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Race Car body / subframe modifications

Posted: Sun Aug 08, 2010 12:58 pm
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!

Re: Race Car body / subframe modifications

Posted: Sun Aug 08, 2010 7:58 pm
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.

Re: Race Car body / subframe modifications

Posted: Tue Aug 10, 2010 12:47 am
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

Re: Race Car body / subframe modifications

Posted: Tue Aug 10, 2010 8:38 am
by YMJ
PM me and I'll send you photos of my build

Re: Race Car body / subframe modifications

Posted: Wed Aug 11, 2010 8:37 pm
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

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

Re: Race Car body / subframe modifications

Posted: Thu Aug 12, 2010 6:48 pm
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

Re: Race Car body / subframe modifications

Posted: Sun Aug 22, 2010 2:04 am
by Lord Croker
My compliments to you pad, what a superb example of shell preparation.