just recently purchased this beast of a mini:

http://photobucket.com/albums/c381/SWEE ... 0Car/?sc=1

already got pretty much all the mods it needs except i am a paraplegic and so need to add hand controls. i have already puchased hand controls for accelerator and brake and am currently searching for a hand controlled clutch system which i have found a few options in the UK. i was wondering if anyone has added power steering to a mini and how hard it is to do? with the power ive got under the bonnet of this thing im not too confident steering with one hand with no power steering.

also if anyone knows any other paraplegic mini drivers let me know as i think im pretty unique

There have been a few threads on power steering in a mini, try the search function.

I found this one (that got locked) which may be helpful.

http://www.ausmini.com/forums/viewtopic ... r+steering

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One should never skimp on the zip ties.

I was speaking with Tony (Convertable Mini) about this on Friday. He has the solution you seek and for only $250, cheap. He is a really genuine helpful guy.

sounds good but is that installed? because im in new zealand so it couldnt get installed it would have to get sent here

nice mini
what about an auto box?

yea that was the original idea but i have heard some pretty bad things about mini autos and i would obviously rather drive a manual

The AP automatic is a gem of a box, it has a couple of problems that can be easily overcome and will give thousands of miles of trouble free service as long as it is looked after with regular oil changes.
They are not like a normal box as you can either stick it in drive and use it as an auto or you can use it as a manual by just selecting 1, 2, 3 or 4.
Most mini places hate them as they don't understand them.

Greig Malaure (of Mini Classic in Sydney) built an auto for his G/F with a 1440 stroker on top of it. It was dynoed on Graham Russell's engine dyno at 112HP (at crank). So, they can be built to take a hiding.

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DrMini- 1970 wasaMatic 1360, Mk1S crank, 86.6HP (ATW) =~125 @ crank, 45 Dellorto (38 chokes), RE282 sprint cam, 1.5 rockers, 11.0:1 C/R.

yea ill probaly go for that idea if this hand controlled clutch doesnt work out but ive seen the power this manual has and i dont really want to cut that back by putting an auto in. but thanks ive only heard bad things about it so its good to hear

As for the hand clutch..... I have seen cable operated ones on an MG but I think that hydraulic would be better using a motorcycle brake lever.
The Japs make some interesting boosters for clutches on 4wd's and trucks.
The Nissan Patrol come with a master-vac unit (Like a modern cars brake master cylinder/booster) and a few small trucks come with a hydro-vac unit that acts as a boosted slave cylinder.

me and my dad dont have the engineering skills to make a hand clutch like that but i have found a few on the net in the UK like this one:

http://www.elap.co.uk/handcontrols1.html#clutch

it seems really good because its not just clutch on clutch off it actually reads the revs, speed etc and decides itself how quickly to bring the clutch back up so it is virtually impossible to stall

Where is the fun in that? Might as well have an automatic!

Just kidding, that looks like a good idea.

That is a fairly small diameter steering wheel?
You might find that going back up to something closer to original size will negate any need for power steering. The 16" bus style steering wheels were designed so that little old grannys could drive minis without power steering

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Too many cars, and too little time.

you've got guts to drive that beast one handed...driving a mini is a pretty full on job, best of luck to you

I certainly wouldn't like to drive mine one handed..i don't think i could

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Starlet Conversion:
http://www.ausmini.com/forums/viewtopic.php?t=15484

yea im already on to that one. its got a 11 inch wheel which is bloody small so im looking for at least a 13 inch one and ill see how much easier it is and decide if i need power steering.

yea it is gona be hard driving one handed. i can drive my subaru legacy using just my thumb on the steering wheel but thats not going to happen on this machine. its gona be tough but this is like my dream car so its gona happen!