Lightening suspension components
Discussion
Starting my mini build from the bottom up, and was looking to lose a few pounds along the way (both £ and lbs. 
)
So, best ways of lowering unsprung weight firstly? Currently thinking alloy carriers and hubs at the front, possibly disk brake conversion at the rear. Also notices the weight of some of the other bits approx 10kg per trailing arm
and driveshaft and complete brake set being around 15kg each side! So any options which would reduce the weight without spending a ridiculous amount, I do appreciate rear disk brake conversions can come in around £650...
) So, best ways of lowering unsprung weight firstly? Currently thinking alloy carriers and hubs at the front, possibly disk brake conversion at the rear. Also notices the weight of some of the other bits approx 10kg per trailing arm
and driveshaft and complete brake set being around 15kg each side! So any options which would reduce the weight without spending a ridiculous amount, I do appreciate rear disk brake conversions can come in around £650...IIRC there are alloy trailing arms out there, but not recommended for road use.
I think you're really, really, going to struggle without spending an awful lot of money on one off carbon bits.
More engine is probably going to be a cheaper solution to power to weight issues.
PPC next month should feature a 1.4 16v FIAT transplant (those will give 110bhp all day without touching the innards). But if a 1.4 16v will fit, a T Jet version should be possible. They'll fairly easily push out 200bhp with reasonable reliability. About 400bhp/tonne. Suit you, sir?
I think you're really, really, going to struggle without spending an awful lot of money on one off carbon bits.
More engine is probably going to be a cheaper solution to power to weight issues.
PPC next month should feature a 1.4 16v FIAT transplant (those will give 110bhp all day without touching the innards). But if a 1.4 16v will fit, a T Jet version should be possible. They'll fairly easily push out 200bhp with reasonable reliability. About 400bhp/tonne. Suit you, sir?
Now I'm sat here smiling to myself... I'll start work on fixing rust on the shell first, then see what I can do. ATM it is literally a pile of parts where i bought it, seems I have two steering racks, two steering columns, and two driveshafts with the wrong splines?? Very confusing. Thanks for the help!
Iv been thinking about this,....... Even coil overs will probably weigh more then cones and doughnuts....
If you went for engine and handling upgrades over expensive weight saving options (which kg/bhp will invariably be) you would have a better car.
I mean if you went to MED or Keith Calver with a 10k cheque it would vanish immediately..... 1330 s/c Arden 8 port........ 5 speed.....
If you went for engine and handling upgrades over expensive weight saving options (which kg/bhp will invariably be) you would have a better car.
I mean if you went to MED or Keith Calver with a 10k cheque it would vanish immediately..... 1330 s/c Arden 8 port........ 5 speed.....
it is never worth fitting disc brakes to the rear of a Mini. The rear brakes do virtually nothing, maybe 20% of the total braking, and discs don't work as they never get warm enough. Best thing to do is to fit Mini-Fin alloy drums which are lighter.
Be careful about lightening suspension parts unless you do a full stress analysis and fatigue analysis as they are safety critical components.
For a race car, of course, that does not apply as the scrutineers will decide if what has been done is both safe & within the regulations and if others have done it and had success in meeting the regs there will not be an issue.
Be careful about lightening suspension parts unless you do a full stress analysis and fatigue analysis as they are safety critical components.
For a race car, of course, that does not apply as the scrutineers will decide if what has been done is both safe & within the regulations and if others have done it and had success in meeting the regs there will not be an issue.
I wouldn't be lightening the suspension/drive parts to be honest.
A mini is pretty light and even putting on a beam axle on the rear can spoil it in my opinion.
The route I would go would be the lightening of everything else and a decent well prepared A-Series or a transplant of somekind.
So, Fibreglass body parts, perspex side windows, lightweight sparse interior etc etc
Too light though and it may end up being a bit skittish.
Mine is very well planted even after ending up in a ditch last week and that is running standard suspension etc (although it is being treated to uprated bushes as we speak)
A mini is pretty light and even putting on a beam axle on the rear can spoil it in my opinion.
The route I would go would be the lightening of everything else and a decent well prepared A-Series or a transplant of somekind.
So, Fibreglass body parts, perspex side windows, lightweight sparse interior etc etc
Too light though and it may end up being a bit skittish.
Mine is very well planted even after ending up in a ditch last week and that is running standard suspension etc (although it is being treated to uprated bushes as we speak)
Probably going to go for a fair few carbon fibre/fibreglass replacements, my list so far is:
Boot lid,
Wings/bonnet (one or two piece)
New doors if possible, that'll save 40kg on its own! Maybe going for aluminium with perspex windows, wouldnt mind having winders still though.
No rear seats, 4 or 6 point cage with side bars if I have fibreglass doors, bucket seats in the front.
Boot lid,
Wings/bonnet (one or two piece)
New doors if possible, that'll save 40kg on its own! Maybe going for aluminium with perspex windows, wouldnt mind having winders still though.
No rear seats, 4 or 6 point cage with side bars if I have fibreglass doors, bucket seats in the front.
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