advice needed please.

[mi16kie]

Hi ive been looking at your site for a while now & finally decided to join & post.I would really appreciate any advice.Im looking to build a mini pick up using all peugeot 205 running gear.(2 front subframes to give struts front & rear) Im hoping to mount an MI16 engine in the rear running 4 su carbs.But my confusion is over regestering the thing when it is finished.(can it keep the mini plates?)also ive been reading the SVA manual & cannot work out whether it will need to be SVA'd or just an engineers report & a simple MOT.All coments & advice greatly recieved.I know its not strictly a kit car but no one else seems to know the rules!

cheers ...mike...

[Paul.B]

Hi Mike, welcome! Sounds like an interesting project. I don't think an SVA will be required as you are moddifying a registered car. Put the Mini on a sorn, do what you want to do and then MOT when complete. Keep the chassis number and I can't see a problem.

Maybe have a chat with Chris at Z-car. They do all sorts of exciting things and must know where the line is drawn. Also, try ringing a SVA centre, I have found most to be quite helpfull.

Good luck

Paul.B

[grahambell]

Hi Mike,

I'd agree with Paul that as you're not building a new car but modifying an existing one you shouldn't have to bother with SVA, but wouldn't do any harm to ask SVA inspectors just to make sure.

[Avocet]

Go on the DVLA website (www.dvla.gov.uk) and somewhere on there, they have a list of all the various froms and leaflets you can download. The one you need is called "INF 26" and the title is "A guide to registering radically altered cars and kit cars" (or something like that). There is also a scanned version on the Totalkitcar website.

I think that if you end up modifying the original chassis (or monocoque) you SHOULD do an SVA. If it was me, I'd call it a "kit conversion". You need at least 2 "major components" from a single donor to get a registration of the same age as the donor. In other words, if you use the engine and transmission out of a 205, I'd say that you had a 205-based "kit conversion" and you'd expect to have to do an SVA test but you'd get a registration of the same age as the 205 you used. If you think you can use 2 "major" components (they have a list in the INF 26) from the Mini, you could do it the other way round and get a registration of the same age as the Mini. If you do NOT modify the Mini's monocoque, you can escape SVA AND keep the actual Mini's registration but I think this will be unlikely (well, depending on what you tell them you've done and whether they spot any changes)!

If you tell them you've got a "radically altered" Mini, you'll have to do an SVA test anyway and you might end up with a "Q" plate.

[mi16kie]

Thanks for your help.Looks like im of to the post office to try to get the INF26 form as the one on totalkitcar website is written so small i cannot read it!Also does anyone know where i would stand on mounting the fuel tank under the bonnet ? Are there rules on this i.e.spec on the tank itself?

cheers ...mike...

[Avocet]

You won't get an INF 26 at the post office I'm afraid! (and it looks like they've taken the one off the DVLA website while they review it) so your only hope your DVLA Local Office. (I see what you mean about the Totalkitcar one by the way!). I'd be inclined to re-check in a day or so - they might be able to revise the way its displayed on there.

As far as fuel tanks under the bonnet go, there's nothing I can think of that bans them specifically but the tester does have the power to fail the car on anything he thinks is dangerous. Certainly, if its anywhere near a hot bit of exhaust I'd imaginr it would get knocked back.

[mi16kie]

the engine is going in the back so it will be miles from the exhaust

cheers ...mike...

[justin s]

I wouldn't put SU carbs on it.The hassle you would have setting that bundle up.I would stick to the MI16 injection system.Better performance,economy,ease of set up,to name a few.Maybe look around for a car already built,as an mot failure,you will have most parts there to do it.The only issue I can see is the grafting together.Anything is possible,but it might end up looking like a fat arsed girl sitting on a bench from the back.I think that going the incognito approach is better and maybe the tried and tested approach.Maybe a bike engine in the back or a Honda v tec in the front.Both done and I'm sure would work better than the peugot engine as it's a very tall and slanted block.Also,it's OK putting and engine in,but then you have to make it handle,which the other conversions have that sorted for you already.Good luck if you want to try it tho'.
I know that If I wanted to do this idea,I would go for the Civic R engine in the front.

[mi16kie]

Ive already got the engine & full injection system but dont want to keep the injection.My road car is running an mi16 on twin 45 webers but i cannot afford another set of these so thought that the su route would be a challenge.The wheel track is only 5" wider on the 205 & the engine/suspension will all fit within the back of the pickup.So should only need a set of archs.Front sus will be 205 as well & the wheel base is not much shorter on the pickup so the handling should be ok with a bit of extra weight over the front wheels.Any other carb options can be considered.