Hi all,
Its a long time since Iv been on here!

I have been thinking about giving the Gulf coupe a rebuild but with a different power plant.

The plan is to put in a metro subframe with a 1.4 K series engine box complete shaft hubs etc (the engine could be changed for a 1.8 K series) can you buy a metro / rover 100 with the correct subframe and engine?

Any thoughts or am I missing something and talking pants?

I see some of you guy building subframes and fitting Hondas etc but my engineering, welding etc are not that good so a more simpler build would help me!

Thanks,

Alex (Axle)

These are notes I made at the time I was thinking about it. I guess copied from 16V mini

Watch what gearbox you use. Generally using the R65 gearbox allows you to use a modified mini frame and the PG1 require use of the metro frame as it is larger.

Metro Frame

This is by far the easiest route to take, the advantages are you can use standard rover proven parts, build up the complete assembly and basically drop it into the car with bigger brakes, stronger suspension, bigger bearings and bushes and everything is easily and cheaply replaceable with stuff found in a scrapyard. The disadvantages are you loose the standard mini front, need to use metro offset wheels. If you are using the R65 gearbox you will need a complete metro frame and can use the metro engine mounts, driveshafts, hubs, wishbones etc as a complete unit. If using the PG1 gearbox then you will need MGF subframe arms (where the engine/gearbox mounts sit), mgf driveshafts, with metro hubs, brakes, wishbones and top arms. If using a metro frame you will also need to weld on a lower engine steady at the rear of the frame. The easiest option for the pg1 gearbox is to pick up a complete mgf rear subframe and swap some metro hubs, wishbones and top arms to it.

Using the metro frame will require the use of an extended round nose or clubman front, that sort of ruled it out for me, my guess that would mean changing the wheel base and I didn't want that.

Alex,
It might be worth looking on the Allspeed Engineering website -- they make subframes etc for GM, Honda and Rover engines -- based on the Mini frame so you can carry over your existing suspension, wheels etc BUT they are expensive when you add up all the other parts you'll need like engine mounts, drive shafts etc.

Also I'd check out how much clearance you'd have to the bulkhead especially with the K series that leans forward and has alternator and starter on the front face -- maybe some local Libra owner would let you take measurements etc

Steve

In very short

Metro frame requires extended wheelbase, and track.

Allspeed I am pretty sure will require an extended wheelbase. Check out Tony's build as he was doing a vauxhall powered coupe using Allspeed subframe

West -- using the Allspeed frame as it comes from the factory would require a wheel base extension because the front tube of the frame has a kink in the center section to clear the exhaust manifold which runs down inside the frame. In a Mini this no problem as tube occupies what is effectively wasted space behind the front panel. For a Coupe this would push the whole subframe backwards extending the wheel base. I suspect that in a Coupe the exhaust could be run into the space in the "V" section of the end of the tunnel. The kink then wouldn't be necessary and the frame could have a straight front tube retaining its overall position within the package. The major issue is that I think there would still be a requirement for bulkhead mods to clear the front face of the engine. I seem to remember that Pete and Paddy built a "factory" K series Coupe -- would be interesting to find out what happened to it.

Steve

I know where the K series factory coupe is.

It has a longer wheel base to get around the bulkhead issue, and widened body work on the rear to fit the wider track.

Fitting My Honda D series in only needed a Bulkhead box for the alternator and the tube across the bulkhead modified for an engine mount and exhaust clearance. The B series has a similar bulkhead box but extended slightly to improve exhaust clearance.

Neil

Slightly off topic, Neil, do you think a B series would fit in a coupe using the allspeed frame if it wasn't for the front bulge on the subframe?

I may be pestering you via pm and picking your brain as I'm seriously thinking about going vtec!

West -- looks like the Factory car has a Metro frame then.

Alex -- as the OP is any of this helping?

Steve

Well its given me plenty to think about!
I was thinking that the rear tracking/bodywork would get wider but I wasn't thinking about longer
and I was also thinking about making the rear bodywork removable, maybe this would be the best time!

West Do you have any pics of the K series coupe?

Thanks for all your help guys. As I said a lot to think about, I might be back with more questions!

Thanks,
Alex

Sorry I was not clear,

Yes the factory K series coupe used a Metro frame and I am sure was 1.4 Kseries.

I believe this is a picture of it when Stuart [turbocox] acquired it.



You can see the widened rear arches, it hides the added length in the wheelbase quite well.

The Jones's Coupe uses an Allspeed frame but I do remember tony saying the wheel base is 2.5 inches longer in another post when talking about something else. If this was all due to the frame or other things I am Not sure.

I know Allspeed now offer standard and extended front versions of the frame. How easy the frame will fit tho with the side pieces where the engine mounts are on the frame and the rear diagonals on the Coupe space-frame Im not sure.
http://www.gtmdrivers.com/forum/the-jones-coupe-t581.html


Neil