Cosworth 4x4 into a 1972 Mini

kmol468 · 07-12-2009, 04:37 PM

Hi there all,

Just a short hello as im abit of a newbie to the forum, but i have been loggin on regularly to find out what can and cant be done as this is my first ford so am abit unsure of it all.

Anyhow lets get onto the project.... purchased a 4x4 sapphire cosworth and an old tax exempt mini... mix them both together and hopefully I will be left with abit of a special track day weapon that will put a smile on my face.

I know it might not be everyones cup of tea but as it will be running a cosworth engine and running gear, I thought people might be interested.

Thoughts and or opinions are welcome

A few pictures...

the boot

I set about removing all the wiring from the cosworth first and removed all the unnecessary wires and components

fuse box before and after

one rusty scuttle in the bin!

Went down the workshop to see how things were going today and took a few snaps..

Gutted ready for some serious power

The cossy waiting for transplant

Mainly I will be using the car for track and drag action but dependant on how things go i might see about getting it on the road. But the plan is to have it an all out and out racer, ie if it not needed then it wont be on the car! The ABS and power steering has gone along with all the electric windows and central locking

I have some fibreglass doors, boot and an extended 6" front end to go on, hopefully that will allow me enough space to keep all the rad and intercooler up front.

To keep it all in one piece theres going to be a multi point cage throughout linked to the front and rear suspension oh and some rather large arches to cover the 9" wide wheels that are running front and rear.

The engine is going to be T34, stage 3 setup, with hopefully a trip to MSD to map it once its all set up.

Let me know what you think, or if theres anything i should be warned about.

I will update the post with pictures as and when significant progress is made, oh and a thanks to Tony for the pedal box.

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maxest · 07-12-2009, 04:39 PM

WOW that looks interesting!

m4tt274 · 07-12-2009, 04:44 PM

should be abit lively

bigryrs · 07-12-2009, 05:04 PM

I will be keeping an eye on this project!!

Dan j · 07-12-2009, 05:14 PM

this is me tuned in, oh and wow

Chip · 07-12-2009, 05:19 PM

AWESOME combination of 2 of my favourite cars

24vcossiemat · 07-12-2009, 05:22 PM

christ, that will be mad as hell.. my mate loves mini's, think i'm gonna get him to join this.

focusjohn · 07-12-2009, 05:25 PM

Ill be check this daily lol.

jammerrs · 07-12-2009, 05:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Chip

AWESOME combination of 2 of my favourite cars

same here

fraser9764 · 07-12-2009, 05:31 PM

Nice!
im currently doing a 1.8 16v vaux engined mini, didnt have the balls to attempt a cosworth powered one!!
i dont know if you are already a member but you might find this thread / forum interesting.
http://www.16vminiclub.com/forums/sh...ad.php?t=19749
rob at allspeed engineering modified that shell and built the subby for that one, basically a copy of his own 4wd monster.

TOMMY_RS · 07-12-2009, 05:34 PM

looks mad lol!

wrx-maniac-22 · 07-12-2009, 05:35 PM

Amazing.Cant wait to see how it turns out.

saph4be · 07-12-2009, 05:36 PM

will have to road legat to be mapped at MSD i would think but cool project

fraser9764 · 07-12-2009, 05:40 PM

im guessing due to the lack of floorpan you are starting from scratch? modifying the sierra tunnel?
what front suspension are you planning to run? mini suspension with 9" Wide wheels could be interesting to get the handling right? i would think it would be easier to start from scratch with the arms, sticking with the double wishbone type setup and coilovers using the mini hubs and custom shafts? or like the thread above just go for a typical sierra type set up with sierra or custom hubs?

kmol468 · 07-12-2009, 06:12 PM

The plan is to use the sierra floor pan so the tunnel and mounts can be used.
The only thing mini I'm using is the shell, so will be using turretts, hubs and suspension from the cossy. Although if funds permit I want to run double wishbone suspension all round.
I want to run 13*9 compomotive cxr's but am unsure what ford type brakes fit behind them! I didn't know whether to just get some and make them fit! I just don't want brake fade on the track!

jammerrs · 07-12-2009, 06:17 PM

track escorts use 13" wheels, think willwood do these sort of things

just depends on the power you wish to have

jonny s2 · 07-12-2009, 07:54 PM

awesome mate,love minis

RichieST · 07-12-2009, 07:59 PM

Amazing project will be watching this one!

PAUL S · 07-12-2009, 09:46 PM

As you are going 4x4 have you thought of swapping it around so that the engine is in the rear pasenger area with the gearbox facing forward, and the rear diff driving the front wheels and the front diff driving the rear. You would need to flip the diffs so that you dont have 5 reverse gears and one forward

but apart from that it would be pretty straight forward and the weight distribution would be more central for such a small wheelbase. Only other thing would be to swap the centre diff chain and gears to a 50/50 version rather than the standard 60/40

tezmanian devil · 07-12-2009, 09:52 PM

subscribed

should be an awesome project this, hope it all goes to plan dude

MK5 ESCORT · 07-12-2009, 09:56 PM

Very interesting im gonna keep up on this project , purely crazy!

botters · 07-12-2009, 10:00 PM

INSANE! i love it

boothy · 07-12-2009, 10:00 PM

WOW

fraser9764 · 07-12-2009, 10:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kmol468

The plan is to use the sierra floor pan so the tunnel and mounts can be used.
The only thing mini I'm using is the shell, so will be using turretts, hubs and suspension from the cossy. Although if funds permit I want to run double wishbone suspension all round.
I want to run 13*9 compomotive cxr's but am unsure what ford type brakes fit behind them! I didn't know whether to just get some and make them fit! I just don't want brake fade on the track!

mk1 and 2 fiesta brakes are a common done conversion, there is a good guide on youtube showing what needs to be done
found it

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1fbBWdSDT7E

although this is to fit mini hubs, unfortunatly they are solid discs, and not the biggest as they are commonly used to fit under 10's although i have seen it done recently with sierra calipers and vented discs but i cant find the thread.
i wouldnt like to stop a cossie powered mini with fiesta brakes though!
or you could buy a set of willwoods or the like, i am using the mini suspension setup so ive bought the z-cars willwood kit.

EDIT: found some pictures, dont know if they are any help, i think this is about as big as you can go under 13's

Minirotty · 07-12-2009, 10:08 PM

macca33 · 07-12-2009, 10:14 PM

Crazy!!

cossie4i_ · 07-12-2009, 10:29 PM

Your bonkers

Steve

Cragrat · 07-12-2009, 10:31 PM

Aiye carrumba!!

kmol468 · 07-12-2009, 10:57 PM

Thanks for the info about the brakes, I think I will just get the wheels and see what fits under them. 260mm brakes on a lightweight racer might be okay!!! Failing that I might have to nibble the caliper with a grinder.

Thanks for all the comments, as I too, think it's a crazy idea, but sometimes the crazy ideas just need to be done! Without these, life would be just plain boring!

kmol468 · 07-12-2009, 10:57 PM

Thanks for the info about the brakes, I think I will just get the wheels and see what fits under them. 260mm brakes on a lightweight racer might be okay!!! Failing that I might have to nibble the caliper with a grinder.

Thanks for all the comments, as I too, think it's a crazy idea, but sometimes the crazy ideas just need to be done! Without these, life would be just plain boring!

Tev · 07-12-2009, 11:18 PM

amazin

paulrsf40 · 07-12-2009, 11:30 PM

nice one itll be a bit of a peperami when its finished

Munch · 08-12-2009, 01:18 AM

AWESOME!!!!

c20tbo · 08-12-2009, 04:20 AM

Hope you have small feet matey, not going to be much room there for pedals, im having a floor mounted pedal box fitted to my 106 coz because lack of room, i aint using the sierra floor tho.

Mongo · 08-12-2009, 07:21 AM

Cool project. Where are you in oxfordshire?

Glenn. · 08-12-2009, 07:24 AM

Now this will be a interesting project.I will be keeping watch on this.

ENOFORD105E · 08-12-2009, 07:54 AM

Hi re brakes the 9x13 CXR is not the best suited to big brakes. I would suggest the 8.5" CXR (with the flatter spoke shape) as this has alot more room. Also with the trackwidth that the sierra will establish you may well need the greater wheel inset that the 8.5" offsets offer.

Twins · 08-12-2009, 04:17 PM

fantastic project

Billy_RS · 08-12-2009, 04:28 PM

Ill be keeping a close eye on this one. You must be mad! Nice one

AlexF · 08-12-2009, 04:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mongo

Cool project. Where are you in oxfordshire?

Would love to come have a look too

07-12-2009, 04:39 PM	#2
maxest PassionFord Post Whore!! Garage is empty, add now Trader Score: (1) Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: Blackpool Posts: 5,654 Rep Power: 14	WOW that looks interesting! __________________ www.cosworthrsspares.co.uk

07-12-2009, 04:44 PM	#3
m4tt274 PassionFord Post Troll Garage is empty, add now Trader Score: (2) Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: Doncaster Posts: 3,218 Rep Power: 6	should be abit lively __________________ mk1 fiesta restoration! - http://passionford.com/forum/restora...-now-on-d.html

07-12-2009, 05:19 PM	#6
Chip * Sierra RS Custard * Garage is empty, add now Trader Score: (3) Join Date: Dec 2006 Posts: 44,611 Rep Power: 51	AWESOME combination of 2 of my favourite cars __________________ Sometimes its more fun not to care if things make sense, and just do them anyway! Vauxhall Nova, Mid Engined, RWD, 457bhp, Autronic SM4, GT35R, Quaiffe ATB Diff 2.0 16v - DIY Specced, DIY Built, DIY Mapped, DIY Abused www.VauxSport.com

07-12-2009, 05:22 PM	#7
24vcossiemat no more Granada's for me Garage is empty, add now Trader Score: (0) Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Lincs Posts: 1,558 Rep Power: 4	christ, that will be mad as hell.. my mate loves mini's, think i'm gonna get him to join this. __________________

07-12-2009, 05:31 PM	#10
fraser9764 Advanced PassionFord User Garage is empty, add now Trader Score: (3) Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: middlewich, cheshire Posts: 2,010 Rep Power: 8	Nice! im currently doing a 1.8 16v vaux engined mini, didnt have the balls to attempt a cosworth powered one!! i dont know if you are already a member but you might find this thread / forum interesting. http://www.16vminiclub.com/forums/sh...ad.php?t=19749 rob at allspeed engineering modified that shell and built the subby for that one, basically a copy of his own 4wd monster. __________________ 507.9bhp and 435lb/ft, Supra diff & 6deg rear beam Mapped by TurboSystems and back end by 'a rs licker'

07-12-2009, 05:04 PM	#4
bigryrs Angus rs spares Garage is empty, add now Trader Score: (10) Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: montrose scotland Posts: 3,661 Rep Power: 8	I will be keeping an eye on this project!!

07-12-2009, 05:14 PM	#5
Dan j New guy 2000 Ford Escort Trader Score: (0) Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: St Helens Merseyside Posts: 231 Rep Power: 3	this is me tuned in, oh and wow

07-12-2009, 05:25 PM	#8
focusjohn St. Garage is empty, add now Trader Score: (0) Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: St.andrews Scotland Posts: 372 Rep Power: 5	Ill be check this daily lol.

07-12-2009, 05:34 PM	#11
TOMMY_RS SHITE! Garage is empty, add now Trader Score: (0) Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: East Yorkshire Posts: 2,432 Rep Power: 5	looks mad lol!

07-12-2009, 05:35 PM	#12
wrx-maniac-22 Part of the Furniture Garage is empty, add now Trader Score: (0) Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: lincolnshire Posts: 167 Rep Power: 4	Amazing.Cant wait to see how it turns out.

07-12-2009, 05:36 PM	#13
saph4be Advanced PassionFord User Garage is empty, add now Trader Score: (0) Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: mansfield Posts: 2,466 Rep Power: 8	will have to road legat to be mapped at MSD i would think but cool project

07-12-2009, 05:40 PM	#14
fraser9764 Advanced PassionFord User Garage is empty, add now Trader Score: (3) Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: middlewich, cheshire Posts: 2,010 Rep Power: 8	im guessing due to the lack of floorpan you are starting from scratch? modifying the sierra tunnel? what front suspension are you planning to run? mini suspension with 9" Wide wheels could be interesting to get the handling right? i would think it would be easier to start from scratch with the arms, sticking with the double wishbone type setup and coilovers using the mini hubs and custom shafts? or like the thread above just go for a typical sierra type set up with sierra or custom hubs? __________________ 507.9bhp and 435lb/ft, Supra diff & 6deg rear beam Mapped by TurboSystems and back end by 'a rs licker'

07-12-2009, 06:12 PM	#15
kmol468 I'm Finding My Feet Here Now Garage is empty, add now Trader Score: (6) Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Oxfordshire Posts: 102 Rep Power: 3	The plan is to use the sierra floor pan so the tunnel and mounts can be used. The only thing mini I'm using is the shell, so will be using turretts, hubs and suspension from the cossy. Although if funds permit I want to run double wishbone suspension all round. I want to run 139 compomotive cxr's but am unsure what ford type brakes fit behind them! I didn't know whether to just get some and make them fit! I just don't want brake fade on the track! __________________ 1972 Mini Cosworth Project now underway -* http://passionford.com/forum/restora...1972-mini.html

07-12-2009, 06:17 PM	#16
jammerrs PassionFord Post Troll Garage is empty, add now Trader Score: (0) Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: telly tubby land Posts: 2,759 Rep Power: 6	track escorts use 13" wheels, think willwood do these sort of things just depends on the power you wish to have

07-12-2009, 07:54 PM	#17
jonny s2 PassionFord Post Whore!! Garage is empty, add now Trader Score: (12) Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: west coastcustoms Posts: 4,180 Rep Power: 7	awesome mate,love minis __________________ power is nothing without control

07-12-2009, 07:59 PM	#18
RichieST 10K+ Poster!! Garage is empty, add now Trader Score: (2) Join Date: Aug 2004 Location: Wiltshire Posts: 12,465 Rep Power: 20	Amazing project will be watching this one! __________________

07-12-2009, 09:46 PM	#19
PAUL S Advanced PassionFord User Garage is empty, add now Trader Score: (5) Join Date: May 2005 Location: sunny wales Posts: 2,159 Rep Power: 9	As you are going 4x4 have you thought of swapping it around so that the engine is in the rear pasenger area with the gearbox facing forward, and the rear diff driving the front wheels and the front diff driving the rear. You would need to flip the diffs so that you dont have 5 reverse gears and one forward but apart from that it would be pretty straight forward and the weight distribution would be more central for such a small wheelbase. Only other thing would be to swap the centre diff chain and gears to a 50/50 version rather than the standard 60/40

07-12-2009, 09:52 PM	#20
tezmanian devil I've found that life I needed.. It's HERE!! Garage is empty, add now Trader Score: (8) Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: eastbourne Posts: 1,279 Rep Power: 7	subscribed should be an awesome project this, hope it all goes to plan dude

07-12-2009, 09:56 PM	#21
MK5 ESCORT PassionFord Regular Garage is empty, add now Trader Score: (0) Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: 1 Posts: 359 Rep Power: 3	Very interesting im gonna keep up on this project , purely crazy! __________________

07-12-2009, 10:00 PM	#22
botters competant bodger 1989 ford escort My Garage Trader Score: (0) Join Date: May 2009 Location: preston Posts: 3,456 Rep Power: 6	INSANE! i love it

07-12-2009, 10:00 PM	#23
boothy BANNED BANNED Garage is empty, add now Trader Score: (14) Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: BALLS DEEP Posts: 6,529 Rep Power: 0	WOW

07-12-2009, 10:08 PM	#25
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07-12-2009, 10:14 PM	#26
macca33 Regular Contributor Garage is empty, add now Trader Score: (0) Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: N Ireland Posts: 287 Rep Power: 6	Crazy!! __________________ People on face book with a couple of hundred friends plus!!! GET FUCKING REAL!!!

07-12-2009, 10:29 PM	#27
cossie4i_ TT T38 Power Garage is empty, add now Trader Score: (11) Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: kent Posts: 20,333 Rep Power: 27	Your bonkers Steve __________________ TT T38, AB07 Cam, Ported Head, Hart Inlet, Spec-R intercooler, Air Injectors, Gripper Diff , Turbosystems Mapped.

07-12-2009, 10:31 PM	#28
Cragrat sit boo boo sit Garage is empty, add now Trader Score: (4) Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: beats so big i`m stepping on leprachauns Posts: 5,986 Rep Power: 9	Aiye carrumba!!

07-12-2009, 10:57 PM	#29
kmol468 I'm Finding My Feet Here Now Garage is empty, add now Trader Score: (6) Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Oxfordshire Posts: 102 Rep Power: 3	Thanks for the info about the brakes, I think I will just get the wheels and see what fits under them. 260mm brakes on a lightweight racer might be okay!!! Failing that I might have to nibble the caliper with a grinder. Thanks for all the comments, as I too, think it's a crazy idea, but sometimes the crazy ideas just need to be done! Without these, life would be just plain boring! __________________ 1972 Mini Cosworth Project now underway - http://passionford.com/forum/restora...1972-mini.html

07-12-2009, 11:18 PM	#31
Tev PassionFord Post Troll Garage is empty, add now Trader Score: (2) Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Coventry Posts: 2,909 Rep Power: 8	amazin __________________

07-12-2009, 11:30 PM	#32
paulrsf40 the dreamer Garage is empty, add now Trader Score: (0) Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: hamilton Posts: 10 Rep Power: 0	nice one itll be a bit of a peperami when its finished

08-12-2009, 01:18 AM	#33
Munch Mr. Sparkle! Garage is empty, add now Trader Score: (0) Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Wiltshire - swindon Posts: 12,687 Rep Power: 19	AWESOME!!!! __________________ CHEERS, LEE Onslow Loves COD! Arguing on the internet is like racing in an impreza, even if you win, you're still a twat.

08-12-2009, 04:20 AM	#34
c20tbo Too many posts.. I need a life!! Garage is empty, add now Trader Score: (1) Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: aberdeenshire Posts: 897 Rep Power: 5	Hope you have small feet matey, not going to be much room there for pedals, im having a floor mounted pedal box fitted to my 106 coz because lack of room, i aint using the sierra floor tho.

08-12-2009, 07:21 AM	#35
Mongo Too many posts.. I need a life!! Garage is empty, add now Trader Score: (0) Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Oxfordshire Posts: 756 Rep Power: 7	Cool project. Where are you in oxfordshire?

08-12-2009, 07:24 AM	#36
Glenn. Professional Waffler Garage is empty, add now Trader Score: (1) Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Darlington county durham Posts: 27,973 Rep Power: 33	Now this will be a interesting project.I will be keeping watch on this. __________________ NORTHEAST/NORTH YORKSHIRE ALL FORD MEET ORGANISER pm for details.

08-12-2009, 07:54 AM	#37
ENOFORD105E Virgin Garage is empty, add now Trader Score: (0) Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: Carshalton,Surrey Posts: 6 Rep Power: 0	Hi re brakes the 9x13 CXR is not the best suited to big brakes. I would suggest the 8.5" CXR (with the flatter spoke shape) as this has alot more room. Also with the trackwidth that the sierra will establish you may well need the greater wheel inset that the 8.5" offsets offer.

08-12-2009, 04:17 PM	#38
Twins 15K+ Super Poster!! Garage is empty, add now Trader Score: (14) Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: ESSEX Posts: 15,591 Rep Power: 23	fantastic project __________________ My carbon clad s2

08-12-2009, 04:28 PM	#39
Billy_RS Sierra RS Cosworth Owner! Garage is empty, add now Trader Score: (2) Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Emirates Stadium! Posts: 4,122 Rep Power: 11	Ill be keeping a close eye on this one. You must be mad! Nice one __________________ Cheers Billy