So tell me, how much did your rebuild cost?

[bevan]

I know this is a bit of a how long is a piece of string question, given different levels of repair, modification etc on peoples cars, but i'm looking to get a general gauge what a rebuild is likely to stand me.

I have a particular budget in mind 3,000 euro if possible.

Body wise, i need to replace front end as in wings, front panel, A panels, repair to scuttle panel and graft in a section of 2-3 inches of new metal to the p/s A panel. Theres a section of bad rust on the drivers side inner arch thats gone through to the drivers footwell. And thats the welding covered.

The rest of the shell is solid and was a daily driven car. I'd like to refresh the subframe bushings/ cones and maybe brake lines. The subframes themselves are solid.

Then theres an interior to refit, i have brand new cream carpets, seats, and dash bar, and clocks, i also have new door furniture and door cards bought already.

Engine wise, i'd like to drop out the engine on the subframe and lift the shell off is this an akward way of doing this, or is it better remove the engine from the top. I'll tidy up and clean paint, and freshen up engine anicillaries and service myself. But all welding and body work i'll have to pass on.

The shell is red and is partially stripped and rubbed down, it will be going pink (not for me) so will need a bit of prep also i want to have the engine bay and interior painted. And have the underneath etch prinmed and shultz'd or similar forrust protection.

Sorry for the long winded post, but i'm getting a list in my head for jobs to go ahead with.

I'll be browsing the projects forum and learning what i can, but i'd like an idea of costs so any input/ experience appreciated.

Thanks
Bevan

Pics to follow

Also if this thread is in the wrong section apologies to mod's, i didn't want posting in the projects forum as it's not quite a project yet more research.

[miniireland]

make friends with the bank manager

[StanO'Toole]

I second MiniIreland! It does help you can do most of the work yourself (and if your taking out the subframe and engine lift the body over but bear in mind with the subframe out you'll be lifting it if you want to move it!) The welding is going to kill you really, it really ain't cheap and sometimes ain't easy to find and then a engine re-built will send you over the three grand never mind with mods!!!!

[bevan]

Lol i don't want to make friends if i can help it. As i say i have about 3k sitting to one side to start into it, but if it was liable to be costing more i'd be starting to think of buying a finished car. The thing is this car is going to be a surprise engagement present and has to be baby pink, white roof, cream leather interior etc etc.

She has her heart set on it. Myself i'd be more for the fibreglass front, g13b swift engine, or b16a honda conversion type for my other shell, and go satin black and track it

I have another 83 shell as well sitting up but its on a definite long finger...

[StanO'Toole]

Wow! The car is for a good cause anyway! I hope the big question all goes well dude! Theres is a few lads on here who my be able to give you a dig out with the welding, theres a couple of bodywork lads as well. And if you were just looking for a 1275 engine stick make a thread in the wanted section, I'm sure there is one floating around one of the lads garages...

[bevan]

Ah the 1275 would be for me really. And in all honesty i won't be driving it much not with it pink anyways. I do want to rebuild the drums, front calipers which are AP racing (is this standard trim on an 88 car?) and the lines etc and basically have it solid, safe and roadworthy.

Engine tuning can come in time.

Yeah it's purely the hours involved that will be the killer with the welding, unfortunately i'd turn my hand to mechanical bits and pieces, even painting prep but welding i haven't a breeze

[dayoungfella]

In my experience, rebuilding a car will always cost more than buying a complete one!

[GTM Coupe]

Where are you based? may be able to help you out on the rebuild

[StevenR]

make friends with the bank manager

Have to agree with Simon, mine has gone over budget and taken a lot longer than i thought. The body work has yet to be done and ideally needs a respray. I have yet to add up the total cost so far but a rough guesstimate would put it well over 4 grand maybe even 5. All the labour so far has been done by either me or the auld fella and there were a few parts knocking about already and a few others bought second hand.

There are a couple of guys specialising in Mini's in the Dublin area, Paul Kelly runs Minifix you'll get his number of one of the guys here, and Llyod Hutchinson is based in Delgany, just south of Bray.

If you plan to order any parts from the UK the best i found to use are Somerford and Minispares

http://www.somerford-mini.co.uk/
http://www.minispares.com/

I have used a few others an the service would not match these 2.

Good luck with the build and any problems do not be afraid to post them up, more often than not you'll be pointed in the right direction soon enough.

[bevan]

Some really sound advice there. Thanks lads,

I'm based in Wexford during the week with work, but from Navan in Meath. Would travel though to have the car done right so thats not a major issue

[GTM Coupe]

Well if you need it I could help you with any welding and engine stuff, I have a good contact for painting who doesn't charge the earth either, how long do you have before the present has to be given? I actually have the perfect car for you in my garage, it is pink with white roof leather interior etc etc but unfornunatley its not for sale i'm just repairing it for a friend of the faimily but it may give you an idea on where you want to go with yours. I'm based in Wicklow.

[just_st3v3n]

i could help you out with the welding too if need be without charging an arm or a leg
here some projects am doing/have done to give you an idea.......
[url]http://www.irishminis.ie/forum/viewtopi ... t=3728[url]
[url]http://www.irishminis.ie/forum/viewtopi ... t=2480[url]
[url]http://www.irishminis.ie/forum/viewtopi ... t=4219[url]

project nancy and the estate are on going, shanes mini is finished and has been painted
im actually keeping track of how much i have spent on project nancy with so far doing all the work myself i have a rust free shell for in or round 1000-1500, but that includes buying alot of new tools and equipment, paint, primer, panels etc etc....

steven

[woody]

If your goin to remove the front of the car takin the engine out won't be a problem, as it is a daily runner you'll proberbly only need to change a few oil seals and paint it up, my wife prefairs driving 998 to 1275. Refreshing the suspension is not costly if you use standard parts . If you rub the car down yourself and then give it to a bodyshop to weld and spray they should be able to give you a decent job to fit your budget. Then you just fit the interior you have. I biggest problem we all have when building cars for yourselves is we keep adding "better" things to the list weather we need them or not, start with a plan and stick to it otherwise you'll end up with a pearlecent pink turbo charged mini with a 2000 watt stereo no money and proberbly no girlfriend.

[bevan]

Thanks lads for all the help, i will be in contact tomorrow with you further GTMCoupe and Just steven. Appreciate the response.

I have a rough budget in mind as i say but i can slightly stray over it just means a cheaper engagement ring lol. I'd love a look at the mini your talking about GTM, to get some ideas. I have pics in my intro thread of both cars, my donor the pink car, and the red 88 which will be recieving the work.

I'm going to put in an order with somerford tomorrow and get some bits and pieces anyway, but inevitably the list will grow and grow, your dead right. Just lucky i'm not into pimping kits and neons/ big ice installs etc etc..

[The Marcos Graveyard]

i can slightly stray over it just means a cheaper engagement ring

I could supply you with a good 6mm Swiss Cubic Zirconia, just tell her it's a diamond.

[bevan]

i can slightly stray over it just means a cheaper engagement ring

I could supply you with a good 6mm Swiss Cubic Zirconia, just tell here it's a diamond.

I like the idea of that , i have been threatening to buy a new turbo and mappable ecu for my own car

You could be a handy contact so.. In all seriousness thats one thing that would intimidate me about buying jewellery how to tell your getting an actual proper stone, not a composite, i may do a bit of research before i go buying. How and ever i suppose reputable jewellers shops are most likely regulated

[The Marcos Graveyard]

If you are worried about the quality of the stone then get one that is Certified. The cert will give you all the details of the stone, cut , colour, carat, clarity as well as documenting any and all of the inclusions in the stone. You will pay a premium for this, but it gives you peace of mind.

[bevan]

All good advice thanks. I'm going to leave it a few weeks before i go shopping for rings etc, you sound like your in the trade..

Just looking through some pictures i had on my storage drive there, i reckon the wings are fine on the car, just the front panel and A panel and scuttle etc. I presume it's possible to salvage the original wings as the fit and probably quality/ gauge of the metal would be better than spurious parts.

I'm looking at ordering parts over the next few days, i just want another look at the car to make a definite list.

As an aside does anyone know where i'd get tan/cream cobra or corbeau classic buckets and a rear bench trimmed to match. Thats something on the list i can't seem to find in Ireland.

Thanks
Bevan

[GTM Coupe]

We seem now to be straying from the purpose of this website, we seem to be now giving marriage counciling etc, if that is the case then from my experience with rings/marriage and women; they (women) are the hardest thing to buy for and/or please, they ask for one thing but end up wanting something completley different when it actually comes round to it. This was the case when I went looking for rings, (asked for one thing but wanted another) to be honest I recken your far better to get her to choose the ring, trust me she will pick something completley differnet to what you would have. This way she can never come back and say she "doens't like the ring" when shes out with the girls!!! Propose and say that you have arranged a private viewing of rings at a certain shop, trust me when she knows shes has free picking the fact that you don't have a ring will go out the window.

On another subject (mini based) spend the extra on original panels as they fit 100% better than pattern parts and will save with labour etc when fitting. As for working out what is savagable and what isn't, be carefull as they may look ok until you start to work on it. As for the seats there is a guy in Dundrum that will recover seats if you have the originals or buy them new from UK.

Your more than welcome to come see the mini (pink) I have at the mo to give you ideas, let me know when your around and I'll arrange something.

[woody]

"Then theres an interior to refit, i have brand new cream carpets,seats, and dash bar, and clocks, i also have new door furniture and door cards bought already. "

"As an aside does anyone know where i'd get tan/cream cobra or corbeau classic buckets and a rear bench trimmed to match."

Its starting already