Race Car body / subframe modifications

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Henry
Basic 850
Posts: 95
Joined: Sun Aug 08, 2010 12:35 pm

Race Car body / subframe modifications

Post by Henry »

I'm building a Mk1 race car (not an FIA car, but in that same spirit), and was wondering what sorts of body and subframe modifications I need (or should) do prior to going to paint, I've got the cage welded in, seat mounts, fire bottle mounts, fire pull knob, electrical cutoff, dash modifications. I'll probably seam weld the subframes per the Vizard book (seam welded & some extra metal here and there). Is there anything I'm missing or that anyone recommends? Should I cut the vertical support in the front grill out and trim the upper lip of the front apron to make room for an oil cooler? Any body strengthening I should do? Thanks!
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YMJ
1275 Cooper S
Posts: 1025
Joined: Thu Jun 24, 2010 2:31 pm
Location: Beyond the Sun

Re: Race Car body / subframe modifications

Post by YMJ »

Where do we start?
Best to look at another car you aspire to and make notes - you'll never remember it all in your head. Donington coming up.
Henry
Basic 850
Posts: 95
Joined: Sun Aug 08, 2010 12:35 pm

Re: Race Car body / subframe modifications

Post by Henry »

I'm in the States, where most of the racing Minis are butchered beyond belief, so unfortunately I have no cars to look at. Enlighten me! :D
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YMJ
1275 Cooper S
Posts: 1025
Joined: Thu Jun 24, 2010 2:31 pm
Location: Beyond the Sun

Re: Race Car body / subframe modifications

Post by YMJ »

PM me and I'll send you photos of my build
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pad4
1275 Cooper S
Posts: 1089
Joined: Sun Jun 27, 2010 5:57 am
Location: Darwen, Lancashireee

Re: Race Car body / subframe modifications

Post by pad4 »

Hey

heres a few pics of rally preping the shell - crossmember is 2mm folded sheet, triangulated inside, inner sills are 1.5mm steel, rear subframe mtg panel is 1.5mm folded steel, fixings for subframe allow it to move side to side and up and down a little - where the front subframe fixes through the floor thats double plated, all the handbrake mountings have been double plated so it dont come off in your hand, rear and front shock mounts have been seam welded and beefed up

Image

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And with a little paint

Image

harness fixings are all FIA spec...and thats about it apart from a rollcage
austinisuseless

Re: Race Car body / subframe modifications

Post by austinisuseless »

On this old thread, when the forum was hosted elsewhere, this front subframe was something else for lightweight modifications. Photo from ebay now disappeared. It was incredible, more holes than a swiss cheese.
http://www.atfreeforum.com/mk1mark/view ... um=mk1mark
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Lord Croker
998 Cooper
Posts: 425
Joined: Fri Jun 25, 2010 3:56 pm

Re: Race Car body / subframe modifications

Post by Lord Croker »

My compliments to you pad, what a superb example of shell preparation.
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