× 1-800-946-2642 Home My Account Social / Forum Articles Contact My Cart
Shop Now
Select Your Car Type Sale Items Clearance Items New Items
   Forum Width:     Forum Type: 

 Posted: Oct 23, 2018 08:54AM
Total posts: 128
Last post: Feb 8, 2019
Member since:Aug 15, 2013
Cars in Garage: 0
Photos: 0
WorkBench Posts: 0
Quote:
Originally Posted by tforzett

Generally, I've noticed everyone using either the Heritage pan for like $2300 or an alternative pan for a little less than $2k. Still shocks me that a car this small has a floor pan that costly. I can fabricate a solid floor for way cheaper than $2300 in steel but I wanted to know if anyone has ever fabricated or seen one using 1x1 & 1x2 square tubing for floor braces along with 18 gauge steel for floor pan? 

How many places worldwide do you think are reproducing floor pans for a Mk1 Mini? Not a whole lot. Size of the car has nothing to do with it, unfortunately -- it's about short supply (and limited demand).

My metalworking skills are reasonably good, and even I think it's a waste of time to completely fabricate entire floors. To me, that $2,300 would be money well-spent, and could be better saved on other parts of the project. 

Most of the time, people buying new floors are restoring a car, not building a hot rod (where you could DIY the floors different from factory specs). You're not building a stock car here, so if you have way more time than money it makes sense. Just seems like a lot of work! 

 Posted: Oct 23, 2018 07:15AM
Total posts: 4134
Last post: Oct 13, 2020
Member since:Oct 8, 2011
Cars in Garage: 0
Photos: 0
WorkBench Posts: 0
US
What is really funny, restored correctly that MK1 in Cal. would get you your $40,000. back. What you are planning never will. I bought my first car in 1965, yes I still have it. Have fun do what you want it does not matter to me. Steve (CTR)

 Posted: Oct 22, 2018 02:14PM
Total posts: 17
Last post: Sep 20, 2019
Member since:Apr 27, 2014
Cars in Garage: 0
Photos: 0
WorkBench Posts: 0
Ha! That's how it goes right? I don't plan on selling it once done as I've been looking to build one for a long while now. People said that about my Chevelle but I held on to it and don't ever plan on selling it.

I love building things to keep and drive to enjoy, not sell. Plus I love the old stuff, easy to fix, cheap insurance & registration.

If someone wants to buy lets say a $30k car they end up spending $500/month for 60 months in car payments. My thing is I research all the parts I want to put on it and build the car out on paper, well excel spreadsheet really, to give me what my estimated cost will be for the project then divide that by 60 months to give me what my "car payment" would be as I like to take my time with projects. The so called car payment is what I spend each month to build my parts stock up or save for bigger items. I know for a fact I'll end up spending somewhere between $30-$40K on this project but I choose to do so in replace of buying a new car with car payments. 

Now mind you, all this works out as long as you currently don't have a car payment!

In my experience it's really important to build it all out on paper along with making a detailed plan and identify what one's budget will be and stick to it. Too many people tear stuff apart and get in over their head and quit without a proper plan or budget in mind. I see this on Craigslist all the time. 

 Posted: Oct 22, 2018 01:37PM
Total posts: 7048
Last post: Jan 29, 2024
Member since:May 23, 2002
Cars in Garage: 0
Photos: 0
WorkBench Posts: 0
Keep good records of what you spend, that way you'll know how much you lost when you sell it for about a third of what you spent.

"Retired:  No Job, No Money, Wife and I!  Will travel anywhere for Minis"

[email protected]

 Posted: Oct 22, 2018 12:57PM
Total posts: 17
Last post: Sep 20, 2019
Member since:Apr 27, 2014
Cars in Garage: 0
Photos: 0
WorkBench Posts: 0
That's what I say as it's only metal, right? Mess up, just grind it or cut it out and start over. Oh totally been watching Project Binky - cracks me up!!

I've been looking around to see what subframes are out there for the K series engine and found MiniTec and Zcars (UK). Allspeed (UK) only makes the B series subframe. Zcars are making a serious mid engine full tube kit which I think would be super radical but the cost of the kit and shipping would be pretty high so that's out. I thought about fabricating my own but I like the engineering of MiniTec MTK subframe with attached coilover mounts, although the price could be a bit lower IMOP since muscle car subframes like the Nova and Camaro are around the same cost. This little car is a quarter the size of those yet still getting high dollar subframe. I also think MiniTec is the only US maker of Vtec subframes. Gildred Racing in Santa Barbara is located in my area and not sure if Tyler is still using MiniTec's subframes or if he is now fabricating his own but I should check in with him.

I built a 1965 Chevelle with a custom chassis by Schwartz Performance and took A LOT of pictures for that so I will do the same here. I never took any video of that process but will for sure with this one.

 Posted: Oct 22, 2018 12:25PM
Total posts: 2100
Last post: Oct 22, 2023
Member since:May 1, 2007
Cars in Garage: 1
Photos: 220
WorkBench Posts: 0
US
Hey, if you're good at metal working, the world's your oyster. Especially if you're going to be making custom seat mounting positions, deleting cross members, etc. Just start with sheet steel and a bead roller and have at it. Why lay out the money for stock pans and then chop them up? Have you watched the Project Binky videos on YouTube? Might give you some inspiration.
I think you're crazy to start with a K series engine, but what the he!!, crazy is good! Are you planning on making your own subframe or a MiniTec MTK kit or you have something else in mind? Make sure you take loads of pictures or videos. Who knows, you might be the next YouTube star. Should be interesting.

 Posted: Oct 22, 2018 12:04PM
Total posts: 17
Last post: Sep 20, 2019
Member since:Apr 27, 2014
Cars in Garage: 0
Photos: 0
WorkBench Posts: 0
Not a whole lot there but will get what pics I can of what's all there and get it posted.

 Posted: Oct 22, 2018 11:59AM
Total posts: 1007
Last post: Jul 19, 2022
Member since:Jul 24, 2014
Cars in Garage: 0
Photos: 0
WorkBench Posts: 0
There will possibly be interest in the old parts you are removing from the mini, could help to fund your project, interior bits, mechanical parts etc. can you post some pic's?

 Posted: Oct 22, 2018 10:36AM
Total posts: 17
Last post: Sep 20, 2019
Member since:Apr 27, 2014
Cars in Garage: 0
Photos: 0
WorkBench Posts: 0
Hey Mini Mania,

After a long awaited journey I found me an mki 1961 Austin Mini for my Vtec K24A2 engine and transmission. I know some may not like it but my TSX is paid off and the parts are right there, so I'd be foolish not to utilize them. Took me long enough and my patients paid off and scored a decent roller for $500...yep $500!! I live in California and rollers are going for insane money! Like 2-4k!! I'm really looking forward to getting the mki resurrected and back in tip-top shape and on the road where it belongs and will be sure to keep things posted on the process. For right now, I'm in the research and planning phase for parts and establishing my plan of attack. I've been researching on building an mki for the last 3 years, so it's not like I'm just all of a sudden jumping in to something.

A little background info: I'm confident with metal fabrication, paint and body, etc., so I'm not afraid to tackle the project. 

I spent the weekend and cleaned up the mini by tearing down all interior, trim, glass, subframe, etc., to get an idea of what I'm looking at. All in all, I'd say typical mini issues in terms of rust and some replacement panels will be required, floor pan especially.

Generally, I've noticed everyone using either the Heritage pan for like $2300 or an alternative pan for a little less than $2k. Still shocks me that a car this small has a floor pan that costly. I can fabricate a solid floor for way cheaper than $2300 in steel but I wanted to know if anyone has ever fabricated or seen one using 1x1 & 1x2 square tubing for floor braces along with 18 gauge steel for floor pan? Any thing is possible, just haven't seen it done. I thought maybe race mini's would had this done but I think all of those use stock pans. I ask cause I'm looking for a flat floor (bead rolled) as I will be installing Sparco seats and noticed the mki horizontal floor brace is right in the middle of where to put the seat. Trying to get head room a little lower. I will also be modifying the boot floor pan to be recessed to accommodate separately the fuel cell and battery box.

Any info or pictures would be awesome! Plus I'm curious to hear what others have to say about this as I know everyone has an opinion to say something.