Morris Minor Owners Club

Hello there,
I've been thinking this last week about a fairly cheap (if not time consuming) way of improving the minor's suspension and brakes. How about using the running gear from a Ford Sierra? It would seem that one can be bought of for a couple of hundred quid, complete with LSD and rear discs. My thoughts were to make a mini subframe for the rear, housing the diff and providing mountings for a set of wishbones. This could be tied into the rest of the car and/or roll cage.
Up front another pair of wishbones would be constructed to hold the Sierra uprights, minus the strut, much like many kitcars use. This would necessitate the use of the ford steering rack. I guess if going this route it would probably be as easy to make a front subframe as well?
The steering rack and drive shafts would need altering to fit in the minor's track but it would give you independent suspension and discs all round and a LSD for free:)
Install a K-Series, chop the roof off, fit a couple of child seats in the back and off you go:)
What do you think? Any ideas how could I make the hub carriers for the rear end, I have access to CNC/manual mills?

Anthing is possible - but why not just run the Sierra?

Either you're a very good engineer or you like headaches.

Some of the jobs you casually mention almost 'in passing' are big jobs!
Making up custom subframes etc.. is not something for the light hearted.

Cramming the sierra IRS onto the back of the morris is a fair challenge.
If it were me I'd concentrate on improving the standard components or swapping like-for-like. ie one live axle for another, better one. (Capris are cheap too these days).

Haha I don't know but I guess we will find out!
I like the idea of working from 1 donor car (minus engine), parts are cheap and readily available. I think I'm a bit put off of bolt on style upgrades, the last car I had was terrible (not built by me!) in fact I thought it was a bit dangerous. I know there are companies which make really nice, quality parts put I don't think my budget could stretch that far.
People seem to have managed to squeezed the jag back end in and that's massive!
.... I dear say the Sierra would have more rust than the minor... well maybe not!

Just remember that the result will be liable to road tax, probably have Q reg (or at least age related to donor Sierra) and SVA will definatley be applicable.

Paul Humphries.

Ha, ha, ha....bneccosse I like logging on just to read your responses these days. You are right in saying that anything is possible but c'mon....if he had wanted a sierra he would have asked on a sierra forum. With all the modifications that are performed upon moggies these days what he has aksed about, whilst being alot of technical work, doesnt seem all that wild.
You wouldnt say to someone asking about putting a k-series engine into a moggy....just run a rover would you?
Also if you spent all that money modding the car to the spec he has talked about surely you wouldnt be worried about car tax!
I do however think that possibly the idea would be better performed on a chassis and then fitting a moggy body. I too havr thought about a double wishbone front end like on a kit car but by the time you modify all the inner wings/strengthen etc a chassis would be a sturdy and possibly easier option.
I really think that by all the questions recently about changing bits on a moggy for whatever reasons there needs to be a different part f the forum so that the guys who know alot about moggies but dont like changing them can not have to read all the posts that they dont like. Ideas no matter how crazy they might seem are a neccessary evil if you like to help keep the interest in moggies. And it helps to get the workshops to develop quality parts for our beloved cars.
hope that makes sense?
cheers, michael.

Michael - makes perfect sense to me.
So long as everything on your minor is noted on log book, you should be ok for now (personal opinion). You would be better off making a full chassis for the car, but if you do, why bother with a 4 cylinder, or if you are, just use the sierra engine for compatability. You could use 'locost' style suspension for front and back end - plenty ideas out there.
Don't be discouraged by comments on here - most are tongue in cheek - especially my fellow countryman's.
Whatever you do, make sure you use Wolseley front brakes

Pete

thanks for the support chaps!
There’s a place for the originals but there’s also space for some modified cars too (didn't Richard Hobbis say that on Top Gear?):) What I think doesn't do the minors any favors are bad modification! AWC cough cough.
I think if a full chassis is need it might be better to look at BMW cars? fit a nice smooth six cylinder:) but I don't think I could fit a German engine to minor, a little tasteless maybe.
I'm off this week so I think a trip to scrap yard to search for inspiration is in order!

Jim

Noooooouu!! it was me who said that Jim, hold fire on your engine choice, I have a cunning plan!!

With all the work suggested above - it really won't be a Minor anymore. But hey - everyone to their own. And I think part of the plan here is to get the large Sierra discs on the front, although it's obviously much easier to just fit W drums!! I would love to have a K series in my car - at least it would still be using parts from the Rover range.

oops my apologizes Jonathon!
A cunning plan? Sounds most intriguing. Do tell, though I hope it’s not another 300 bhp Rover v8, that would frighten the pants off me!

Michael, I don't think anyone would advise you to buy a Rover!..... I'll get my coat.....

Bmcecosse, I Admit it wouldn't be much minor left but it would still keep the car alive in peoples hearts.

All minors are good. All people that maintain , restore or modify to keep their moggy alive should be encouraged.
I have a brand new moggy commercial chassis in the shed too!!!! hmmm now where is my hacksaw and welder..........

I'll swop you for 3 that have already started to hack themselves to bits...