Hi,
I have been looking through all projects here.
There are many Mini projects here and I did think not post it but hey, why not. My mini project is bit different to everyone else.
So here goes my story.
When I was 9, I was watching "The Italian Job" in Japan. It was in Japanese by the way. I asked my mum what car it was, and she told me it is Mini. So since then, I'm hooked on it. This project started as my Ultimate Mini build. I have changed plans so many times.
I bought this car in August 2000 and it was looking OK for the age.
Until you noticed something odd. It was very thick seam told me something wasn't right.
Before I could start, I was sent to Japan for 3 months for a training.
When I came back, I looked into more body nightmares.
Well, it was very bad but I had high hope for this car. So, I went ahead and kept going and bought panels to fix it.
My initial plan was to build 999 Cooper special with big bore using South African crank and 970 conrod and MG Metro block. I had everything and even I had all parts at engine shop. But I wanted 5 speed gearbox and worked out how much it will cost me to have reliable 100Bhp and 5 speed gearbox was about £7k.
Quick word with better half and she has chosen the way for me.
Suzuki Swift 1300 16v engine with 5 seed gearbox was the way for me.
I even bought running mk1 for quick reference.
I still have this car by the way.
So, I start by buying suitable engine and drop it in a subframe.
This is mk2 Swift Gti engine and gearbox. Later on I found out that mk2 gearbox is bigger and weaker than mk1 setup.
Then I managed to get hold of mk1 setup and it started.
The problem I had were simple. I didn't have spare time to work on my car. I had 2 babies, 3 house moves, 3 job changes and working on House to make it home.
Anyway, as you work on it for such long time. You do get carried away with your ideas. I wanted to have R1 carbs on my engine, body chop, raked front screen, raked rear screen and EPS...... list goes on.
Guess what! I did eberything
.
Here are some pics to show you end results so far.
Special one off cylinder head
R1 carbs fitted.
Bulk head modifed
EPS steering column.
Rear screen raked.
2 inch roof chop and 12 degrees raked front screen.
Steel wheel arch with 10" wheels
Move from Gloucester to North East.
This was what my mini was like when I moved up.
Since this photo, I have cut off roof skin. It was due to too much heat has gone into it and it was like surfers' paradise.
So, I got new 2nd hand skin. I have now cut off complete roof and ready for my roof skin.
I have Webasto sunroof from mk1 Cortina so once I weld in roof, I will be cutting out opening.
I hope I didn't bored you with my 2 years project... came 10.
Cheers
Atchi
Your friendly mad J.
I have been looking through all projects here.
There are many Mini projects here and I did think not post it but hey, why not. My mini project is bit different to everyone else.
So here goes my story.
When I was 9, I was watching "The Italian Job" in Japan. It was in Japanese by the way. I asked my mum what car it was, and she told me it is Mini. So since then, I'm hooked on it. This project started as my Ultimate Mini build. I have changed plans so many times.
I bought this car in August 2000 and it was looking OK for the age.
Until you noticed something odd. It was very thick seam told me something wasn't right.
Before I could start, I was sent to Japan for 3 months for a training.
When I came back, I looked into more body nightmares.
Well, it was very bad but I had high hope for this car. So, I went ahead and kept going and bought panels to fix it.
My initial plan was to build 999 Cooper special with big bore using South African crank and 970 conrod and MG Metro block. I had everything and even I had all parts at engine shop. But I wanted 5 speed gearbox and worked out how much it will cost me to have reliable 100Bhp and 5 speed gearbox was about £7k.
Quick word with better half and she has chosen the way for me.
Suzuki Swift 1300 16v engine with 5 seed gearbox was the way for me.
I even bought running mk1 for quick reference.
I still have this car by the way.
So, I start by buying suitable engine and drop it in a subframe.
This is mk2 Swift Gti engine and gearbox. Later on I found out that mk2 gearbox is bigger and weaker than mk1 setup.
Then I managed to get hold of mk1 setup and it started.
The problem I had were simple. I didn't have spare time to work on my car. I had 2 babies, 3 house moves, 3 job changes and working on House to make it home.
Anyway, as you work on it for such long time. You do get carried away with your ideas. I wanted to have R1 carbs on my engine, body chop, raked front screen, raked rear screen and EPS...... list goes on.
Guess what! I did eberything
.Here are some pics to show you end results so far.
Special one off cylinder head
R1 carbs fitted.
Bulk head modifed
EPS steering column.
Rear screen raked.
2 inch roof chop and 12 degrees raked front screen.
Steel wheel arch with 10" wheels
Move from Gloucester to North East.
This was what my mini was like when I moved up.
Since this photo, I have cut off roof skin. It was due to too much heat has gone into it and it was like surfers' paradise.
So, I got new 2nd hand skin. I have now cut off complete roof and ready for my roof skin.
I have Webasto sunroof from mk1 Cortina so once I weld in roof, I will be cutting out opening.
I hope I didn't bored you with my 2 years project... came 10.
Cheers
Atchi
Your friendly mad J.
get some pics up of the swift gti, I wanna see more 
Look forward to seeing it finished, how long do you think it's gonna take? Welcome to RR.
