Mini Diesel engine options and suitable gearboxes

Mini Diesel engine options and suitable gearboxes

Author
Discussion

Tatraman

Original Poster:

13 posts

144 months

Monday 27th January 2014
quotequote all
Beyond the known Mini diesel conversions that make use of either the 993cc 3-cylinder Daihatsu CL-Series, 1.4-1.5 PSA TUD and odd 1.5 Isuzu 4EC1 units, what other small diesel engines could realistically fit into a Classic Mini?

Have looked at the 41-53 hp 799cc 3-cylinder Turbodiesel from the Smart Fortwo CDI (that can apparently be remapped to produce around 69-75 hp) though even if the engine could easily slot into a Classic Mini, could the existing transmission be made to cope with the torque/etc from the 799cc 3-cylinder Turbodiesel unit (especially when remapped) or any other small diesel engine for that matter?

If not, what would be a suitable gearbox or would one have to settle for using the Smart's existing dodgy semi-automatic gearbox?

In the case of a remapped Classic Mini 800 CDI conversion, the prospect of 1275 Cooper S-like pace with potential 83MPG and 86g/km Co2 figures is very appealing (at least in theory).

cpas

1,661 posts

247 months

Monday 27th January 2014
quotequote all
Just a quick question. Are you doing this just out of interest to see if it can be done, or are you after economy? Have you calculated the mileage you would need to do at the extra MPG to pay for the conversion cost? Also, the CO2 figures won't mean you pay any less car tax.

Tatraman

Original Poster:

13 posts

144 months

Monday 27th January 2014
quotequote all
cpas said:
Just a quick question. Are you doing this just out of interest to see if it can be done, or are you after economy? Have you calculated the mileage you would need to do at the extra MPG to pay for the conversion cost? Also, the CO2 figures won't mean you pay any less car tax.
Mainly to see whether it can be done though given the Mini is lighter than the Smart Fortwo, it would be interesting to see whether the mpg figures remain unchanged or are somehow improved upon.

Cooperman

4,428 posts

257 months

Tuesday 28th January 2014
quotequote all
It always seems a bit sad somehow to turn a classic car of any type into a 'hybrid'.
It's a bit like putting an American Ford V8 into an E-Type Jag.

DanGT

753 posts

233 months

Wednesday 29th January 2014
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I have see in mags some done but cant remeber what I did yesteerday let alone what they were. Nornly the older engines are easyer to fit but newer work better. But I say go for it. I think making old cars what we want keeps them alive. Two may are left as they are to rust on the drive.

vx220

2,700 posts

241 months

Wednesday 29th January 2014
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Cooperman said:
It always seems a bit sad somehow to turn a classic car of any type into a 'hybrid'.
It's a bit like putting an American Ford V8 into an E-Type Jag.
A Ford V8 powered E-type would still be a fun to drive car, and would sound amazing (and would be worth doing to watch peoples faces as you lift the bonnet)

A diesel mini would sound awful, and lose the fun from one of the "funnest" cars ever

stevieturbo

17,527 posts

254 months

Thursday 30th January 2014
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What about some of the modern 1.6 3 cylinder VAG units ? I think I had a Seat Ibiza hire car that was one ( it was defo 3cyl, cant remember what size though )

Having only 3 cylinders is bound to be a huge help, especially when retaining the VW gearbox too.

Wiki lists VW as making 1.2 and 1.4 TDI 3cyl engines.

Obviously they're modern so wont be cheap though

vx220

2,700 posts

241 months

Friday 31st January 2014
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Someone close this thread!

The only reason people are able to say "you can't tell it's a diesel" is because of the huge amount of time, effort and material that goes into sound deadening in a modern car.

You will not be able to kill the clanky sound of a tdi, it will sound awful in a Mini.


DanGT

753 posts

233 months

Friday 31st January 2014
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Dont go 100% on that. No sound profing on a BMW 116d bonnet and still not that loud outside. The engins have come a long way and are more refind. Also you can get a lot of sound profing in a mini. I took all of it out on my old mini and it was quite loud inside. Carb row mmmmmm

paulshears

804 posts

204 months

Friday 31st January 2014
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Plenty of info & even kit's to put petrol Vauxhall & Honda engines into Mini's ... would a diesel from say an Astra or Civic work?

Farlig

632 posts

159 months

Wednesday 12th March 2014
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vx220 said:
Someone close this thread!
+1

vx220 said:
The only reason people are able to say "you can't tell it's a diesel" is because
they haven´t a scoobie...


vx220

2,700 posts

241 months

Friday 14th March 2014
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Farlig said:
they haven´t a scoobie...
Indeed


vx220

2,700 posts

241 months

Friday 14th March 2014
quotequote all
Farlig said:
they haven´t a scoobie...
Indeed


brownspeed

852 posts

138 months

Thursday 10th April 2014
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Is this a British equivalent of a Cuban "`50's Chevrolet"?
I just don't get the point of this one, at least the cuban have the excuse of not having decent engines available. A diesel ?..............Jeez

Fordv8des

1 posts

75 months

Monday 6th August 2018
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A Ford V8 engine in an E-Type Jaguar! I can inform anyone interested, that such a conversion was completed in about 1969-1970. Said vehicle had an HP-289 V8 engine and four speed gearbox fitted. I saw this car in a London street in about 1972. It was yellow with a fibre-glass top so must have been a convertible. Sounded really good and disappeared from view in a flash. I recall being very impressed. Must have been around Tottenham Court Road where all of those American cars used to be parked in the streets by various car sales concerns.

VYT

585 posts

269 months

Sunday 12th August 2018
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We used to have a BMC mini tractor on the farm when I was a lad, ours had a 1500cc B series diesel but some had a 948cc A series diesel. Maybe with the right crank that motor could be built up onto a standard mini transmission, or possibly the diesel pistons / head etc into a petrol block. I have no idea what, if anything was strengthened for the diesel version. Of course, its not going to have modern diesel performance either.