Anyone on here got a zcars mini?
Discussion
On minimania.com/msgthreads.cfm there is an article about the comparison of a full tilt miglia engine vs a RWD bike jobby. A lot of the people who had RWD bike conversions didn't like the handling. Good on a track but missing the mini chuckability. When you go and test one, also go and test something like a Fisher Fury.
I looked at it after seeing the youtube vid of the German one and then I read the minimania thread and thought "
that". I'm sticking with my blower engine in the front.
Not enough weight on the front wheels reallys up your cornering. I have an article somewhere saying a pick up was a better bet for RWD.
I looked at it after seeing the youtube vid of the German one and then I read the minimania thread and thought "
that". I'm sticking with my blower engine in the front. Not enough weight on the front wheels really
s up your cornering. I have an article somewhere saying a pick up was a better bet for RWD.Cheers guys, saw Sacha does have one, looks like it's up for sale...
Interesting about the handling, coming from a 996 I'm used to having little weight over the front wheels. Attraction is the abilty to hurl a Mini around though, if that's gone I wouldn't be interested.
Found a part finished one, would enable me to add my own touch and save some pennys. Probably just sit in my garage for months though.
I'll have to see if I can get a go in one.
Interesting about the handling, coming from a 996 I'm used to having little weight over the front wheels. Attraction is the abilty to hurl a Mini around though, if that's gone I wouldn't be interested.
Found a part finished one, would enable me to add my own touch and save some pennys. Probably just sit in my garage for months though.
I'll have to see if I can get a go in one.
I really fancied a Z car mini instead of my twin cam Dutton for trackdays but could not afford the price tag. I have found someone with a really good mini mould and am taking a lightwieght glass shell to put on a spaceframe with a GSXR 1000 engine where the passenger seat should be, with the exhaust facing the door and a prop to a live axle ( my pref. for track work ). It,s a lot of work, but a lot cheaper with a better balance.
Should have the shell(with tailgate rear) out of the mould in the next few days and have just taken delivery of the engine. The suzuki is as powerfull as the R1 but not as fashionable, so cheaper. the sump is deeper on the Suzuki which would be a prob with the Z-car layout but doing it this way and dry sumping, it should be ok.
Must say, went to the Z-car stand at the Autosport show and their product seems to be of very good quality, but their glass shell in the brochure had a very poorly fitting door, and thought the front suspension was a bit over the top, why use a bell crank when there is plenty of room for adjustment with the shocks in the conventional position, but nicely done and finished.
Should have the shell(with tailgate rear) out of the mould in the next few days and have just taken delivery of the engine. The suzuki is as powerfull as the R1 but not as fashionable, so cheaper. the sump is deeper on the Suzuki which would be a prob with the Z-car layout but doing it this way and dry sumping, it should be ok.
Must say, went to the Z-car stand at the Autosport show and their product seems to be of very good quality, but their glass shell in the brochure had a very poorly fitting door, and thought the front suspension was a bit over the top, why use a bell crank when there is plenty of room for adjustment with the shocks in the conventional position, but nicely done and finished.
zetec_s6 said:
I'm currently doing a vtec conversion. Chris seemed to manage to chuck the demonstrator around without any problems and had no problems getting the power down, all this was on bumpy B-Roads. I guess I'll see for myself once mine's finished.
Richard
Richard
Got any pics, always fancied doing this... but its a large amount of dosh for whats going to be a second car. Although the guys at Z cars said that he drove the demo cars down to Brighton (L&B 2006) without earfenders and that was in the stripped out Vtec model they were showing.... the monty they had apparently was a bit louder
Honest to god, when he rev'd the thing, everyone was like what the feck is in that....
ok its not a zcars, mothing like one, frame is totally diff not to mention engine but thanks all the same.
the zcars one is a totally different beast, for starters it has a 2.0 or 2.4 v-tec from a car, not a bike
you got me all excited then
again
the zcars one is a totally different beast, for starters it has a 2.0 or 2.4 v-tec from a car, not a bike
you got me all excited then
again
Edited by DucatiGary on Wednesday 14th March 20:00
If your looking at a Z Cars mini then you'd do well to have a look on The Mini Forum (www.theminiforum.co.uk), we host Z Cars official forum and currently have a lot of Z Cars projects. Chris, the owner of Z Cars also frequently posts on there too, so if you've got a question to ask him, theres your chance.
Mooncat is right in saying that the bike engine conversions are primarily a track day weapon, where as the Vtec conversion is a lot more suited to the road. As for the handling, I've heard the ride quality, and the handling are second to none, put in the dry. I've spoke to a fair few of the guys with Z Cars minis and they generally don't bother with them in the wet.
Mooncat is right in saying that the bike engine conversions are primarily a track day weapon, where as the Vtec conversion is a lot more suited to the road. As for the handling, I've heard the ride quality, and the handling are second to none, put in the dry. I've spoke to a fair few of the guys with Z Cars minis and they generally don't bother with them in the wet.
I have been building it for just over a year.
It should not take this long, its just i have been busy doing other stuff.
The fun bit is the cutting of the shell and fitting of the cage and engine. This doesnt take to long and looks like you have nearly finished when its is stood on all four wheels. It isnt. There are so many bits under the skin that you dont see that take all the time and money! This is why they cost so much, there is a lot to them. Mine has cost me getting on for 20k so far. That is with me doing most of the labour, you can do it a lot cheaper but I do like my nice little bits. A drive-in drive-out v-tech conversion would cost in the region of 20k dependent on spec. I have loads of pics if any one wants to know how any bits work. It is also on the minifilms dvd (www.minifilms.co.uk) showing how to put one together. Hope that helps.
It should not take this long, its just i have been busy doing other stuff.
The fun bit is the cutting of the shell and fitting of the cage and engine. This doesnt take to long and looks like you have nearly finished when its is stood on all four wheels. It isnt. There are so many bits under the skin that you dont see that take all the time and money! This is why they cost so much, there is a lot to them. Mine has cost me getting on for 20k so far. That is with me doing most of the labour, you can do it a lot cheaper but I do like my nice little bits. A drive-in drive-out v-tech conversion would cost in the region of 20k dependent on spec. I have loads of pics if any one wants to know how any bits work. It is also on the minifilms dvd (www.minifilms.co.uk) showing how to put one together. Hope that helps.
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