subframe swap
Turbo Mini Forums

Hi guys has anyone ever swapped out a twin bolt subframe for the later type single bolt.

Im looking at doing this if its possible to a early mk3 shell. I can see i would need to put some tube in the large centre hole for strength but not sure what else

Thanks

Why are you planning to?

Double post

Edited by minimole23 on 6th Apr, 2015.

I did it the other way around because I believe the solid mounted subframes are better.

Apart from getting the correct strengthening where the big bolts go through the bulkhead - the factory shell used folded plate rather than tube - the other differences are the lower front and rear mounts.

On a steel front, the lower panel has the mounting brackets in different places to accomadate the rubber "tear drop" sections and the rear has the holes through the sloping flat section of the floor (near the steering rack mounting holes) instead of the bottom corner.
That bit of flat floor is strengthened on later shells - because the later subfarames make it flex - but they still crack even with the strengthening (the strengthening is just a thin metal plate).

So it should be doeable but, IMO, a retrograde step unless you are after ride quality and less road noise (the main reason Leyland did it) rather than good handling.

Schrödinger's cat - so which one am I ???

I'd have a twin-bolt setup over a single bolt every time, for all the reasons Rod has mentioned.

Having solid mounted a few later cars, the increase in NVH isn't enormous and the improvement in handling far outweighs any extra buzzing.

Metric is for people who can't do fractions.

My only reason for me asking was twin bolts are getting harder to find now days unlike the very common single bolts.

Another question then fellas I have a bear twin bolt subframe would all the bits ie arms top and bottom, tie bars and donuts fit off a single bolt or have they changed in some way

Thanks again

quick that for a yorkshire lad lol

On 6th Apr, 2015 tony 69 said:
quick that for a yorkshire lad lol

I have started posting on Instagram also my name on there is turbomk1golf

Nothing is impossible it just costs more and takes longer.

Yes that mistake was a bit of a booboo!! Get it, ill get me coat

On 5th Oct, 2014 Shauna said:
What that's crazy, you go commando hahaha! How heavy is your helmet ?

oh dear oli

Ha ha Question still stands guys are they the same parts

Cheers

Yes mate they are the same.

I have started posting on Instagram also my name on there is turbomk1golf

Nothing is impossible it just costs more and takes longer.

Have a look on Somerford Minis website. There are exploded parts diagrams with years etc.

Will do thanks I'm thinking buy a single bolt and strip it for my twin bolt it may well be cheaper than buying it in bits

I have a full made up frount subby if your game for a drive.

I have started posting on Instagram also my name on there is turbomk1golf

Nothing is impossible it just costs more and takes longer.

Schrödinger's cat - so which one am I ???