sports850 Posted January 25, 2012 Posted January 25, 2012 This is my first foray into big scale so will see how it goes , I got the kit in a trade and found last night it is missing the engine so will decide on final spec as the build goes on . It just depends on whether I can get replacement parts from Tamiya , leave the engine bay empty or fit a big motorbike engine as some people are doing in the UK (Zcars and others) . Motorbike engine might be fun to do actually , especially since the range of availible 1:12 bike's with detailed 11-1300cc engines . Comparrison of the 1:12 mini body and wheels to a 1:24 Tamiya body , I've got to say though , what I've seen of the big scale mini so far is a little dissapointing compared to the 1:24 scale one by the same manufacturer , I expected so much more detail and features . All parts washed ready for the many coats of primer and sanding it's going to need , I'm sure the body was excellent when new , it looks nice and has crisp detail but this one has been passed around several modellers before me and has slid around in the box with dust and grit . It's going to be a bit of a challenge but will be fun . Unfortunately I don't think I'll get a chance to start the priming today though , there's flooding to the north and south of me here and torrential rain for the last few days which if anything is heavier today again . No problems here where I am though , just not going to go anywhere today so would have been a good building day http://www.news.com.au/breaking-news/evacuations-begin-on-nsw-north-coast/story-e6frfku0-1226253775218
Scale-Master Posted January 25, 2012 Posted January 25, 2012 I have built a couple of those 1/12 Mini's. Your idea of swapping in a motorcycle engine sounds very cool. The kit is not overly complicated and is similar in detail level to the bikes, so that kind of swap make perfect sense.
sports850 Posted January 26, 2012 Author Posted January 26, 2012 Thank's guy's , I think I've talked myself into the idea of the motorbike engine already actually , just fits my warped idea of modifications . I have the mini diff housing and driveshafts too so they can be grafted onto the back of a motorbike gearbox or have a front fitted to it and chain driven . Dave , I thought it'd take a bit longer for someone to spot my utensil holder It's one of my spare 1275 blocks that came without bearing caps so it seemed like a good use for it . The oil bottles hold , from left - Johnny Walker , Bundaberg Rum and olive oil ... Gotta be careful I don't get the wrong one , shots of olive oil taste like ######
Erik Smith Posted January 27, 2012 Posted January 27, 2012 (edited) Cool. I love minis. This version (1/12) is not really a "classic" mini as it represents a fuel injected 1992 model - the basic shape is there though. I'll be following along as I have one of these kits too! Here's a shot at my girls' school of a classic Edited January 27, 2012 by Erik Smith
LAone Posted January 28, 2012 Posted January 28, 2012 i dig the mini bro. they are fun little things. i have a buddy with one that he let me drive. looking forward to it with the motorcycle engine in it.
sports850 Posted January 29, 2012 Author Posted January 29, 2012 Nice looking Austin S there Erik , we only got the Morris range here so somehow Austin's look that extra bit sexy I agree with you too , real mini's have SU's and mechanical distributers , and if anything goes wrong you can fix them on the side of the road , the onlky two times I've had to leave one and walk were for a blown big end and then for an accident where it was still attached to a tree .... LAone , they are addictive once you start on them .... Got a bit of a break in the weather this weekend so got some paint on the body , paints are "export" rattle cans (Australian members will know what I'm talking about , basically very cheap tins of paint that give a good result) in gloss red and bright white (very descriptive names ...) . Will leave it for the week to harden now before looking at finish and deciding on a clear or not .
sports850 Posted February 10, 2012 Author Posted February 10, 2012 Little bit more progress on this one , picked up a Tamiya GSX1100 Katana in 1:12 scale and assembled the engine (more detail work to do yet) and trial fitted , it's going to be tight but will work Lots more work to do with bracketry etc then the rest of the build as well .... Slowly slowly
Scale-Master Posted February 10, 2012 Posted February 10, 2012 Don't mean to drop a fly in your ointment... Still a great idea to use a cycle engine in this, but isn't that an air-cooled engine? A liquid cooled cycle engine would have been my choice. It's my understanding Mini's run warm with the radiator tucked under the fender, anyway. I guess if you can get the air flow to and over it... Your paint work looks great!
sports850 Posted February 12, 2012 Author Posted February 12, 2012 Thank's for the input Scale Master , mini cooling systems are actually fairly efficient as the wheel well is a low pressure area and the air being forced in the front flows through easily , so much so that over 20 or so mph the fan is actually slowing the airflow down by interupting the flow . I have had many wild engines in them and never had overheating problems , but I always use a new radiator with a new engine whereas others don't and pay for it in the long run I started looking for a watercooled bike engine actually but ran low on options and the price of this kit was good Plus a mate had one of these bikes 15 or so years ago and then I was trying to convince him we should fit it into his mini . I am going to drill holes into the other side inner guard as well to increase airflow through the engine bay (and possibly vents in the bonnet if I can figure out how to do them properly ) . I just re-read this and realised it might sound a bit of a narky rebuff , not my intention mate , just explaining why this engine
vwrabbit Posted February 13, 2012 Posted February 13, 2012 Love the combo. Beetles were air cooled! With a little creative ducting, this would easily be feasible. Tim
Scale-Master Posted February 13, 2012 Posted February 13, 2012 I just re-read this and realised it might sound a bit of a narky rebuff , not my intention mate , just explaining why this engine No worries on my end. Looks good to me.
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