Back to a question about the build itself. Tricky - I've only just realised that your (and all the others) 4EFTE conversion no longer have the fan/heater matrix air duct mounting in the RHS guard because that's where the alternator is mounted. How do you now get fresh air to the fan/matrix?

-Alan

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-Alan
I blame my dad for my love of minis. I think I was conceived in the back seat of one
I also blame my Dad for me being 6' 1" - not really the optimum height for driving a Mini.

I removed my heater unit completely a while ago..got in the way of leg room...

The gearshift cables also run where the unit sits.

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

Uummm, isn't a heater and fan demister a requirement for rego?
How did you get yours engineered and registered without one?

Madmorrie

Ok, time for some explanations.

To answer Alan (mearcats) question the heater/demister unit stiil draws air from the drivers side penetration that goes from underneath the dash to the inside of the drivers side wheel-well. And thats as far as it goes. I will have a membrane over mine so that air can enter and water cant, and a length of flexible hose to the heater unit.

I kept my heater for exactly the reason MM stated - its a requirement by law. Seeing that I have a lot more work to give my Engineer, I wont do anything to endanger our excellent relationship and him have any cause to second-guess anything I do. This is a problem we have with Barbie, as Tony doesnt want to keep his heater/demister unit, but he wont get it certified without it - we are trying to work around this so everyone is happy.

Josh - my cables exit the firewall to the right (drivers side) of centre and dont seem to foul the heater/demister unit at all. Mind you, when they are attached there is no slack. I originally bought them out through the centre-line, but found there was a bit of slack in the cables (just like Deans, he got his shortened I believe), and the angle gave the cables a bit of extra resistance and the shift was very stiff. By shifting the penetration to the right of centre, even though the angle is slightly more than 90 degrees, the lack of slack cable makes the shift not so bad (as the slack made the cables 'snake' when I tried to affix them to the floor).

I hope that explains the setup on The Cat - please say if it needs further explanation.

Pic of where the penetration goes through the firewall:


Cheers,
Tricky

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

I removed my heater matrix long before i started the conversion. The thing was useless and i just used the 1/4 vents to demist the winscreen.

I much rather the leg room without the bulky unit.

To satisy registration i am going to mount either electric air pumps or 12v heater/hair dryers which work a charm. I've seen them used in hotrods before.

Let me know what you come up with for Barbie as i'm still looking for something suitable

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

Something like this i think i'm going to go with..150W:
http://cgi.ebay.com.au/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=180186278870&ssPageName=MERC_VIC_RSCC_Pr4_PcY_BID_Stores_IT&refitem=180170899812&itemcount=4&refwidgetloc=closed_view_item&usedrule1=StoreCatToStoreCat&refwidgettype=cross_promot_widget

Or the more expensive:
http://www.aussiedesertcooler.com.au/heater_demisters.htm

Or the basic hairdryer..120W:
http://www.whitworths.com.au/main_itemdetail.asp?cat=123&item=40002&intAbsolutePage=1&LinkedItem=40000&search123=hair

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

Josh,

Excellent stuff.

Also looking at this:
http://www.autobarn.net/halinheat.html

Its basic but may just do the job. According to legilsation (Engineers words), it must blow heated air directly onto the windscreen (via ducting) for demisting and be operational from the drivers seat. There is no requirement ot heat the cabin.

Cheers,
Tricky

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

how big is the "aussie desert cooler" demister??

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It says 7 inches by 7 inches, which is 180mm square - not big!

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

It needs water though doesn't it? not many details there but it looks like there is provisioning for hoses to be attached..

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

Sure does, and I cant see where the fan goes, or even if it has one.

ADR 15 states that the warm air to the windscreen for demisting purposes must be fan assisted!

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

A computer fan would solve that but at that price it'd want to be perfect.

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

Its not leaving us with very many options Josh!!

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

Is there maybe a heater from another car that you could possibly use? What did the one in the Starlet 1/2 cut look like - sizewise & suitability

I've emailed Aussie Desert Cooolers to see if they can provide more info & pics of the Hotbox. If I get a response, I'll post it up

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-Alan
I blame my dad for my love of minis. I think I was conceived in the back seat of one
I also blame my Dad for me being 6' 1" - not really the optimum height for driving a Mini.

Starlet heater is too big.

I just had a look at a pic of Ben's (92) Starlet Mini and he has the original heater in there.

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1964 Morris 850, 1330 Supercharged - 81.8hp atws.
1975 Leyland Mini S 1100S powered - Nice and reliable.
1977 Leyland Mini LS - Project LS-T