer (or something in it's little network of sensors) throws a code and and the car goes into limp home mode. I'm still having trouble with the steering rack or perhaps CV joints; the rack clicks at low speed mostly in parking lots or slow left turns.

How's your pickup?

 

Can we have an update on your V-Tech Mini?

 

My update several years in is that the car is still an absolute blast! A new (third) rack and a careful 4-wheel alignment exorcised the handling demons. A new set of Yokohama A539's has made it a dream to drive. The motor is bullet-proof (but I don't abuse it anyways). The B16 (160hp) is plenty quick in a 1400lb car and the tires can be broken free of grip in any gear.

This is only one customer's opinion - Mini Tec largely delivered as promised, but customer relations was always challenging. BJ and Norman are very nice guys, but got overwhelmed by keeping day-to-day operations going and getting build updates was frustrating at times. My biggest peeve was that the car was fitted with a used set of tires that had been repaired several times and wouldn't balance out no matter how or whom tried to balance them. I didn't realize how bad they were until I got fed up and replaced them. Once I looked inside them, it became clear (i.e. lots of patches). I didn't spend $30K to get a fully restored and modified car with a crap set of tires.

All in all though, I'm very happy with the car and I would do it again with Mini Tec. In 2010, the car took first place in the tuner category at the Eyes on Design car show here in Detroit. Not bad for a pikey econobox remanufactured by some crazy good ol' boys.

Safe motoring,
Keith Irtenkauf

 

Good to hear that, thanks!

 

Keith-

It's great to hear that you still have and love your car. Sorry to hear about the crazy tires, but happy to see that you've sorted out the bugs.