ok well i am a littlle unsure of which order to do things so here is where im at
i have a mini delux rolling shell *needs paint*
i have a suzuki gti engine *needs to be in car *
i have hydro subbys in car *i am going to change to dry*

what to do first do i get the car body and paint done
do i get the frame built and engine in the car first as there is some cutting and i dont want to scratch freash paint
do i do subbys and suspension and brakes and wheels

which order have you guys chosen

i was in this very same predicament...i decided to go with paint last...here's my build order:

1) strip mechanicals out of mini (done)
2) get starlet gt front-cut (done)
3) organise subframe (mine are hydro and am switching to dry just like you)
4) do any bodywork required to fit engine (quite a bit of this required as the radiator is going in the boot and i am probably going to go the flipfront road)
5) fit engine
6) get spax coil-over conversion
7) purchase and fit front discs and rear superfin drums
8 ) sortout interior (including rollcage)
9) disassemble back to empty/bare shell
10) paint and suring up of any bodywork that needs it
11) reassemble

well thats how i am planning to do it anyway...

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Bling me up Scotty!
"wait till it grows into a plant...then bunny rabbit THE PLANT!"

1966 Morris Mini DeLuxe FOR SALE

yes we do seem to be in similar boats apart from toyota/suzuki

ok here is the plan i had in mind as i will be on holidays soon hopefully lol remove subframes get some dry ones get them built up and painted
get front frame made and approved
sort brakes and clutch stuff out
reinstall subbys
install engine get approval from engineer
sort flares and wheels and all other chrome bits and rubbers
get painted and boddy beaten
refit engine

get all approved and drive away very fast

well thats the plan

who sees a problem with it guys who have done this sort of conversion please chime in

Strip the engine bay and get the new subframe made so you can fit the engine. Pretend nothing else exists until you have that done.

Just my opinion BTW. I am right though

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Metal to burn, sparks to fly...

That is the same way I am going
- nearly at the "strip back down & paint" stage

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Too many cars, and too little time.

Marc,

Don't sell the hydro set up. You will need the car to be mobile. So.... acquire a dry subframe. Then fit it to the car to make sure it fits (as there is a chance either the car or new dry frame is bent).

You will get VERY good at removing and refitting the subframe. Trust me.

JC

Good topic Marc!
I'm also in Bris and have a roundy and G13B on the floor.
My plan was to repair the shell, get it straight and in primer, then replace the rear subframe with a dry one.
I reckon I'll use the wet minimatic front frame as my donor for the suzi engine. I've been told that the rubber cones can go in the front frames and I've got spare suspesion and disc hubs to use.
Once the engine is trial fitted into the frame and shell I will put it to one side and install the multi-point roll cage.
After the cage I'll do a dummy build of all the little things like seats, fuel lines and the small amount of trim I plan to use, then strip and paint ready for the final assembly.
It will be a drawn out process because Mokesta stil needs a tune, the house needs work and I've got a rug rat to look after.

Mokesta.

I agree, you should fit the engine and subrame then follow through with all the ancillaries. Once everything has been fitted strip it all down, clean and paint everything and then carefully put it all together.

I have had the motor and subframe in and out of the car so may times i now have nightmares about it, but i can do both (all bolts in) in about 20minutes flat. My engine bay has been chopped scratched dented you name it (lucky i was going to respray it anyway).

Painting your car first would be a waste of money in my opinion.

Dan