MiniMike Here...

[MiniMike]

Hello to you VTEC fans..glad to see another forum for this. i have been in the VTEC stuff for many years having built one of the first D-Series conversions with no extended front end. Car is sold, but looking at project number 2 and weighing options on subframes..or building my own again. For anyone interested I have all the specs for my build on my site.. Nice frame Steve! hope to see this one in person and running at MMW2008!

[jimfai]

hey mike, i thought you were building a rear wheel set up for the last couple years??

[MiniMike]

Hey Jim, long time no talk! No, have been focussed on the Moke for the past few years..did a complete restoration on it and just putting a new hood and side curtains on, and then hope to sell to fund the next project..

[Ironraven]

I'll have to check out the specs for that D-series frame on your site! I'm no welder but it'd be nifty to look at anyway...

[MiniMike]

The build is detailed here Build (http://minimikebc.tripod.com/VTEC/VTEC1.html) and the frame dimensions here. Measurements (http://minimike2bc.tripod.com/VTEC8.html) .not as pretty as the one Steve is building , but functional for a D series without increasing the front end, and using Mini supension and brakes. Mike

[kenru]

MiniMike,
Fantastic job on the build! Terrific attention to detail.

I am about to begin a B18C1 VTEC conversion on my 66 Austin Mini. I am fascinated with the removable front end you built, and I am thinking I would like to incorporate that into my build as well.

It appears you have supported the front using two pins. Are there any more detailed pictures on your web site? I’d be interested too, in your satisfaction with this arrangement. Is there anything you would do differently?

Thanks much,
Ken

[N. J.]

Hey there, Mike! Good to have you here. Seeing your work at WME had no small part in my decision to VTEC my car!

N J

[MiniMike]

There are a few more pictures here.. http://minimike3bc.tripod.com/index.html. The front was supported on hood pins bought from the local hot rod shop.. the subframe holes were drilled out to accomodate the larger pins. The rear was atached to the A panel using the brackets you can see on the web pages, which were welded to the wings and the a panels. The seam covers and flares were added after bolting on the front, and had to come off each time I removed the front..I did this so you could not tell the front was removable. The bolts holding it on were all under the wings. There were also two small screws with nyloc nuts that help the inside of the wing to the inner panel near the firewall. It took about 10 minutes to remove, and the same to reinstall..most servicing was done through the normal hood opening..If I did it again, I would cet the flars so I did not have to remove them, but still keep the seam covers the same.

[Quickcarnut]

mike is that indigo blue

[MiniMike]

No the color is Tahiti Blue Pearl, with Mazda Sunshine Yellow roof..Dupont base clear paint.