LSD

NEW?  CLICK HERE FOR DAY ONE!

---UPDATES ARE ON MONDAYS---
Click here for a 3 minute video of the entire build.

This week I did more sanding and cut out the passenger side inner fender skirt.  I still need to cut a section out of the front valance (temporally) to make room to fit the sub frame.  I also got back my header from Performance Coatings in Auburn, Wa.  Wow that thing looks great. pics to follow.
Also, my dad and I used his press to pop off the two bearings holding the 5th gear on the shaft, swap it for the LS 5th and then press the bearings back on.  Like my dad said last night, "I don't use this press very often but when you need it, it's sure nice to have."  So true and thanks for your help, I wish I got some pictures of that process.  After pulling the counter shaft I pulled the LSD differential assembly to see the other side.  This looks like it's a D2 diff or something.  Doing a bit of research online tells me it's a factory unit but I think it's a geared LSD and not the clutch type.  Not sure.  Anyway here are the pics, I still can't believe my luck buying a JDM engine and finding a freshly gone through tranny, stage 1 clutch and light weight flywheel inside.  Just look how clean the case is.

 

Firewall Prep

NEW?  CLICK HERE FOR DAY ONE!

---UPDATES ARE ON MONDAYS---
Click here for a 3 minute video of the entire build.

Last night I cut out the driver side inner fender skirt.  Not lots of progress but some non the less.  I have been spending lots of time sanding the fire wall though, that's slow going work.  I was thinking last night under the car that I should spray some of that textured goop on the bottom half of the firewall where it's less seen and harder to reach and clean later.

Clutch and Flywheel

NEW?  CLICK HERE FOR DAY ONE!

---UPDATES ARE ON MONDAYS---
Click here for a 3 minute video of the entire build.

Yesterday I picked up the two 12 point sockets needed to remove the clutch and flywheel.  After looking at the clutch I saw a little label stamped into it saying "Exedy"  The clutch looks almost new and it turn out to be a stage 1 clutch.  After going online to do a bit of research, I don't think the flywheel is stock either, it's some sort of lightened one (not sure of the brand, no marks).  I weighed it and it's about 14-15lbs vs my 8.8 and I think a stock one is about 18-19lbs.  This could be a type R flywheel, not sure.
I've heard from some other VTEC Mini owners the OEM clutch is more than adequate, due to the mini only weighing in at 1400lbs.  And that racing clutches function more like a switch and require more peddle pressure.  Before I bolt on the tranny I need to make sure I want to keep this clutch.

Clutch pulled off

New ACT 8.8lb flywheel, I'm not sure what the old one is, but I don't think it's stock.

ACT flywheel installed.

Clutch  and flywheel installed.

Firewall Cleanup

NEW?  CLICK HERE FOR DAY ONE!

---UPDATES ARE ON MONDAYS---
Click here for a 3 minute video of the entire build.

I finally got the clutch and brake master cylinders out as well as some other things out of the way. I started to remove all the grime with various air tools and settled on a small rough grit sanding disk. I think I'll use some bed liner or sound deadening mats on the firewall to quiet things down as these old minis didn't come with much in that department, I'll also plug the giant hole, not sure why that's there...

Tranny pull

NEW?  START DAY ONE HERE.

---UPDATES ARE ON MONDAYS---
Click here for a 3 minute video of the entire build.

Dave and I pulled the tranny off and cracked it open.  I bought a LS 5th gear set to bring the RPM down on the freeway.  Gonna need that with 10 inch tires!  Thanks Dave for coming down.  Oh, and we found some nice videos on YouTube that helped out.

Dave and I pulled the tranny off the B16 after pulling the bolts and the splash plate.

Look at that clutch,  hardly any dust on it, the thing looks new!

Tranny drained and about to be popped open (fluid looked new too).

Dave and I having steak BBQed (over alder wood chips) while watching YouTube leaning how to crack the case.

Dave wrenching.

Ok, now what?  The 5th gear is on top, so that's nice.

We pulled the bearing off the shaft on the right with ease, the ones on the left need a slim puller.

As I pulled the parts I stacked them in order  (the new LS 5th is on the left).

Master Cylinder

NEW?  CLICK HERE FOR DAY ONE!

---UPDATES ARE ON MONDAYS---
Click here for a 3 minute video of the entire build.

OK, almost an hour spent trying to get the brake and master cylinders out of the firewall but they are as firm as I started. Bummer, I'm going to bed.

Bottom bolt out.

Stripping Hubs

NEW?  CLICK HERE FOR DAY ONE!

Click here for a 3 minute video of the entire build.

  ---UPDATES ARE ON MONDAYS---

Today I stripped the hubs of all the old parts that aren't needed any more.  Gone are the small CV joints and little ball bearings!  I just found out you can take a larger "S" CV joint and roller bearings and they will fit in the hub if you use an external drive flange and not the internal one like the old drum brake set up.  Much stronger and is needed to handle the extra horse power and torque of the VTEC engine.

Next is to clean these hubs up and possibly give them a new coat of black paint.  There is no need to pop off the arms as I replaced all the joints 5K miles ago.

Hydrolastic Displacers

NEW?  START DAY ONE HERE.

Click here for a 3 minute video of the entire build.

                                                    ---UPDATES ARE ON MONDAYS---

I was finally able to remove the front hydro bags (with some advice from a few mini owners) and now I have the old sub-frame completely stripped.   I also found out why the car always pulled to the left, a crumpled sub-frame thanks to some crazy Italian driver pushing the limits a bit too far (I assume).

Big Parts Out

I'm still working on getting the suspension off the original sub-frame, but at least the engine is out and stored.
Click here for a 3 minute video of the entire build.

Starting the Swap

Day one of the build, tear down started.
Click here for a 3 minute video of the entire build.

The Kit

---UPDATES ARE ON MONDAYS---

Click here for a 3 minute video of the entire build.

So far I have accumulated some parts including a JDM B16, ACT light weight flywheel, an LS 5th gear to keep the Rs down with my 10 inch wheels and some small stuff.  I also bought a modified sub frame to mount the B16 in the mini and it came with a nice header which I will have ceramic coated soon.  Here are some pics of the goods.

VTEC Mini Build

---UPDATES ARE ON MONDAYS---
Click here for a 3 minute video of the entire build.

Welcome to my first blog! I'm building a "Monster Mini".
I am starting with a 1967 Mini with a worn out little 850cc, 31 hp engine and converting over to a Honda B16 170hp engine with a LSD 5 speed. This is an engine swap I have always wanted to do but didn't have the means until this year. So now that the rainy season has hit the Seattle area, I parked the car and started wrenching!