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#21
Maintenance and Modifications / Re: Electric a/c for Minis
Last post by 94touring - October 15, 2026, 04:27:47 PMProblem solved
#22
Maintenance and Modifications / Re: Electric a/c for Minis
Last post by MPlayle - October 15, 2026, 03:00:22 PMAn update on the research and parts locating for this potential project.
The hold-up has been solving the problem of providing sufficient power for the electric compressor. I received a data sheet from WOSP for their LMA420-LO (180 amp) alternator and it meets the recommended minimum 120 amps at low RPM.
The next kink in the project became the drive belt. The high output alternators will tax the standard 10mm V-belt of the older Minis and WOSP recommended converting to a multi-groove belt like the later MPI Minis used. Solving that involved a LOT of hunting down a source for the MPI crankshaft and water pump pulleys. The water pump pulleys are available from several suppliers. The crankshaft pulleys are NLA! Fortunately, Jet motors (of all places) has a bunch of "near new" take-offs from some of their twin-cam conversions. I was also able to source the correct length belt from Amazon Germany.
I am going to pull the trigger on at least trying the alternator upgrade and belt conversion.
More as things develop.
The hold-up has been solving the problem of providing sufficient power for the electric compressor. I received a data sheet from WOSP for their LMA420-LO (180 amp) alternator and it meets the recommended minimum 120 amps at low RPM.
The next kink in the project became the drive belt. The high output alternators will tax the standard 10mm V-belt of the older Minis and WOSP recommended converting to a multi-groove belt like the later MPI Minis used. Solving that involved a LOT of hunting down a source for the MPI crankshaft and water pump pulleys. The water pump pulleys are available from several suppliers. The crankshaft pulleys are NLA! Fortunately, Jet motors (of all places) has a bunch of "near new" take-offs from some of their twin-cam conversions. I was also able to source the correct length belt from Amazon Germany.
I am going to pull the trigger on at least trying the alternator upgrade and belt conversion.
More as things develop.
#23
Maintenance and Modifications / Re: How do *YOU* install heavy...
Last post by Jims5543 - October 15, 2026, 08:20:51 AMQuote from: 94touring on September 14, 2026, 02:05:53 PMWhat you created looks similar to what I've seen the mechanics use to change out plane wheels.
I saw this short last night and thought of this thread. Some inaccuracies in the video, see comments, but cool to see in action.
#24
The Lounge / Re: Evolve or die
Last post by Jims5543 - October 14, 2026, 05:55:33 AMDifferent regions breed different surveyors.
When I was cutting my teeth in this business in the Cape Canaveral / Merritt Island area, all the surveyors there hated each other and kept war chests of their enemies surveys at the ready to turn them into the Regulatory Boards.
Then I moved to West Palm Beach and all the Surveyors there were very friendly with one another, I started attending our monthly Surveyors Chapter meetings, many would go early to hang out in the bar and chat first. The company I worked for was large, we subcontracted smaller local surveying companies to help us on large projects or when we just had too much to do, they would get our day to day overflow.
When I moved to where I am now, I decided to try to drum up work from the local surveyors the first 2 offices I went to they threw me out. Both were not nice and threatened me that I better not be there to undercut them. The 3rd guy was indifferent, I could not read him, he asked me for a card and he would think about using me.
I was 10 minutes away from his office when he called me and asked me to come back he had an idea.
I ended up working as a sub for him 3 days a week then 2 days a week working on I-95 widening layout, over the next 3 years I would help him on larger projects. The last of those 3 years, I was subletting an office from him so we could be in closer communication.
Shortly after I moved in, he passed away, his widow sold me this business. I was so busy in the early 2000's I could not hire people fast enough. In 2002 I hired a co-worker from WPB who was relocating to the area. After 6 months I convinced him to start his own business, I handed him a few of my clients a larger builder, a bank some title companies to help him get off the ground.
To this day, once a month he and I meet up for beers, that has morphed into anywhere from 6-12 local surveyors meeting us for beers. Our own unofficial Surveyors club.
We all share data, pass on referrals to one another, take up issues with one another. Great surveying community here.
When I was cutting my teeth in this business in the Cape Canaveral / Merritt Island area, all the surveyors there hated each other and kept war chests of their enemies surveys at the ready to turn them into the Regulatory Boards.
Then I moved to West Palm Beach and all the Surveyors there were very friendly with one another, I started attending our monthly Surveyors Chapter meetings, many would go early to hang out in the bar and chat first. The company I worked for was large, we subcontracted smaller local surveying companies to help us on large projects or when we just had too much to do, they would get our day to day overflow.
When I moved to where I am now, I decided to try to drum up work from the local surveyors the first 2 offices I went to they threw me out. Both were not nice and threatened me that I better not be there to undercut them. The 3rd guy was indifferent, I could not read him, he asked me for a card and he would think about using me.
I was 10 minutes away from his office when he called me and asked me to come back he had an idea.
I ended up working as a sub for him 3 days a week then 2 days a week working on I-95 widening layout, over the next 3 years I would help him on larger projects. The last of those 3 years, I was subletting an office from him so we could be in closer communication.
Shortly after I moved in, he passed away, his widow sold me this business. I was so busy in the early 2000's I could not hire people fast enough. In 2002 I hired a co-worker from WPB who was relocating to the area. After 6 months I convinced him to start his own business, I handed him a few of my clients a larger builder, a bank some title companies to help him get off the ground.
To this day, once a month he and I meet up for beers, that has morphed into anywhere from 6-12 local surveyors meeting us for beers. Our own unofficial Surveyors club.
We all share data, pass on referrals to one another, take up issues with one another. Great surveying community here.
#25
The Lounge / Re: Evolve or die
Last post by Dan Moffet - October 13, 2026, 12:59:16 PMI can't say for sure, but I think the local surveyors share data to save each other time and aggravation. Back when I got my survey done, it was interesting to see how they offset somehow to properly locate a line through the length of a 6' plus thick cedar hedge. That was before the modern marvels of GPS. A long way since my college days when we were "introduced" to rod and transit and dumpy level. The biggest challenge to a neophyte was to get a transit head level using the opposing thumbscrews correctly.
#26
Maintenance and Modifications / Re: 998 Turbo build thread
Last post by MPlayle - October 13, 2026, 12:24:33 PMNo pictures, but a bunch more parts arrived today. I should now have all the pieces to put together a custom exhaust as well as replumb the heater lines.
#27
Maintenance and Modifications / Re: Electric a/c for Minis
Last post by MPlayle - October 13, 2026, 12:13:56 PMI am also planning on replacing the existing Mini heater with a heat/cool evaporator unit.
I have been looking at these units:
Universal 432-100 unit
Universal 406-100 unit
I have also been looking at using either a 12"x14" or 12"x16" condenser coil (and pusher fan mounted on top) to be mounted horizontally in the rear subframe of my Van.
Edit: The underdash units I have been looking at would take up some of the passenger foot space as they are about 15" wide, but have more vents and a higher cfm to their fans.
I have been looking at these units:
Universal 432-100 unit
Universal 406-100 unit
I have also been looking at using either a 12"x14" or 12"x16" condenser coil (and pusher fan mounted on top) to be mounted horizontally in the rear subframe of my Van.
Edit: The underdash units I have been looking at would take up some of the passenger foot space as they are about 15" wide, but have more vents and a higher cfm to their fans.
#28
The Lounge / Re: Evolve or die
Last post by Jims5543 - October 13, 2026, 11:59:25 AMYou did exactly what what we do, if a lot has a closure error we will run out the lots on either side in order to determine where the error is. I just had to run out an entire block due to my drafter struggling to find a closure error.
I find it interesting that some municipalities keep survey databases and think that is invaluable.
None of the municipalities around here maintain a database. I can access septic permit surveys and I can request copies of construction surveys from the different municipalities via FOIA guidelines. They do not keep records over 7 years though which I think is a mistake.
I find it interesting that some municipalities keep survey databases and think that is invaluable.
None of the municipalities around here maintain a database. I can access septic permit surveys and I can request copies of construction surveys from the different municipalities via FOIA guidelines. They do not keep records over 7 years though which I think is a mistake.
#29
The Lounge / Re: What did you do in your sh...
Last post by Jims5543 - October 13, 2026, 11:51:03 AMI'll try to grab a couple of pics Dave, there is a hole in my fender that leads to the wheel well behind the liner. Water cannot get inside the air box unless I tried really hard like took a large puddle at 40 MPH.
I was annoyed by the tire store, I was hoping they had enough sense to use black wheel weights on the black rims. The didn't. Amazon to the rescue. I ordered a box of them and replaced the silver weights with black.
One thing struck me as curious, one rim had no weights? None. What are the chances of that? Or more likely they missed balancing that rim, I am taking it back tomorrow to have them check it.
I was annoyed by the tire store, I was hoping they had enough sense to use black wheel weights on the black rims. The didn't. Amazon to the rescue. I ordered a box of them and replaced the silver weights with black.
One thing struck me as curious, one rim had no weights? None. What are the chances of that? Or more likely they missed balancing that rim, I am taking it back tomorrow to have them check it.
#30
Maintenance and Modifications / Re: Electric a/c for Minis
Last post by Merlin - October 13, 2026, 11:10:26 AMIf you have a way to get the amperage you need, then you got the horsepower required. Those prices are not too far off the mark as I bought a 90A alternator which was a direct replacement and it was $500ish. I wish I had known about those as we are adding two fans to the system and need all the help we can get!
In regards to the rest of the system, I am working on an evaporator and condenser setup. the JDM system takes up the entire footwell of the passenger side and is not ideal. I purchased the below for my car with the intent of replacing the heater with it.
https://www.t7design.co.uk/siroco-3-2kw-compact-air-conditioning-heater-unit-55mm-12v-002-e7e-aad.html
They sell a complete package with controls as well. I want to integrate it into the existing controls because I love to make my life difficult, which is why I went this direction. It seems to fit within the boundaries of a standard heater.
For the evaporator, I picked up the JDM later style and plan on mounting it to the right wing.
https://classicminisjapan.com/products/air-conditioning/condenser/
The car came with the R12 setup and the evaporator was front and center. Shroud to hold a Spal 8" fan has been created and is with Sendcutsend.
In regards to the rest of the system, I am working on an evaporator and condenser setup. the JDM system takes up the entire footwell of the passenger side and is not ideal. I purchased the below for my car with the intent of replacing the heater with it.
https://www.t7design.co.uk/siroco-3-2kw-compact-air-conditioning-heater-unit-55mm-12v-002-e7e-aad.html
They sell a complete package with controls as well. I want to integrate it into the existing controls because I love to make my life difficult, which is why I went this direction. It seems to fit within the boundaries of a standard heater.
For the evaporator, I picked up the JDM later style and plan on mounting it to the right wing.
https://classicminisjapan.com/products/air-conditioning/condenser/
The car came with the R12 setup and the evaporator was front and center. Shroud to hold a Spal 8" fan has been created and is with Sendcutsend.