Mini Conversions
Discussion
I have a friend who bought a Honda 1.8 V-Tec Mini. He paid a lot for it, c.£11,000 and, quite frankly, it is horrible to drive. Yes, it's quick in a straight line, but despite the well-modified suspension, by Mk.1 Cooper 'S' has better road-holding & handling.
For that sort of money he could have bought something really quick and reliable.
To most, the Mini is at its best with the original 1275 A-series engine as a true classic car. it's never going to go and be reliable like a modern car and can really only be enjoyed as a classic or for historic motor-sport.
For that sort of money he could have bought something really quick and reliable.
To most, the Mini is at its best with the original 1275 A-series engine as a true classic car. it's never going to go and be reliable like a modern car and can really only be enjoyed as a classic or for historic motor-sport.
Main things to look for are bird sh!t welding, Wiring that will eventually send the whole car up in smoke (looming is an art) and poor driveshaft angles. Many of the Vaux/Honda kits are very good-execution of them often the Achilles heel. I'd personally consider doing one in a clubmen front, because the elongated round nose look bloody stupid.
A-series + 16V heads seem to be acceptable/satisfy the purists. Turbo A-series motors can be utterly ballistic.
A-series + 16V heads seem to be acceptable/satisfy the purists. Turbo A-series motors can be utterly ballistic.
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