Mini Travelle"R", JDM B16A VTEC powered classic Mini Traveller Options

[TurboMini]

Here is a project I have been working on for about a year. I've been posting updates on this build on some other sites in the UK and in Australia, but I figured I should post it on some North American sites as well. I'm in Canada and I like to build custom Minis as a hobby. I came across Ryan's Thunderbird build and it looked lonely so I figured I'd add my build and help get this forum started. What better place than a tool store forum, we all need tools for our projects and we all have our own ideas of what makes up a cool project so we could probably get an interesting variety and learn from each other. People working on different makes and models probably have good reason to build what they are building and can share new ideas others may be able to integrate into their projects. So here is one of my Minis.
A 1967 Mini Traveller, it was pretty rough when I bought it but they are tough to come by so I took what I could get. There are plenty of parts available for them still and if any users on here are building a Mini you might want to consider Hunter Classic Sportscars in Victoria BC Canada. Small operation but the best prices and great service I buy pretty much everything for my Minis there. http://www.hunterclassicsportscars.ca/
I ripped the car apart, cut out all the rust and damaged bits and started welding in new metal. I bought a Honda Civic parts car with a JDM B16A with a few goodies putting out about 180hp. This car came stock with about 30hp. I'm trying to keep the car looking relatively stock with the only external modifications being 13"x7" wheels instead of the 10"x4.5", fender flares and slightly bigger exhaust. Inside will also be relatively stock looking except it will have a cage and some Miata seats. Mechanically I am going to use mostly Honda bits, engine/gearbox, brakes, wiring etc. This swap requires many modifications, and some I am doing just because I can and I want to.

Here are some pics.







Replacement Mini floor in front, Toyota 4Runner floor in rear for more support for cargo.

New steel front, modified to bolt on instead of being welded on. For ease of engine removal or major work.

Parts from donor Civic.

[TurboMini]

Floor tunnel modified to make room for exhaust and modified Honda shifter.

I had to rotate the oxygen sensor so I had room for the stock rear Honda engine mount.

New rear valence panels

New wheels.

Test fitting and modifying Honda harness.

Honda grommets to go through Mini firewall.

Custom pedal box using 3 Honda clutch masters and a Wilwood balance bar.

Partially finished modified Mini subframe to accept new engine. Including modifications for adjustable suspension components and a coil-over conversion.

[TurboMini]

Some pics of the cage under construction. I'm trying to keep it out of the way so it doesn't take up too much room and look obvious from outside the car. I also decided to cage the entire car so even my dog will have some protection in the back. After all the point of doing the wagon version of a Mini was so I could take my dog with me.

[Ryan.ToolKing]

Wow. THAT is a heck of a first post. Great looking build. You do not see old minis running around her in the states at all. Thanks for sharing and keep it up. I really want to see where this one goes.

[Ryan.ToolKing]

I hope you are planning on keeping the "Plum Crazy Purple" color scheme there

[TurboMini]

Actually I can't stand purple. It will be painted a very light old school light green called "Porcelain Green" it was one of the original colours available on the car, but I will be painting the roof and fender flares black. The exposed metal parts inside the car will also be painted Porcelain Green, but the upholstery will be grey/black, or I may decide to do that a shade of green as well.

[TurboMini]

Cage update. Just added some gussets and did some TIG welding.

[TurboMini]

Here are some pics of the last Mini I picked up this weekend. It's a convertible project that was being built with a fold down windshield that would slide into the cargo compartment of a highway bus. He was also building the custom bus, he lengthened the bus and raised the roof and build a pretty nice interior. Neither the bus or the Mini were finished which is too bad because what was done was brilliant.





Here are some pictures of the cage being welded to the floor plates. Just the front 4 are done for now. I still have to build the plates for the back two bars where they meet the floor. Now that the cage is in place I can continue building the dash bar, door bars etc. I also plan to had more bracing to the front bars and also where ever the cage comes close to the shell, I want to tie it in many places to increase the rigidity of the car and the cage.

[TurboMini]

I bend up the door bars and the bars that will run down the sides of the car as well to protect passengers in the back seat and my dog all the way at the back of the bus. I've just notched the left door bar and it's just in with a friction fit right now. I'll bolt on the right door and make sure that will fit too. Then I will finish notching the tubes and install them. That will be the major part of the cage done. But I think I will maybe add a few more details here and there until I am happy.
Here are a few different angles to show how I bent the tubes out into the door space. It seams as if the cage actually makes the interior feel bigger!

[TurboMini]

I'm glad I inspire others, that means I'm doing a good job.
The progress of the evening has been notching and fitting three more tubes today. The right door bar and the two that run along the sides in the back. I've tack welded in the rear bars and I'm going to wait to weld the front door bars until I mount the seats and make sure I will be able to crawl in and out.

[Ryan.ToolKing]

Great Cage Work ! Awesome work man.

[RopinGurl]

Looks great!

It's fun to watch it coming together...thanks for sharing.

[TurboMini]

I've been busy this past weekend but I did manage to get some work done the the Travelle"R" even though I spent more time on Traveller II. All I did this weekend is a bit of work on the seat mounts for the MX5 seats. One side is done I just have to weld it into the car in the position I feel is just right for me. Of course the seat will unbolt from the floor and it also has sliders. I think I may mount is a little further back then the passenger seat. This way it will allow me to slide the seat back further to exit the vehicle and be able to get past the wheel as I climb over the door bar. The passenger seat being able to slide forward slightly further will allow passengers to climb into the rear more easily. But of course I won't make it too much different from side to side and with the sliders the seats can be adjusted so they look even side to side.

[TurboMini]

I've been busy this past weekend but I did manage to get some work done the the Travelle"R" even though I spent more time on Traveller II. All I did this weekend is a bit of work on the seat mounts for the MX5 seats. One side is done I just have to weld it into the car in the position I feel is just right for me. Of course the seat will unbolt from the floor and it also has sliders. I think I may mount is a little further back then the passenger seat. This way it will allow me to slide the seat back further to exit the vehicle and be able to get past the wheel as I climb over the door bar. The passenger seat being able to slide forward slightly further will allow passengers to climb into the rear more easily. But of course I won't make it too much different from side to side and with the sliders the seats can be adjusted so they look even side to side.

I finally have the seats bolted in. I finished up the welding and painted things up. The seats are great mounted as low as they are. The interior feels very roomy. I mounted the left (driver) seat further back to make sure that I can slide the seat back enough to get by the steering wheel and over the door bar as I exit/enter the Mini. The right (passenger) seat is mounted a little further forward to allow easier access to allow people into the back seat. Now I can do a little more work on the cage, I still have to tie in the rear shock towers and weld in the door bars at the desired height. The problem is I an not sure what height I desire yet. Also I will be setting up the steering column soon.

[Ryan.ToolKing]

Why not tie the seat mounts into the cage? Not that there is much room, but that is how i've seen it done on crawlers and circle track cars..

[TurboMini]

I still may do something like that. I've got a couple other things I still want to do with the cage too.

[TurboMini]

I decided I couldn't wait any longer to see the car with the new wheels I got last summer. I've also picked up a set of fiberglass Sport Pak flares so I can modify them to fit the body lines in the back of the Traveller. Also I may modify the front flare and make it two piece to make it simpler to remove the front end if I need to do some work. I have also done some more work to the front subframe. I decided to use round tubing like the cage instead of the square tubing like I started with. I'm trying to build the car without having to modify the external sheet metal to fit the subframe or engine. I may have to notch the panel under the bumper behind the license plate for the exhaust, but if that's all I have to do, I will be happy with that.
I am happy with the look of the car so far, I think it looks pretty tough. I really liked the front on shots, especially the one with the bright light coming from the back of the car, but the other one is cool how you can see straight through to the back of the car through the oil pan and the exhaust tunnel. I will be picking up some more tubing today and hopefully getting some more work done on the subframe tonight.


The hoist makes it nice to do some TIG welding under the car.

[Ryan.ToolKing]

So Cool. This is one heck of a project. I need to get working on that thunderbird more often.