Time for a quick (and I mean quick) teaser update here, won't go into details just yet, but I decided there's a few things about this project that I think could be improved on, done better or differently. So here's where the whole project sits at at the moment:

I love making life difficult for myself!

Its called Kaizen Harley - the art of 'continuous improvement'.....

_________________
"Not Speeding Officer..........Qualifying"

Kaizen.......I like that for the cars name!

There should be a substantial difference between the 2

_________________
If you want more inches, stroke it
Life's a garden.... Dig It!
http://www.ausmini.com/forums/viewtopic.php?t=20746

I love that 3D modeling.

You could get a 3D printer and print a small version of the project out to sit on the desk!

_________________
SooperDooperMiniCooperExpertEngineering

All garage work involves equal measures of enthusiasm, ingenuity and a fair degree of irresponsibility.

I can wait...not too long though!

No more Swift GTi? What made you decide to change to a VTEC? Will you have to lengthen the front by much?

_________________
"Beware the lollipop of mediocrity: lick it once and you'll suck forever" Brian Wilson

I've had a bit of an interesting year so far - was practically out of work for a couple of months which didn't allow me to get much done on the GTI, though I'd already bought the VTEC power plant by then with the plan of concurrently building two engine-conversion cars.

Reality has sort of set in a bit more over the last month, and I'll be able to produce a much better result in one car than two. Having already spent thousands on new parts for the rover, coming up with the coin again is not going to be easy, hence the decision to go all-out on one car and not half-assed on two.

After driving Mini-Mulisha's racecar (GTI engine car with a duplicate of my designed frame), I decided that although it was powerful enough for me, I still want more. The decision to go VTEC for the engine was matched with the preference for a late model mini for the donor since it's already had intrusion bars, seatbelts all done and a good solid body to work with. Engineer has okayed the change too, not that it really changed things much.

Preliminary computer modelling and a real-world trial fit of the engine into a frontcut suggests I'll be able to get the engine into the car without extending the front. Physically getting it in there though might be hard though given I'm not planning to remove or flip the front end.

I've already got the frame all designed - it's a completely new one not requiring a donor to be cut up - though I'm calling that one MK2, and a MK1 frame may be built first from a donor mini frame to save time with the initial set up. I'll crack out the welder in the coming weeks after I get the first batch of lasercut steel to get me going.

Kaizen - feel free to use that, it's an apt moniker for your car!!

_________________
"Not Speeding Officer..........Qualifying"

Front end looks familiar. Damn it now I want a vtech..

_________________
Potato

Build a vtec racing car.....what happened to that plan?

Need money first.. im going to finish meeni before anything happens there.

_________________
Potato

That trip to Hallsey's place to see his and Ashie's VTEC's must have been inspiring Harley...??

_________________
"Not Speeding Officer..........Qualifying"

Yeh, thats what i did.....i hate those guys now!

Only kidding.....no i don't.....steve and ashie were great for start up info for me.

good to see you come to the dark side Harley

Cheers Hallsey