Hi, everyone

I've finally had a chance to do some work on my frame this week thought i'd post some pics for everyone to have a look at.

Also have a question about drive shaft alignment.Does it matter if the engine is not in line with the hubs as in pic 1, because this is the only place i can put it because of the rack?? It's a bit hard to see in the pic but it sits forward and lower.

Any tips on aligning the engine properly (squareness,the right angle,etc) would great........






Steven

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Vtec Mini clubman. Commenced Jan 06.
Still Going June 07

http://s25.photobucket.com/albums/c71/sunburstvl/

Which type of Vtec are you going again?

If you have not already gone to, here is a good place for Honda info.... http://www.16vminiclub.com/forums/viewf ... 6295b5ddfe

Edit- Just looking for some pics on that site and found your post re: driveshaft alignment

This may sound a little imprecise but you will see if its not straight. The 'straight' section along the back of the wall is a good point to line the head/manifold up off. I would be doing my darndest to get the CVs back as far as possible. Not only will you get a better driveshaft angle but the centre of gravity will be further towards the centre of the car. In addition you will get more room up front for a radiator.

Good to see you've started, apart from Simon (SSKSSGSNWNSS) , I'm not certain if we've seen a Honda done yet.

JC

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But he's thriving and striving and hugging the turns.

Hi Steven,

Firstly congrats on getting started, that is the hardest part.

To answer your question, is the mini hub in the fully extended (fully down) or fully compressed (fully up) position.

If its fully up, as in compressed, then this is not a bad position, as once the suspension goes mid travel then the driveshaft alignment will be pretty good.

If it is in the fully extended position then you have got problems, as when the suspension returns to mid-position (or further when compressed) this will aggravate the CV angle further than it already is.

Try and get the output joints of the gearbox, as central as possible to the Mini original subframe shaft portals - this will allow for fairly close alignment.

In saying all this - the driveshaft alignment is not mission critical, as we have CV joints to allow for some deviation. But try and be as central to the portals as the gearbox/engine/rack will allow.

Regards,
Tricky

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

Have you had to hack at sump to get a line from the bottom of the hub to the eyelet at the front of the frame?

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But he's thriving and striving and hugging the turns.

Steven,

Just an observation - if you tilted the motor forward a couple of degrees, would this help to align the output shafts better??

Regards,
Tricky

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

In the pic the suspension is sitting on the rubber bump stop on the tower so its as far up as it goes.
and as for tilting the engine further forward i will hit the left tie bar.

So i'm sort of stuck where the engine is because i can't go back(rack) and can't go forward Tie bar) and i don't really wont to move the rack back like some other people are doing.so hopefully the cv angle will be alright....

hi stripped 63 i've had to cut the sump and put the tie bar mount further forward so i have room for the tie bar, i will just get my adjustable tie rod extended abit.

Thanks for the feedback fellas

_________________
Vtec Mini clubman. Commenced Jan 06.
Still Going June 07

http://s25.photobucket.com/albums/c71/sunburstvl/

Steve,

if the suspension is fully compressed (that is right up) then that driveshaft angle should be sweet.

Best of luck.

Regards,
Tricky

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

hey everyone just another quick update.

Ive got the engineer coming on tuesday arvo to have a look and to tell me what needs to done.
i'll let u guys know what he thinks and whether he will take it on or not.

Ive got most of the frame tacked together just waiting to see how much space im allowed between my drive shafts and the frame before i start the mounts because at the moment ive got about 5mm, so ill wait and see what the engineer thinks.

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Vtec Mini clubman. Commenced Jan 06.
Still Going June 07

http://s25.photobucket.com/albums/c71/sunburstvl/

Good progress. Good idea taking off the front end. Are you able to fit the front end on to check clearances?

_________________
But he's thriving and striving and hugging the turns.

yeh ive had the flip front on and theres plenty of room on top but its gona be a tight fit for radiator but should be ok. Ive just got to strengthen the front up a bit more, its a little flimsy.

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Vtec Mini clubman. Commenced Jan 06.
Still Going June 07

http://s25.photobucket.com/albums/c71/sunburstvl/

So the engineer has been and is going to do the engineers certificate

ive just got to put on an engine stabilizer on top near the manifold to the engine bay (any suggestions) and also some sort of adjustable brace from the shock bracket to the top of the removable bars where the top engine mounts go (see pic) any suggestions.
I guess for extra strength but i have'nt seen any other honda frames with them before , i spose all engineers are different.

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Vtec Mini clubman. Commenced Jan 06.
Still Going June 07

http://s25.photobucket.com/albums/c71/sunburstvl/

i'd say to support the fame to the body since there is no front end on at the moment

Ii would say get the engine in there first and see what you can do. Where you have those red lines drawn i would say is passing through one of your engine mounts.

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But he's thriving and striving and hugging the turns.