ABARTH965ss Posted July 2, 2004 Report Share Posted July 2, 2004 Not Volvo related (I am a loyal Volvo driver, however). I have recently acquired a 1973 RHD Austin Mini, which, in the interest of weight savings, has no radio of any sort. I am looking to put in a decent sounding system that would be easy to remove and re-install from time to time. I was thinking that the dash shelves could hold a pair of enclosures (Bing, I love your work, what info do you need for an estimate?), and also another set could be placed under the rear seats and/or in the rear side storage areas. I would like to know what anyone would recommend for this job (speakers, HU, etc.). As the system would be completely fabricated, i have a 'carte blanche' when it comes to what to put in where. my only restrictions are space, cost, and easy removal / reinstallation. I only want to have a nice sound (no need for uber-high volumes or organ-thumping bass yet), a smooth look, and an easy time come race prep.PS- anyone who would like to do a design for the system, credit for the chosen design will be given. by which i mean people will theoretically see your name on my window when i pass them. which shouldnt be too hard once i get the engine setup i want... 260 hp in a 1300 lb car? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bing_0 Posted July 2, 2004 Report Share Posted July 2, 2004 well, i really have to see the car to come up with some kind of suggestion, i am not famaliar with those cars' interior at all but i think i do know one thing you are going to have mad trouble with , i think your car may come with like a 20amp alternator, whcih wont be enough to drive anything...so before you think any further, check out what your alternator is currently, and get it up to at least 60amps or so somehow...also, wahts your budget?b Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stormin Norman Posted July 2, 2004 Report Share Posted July 2, 2004 Don't those cars have a strange electrical system like 6 volt or positive ground? I sorta kinda mebbe remember reading sumthin a long time ago. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ABARTH965ss Posted July 2, 2004 Author Report Share Posted July 2, 2004 yeah, the electircal system is a bit crazy... I will have pics as soon as my scanner starts working again. My budget is not set in stone, but i would like to keep the cost as low as possible (hopefully under 3000). I have usable speakers and head unit, its a matter of where to put what, and how to wire it all. I think there would be room for a box with one 5.25 and one 3.5 on each side of my speedo unit, and a box with a 6x9 and a 6.5 under each rear seat (maybe overkill in a car that small?). that would use all the speakers from my 850. and i suppose the head unit could be put in an enclosure in the passenger footwell (gotta love those remotes...) the problem then is the wiring. i'll check my alternator specs when i get home, but i think its like you said Bing. I'll see what i can find. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
C70_london Posted July 3, 2004 Report Share Posted July 3, 2004 Welcome to the World of Minis ! I've got a 1977 one..bit off thread, but not sure how you intend to get 260 bhp - certainly not by tuning a Mini engine !! I've been dynoed at 118 bhp and that's enough to beat my T5 in the 60mph sprint. The wiring is still 12V negative earth, so there's no worries on that count. I mounted a couple of speakers in the rear parcel shelf. It's a bit of an effort cutting the holes and I had to take the rear screen out to get a jigsaw in there to do it. I'm far from a HiFi expert, but once they were in I thought the sound was pretty reasonable..the shelf is certainly the firmest base for them you'll find in a mini. The only problem with a mini is that the background noise is very high...and if you start to tune it, it could get ridiculous (I've been known to wear ear defenders on a long journey ) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ABARTH965ss Posted July 3, 2004 Author Report Share Posted July 3, 2004 260 hp can be achieved through a massive financial input for a full-out race engine, turbocharged, full race exhasust (street legal or not i doubt the cops where i'm at will care), fuel injection (a bit modern, but if there's gonna be loads of titanium and aluminum anyway, why keep it entirely original?), and tuned for insanity. all it takes is a lack of concern for cost. i had thought about the parcel shelf, but i would like to be able to remove the speakers quickly and simply. the less screws etc. the better. I still like the idea of the dash and rear seat boxes. pics will be up soon, i hope.M1N1 power! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bing_0 Posted July 4, 2004 Report Share Posted July 4, 2004 well, if you can somehow managed to squeez a bigger alternator in there, wea re i buisness if you are looking for low weight soltuions, i would say you can easily build a full custom syste that will sound great in the mini and still have a total weight gain of less than 40-50 lbs b Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
C70_london Posted July 4, 2004 Report Share Posted July 4, 2004 :blink: You are talking about a 'genuine' mini right, not the BMW 1-series?Good luck heading towards 260 bhp....I presume you're changing the lump to something more modern, otherwise you'll be first person ever to achieve it using the A-series engine...turboed or otherwise. Maybe a massive squirt of nitrous will get it there briefly I don't know where you're based, but a lot of the higher output Rover alternators will easily fit on the mini brackets..but if you're changing the engine, that won't matter I guess !Good luck with the project.... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ABARTH965ss Posted July 5, 2004 Author Report Share Posted July 5, 2004 right now i'm in Massachusetts. the car is 'genuine' of course... wouldnt have it any other way (the car was actually advertised in Road&Track a few months back, thats how i saw it first... half page ad...). I was actaully already pondering the rover alternator, since i wont have the engine / transmission / drivetrain / suspension / wheels & tires money for a while... pics are still in the works Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
C70_london Posted July 5, 2004 Report Share Posted July 5, 2004 Good to hear it's a real mini If you have any problems, feel free to mail me..I've been messing with 'em for 18 years now. Minifinity isn't too bad a site..but do yourself a favour...if you post there, don't mention anything about 260bhp... :wink: I think I'm straying OT now, so I'll be off ! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ABARTH965ss Posted July 6, 2004 Author Report Share Posted July 6, 2004 dude, thats the greatest site ever, like the Mini version of VS... why have i never found it before? hmmm, i guess i can pretty much figure my way through this myself now... Bing, if i get in too deep i'll come crawling back... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bing_0 Posted July 6, 2004 Report Share Posted July 6, 2004 sounds good buddy, i always tell people who come by my shop and describe ideas they want to go for in their car, either them doing it themselves, or wanting me to do it...and that is "know your level and dont surpass it too much"...while its nice to push the envelope, most people do not have the time, money, and for me, the patience of my customers, to really do that...often, your awesome looking install you dreamed up ion your head ends up looking really crappy... i think the best way to learn to do the better installs is to either learn with someone who is better, or if you have tons of money and time, go practice withall sorts of stuff heheb Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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