ausmini :: View topic - Cost of Starlet conversion

Quote:

Anyone that is going to make you a subframe for $1000 is either:

A) Not going to give it the attention it requires and come up with something that isn't worth having.

B) On a short course to bankruptcy

C) Losing money on the deal "because he's a mate".

A subframe to build is going to take one person AT LEAST 4 full days labour with another person helping them on occassion. A competent welder is going to be charging a minimum of $50p/h. Then of course you have materials. Oh and a jig. I forgot the jig. Add another 2 days labour.

thats not true mate, if they have a jig already a subframe wont take more then a few hours. there are heaps of mini specialists that are making top dollar from us (and they are running a business, so good on them).
im not saying you should look for a backyard guy to make up a frame, so people look for qualified people, qualified people studied hard, and charge what they want etc.
many guys here make their own subframes and so long as a engineer ticks them off they are legal.
you might be surprised at how much profit some people make.

Author:	Kennomini [ Fri Jul 13, 2007 6:51 pm ]
Post subject:	Cost of Starlet conversion
I am building a 74 clubby, steel sided van, bodykit, 13 by 7" wheels etc etc. I've talked to "QIK Brix Racing" and he said "roughly $2500 For that he builds the subframe, build the engine mounts, install the engine, redo the suspension components, and install the suspension"including engineer cert and driveshaft mods to suit mini outer CV's, plus the 1/2 cut @ my cost. How much did yous pay for your Toyota Stalet GT 1/2 cuts? and is that a fairly good price for all that work?

Author:	Mokesta [ Fri Jul 13, 2007 7:19 pm ]
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That is a BRILLIANT price for the work. For a start, he's done lots before, so you don't have to worry that you are paying him to learn. Then, you also know you'll get it done quickly. And, you get through the engineer certification without worrying about being knocked back. Oh, and it won't break! Personally, if I was using up my weekends to build subframes for strangers, I would charge double what Andy does. It's almost charity at that rate. M.

Author:	Mini Mad [ Fri Jul 13, 2007 7:26 pm ]
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That's really cheap. Half cut - Around $1500-2500 There are alot of extra costs there though to finish a car once it gets to that point.. - Wiring - Brakes - Radiator(s) - Exhaust - Plumbing - Fuel Lines - New Fuel Tank and/or Modify old one - Gear Linkage You have to decide whether you want to keep it top mount or upgrade the turbo or leave it standard etc.. Getting the engine in the car is the easy part

Author:	slinkey inc [ Sat Jul 14, 2007 5:08 pm ]
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I worked out around 8 grand for me. To an already nice mini (no paint or body work, just toyota mod) But it all went to crap when I found out I can't get a motor with ECU. Well I can but it's 150,000kms and $2450 (front cut) or $3600 with a spare motor (no ecu) of unknown milage, which is very expensive compared to what other's in SA have paid for thier engines. Subframe I can get done for a grand, but still need engineering. Plus guages, drive shafts, radiator and everything else it adds up. And if I worked out that it would cost 8 grand that probably means 10. It's worth it if you intend to keep the car, I don't think i'm willing to go into this (which I had planned too), instead I'm looking at other unfinished projects of other cars around the place. The best setup I've see is the K series Vtec from USA, only problem is it makes your front track wider, not sure about engineering that. . K series is highly powered, but I think they are expensive and they only come in 2 or 2.2 litre (too big!). BUt the kit (althought fairly expensive, $2500US) comes with chromoly drive shafts, the kit has many hidden cost. Overall, kenno, I reckon your doing good. Although I've seen a Qik Brix racing subby for a suzuki swift gti motor and thought it looked dodgy, but that might be an old version or the starlet one might be tons better.

Author:	JC [ Mon Jul 16, 2007 7:57 am ]
Post subject:
Seems reasonable then that I would sell a QBR subframe and front cut with everything you need for $5k then........

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Author:	slinkey inc [ Mon Jul 16, 2007 7:21 pm ]
Post subject:
JC wrote: Seems reasonable then that I would sell a QBR subframe and front cut with everything you need for $5k then........ I 'spose to some other people it might have seemed reasonable.

Author:	mattywood [ Mon Jul 16, 2007 10:27 pm ]
Post subject:
I got a quote from Mr Enforcer for about $10,300, subframe, electrics, brakes everything You just need a mini and a front cut

Author:	JC [ Tue Jul 17, 2007 8:11 am ]
Post subject:
Anyone that is going to make you a subframe for $1000 is either: A) Not going to give it the attention it requires and come up with something that isn't worth having. B) On a short course to bankruptcy C) Losing money on the deal "because he's a mate". A subframe to build is going to take one person AT LEAST 4 full days labour with another person helping them on occassion. A competent welder is going to be charging a minimum of $50p/h. Then of course you have materials. Oh and a jig. I forgot the jig. Add another 2 days labour.

Author:	dove grey 64 [ Tue Jul 17, 2007 9:29 am ]
Post subject:
comments withdrawn

Author:	JC [ Tue Jul 17, 2007 10:38 am ]
Post subject:
1970 mini K wrote: Quote: Anyone that is going to make you a subframe for $1000 is either: A) Not going to give it the attention it requires and come up with something that isn't worth having. B) On a short course to bankruptcy C) Losing money on the deal "because he's a mate". A subframe to build is going to take one person AT LEAST 4 full days labour with another person helping them on occassion. A competent welder is going to be charging a minimum of $50p/h. Then of course you have materials. Oh and a jig. I forgot the jig. Add another 2 days labour. thats not true mate, if they have a jig already a subframe wont take more then a few hours. there are heaps of mini specialists that are making top dollar from us (and they are running a business, so good on them). im not saying you should look for a backyard guy to make up a frame, so people look for qualified people, qualified people studied hard, and charge what they want etc. many guys here make their own subframes and so long as a engineer ticks them off they are legal. you might be surprised at how much profit some people make. Having been involved with the building of about 8 subframes now, I'm well aware of the process and the time taken on each one.

Author:	dove grey 64 [ Tue Jul 17, 2007 10:41 am ]
Post subject:
again withdrawn

Author:	minimetoy [ Tue Jul 17, 2007 12:15 pm ]
Post subject:
A few hours to make a subframe

Author:	Archangel007 [ Tue Jul 17, 2007 6:37 pm ]
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minimetoy wrote: A few hours to make a subframe Yes Dan, my comments exactly!!

Author:	dove grey 64 [ Tue Jul 17, 2007 7:11 pm ]
Post subject:
my point is, if you had all your metalwork ready to go, a jig etc and you had made a frame before (know which part to weld first), how long would the welding actually take? no breaks included

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Author:	Timbo [ Tue Jul 17, 2007 8:06 pm ]
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I bet it didn't take the factory 4 days per subframe. Tim