Starting from scratch!!

[normydale]

Basically i'm a mini lover with very little mechanical skills. I'm looking to buy a shell of a mini & totally modernise the car! I'm looking for advice about a suitable new engine (no larger than 1.4 really), new suspension & running gear.?

Any advice would be appreciated, as i say i'm a mini lover lacking the knowledge to make it work. I'll be getting garages to do most the work just want to know what i'm talking about when i approach these people.

Thanks for any advice you can give.

[AlleyCat]

when you say new do mean like a modern engine? if so the only one i can think of thats been done in a Mini thats 1.3 is a suzuki swift engine.

[normydale]

Yes a modern engine. A Swift engine sounds good, i was thinking corsa sxi or Saxo vts but again have little knowledge.

[AlleyCat]

to be honest i dont know much on this side of things with that size engine. i just know i have seen Suzuki ones done. but i must admit i have never come across saxo engines etc.

the most popular conversions with modern engines all involve Honda Vtec or Vauxhall red tops, but they are much bigger engine capacity than what you are after.

im sure there are other guys on here that could help more, i would also get down to a mini show and see what people have done, maybe talk to some of the specialist stands.

[normydale]

Sounds good & thanks for the advice! I have some pretty crazy ideas rolling around my head but wether there practical is another matter ha ha! I'm thinking stuff like a rear light conversion from the new mini... any thoughts?

Also has anyone come across a power steering conversion on the mini?

[guru_1071]

you probably need to make your self more aware of the legalities of fitting other makes of engine to minis, with the resultant subframe and shell mods required - you may find that your attempting to create a vehicle that has no chance of passing an iva test.

make no mistake, trying to build a vehicle thats much modded as a novice will only cost a fortune, just understanding the laws is hard enough when you have a very good understanding of what can/cannot be achived.

a power steering kit is easily fitted, you use a corsa (i think) steering coloum, modded a little with a stand alone ecu that will give you speed and load sensitive steering - its a common fitment to comp cars and costs circa 1000 quid

[normydale]

Thanks guru_1071, do you have any suggestions for engines then? I'm not really looking for super speed, just something that would compare to a modern day 1.4 Corsa for example (which is my currently ride) I plan to mainly focus on creating a luxury interior & smooth body. My plan is upgraded suspension & as i say a adequate engine. Sorry if these seem ridiculous questions i'm just trying to get a feel.

[normydale]

I've also been looking at Yamaha R1 engine conversions, opinions on this too.?

[TAHodgson]

wouldn't a 1.4 (or 1.8) K series be do-able?

[guru_1071]

i think, that from a modern legal requirment, any engine conversion you look at should not require and major body or subframe surgery, as this (technically & legally) requires the car to go through an iva test - which is a massive added expense.

this is where stuff like the 'pro-motive' bike engine conversion seem to have it nailed, as the engine fits into a minisubframe (with small mods) and the car can easily be put back to standard if required.

the days of hacking minis around and sticking all sorts of engines in + using the doner vehicle logbook, are now, passed im afraid - it only takes a vosa tug, or a dvla flag up and you are in a whole world of hell.

[normydale]

Thanks guys, think i may go down the bike engine road as only minor subframe mods are required. Then the fun of cosmetics for the car can begin. Other than that do you have any advice for suspension mods?

[nick1275]

allspeed do a kit for a 1.4 vaux engine

[mrleigh]

[quote=guru_1071]you probably need to make your self more aware of the legalities of fitting other makes of engine to minis, with the resultant subframe and shell mods required - you may find that your attempting to create a vehicle that has no chance of passing an iva test.

make no mistake, trying to build a vehicle thats much modded as a novice will only cost a fortune, just understanding the laws is hard enough when you have a very good understanding of what can/cannot be achived.

could you please explain what you mean by "no chance of passing iva test"

[mrleigh]

normydale said:

I've also been looking at Yamaha R1 engine conversions, opinions on this too.?

bike engines in minis are a personal preference (big no no for me).

if you want a decent 1.4, i'd go with a late 90's cooper s engine anything else is a waste of money.

[guru_1071]

mrleigh said:

could you please explain what you mean by "no chance of passing iva test"

sure,

many people stick all sorts of engines into minis cutting and shutting the subframes and the shell to get them in BEFORE they have read (or even become aware of) the rules of the iva test.

then, once they are too far into the project they realise that to pass the iva the car either needs a huge amount of work/expense to pass the inspection.


have a look on the mini forum or retro rides at some of the projects that have never been finished due to the owner going in all guns blazing (and often egged on by other people....), the other option is to simply register them as a std mini, but it would appear that the dvla/vosa are be comming more wise to this - once the logbook is flagged for an engine number or size change they simply invite the owner to have the car inspected.....

i would recomend to anyone thinking of doing any none standard engine swop (which requires shell, subframe & suspension mods)to a mini to get a copy of the requirments of the iva and read it long and hard - its not impossible to pass it, but will probably cost at least another £1000 to get the car through the test and you will probably not end up with the vehicle that you where hoping for.

as the o/p on this post is clearly a novice i think its better that he/she is clear on the technicalties and legalities of what they are hoping to do

[haynes]

I thinks theres a bit of an oxymoron in the OP, ie mini lover + wanting to totally modernise.

I think buying a BMW mini is the best option, thats going to have all the modern features, far better option than an original mini shell thats been b@stardised with a modern engine and power steering, etc etc etc.

Thee charm of the original mini is the directness of the driving experience and that you dont need all the modern gizmos.

Edited by haynes on Monday 15th August 15:04

[annodomini2]

It would be much easier and cheaper to modify an A-series engine to have corsa 1.4 power level, than trying to fit corsa 1.4 or equivalent engine in a mini.

The only minor benefit I would see is possibly the 5 speed box.

I'd look towards a 1293 or 1340cc and aim for about 85-90bhp.

Remember mini's are lighter than corsa's.

If you want to up the power later this is also possible with 1380cc, 16v, Supercharger and Turbocharger conversions possible.

[normydale]

haynes said:

I thinks theres a bit of an oxymoron in the OP, ie mini lover + wanting to totally modernise.

I think buying a BMW mini is the best option, thats going to have all the modern features, far better option than an original mini shell thats been b@stardised with a modern engine and power steering, etc etc etc.

Thee charm of the original mini is the directness of the driving experience and that you dont need all the modern gizmos.

Edited by haynes on Monday 15th August 15:04

Thanks for your useless input. The point is i like the look of the old mini, & the practicality of modern cars. The whole point of me creating this topic was to gain useful information.

You other guys thank you, i have more idea about the engine conversion now & will deffinately steer clear of a radical change! Will keep you updated on my progress.

[vdubbin]

How about, instead of replacing the entire engine, you just replace the head with a twin cam unit?

There's a kit that allow the fitment of a BMW K series bike head to a mini block, it's pricey, but there're a few Mini fans that have DIY'd it for less.

http://www.kad-uk.com/kad-16-valve/mini-engine-gea...

Or you coild go down the turbo route: http://www.turbominis.co.uk/forums/index.php

[mrleigh]

guru_1071 said:

sure,

many people stick all sorts of engines into minis cutting and shutting the subframes and the shell to get them in BEFORE they have read (or even become aware of) the rules of the iva test.

then, once they are too far into the project they realise that to pass the iva the car either needs a huge amount of work/expense to pass the inspection.


have a look on the mini forum or retro rides at some of the projects that have never been finished due to the owner going in all guns blazing (and often egged on by other people....), the other option is to simply register them as a std mini, but it would appear that the dvla/vosa are be comming more wise to this - once the logbook is flagged for an engine number or size change they simply invite the owner to have the car inspected.....

i would recomend to anyone thinking of doing any none standard engine swop (which requires shell, subframe & suspension mods)to a mini to get a copy of the requirments of the iva and read it long and hard - its not impossible to pass it, but will probably cost at least another £1000 to get the car through the test and you will probably not end up with the vehicle that you where hoping for.

as the o/p on this post is clearly a novice i think its better that he/she is clear on the technicalties and legalities of what they are hoping to do

the sva 'test' is all about health and safety. the car has to adhere to the same spec as if it were coming out of the factory, ie:- no sharp corners, brake hoses from subframe to body have to be fexible etc... anyone (myself included) would use their common sense in these matters.
it doesnt matter wether you put a bentley W12 in a mini as long as these guidelines are followed. the sva cost varies but is around £300 and retest upto £100.
When i contacted the dvla a few months ago to ask what i need to do to keep the ID of my 1979 1275GT they sent me a form (V627/1) which has a check list of 6 basic components of the original car of which the majority that has to be present to keep the ID :-

chassis
axles
transmission
steering
engine
suspention (front & rear)

VOSA do the test to see if the car is road worthy, but it's the DVLA who decide if the age of the car can be determined. so in thoery you can take a what 'looks like' a mini, with mini suspension, steering and axles but with another engine and gearbox to VOSA and get it passed as roadworthy. then take your cert to the DVLA, and say i've restored my mini here is the VOSA cert and a list of original parts used emend my V5 accordingly please.