Lotus Twin-Cam Mini
Discussion
ok not a cheap conversion.
but never ever as good as gordon allen one piece cranked version.
ask anyone in the know about these so much better.
when i can ill post a picture of up of this engine and compare it to the one earlier in the thread, the engineering is so much better and proved itself in motorsport as a race winner. peter bauldwin had one in his car.
but never ever as good as gordon allen one piece cranked version.
ask anyone in the know about these so much better.
when i can ill post a picture of up of this engine and compare it to the one earlier in the thread, the engineering is so much better and proved itself in motorsport as a race winner. peter bauldwin had one in his car.
Bigdog2 said:
Thanks Jens, it is interesting to know that Janspeed built one in Europe around the same time as dad's version in Sydney. The tale i related is not second hand or elaborated - I was there at the time and was driven around in the van while it was tested. I do know that dad was unaware of any other attempt to create such a car as he would happily have imported someone else's knowledge on the subject so he could concentrate on the main aspects of the business - race cars and vintage car restoration. One of my regrets is that there are very few photographs of the cars that were built in his workshop - it would be much easier to show people what was done there.
Hi , just saw your post (havent been onhere for a while) I have been writing with a guy in NZ, he also remembers your dads engine, but he didnt have any pictures, do you have any ?
I can send you the pictures of the JanSpeed Mini, if you like ?
My mail is jc(AT)showcars.dk
Jens Christian
FWDRacer said:
Is it within a cut/framed conventional rubber suspension Mini front subframe?
No, Lancia subframe, 5 speed 'box, suspension (inc struts) Austin 1100 rack mounted higher on the bulkhead. I did it 17 odd years ago but still have it.
Back to Lotus Twin Cams. Here's a picture of the one I first knew about, this clubby estate featured in a few books:
530dTPhil said:
A word of caution against cutting corners on this type of engineering project.
I used to race in the Special Saloons at Castle Combe. Around 1990/91 a good friend (Alan Woodridge) joined the series with a BDA engined Mini; he bought the car after it had been professionally converted. Unbeknown to him, the engine builder had used a flywheel assembly machined from a standard cast Mini unit rather than a new one that had been machined from solid.
During one of the races, the flywheel exploded as he changed down for Quarry Corner; shrapnel went everywhere, including into Alan's legs. He died about three weeks later from an embolism resulting from his injuries.
A sobering thought.
A sad day as I witnessed the whole event.I used to race in the Special Saloons at Castle Combe. Around 1990/91 a good friend (Alan Woodridge) joined the series with a BDA engined Mini; he bought the car after it had been professionally converted. Unbeknown to him, the engine builder had used a flywheel assembly machined from a standard cast Mini unit rather than a new one that had been machined from solid.
During one of the races, the flywheel exploded as he changed down for Quarry Corner; shrapnel went everywhere, including into Alan's legs. He died about three weeks later from an embolism resulting from his injuries.
A sobering thought.
Edited by 530dTPhil on Tuesday 20th October 05:41
Seen 2 or 3 clubmans with lotus twinks and kent conversions back in 70/80,s. Remember Andy Carter of top fuel drag racing fame coming round my house one day in a mini with pre crossflow 1500gt lump on a jack knight box. The car had 1 seat, no interior whatsoever, twin 40 thru where speedo should have been, fibreglass roof, bonnet, boot and doors with plastic windows.
He took me and my mate out in it. It revved the nuts off itself and was unbelievably quick , like a fairground ride 
He took me and my mate out in it. It revved the nuts off itself and was unbelievably quick , like a fairground ride Hi all, just picked this thread up. If you're interested....they're not all mine, just pictures in passing.
Proper alloy blocked BDH (1300) 1 piece crank
Bill Coldwell's Twin cam
Dave Forsters Spaceframe car built for 'The fastest Mini in the world' KAD 16V with Lucas slide injection -this was a work of art.
Phil Hepworths Toyota powered space frame car
I bought the Orange Clubman with the Lotus engine; it was a basically standard engine, but it had lots of torque and the car had superb road manners. Very comfortable to drive, and fitted with a Radford interior, it was close to the perfect road Mini (in my eyes anyway!) So in answer to the start of this thread, the conversion drives well, it's a good crowd puller, and it's still a very rare item - don't be put off by the tales of woe!
If anyone is interested I'll see if I can find some other pics
Proper alloy blocked BDH (1300) 1 piece crank
Bill Coldwell's Twin cam
Dave Forsters Spaceframe car built for 'The fastest Mini in the world' KAD 16V with Lucas slide injection -this was a work of art.
Phil Hepworths Toyota powered space frame car
I bought the Orange Clubman with the Lotus engine; it was a basically standard engine, but it had lots of torque and the car had superb road manners. Very comfortable to drive, and fitted with a Radford interior, it was close to the perfect road Mini (in my eyes anyway!) So in answer to the start of this thread, the conversion drives well, it's a good crowd puller, and it's still a very rare item - don't be put off by the tales of woe!
If anyone is interested I'll see if I can find some other pics
321lightspeed said:
Hi all, just picked this thread up. If you're interested....they're not all mine
Bill Coldwell's Twin cam
I bought the Orange Clubman with the Lotus engine; it was a basically standard engine, but it had lots of torque and the car had superb road manners. Very comfortable to drive, and fitted with a Radford interior, it was close to the perfect road Mini (in my eyes anyway!) So in answer to the start of this thread, the conversion drives well, it's a good crowd puller, and it's still a very rare item - don't be put off by the tales of woe!
If anyone is interested I'll see if I can find some other pics
Hello Lightspeed,Bill Coldwell's Twin cam
I bought the Orange Clubman with the Lotus engine; it was a basically standard engine, but it had lots of torque and the car had superb road manners. Very comfortable to drive, and fitted with a Radford interior, it was close to the perfect road Mini (in my eyes anyway!) So in answer to the start of this thread, the conversion drives well, it's a good crowd puller, and it's still a very rare item - don't be put off by the tales of woe!
If anyone is interested I'll see if I can find some other pics
thanks for posting some nice photos.
That Coldwell twincam, is a nice bit of kit
must sound awesome I for one, would love to see the interior shots, of the Lotus engined Clubman.
Jens Christian
Not a Mini but our maguire Metro with 1298bdh ford engine on to of a JKD dogbox racing at Lydden in 1990.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sgQUJKr0eak&fea...
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sgQUJKr0eak&fea...
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