Cita
Junior Member
Posts: 89
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Post by Cita on Jan 11, 2011 11:05:55 GMT -5
As Mini's are becoming rather rare,or affordable for a descent one,I wonder if the Austin Metro would make a good donor for the Terrapin (single seater) MK I. I ask this because there's a possibility that I can have an Austin Metro for a few hundred Euros (don't know how much that is in "real money"),which is a far cry from the few thousand I have to spend on a good Mini.
I love the Terrapin and the technical effort put into it if only...I didn't look so fat !! Has anyone considered a "diet" for the frame/bodywork?
Cita
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Post by MiNiTiCi on Jan 11, 2011 14:17:14 GMT -5
Hi Cita - The Metro (A-Series type) can be used for the front/rear uprights/hubs and engine/gearbox. The driveshafts are slightly different length to those from the Mini but it is an easy swap to Mini ones. I think Rob used Metro parts for his Terrapin.
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Cita
Junior Member
Posts: 89
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Post by Cita on Jan 12, 2011 9:01:51 GMT -5
Thanks Doug!! I'm going to pick up the car this Saturday. For being 20+ years old this car looks amazingly good,at least on the outside, and it has just one knacked MPstrut at the left front.The car hasn't run in a year so I'm sure there will be other "technicalities" to take care off. First thing to do now is trying to get hold of the Austin Metro manual in the hope to do the "taking apart" in a more or less proper way without using too much my most beloved tool....the angle grinder ;D Any chance someone knows where to get a free copy on line (I know I'm a tight ass )? Cita
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Post by MiNiTiCi on Jan 13, 2011 5:22:02 GMT -5
Don't forget that you will need two Metro front ends for the four hubs/uprights required for a Terrapin. I like the look of the MiniSport Alloy front hubs and alloy uprights ...and a couple of sets of their billet alloy calipers...
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Post by Terrapin on Jan 13, 2011 5:24:04 GMT -5
Yes, I indeed did use metro parts - Metro hubs with 'screw in' type ball joints (albeit that I machined inserts to allow rod end bearing use) - there is a slight geometry difference between the mini and the metro and you should allow enough adjustment in the front suspension for this. Search any mini forum and you will see details on this as mini owners often fit twin pot metro discs/callipers to mini's. My engine is a 1275 metro unit with mini drive shafts utilised. Attachments:
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Post by Terrapin on Jan 13, 2011 5:25:07 GMT -5
Another photo Attachments:
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Post by Terrapin on Jan 13, 2011 5:31:11 GMT -5
Rear uses standard metro ball joints - I have used the 'Gould' type modification with lower plate which means cutting off part of the lower hub/upright casting - it is described in a terrapin bulletin. Attachments:
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Cita
Junior Member
Posts: 89
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Post by Cita on Jan 13, 2011 14:25:43 GMT -5
Doug,Rob,
thanks for the reply and pictures ! I'm not sure yet which route to take:a Terrapin according the plans or something 'home brew" based loosely on the Terrapin but with a more 60's slick style look. I highly like what Doug did with the Hawk/Mini engine race car and at the moment I'm leaning more towards something like that. I don't mind fabbing a few bits myself and was thinking of making my own front upright like some of the Locost guys have done but based on the Metro suspension geometry and parts. I have no intention to participate in any form of real racing at the moment and am more into it for the "fun" of building.
Cita
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Post by MiNiTiCi on Jan 14, 2011 4:34:13 GMT -5
Hi Cita, If I were to fit a Mini Engine/Gearbox (or any other FWD transverse unit) to an existing chassis again, I would not use the Mini sub-frame and suspension. I would definitely use the Terrapin/Gould plate rear suspension (assuming that there was no original single seater suspension available). The Landar R6 sports racer used a Mini subframe and suspension with some success. The problem I had with the Mini suspension in the Hawke was one of too much droop on the suspension. The car ran about 1/2 inch off the bumpstops but had about 4 inches of droop which caused excessive camber change going round off camber downhill corners. The Mini subframe is also very heavy and the rubber cone suspension is not easy to "tune".
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Cita
Junior Member
Posts: 89
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Post by Cita on Jan 14, 2011 6:53:56 GMT -5
Hello Doug, thanks for the info !! Half an inch of bump indeed ain't much if we're not talking about top competitions like F1 for example. I didn't want to use the "rubber suspension" anyhow although it seems that some forms of rubber puck suspension is successfully used in F440/500 race cars.I guess it all depends on what we want our suspension to do and what it is being used for. Using the sub frame could be appealing but I don't mind going the "long route" by fabricating proper mounting points on the chassis to save a considerable amount of weight. My build will start from zero and I'll have to fabricate the wishbones-frame etc...so the Terrapin/Gould approach isn't really a detour. I might bother you with questions in the future Doug (if you don't mind that is) about the Hawk frame (dimensions etc...) but first I'll have to get the Metro in the workshop and get the parts out that are needed. The intention and ultimate dream would be to use only the parts of one donor car but that might be (very!) "wishful thinking". In this early stage everything is still open and subject to change.
Cita (Gilbert)
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Post by MiNiTiCi on Jan 15, 2011 5:38:07 GMT -5
A nice upgrade for the A-Series engine would be the BMW K1100 16valve head conversion. I've seen a few DIY versions but I see that there is a company producing complete kits and engines. Specialist Components
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Cita
Junior Member
Posts: 89
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Post by Cita on Jan 15, 2011 11:54:04 GMT -5
Thanks for the options Doug but I hope you don't mind that this is future music for me. I made some sketches in Autocad (send you an email Doug) to have an idea how the frame can look like. Loosely based on the vintage Hawke space frame and for the suspension/drive train,based on the Terrapin. Took some info this afternoon and metal prices surely have skyrocketed !!!! My last metal project was a few years ago when steel was still affordable ;D
Cita
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Cita
Junior Member
Posts: 89
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Post by Cita on Jan 28, 2011 7:00:05 GMT -5
first picture of the frame in progress.
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Cita
Junior Member
Posts: 89
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Post by Cita on Jan 28, 2011 7:01:00 GMT -5
hope it works this time Attachments:
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Cita
Junior Member
Posts: 89
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Post by Cita on Jan 28, 2011 7:06:27 GMT -5
The 20+ year old Austin Metro which will be the donor.Trying to tag the wiring loom to keep it more or less complete.Not an easy task for someone who thinks electricity is something that just comes out of the little black box on the wall and stings when you touch it !! Attachments:
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