Tell me about: Fast Minors.

Post by **Lukey** » Mon Feb 16, 2009 7:20 pm

I was curious, what are the fiat/k series/zetec minors like? Could something that handles well, is fast, practical be made with a standard minor chassis? Sort of a Morris Minor GTi.

I am about to start a new project and go to the ring with it, that's the plan anyway. I'd love a fast minor but all I have to go on gut feeling. I've got around 190 bhp per ton in mind. What's everybody's experience with there hot minor?

Post by **jonathon** » Mon Feb 16, 2009 8:20 pm

If you can make it over to Southam in the next few weeks I can take you out in either a 165bhp traveller K series or a 170bhp Zetec traveller. I think you will be suprised as to what can be done.
We will push the Minor chassis even further this summer with a supercharged Zetec 2 dr with 260bhp to start with then see if the chassis with our mods can take upto 360bhp. Have a look at the wesite to see what caan be done and why.

Post by **plastic_orange** » Mon Feb 16, 2009 8:31 pm

Jonathon at JLH is yer man. Why not pay him a visit?
My experience with fast minors is as follows -
Full race MGB engined Minor - similar performance to a tweaked MK 2 RS2000 with as good handling (lowered, telescopics, anti tramp bars etc etc but better spec available nowadays - JLH).
Mild tweak MGB Minor - same performance as a Fiat 2000 Minor
Fiat 2000 - similar performance to a MK 2 Golf GTI
Rover V8 3.5 Same acceleration as a Civic type R
Rover V8 3.9 Same 1/4 mile time as Focus ST 2.5
It's really up to you how quick you want to go, and how much you want to spend.
Best idea is to ask around and sample a few. My preference is for the grunt of a V8, but you really need to do a fair bit of cutting to get it in.

Pete

Post by **Lukey** » Mon Feb 16, 2009 9:17 pm

jonathon wrote:If you can make it over to Southam in the next few weeks I can take you out in either a 165bhp traveller K series or a 170bhp Zetec traveller. I think you will be suprised as to what can be done.
We will push the Minor chassis even further this summer with a supercharged Zetec 2 dr with 260bhp to start with then see if the chassis with our mods can take upto 360bhp. Have a look at the wesite to see what caan be done and why.

Thank you Jonathon, I'm going to be really pushed to make it in the next few weeks but I can come up in the next couple of months.

plastic_orange; Wouldn't a rover V8 require a space frame to get it to fit?

Post by **jonathon** » Mon Feb 16, 2009 9:32 pm

We might be at a charity tackday at Llandow west of Cardiff wednesday 1st April. ( no its not an April fool), but be prepared as Richard from Omex will be driving and he takes no prisoners...........

Post by **rv8** » Tue Feb 17, 2009 8:05 pm

plastic_orange; Wouldn't a rover V8 require a space frame to get it to fit?[/quote]- not really

Post by **plastic_orange** » Tue Feb 17, 2009 10:13 pm

You really couldn't use the minor front suspension - unless you moved the rack back a fair bit (or had half the engine sticking out the front). Many ways to skin a cat though.

Pete

Post by **Lukey** » Wed Feb 18, 2009 6:42 am

Jonathon, I will definitely contact you, it's looking like Easter holidays at the moment. What are the best hours to ring you? With the track day, would I need a helmet or anything?

Post by **jonathon** » Wed Feb 18, 2009 7:44 am

Anytime during the week 8.30-6.00. Helmets will be supplied for the trackday but I will need to confirm that we are going.