Back in the Saddle!
Discussion
After a break of hm-hmm (30+, actually) years from real Minis, I'm gathering information for a resurrection of my old 1380 Mk3 to a B-road blaster and occasional commuter. It has been slowly dissolving in the shed at the end of Mum's garden (she wants gone, and an outdoor bar in there), and was a visual homage to a blue and white (Narita?) Mini that appeared in an early issue of MiniWorld. I lusted after some KAD fourpots at the time, but had to make do with a scrapyard-sourced Metro Turbo calipers and uprights conversion (for the better ball-joints) which (I think?) used neg-camber lower arms to restore camber to standard.
The reason for Blue's retirement was a bid for freedom by the drop gears, a chocolate diff and synchros, and a self-destructive keyway for the crank pulley, although to be fair I probably wasn't a very mechanically-sympathetic driver in those days....
I know we've probably attained 'peak mini' some years ago, but I'm hoping that there have been some durability and technical developments in the last three decades.
I see from preliminary probings that rubber cones are the preferred flavour for a road car, and I prefer the 10" wheel look, so decent brakes would have to fit into those.
What else is there that I should consider? Is there a concise roundup somewhere of the current state of play? I've even considered (whisper it) the heresy of a Vtec swap.
Answers on a postcard please.
Stay lucky.
Iz.
The reason for Blue's retirement was a bid for freedom by the drop gears, a chocolate diff and synchros, and a self-destructive keyway for the crank pulley, although to be fair I probably wasn't a very mechanically-sympathetic driver in those days....
I know we've probably attained 'peak mini' some years ago, but I'm hoping that there have been some durability and technical developments in the last three decades.
I see from preliminary probings that rubber cones are the preferred flavour for a road car, and I prefer the 10" wheel look, so decent brakes would have to fit into those.
What else is there that I should consider? Is there a concise roundup somewhere of the current state of play? I've even considered (whisper it) the heresy of a Vtec swap.
Answers on a postcard please.
Stay lucky.
Iz.
I ve got KAD four pots on mine ,on ten inch minilites, they will bring it to a halt very rapidly, but need a hefty shove as no servo.
Definitely keep the rubber cones-those coil spring conversions are s
t!
While I m sure a vtec conversion would be extremely good fun, I d only consider one if it fitted under a standard front end-those with extended front wings and bonnets look awful to me
I ve got a fresh ML motorsport 1330 with an AC Dodd fast road cam and some other bits in mine, probably 90bhp if I m lucky, and whilst not blisteringly fast , it s very usable.
I ve had a 1380 with a genuine 120 bhp in a previous car, massive fun to drive, except in town-it just became a pain in the arse unless you were driving it flat out.
Good luck
Definitely keep the rubber cones-those coil spring conversions are s
t! While I m sure a vtec conversion would be extremely good fun, I d only consider one if it fitted under a standard front end-those with extended front wings and bonnets look awful to me
I ve got a fresh ML motorsport 1330 with an AC Dodd fast road cam and some other bits in mine, probably 90bhp if I m lucky, and whilst not blisteringly fast , it s very usable.
I ve had a 1380 with a genuine 120 bhp in a previous car, massive fun to drive, except in town-it just became a pain in the arse unless you were driving it flat out.
Good luck
Edited by and31 on Thursday 19th June 22:47
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