Author Topic: Introduction - '74 Mini 1000, Blue Thunder in NM (Read 23736 times)

MiniDave · « **Reply #100 on:** March 31, 2019, 10:00:54 AM »

Yes, Don (Pup) and I are both in at the hotel. We called weeks ago and got our reservations.

bryanp · « **Reply #101 on:** March 31, 2019, 04:05:32 PM »

I am registered for the Meet and in at the Westin as well. Something the reservations lady said made me think that I got the last King room.

I actually struggled w/ the badging for this car - it came to me as a Mini 1000, but it's clearly not that anymore. And I wasn't going stick a "Cooper S" on there when it isn't and never was. I considered the "1275 GT" badge until I figured out that badge is actually for the Clubman. I understand that the "specials" were for certain Mark III interior/accessory packages, but it seems to best fit my weird car.

MiniDave · « **Reply #102 on:** March 31, 2019, 05:20:32 PM »

Where did you get the third brake light? I saw another just like it today on Susan's car, only hers was silver instead of black.

bryanp · « **Reply #103 on:** March 31, 2019, 06:36:55 PM »

Moss - https://mossmotors.com/third-brake-light

Mine is actually silver as well - polished. We made a bracket, so it doesn't puncture/fasten thru the deck covering.

Whee · « **Reply #104 on:** March 31, 2019, 11:14:53 PM »

Quote from: bryanp on March 31, 2019, 04:05:32 PM

I am registered for the Meet and in at the Westin as well. Something the reservations lady said made me think that I got the last King room.

I actually struggled w/ the badging for this car - it came to me as a Mini 1000, but it's clearly not that anymore. And I wasn't going stick a "Cooper S" on there when it isn't and never was. I considered the "1275 GT" badge until I figured out that badge is actually for the Clubman. I understand that the "specials" were for certain Mark III interior/accessory packages, but it seems to best fit my weird car.

"special" seems good to me. I don't think anyone would give you grief for whatever you put on it as long as it's not a Cooper S.

My 76 pickup has a "Mini Special" badge - I think it's original.
Glad you got a room - they make us guarantee the block so we keep expanding it a little at a time.

bryanp · « **Reply #105 on:** April 28, 2019, 05:13:14 PM »

As you would expect on a "kit", some re-engineering of the supercharger installation has been required. Even with the engine tilted as far forward as the adjustable steady and the radiator position would allow, the supercharger's belt was intermittently slapping the firewall on deceleration. Even with the idler putting as much tension on the belt as practical, the slapping was still occurring and the (plastic) idler was really unhappy. And the other problem was that, with the top of the engine so far forward, the top/leading edge of the Weber was fouling the bonnet . . . .

So we (that is, Darren) came up w/ the solution of making/attaching a bracket w/ two steel idlers from a Subaru that pull the belt in/away from the firewall. this allowed the engine to be tilted back in a more normal position . . . and the bonnet is now well clear of the Weber!

The previous owner installed the headliner not so well, and without installing the dome light or the visors. As soon as that is re-done, it goes to the dyno shop, so I have some data behind the 1310 w/ the supercharger (since that will be the first question every time I pop the hood). I really don't know what to expect. I know that dyno data is pretty easy to manipulate, and the dyno is in Denver, so I don't know how much a test at over 5,200' elevation will handicap my numbers. We'll find out!

MiniDave · « **Reply #106 on:** April 28, 2019, 05:15:14 PM »

Can't wait to see this car in Aspen/Snowmass this summer!

Whee · « **Reply #107 on:** April 28, 2019, 10:05:51 PM »

Where in Denver are you going to have it dynoed?

Vikram · « **Reply #108 on:** April 29, 2019, 12:28:58 AM »

Looks like a job well done, can't wait to see the dyno results

bryanp · « **Reply #109 on:** May 07, 2019, 05:35:45 PM »

The results are in - 99.4HP (I'm going to call it 100!) and 105ft-lbs at the wheels. The test was run at Dyno-Pro in Denver.

MiniDave · « **Reply #110 on:** May 07, 2019, 06:19:58 PM »

Cool! Lots of torque too.....

bryanp · « **Reply #111 on:** June 28, 2019, 03:48:24 PM »

I took the blue Mini to the East Meets West gathering in Snowmass and had a great time (even if I did have to leave early so that I could work today)! I met some great folks and finally got to meet Mini Dave with whom I have only ever interacted with on this forum.

The car ran well and did the Independence Pass twice - a total blast. The only scary moment was when a Jeep coming west overcooked a corner while I was coming east (and therefore on the cliff-side) - everyone survived) I discovered, however, that after about an hour of driving, the Corbeau Classic II Bucket seat cuts off the circulation in my lower right leg. I believe that a combination of my longer legs (I'm about 5'-11, but high-waisted) causing my right leg to splay pretty far to the right, and the position of the pedals even further to the right on an LHD car, puts my right thigh going diagonally across the top of the fairly stiff side bolster on the Corbeau seat. I did an informal survey w/ Mini Dave over the field of Minis present and will look for either a set of early Miata seats, or a pair from the 1999-2000 Minis, which appear to have plenty of lateral support from the waist-up, but with fairly flat seat bottoms. The later Mini seat is the most attractive option, since it will presumably be compatible w/ mounting in a 1970's Mini.

bryanp · « **Reply #112 on:** June 28, 2019, 04:45:54 PM »

Going up to the Pass.

Whee · « **Reply #113 on:** August 03, 2019, 12:06:51 PM »

Bryan - did Dyno-Pro have any expertise with Minis? Got a friend here in CO who is looking for a rolling road that can help tune his car.

Thanks!

bryanp · « **Reply #114 on:** August 05, 2019, 04:26:37 PM »

Yes; they are the go-to dyno shop for Ax & Allies, which does a lot of classic Mini work and is only about 1/4 mile from Dyno-pro

MiniDave · « **Reply #115 on:** August 16, 2019, 10:08:54 AM »

So Bryan, have you found some seats yet?

The ones Mike Playle put in his Mini Marcos look like they might be a great solution, they look period and the seat bottoms are mostly flat. You will have to build some adaptors so they bolt up to the Mini seat locators, but that gives you the opportunity to set them exactly where you want them. When I did my Miata seats in Buzz I moved them just a little towards the inside, which allowed them to clear the companion bins in the rear and go all the way back till they touched the rear seat, plus they sat lower giving me more headroom.

Miniac · « **Reply #116 on:** October 12, 2019, 09:20:58 AM »

I still have a great pair of Miata seats for sale. Black leather.
Also, what final drive ratio did you end up using ? I have same build going on (have 13” wheels) and was curious. What an awesome project!

bryanp · « **Reply #117 on:** November 01, 2019, 06:43:53 PM »

Sorry for the absence - 2.5 months ago, I resigned from the job I've had for the past 22 years and started a new one, so I've been giving a ton of time to the new endeavor . . .

Thanks, Miniac, for the compliment - I just looked at your MiniacI and MiniacII threads - very nice!!

My FD is 3.44.

I might be interested in your Miata seats - can you post some detail pics of the rails/brackets in your For Sale thread? I have the original brackets as well as the MiniSport extended brackets (MONSAB1), but I can't tell from your pics how they would work w/ the Mini brackets.

bryanp · « **Reply #118 on:** November 01, 2019, 06:54:10 PM »

It doesn't feel right not posting a pic or two:
Took the Mini down to my dad's house in Santa Fe - first pic in his driveway - my two sons, 15 and 17, both 6'-2", and the Admiral checking out the supercharger. The 15 year old is Mr. tae kwon do, so he's flexible - we fold him up and stick him in the back seat sideways . . .

94touring · « **Reply #119 on:** November 01, 2019, 08:49:30 PM »

That's a really nice looking blue

News:

Author Topic: Introduction - '74 Mini 1000, Blue Thunder in NM (Read 23736 times)