Intro and Update: Slugmobile and Mean Mini! (long read, but worth it)

[acannell]

okay for some reason I really want to see this VAN GOOOO

so wheming when is the projected race date when you will be go-proing the whole shebang???

[DaveSkrab]

Sweeeeeet!

[wheming]

Thanks!
Although Brian's mechanical work is complete, I still have some to do before she is ready. It will need tuning.
There also appears to be some bug with the computer. I need to spend some more time with it. But yesterday i thought i determined the SMEC was bad. Going to do more troubleshooting today.

I am hoping to make it to SDAC. I would like to get some track time before then but we'll have to see.

[wheming]

MeanMini update:
Ok, its been a few weeks since i picked up Mini after Brian's awesome job putting her back in shape and breathing new life into her.
(For those that don't have the time or desire to read through all these pages, Mini was found to have a dead cylinder as i was preparing to attend SDAC whatever number in Detroit. So she has basically been out of commission since then.)

Brian did a fantastic job and the communications along the way were great. If you need services of an experienced master mechanic and fabricator, i'm not the only one who will speak highly of him. So there's the plug!

I have been collecting parts for this build since i got Mini in 2010? And the parts list is pretty substantial. But although this does stray from Gus' original build, it is important to remember he would try some fancier parts eventually to increase reliability or when something needed replacing it would be upgraded. Mini had the Ed Peters Super 70, and a Mopar Performance G-head with +1mm valves, and limited slip diff, etc.

Here is the current breakdown for the most part of the recent work...

MeanMini Engine Build Specs (April 2015)
Block:
-2.5L common block bored 0.020", decked for proper Cometic surface finish, but not sure how much.
-Cometic MLS headgasket modified to only 0.039" thickness (modified to get compression ratio up to 8.2:1 IIRC)
-JE Forged pistons, 23cc dish
-stock rods with ARP bolts, chamfered hole in piston pin end for increased oiling
-ARP 11mm headstuds
-main bearing studs
-stock crank -0.010"
-balance shafts removed
-high volume oil pump
-most engine rebuild parts were from FM, some from TU

Head:
-'91 Casting 287 (MP mild port G-head, +1mm valves)
-Steve Menegon full port high flow head
-56cc combustion chamber
-Compression ratio (IIRC, 8.2:1)
-TU R5 Camshaft
-PT lifters
-acannell 4th cylinder cooling modification

Turbo:
-TU sourced Garrett GT3076 DBB (GT3076R)
Turbonetics .63 Stage 1 turbine housing
-Compressor .60 A/R, 56 trim, 4" shrouded inlet. And extra thanks to Chris at TU and his business associates that did a bunch of special work to the turbo to make it one-of-a-kind for this special van!

Intake
-2 piece lower intake runners fully ported by Steve Menegon
-Adam Lengel upper plenum with 3" cast elbow to direct TB flange to near stock location,
-52mm TB
-turbo pipes are 2.5" aluminum,
-Spearco dual 3.5Dx9.24Wx6H core intercooler
-3 bar MAP sensor

Exhaust
-TU Cast iron step header, TU thermal coated
-ATP high flow 3" swingvalve housing, TU thermal coated
-Innovate MTX-L Wideband O2 monitor (output to BoostButton flashable SMEC running Turbonator custom cal)
-3" SS mandrel bends downpipe with flex coupling
-3" test pipe/ or 3" in/out MBS high flow 5" race catalytic converter (100 cpsi, flows 615 cfm @ 28")
-3" SS exhaust cutout
-3" SS Dynomax UltraFlo muffler

Fuel
-Walbro 255 LPH pump
-TU High flow fuel rail
-Trick Flow 1000cc (95 PPH) injectors (set to flow as 85 pph in cal with 35 psi base fuel press)
-Accufab AFPR (rail mount type, mounted in TU bracket on strut tower instead of rail)
-Fram HPG-1 fuel filter under car in supply line
-SloweSpeed fabricated new injector wiring harness

SMEC
-BoostButton flashable, running custom cal by Rob (Shelgame)

Trans
-A413 fully built by Cliff Ramsdell
-Full manual reverse valve body
-.91 transfer gears
-Peloquin LSD
-PTC high stall race converter from FM
-Hayden RV trans cooler


Brian did a bunch of other work including fuel tank replacement, rear axle replacement, oil catch can/breather system, replaced power steering pump and lines, installed a dual thermocouple kit for EGT and intake temp, and maybe more that I'm forgetting.

Here's a couple pics:

[86Shelby]

Looks great! I'm sure it runs even better!

[DaveSkrab]

Most excellent!

[wheming]

Thanks! And i can't wait to drive it now that i have some new Polybushings alternator bushings. Squeak be gone damn you!

[BIG PSI]

Wheming;

I want to compliment you and Brian for a job well done.
I had seen Mean Mini back in the hay day, and it has come a long way.
You must have spent lots of time and BIG $$$ to get to the point where it is now.

I am hoping that maybe this year I can make it out to SDAC to see it as well and maybe see history run down the track once more.

Chuck Green

[wheming]

Thank you Chuck. It's a labor of love, that's for sure. And part of the reasons for all this work is to see she can be enjoyed for several years to come.
I hope you can make it too, and hope that things continue to work out so i can make it.

I still have lots to do.
Still needs breaking in, and tuning needs to be optimized, Rear needs long studs, front windows need tinted, have to get tach working better, need to rebulb dash, need to finish polishing the American Racing wheels and have new tires installed, need to work on a bit of underbody rust before it can't be corrected, need to reinstall my new a/c components and get evacuated and charged, and need some cooling fans for the intercooler, and theres probably more i can't think of.

By the time its all over i may have as much into her as Gus had! (But let's keep that from the wife!)

It'll be a few years too late for the running of Top Van, but still looking forward to SDAC as there should be a good contingent of NE chapter and the mid atlantic chapters that might remember the van from her good ole days.

-Wayne

[acannell]

dont tell anyone I said this..but recent PM and phone discussions I've had with forum folks who shall remain nameless, and asked for confidentiality, indicate to me that several insane minivans are in progress and planning on beating existing records and each other

[RoadWarrior222]

No, no, don't make me, there's a cheap buick blower local, but the EGH has weak rods and I'd need at least 600 horsies in this AWD tank....

[wheming]

dont tell anyone I said this..but recent PM and phone discussions I've had with forum folks who shall remain nameless, and asked for confidentiality, indicate to me that several insane minivans are in progress and planning on beating existing records and each other

Nice! I can't wait to see them.
I wish i had a fast minivan that could break records!

[acannell]

Nice! I can't wait to see them.
I wish i had a fast minivan that could break records!

uhhh...wha?

http://www.turbo-mopar.com/forums/sh...=1#post1078220

[Ondonti]

dont tell anyone I said this..but recent PM and phone discussions I've had with forum folks who shall remain nameless, and asked for confidentiality, indicate to me that several insane minivans are in progress and planning on beating existing records and each other

Guess I gotta give up some parts for my team.

[turbovanman²]

I have a few years to go before mini-me is built,

[wheming]

uhhh...wha?

http://www.turbo-mopar.com/forums/sh...=1#post1078220

Oh? That old thing?
That's Gus' van.

[2.216VTurbo]

Oh? That old thing?
That's Gus' van.

Yeah, but it's the *original* fast Mini Years before Paul Smith built a fast Mini

[wheming]

She'll always have that going for her! All those years when she was Top Drag Van.
From Gus' own webpage:

"My pal Paul Smith has been healthy, and has taken his minivan into the 12's while I've been sick. So Mini currently bows to Paul, but remains minivan Drag Racing Champion of 1990, 1991, 1992, 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996, 1997, 1998, and "no-nitrous" champ of 1999. (Cliff Sebring had a 13.0 second nitrous minivan in 1999)"

[wheming]

Finally started re-installing the a/c on MeanMini the other day. A couple years ago i had installed an aftermarket parallel flow condenser made for R134a, and supposedly like 30% more efficient.
Now that the engine rebuild was completed and i finally fixed the squeaky alternator with some PolyBushings, i figured it was time to get the rest of the a/c components installed and see about recharging.
The evaporator is the only original component. Everything else is new. Compressor is a reman from Jensen Auto. Lines were customized for the relocated condenser and using the 1993 van system which was R134a.
The system held vacuum perfect, but once the system was up to discharge temperature the issues i felt might be a problem with the new dryer proved to be a problem. Mainly, the dryer was certainly an old item because the adhesive from the tape covering the flange surface had turned to like shellac. It wouldn't even clean off with brake cleaner. So when the system heated up, it eventually leaked at both connections on the dryer. Of course that was after i finished charging with the last can!
Anyway, here are some pics. I will have to pump down and replace the dryer with a new one. Hopefully all goes well and i can calculate how much oil i loose so i can recharge the proper amount of oil.
My specs were 7 oz. Pag 46 and 36 oz R134a.

[wheming]

Took a video clip of a startup and walk around.
Still a bit rich on startup, had not attempted to change yet before working on getting PumpEffTbl dialed in better.
There's a stumble when something switches inthe cal. Need to sort that out and also will sometimes stall on revving and releasing throttle.

Still lots to do before SDAC. Need a better mount for manifold pressure gauge. Left side of dash where Gus had is too far from the wideband.

http://youtu.be/RgiAwmEb3yA