Here is where it all started
https://www.mokeforum.com.au/index.php/topic,7661.0.html and due to some mechanical issues and some paint issues and a heap of other stuff going on. I didn't look at the Moke for over 12 months.
Even before doing the original restoration I had dreams of doing something a little different. I even toyed with the idea of a twin engine all wheel drive after reading about a mini in Melbourne with two cooper s engines in it. Obviously a very complicated conversion.
Well I have been doing a bit of reading and a lot of Dreaming and have decided to take on the challenge of putting a B18 Honda engine into the Moke.
I haven't put a time frame on it at this stage but would hope to have most of the hard work done by mid 2016, I don't think I will get much spanner work started to much before July 2015.
I am already speaking with a local Engineer in Wollongong NSW and he seems confident that I can do this and register it, which is the plan.
While I am at it I want to build a new roll cage that will facilitate the use of lap sash belts in the back seats, as well as complete the custom dash I have planned out of carbon fibre.
Currently the plan is to use the standard B18 engine and the Honda loom so all the Moke loom will be removed and the Honda one stripped of anything not required, this will enable the use of the standard ECU.
Still trying to work out what to do with the intake manifold as the standard and aftermarket ones don't fit. Some guys cut the bulkhead and some modify a manifold? I need to speak to the engineer in depth on this one.
I have purchased an entire Honda Integra VTiR so I would like to use as much as possible off the donor car for this build. I would like to look at using the brakes and possibly even adopting the stud pattern, this would open up a larger range of wheels.
About the wheels, I haven't checked what the engineering restrictions are but I stood the 13" Moke wheels against the 15" Honda rims and the difference in diameter in probably only about 25 to 35 mm so I would like to look at putting 15"s on it.
There are quite a few, ok 3 or 4 engineering mobs that build the subframes that fit up under the mini mounts. Pros and cons for all of them. Some require a font end body extension which I want to avoid at all cost. Needless to say the engine bay will be cramped.
The frame I am leaning towards comes from All Speed engineering in the UK and runs standard suspension ( I like the idea ) and has standard track width ( important for rego) it will still need some mods to comply with our rego rules.
There is a mini van in Germany I think that the guy has even used the ABS braking. I would like to understand how this works and explore that option also, as the integra has ABS.
As you all know this is a big project, however I am confident even if a little daunted at the task that I can do this, and to be honest I am as excited about The project construction and logistics as I am about the end product.
I have started to list some of my A series bits on EBay and I have purchased the donor car so I have already committed.
Wish me luck, call me mad, give advise, point out what I could improve, it's all welcome.
It has come from this
With a lot of work got to this
Now for the engine conversion, I don't plan on to many body mods at this stage and a repaint isn't on the cards for a while so the welding that will damage the paint will be treated to prevent rust but won't be all shiny and nice