Discussion
Nothing will "just drop in".
16 valve FWD Vauxhall engines have done a few times.
Have a look here :- https://www.16vminiclub.com/
If you want to work a bit harder - look at the mad bad mini thread on here https://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&...
16 valve FWD Vauxhall engines have done a few times.
Have a look here :- https://www.16vminiclub.com/
If you want to work a bit harder - look at the mad bad mini thread on here https://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&...
Are you dead set on an engine swap?
What are you using it for?
A well built Big bore A series with 100bhp or more has never failed to put a smile on my face when I’ve been driving...
And having said that,a genuine 80 plus bhp has always been a hoot!!
For me a 150bhp and more from a Honda vtec or a red top Vauxhall would be scary to drive- a genuine 100 -110 miles an hour in an old Mini is bloody scary as far as I’m concerned.....
What are you using it for?
A well built Big bore A series with 100bhp or more has never failed to put a smile on my face when I’ve been driving...
And having said that,a genuine 80 plus bhp has always been a hoot!!
For me a 150bhp and more from a Honda vtec or a red top Vauxhall would be scary to drive- a genuine 100 -110 miles an hour in an old Mini is bloody scary as far as I’m concerned.....
and31 said:
Are you dead set on an engine swap?
What are you using it for?
A well built Big bore A series with 100bhp or more has never failed to put a smile on my face when I’ve been driving...
And having said that,a genuine 80 plus bhp has always been a hoot!!
For me a 150bhp and more from a Honda vtec or a red top Vauxhall would be scary to drive- a genuine 100 -110 miles an hour in an old Mini is bloody scary as far as I’m concerned.....
Totally agree, a classic Mini should be A series based. However I do like the idea of a BMW K100 head conversion!What are you using it for?
A well built Big bore A series with 100bhp or more has never failed to put a smile on my face when I’ve been driving...
And having said that,a genuine 80 plus bhp has always been a hoot!!
For me a 150bhp and more from a Honda vtec or a red top Vauxhall would be scary to drive- a genuine 100 -110 miles an hour in an old Mini is bloody scary as far as I’m concerned.....
A friend took me out in a properly built Honda Type R conversion with 230bhp - Tweed Grey Mk1 look a like with round front (stretched front on a Metro sub frame), quite hard to distinguish from a regular hot Mini, save for 14" wheels and big arches. Had a custom built diff - used to chatter like mad
I swear it was one of the quickest feeling cars I've ever been in and I include a Caterham R500 in that, absolutely bonkers fast but not really a Mini. He had a great time baiting Porsches from the traffic lights however!
and31 said:
Are you dead set on an engine swap?
What are you using it for?
A well built Big bore A series with 100bhp or more has never failed to put a smile on my face when I’ve been driving...
And having said that,a genuine 80 plus bhp has always been a hoot!!
For me a 150bhp and more from a Honda vtec or a red top Vauxhall would be scary to drive- a genuine 100 -110 miles an hour in an old Mini is bloody scary as far as I’m concerned.....
Agreed, big HP classic Mini's are a potential death trap unless properly put together and by knowledgeable miniacs. I will be hitting close to 110 HP when I am done and currently 85 HP - both hands on this one at 100 MPH that's for sure.What are you using it for?
A well built Big bore A series with 100bhp or more has never failed to put a smile on my face when I’ve been driving...
And having said that,a genuine 80 plus bhp has always been a hoot!!
For me a 150bhp and more from a Honda vtec or a red top Vauxhall would be scary to drive- a genuine 100 -110 miles an hour in an old Mini is bloody scary as far as I’m concerned.....
Good luck and interested in seeing how you progress.
Hello.
I have had two minis in my time which have had a non standard mini engine fitted. One was a 1.3 Micra engine from a newer Micra and the second was a small block Vauxhall swap.
Despite the engine being cheap to obtain, the instillation process is far from it. Many parts are bespoke and in some cases very hard to get hold of, so a pretty extensive understanding of fabrication and access to the right equipment is needed. Off the shelf subframes can be bought from places like The 16V Mini Shop as can a lot of parts but it adds up quickly. If you can get hold of an MGF, the whole engine and subframe assembly can be transferred over into the front of a Mini. The same goes for a Metro. A wider track gained in the process and some very impressive cars have been built this way.
It seems as though either option you have chosen will become costly. Turbo minis is another rabbit hole that goes very deep and with the increasing popularity in classic minis prices seem to have started to climb.
I have sold all of my 16v conversions and have reverted back to an A series engine for an array of reasons. The 16V swaps I had were fantastic and opened a lot of opportunities. It made the car nicer to drive, restored a bit of reliability, made the car an excellent daily driver and very long distances were not a concern with the 5 speed gearbox and modern engine.
There are a few 16V mini based forums out there packed full of guides, advice and input if it is something you want to do, as is the same for the Turbo route.
I have had two minis in my time which have had a non standard mini engine fitted. One was a 1.3 Micra engine from a newer Micra and the second was a small block Vauxhall swap.
Despite the engine being cheap to obtain, the instillation process is far from it. Many parts are bespoke and in some cases very hard to get hold of, so a pretty extensive understanding of fabrication and access to the right equipment is needed. Off the shelf subframes can be bought from places like The 16V Mini Shop as can a lot of parts but it adds up quickly. If you can get hold of an MGF, the whole engine and subframe assembly can be transferred over into the front of a Mini. The same goes for a Metro. A wider track gained in the process and some very impressive cars have been built this way.
It seems as though either option you have chosen will become costly. Turbo minis is another rabbit hole that goes very deep and with the increasing popularity in classic minis prices seem to have started to climb.
I have sold all of my 16v conversions and have reverted back to an A series engine for an array of reasons. The 16V swaps I had were fantastic and opened a lot of opportunities. It made the car nicer to drive, restored a bit of reliability, made the car an excellent daily driver and very long distances were not a concern with the 5 speed gearbox and modern engine.
There are a few 16V mini based forums out there packed full of guides, advice and input if it is something you want to do, as is the same for the Turbo route.
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