Front subframe mods
Turbo Mini Forums

Im looking at lightening my front subby, but from reading other posts drilling them doesn't seem to save that much weight!?

I spotted this pic on another thread and wondered if it would be worth while doing a similar tubular setup for the A series? Im a bit reluctant to make one from scratch but making up the front section could be quite doable.

Something like this..

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www.fusionfabs.co.uk



1/4mile in 13.2sec @ 111 terminal on 15psi

I believe paul wigington has a tubular frame on his car. Perhaps he could give you a few pointers.

But that frame you have posted looks to have some weight saving potential.

If something is worth doing, it's worth doing half of.

I was thinking more like this, but using some tie bars from the shock mounts to the front.

https://www.facebook.com/pages/Fusion-Fabri..._homepage_panel

www.fusionfabs.co.uk



1/4mile in 13.2sec @ 111 terminal on 15psi

I like it matty but I think to really save serious weight from the front subby, you need to run coil-overs. So you can cut weight out of the towers that house the suspension do-nuts .

"So wat we gonna do tonight Brain?"
"Same thing we do evernight Pinky!"
"Try to take over the world!"

Just write a cheque to Mr Austin for £1350 and he'll make you a lovely titanium one :)

Edited by sturgeo on 26th Aug, 2009.

Matty. putting my "qualified chassis design engineer" hat on - cutting that amount out of the subby will make it as stiff as a wet cereal packet and potentially dangerous in as much as that high lateral cornering will deflect the subby as there is no structure there and therefore cornering ability will be lively to say the least. Thats without mentioning that any frontal crash resistance will be gone as well, torsional resistance will be very low as well - offering even less suspension control.

Only a proper tube/sheet ally frame is worth considering in my mind - Paul what does your frame look like?

To give you an idea of the forces involved in high G cornering. Lotus Elises have pretty stiff rear subframes in the region of 10-12000N/mm lateraly loaded from wheel centre. The suspension bushes used in most areas of a Lotus rear suspension are 20000N/mm - guess which part deflects under cornering? (cue guess which part of a mini deflects when you put rose jointed - circa 25000n/mm stiffness bottom arms on it with a floppy subframe!!)

food for thought...........


JK

If Carling made Mini engines
it would probably be like this one!

Page 2 show pauls Subframe...http://www.theminiforum.co.uk/forums/index.php?showtopic=119440&st=15

Is that subframe not built for a engine donor?

the one in mattys pictures is yes.

Ah yeah, ive seen Pauls subby but couldn't remember what it was like!

Hmmm this has really got me thinking....

Paul, did you manage to improve on your 60fts this year?

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www.fusionfabs.co.uk



1/4mile in 13.2sec @ 111 terminal on 15psi

1/10th

I seriously doubt it!

Paul, i didnt realise your front subby looked like that, the top arm is simular to mine? have you had any probs with suspension set up?

rick

None Rick

I seriously doubt it!

Edited by Vegard on 27th Aug, 2009.

That wasnt the question V

Paul

I seriously doubt it!

looking at it v ,and the high spec material and wide wishbone mountig points and low car weight , id have thought it would handle better than stock if anything ..just from a look at the pics anyway .

Medusa + injection = too much torque for the dyno ..https://youtu.be/qg5o0_tJxYM

Well I've been wondering what lie beneath this little car. so to speak.

Nice work Paul with the front subframe.

I hate the standard item. That looks a factory fit to. I presume its a mk1 style fitment?

I'm in the process of making my own rear radius arms and rear brake set up at the moment. But moving houses is slowing the game up a bit.

Once I get moved I'm going to draw something up for the front. Might just be easier to get you to knock me one up Paul.

Si

I drill holes in everything..!

no longer a series, but still 1.3 turbo.

Just looking at the TMF thread, Paul your fabrication skills are legendary! I like the boot floor.