Modified front subframe

[rolesyboy]

Anybody know how feasible/what would be involved in fitting a later type subframe to a Mk1?
I am considering fitting a Suzuki Swift lump into my Mk2 Cooper and already have the Allspeed pre-fabricated front subframe albeit for a later car. Hell I might even put it in my Mk 1 Cooper!
Before any of you purists try finding my home address and sending hate mail, poison pen letters, etc I wont be modifiying the body in such a way that the A series and standard Hydro frames can't be bolted in at a later date. Just fancy something different. Cheers. Mark

[woodypup59]

I've seen it done.

[rich@minispares.com]

you just swop the tops for some early ones.

its needs a bit of measuring, but isn't difficult.

[nippycars]

will the big single bolt not go down through where the hydro pipe comes out and then make a couple mountings for the rear.

Next thing Mark you'll be fitting a Ford or sorry an Aston Martin interior or something

best wishes Mate

[Chalkie]

The big single bolt will crush the bulk head as in the later car its got a tube down it for taking the pressure of the subframe being bolted in

early ones are the same but 2 smaller tubes for the bolts.

[Dr S]

Surely a tube of metal the size of the plastic liner would sort that?

[rolesyboy]

Next thing Mark you'll be fitting a Ford or sorry an Aston Martin interior or something

Cheeky! I would never, never stray from the MK1 in its purest unadulterated form as you well know. Issigonis would never forgive me!
PS Any chance Nippycars can weld the front of a Tickford Capri on to my 1977 Outspan Hooper De Ville??

[nippycars]

You're finally going to do something with that orange ball in your garage that you keep telling mrs R belongs to someone else. ..

[rolesyboy]

Segments of orange everywhere....Ssshh

[CooperTune]

I have been helping a guy with a hand control mini. It was his van in high school so two bolt per side sub. Of course we needed to convert to automatic. The only auto subs I could find over here were single bolt per side. I built a jig and cut the tops out and welded back in different sub. Also cut the tails off the early sub and extended the rear of the late one. It kills an early sub frame. Bent broken or rusty are good source if the parts needed are still good.

When I opened the thread I was more thinking about moving bump stop pad or the suspension pickup points. I think about this a lot. I have several subs I have picked up over the years that have had strange things done to them. None seemed to set the world on fire. Steve (CTR)

[rolesyboy]

Thanks for all the replies folks. I didn't realise it would be as straightforward as transplanting the tower tops.
Coopertune- any chance of some more details around your rear leg extensions??!? Cheers. Mark

[graham in aus]

Front panel issues too, later frame used teardrop spacer rubber mounts, you can just make up a spacer though.....

[CooperTune]

I had pictures on my web site but my web master closed it down. It was as simple as making a template form the late style sub marking the early sub, cutting the tails off and welding them onto the late style sub. We are doing a plastic flip front so we had to fab hinges rather than spacers for the front. Steve (CTR)