Madest Baddest REAL Mini? - No Question....

Madest Baddest REAL Mini? - No Question....

Author
Discussion

jellison

Original Poster:

12,803 posts

284 months

Friday 2nd September 2005
quotequote all
This has to be the Crazy A series Mini around - when I read about it, I though "Sh*t I'd like a go in that".

Lucked into meeting the owner Stuart at the LSMOC Mini Club trackday at Goodwood. Had the first passenger ride of the day - Bloody awesome - over 300bhp / tonne.

(they other half got a canning after the run in this!)

[pic]http://photos.fotango.com/p/eba00534900f00000004.jpg[/pic]

[pic]http://photos.fotango.com/p/eba00534900f00000002.jpg[/pic]

[pic]http://photos.fotango.com/p/eba00534900f00000003.jpg[/pic]


It had slicks on for the day, was so smooth but so fast, dump valve on each change up Awesome! (about the same ass my TR) - and is his daily driver! - Ooh and it looks just like a Miglia and then some - SWEET!

Maximum Respect.

They are at www.snailspeedracing.co.uk FYI

4WD

2,289 posts

238 months

Saturday 3rd September 2005
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One day I must have a mad mini!

4WD

2,289 posts

238 months

Monday 5th September 2005
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How about this unreal mini? Not a fan of the body, but the chassis looks good...

www.zcars.org.uk/montecarlo/index.htm

jellison

Original Poster:

12,803 posts

284 months

Tuesday 6th September 2005
quotequote all
Ya Nice - but the minute you through out the A-series block it stops being a Mini really.

Stuarts Mini would spank my TVR.

4WD

2,289 posts

238 months

Tuesday 6th September 2005
quotequote all
I disagree a little. I think you need the original bodyshell to be a real mini. Couldn't give a fig what the engine is, so long as it's quick enough. Pop a hyabusa in an italian job cooper and it'll be just as loveable.

speedychrissie

2,994 posts

246 months

Tuesday 6th September 2005
quotequote all
i like the car at the top but not the one later on in the thread. the one at the top atleast looks like a mini.

altho i think i prefer mine!
i think it is because it has a history and it is VERY original. but it is still manic and has the ability to shock a lot of people when it is driven well.

chris

jellison

Original Poster:

12,803 posts

284 months

Tuesday 6th September 2005
quotequote all
There is limit to chopping them when they really arent a mini anymore just a siloeutte car.

The turbo Min - Stuart has all the bits that minis started out with (bar the turbo) some in heaviely uprated form.

The Busa ones loose fwd and the rear floor pan - cool but not a true mini.

My other half Cooper S is damn quick in th real world but 86bhp vs 186bhp for Stuarts

ccharlie6

773 posts

247 months

Tuesday 6th September 2005
quotequote all
that version of the z cars mini just isn't even a mini

a quote off the website link.

"It may look like a Mini but it is exactly there that the similarity stops. It has a Mini shape but nothing more. This is Z Cars own chassis, its own suspension front and rear, its own steering and hubs and its own glass fibre bodyshell. There is nothing more than image about this car that is Mini"

they themselves even admit it, i mean there is nothing you would find on a normal mini that would be on that.

i saw that blue turbo one at castle combe last, v quick and ive got a video of it having a drag race out of quarry with a new cooper S, the S didnt see which way it went

4WD

2,289 posts

238 months

Tuesday 6th September 2005
quotequote all
As the website clearly states, there are two levels of madness. A real mini with a busa lump, and a completely new fabrication. Personally I like the more original one.

Plotloss

67,280 posts

277 months

Tuesday 6th September 2005
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The guys at Z Cars were at one point working on a twin R1 installation but with one engine in the front and one in the back...

Great outfit.

4WD

2,289 posts

238 months

Tuesday 6th September 2005
quotequote all
I like the idea of keeping the bike lumps close standard tune. That way the servicing is kept to normal levels, the reliability will be better. At worst, if one ever goes pop, it will be a faster and cheaper replacement.

I quite like the idea of a plain looking black one, with little 11'' black wheels, packing busa punch.

Plotloss

67,280 posts

277 months

Tuesday 6th September 2005
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Torque and gearbox issues are the biggest limiters.

Bike engines were never designed to lug quite that much weight around.

Wicked toy though.

Madmini

217 posts

253 months

Tuesday 6th September 2005
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New chain required every 2000 miles as well - eek!

4WD

2,289 posts

238 months

Wednesday 7th September 2005
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2k miles! For feck sake, why don't they build it properly with dual chains or shaft drive then?! Makes a 5k mile Evo service look like pure convenience.

So what are the other conversions like then? I don't suppose the Honda ones are anywhere near as fast, but are they ok? Do they torque steer? Is there a pro outfit that does this well?

jellison

Original Poster:

12,803 posts

284 months

Wednesday 7th September 2005
quotequote all
Ever see the 4WD Scooby based Quad - now that IS made!

www.gizmag.co.uk/go/4177/

Plotloss

67,280 posts

277 months

Wednesday 7th September 2005
quotequote all
4WD said:
2k miles! For feck sake, why don't they build it properly with dual chains or shaft drive then?! Makes a 5k mile Evo service look like pure convenience.

So what are the other conversions like then? I don't suppose the Honda ones are anywhere near as fast, but are they ok? Do they torque steer? Is there a pro outfit that does this well?


Watsons Rally, same neck of the woods as Z cars sort of and a place in the south coast called SAE Mini VTEC.

Its compromised in a few ways, torque steer is an issue, funny clutch arrangement due to the pedal fulcrum and the obligartory (unless you have a clubman) 90mm extension on the wings which to a mini fan ruins the lines. Good fit in an Estate though, street sleeper with the B18C6 Spec R in it, nice school run car.

Again, top toy but compromised.

4WD

2,289 posts

238 months

Wednesday 7th September 2005
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Are any of the conversions seamless? Sounds like the busa and vtec still need development work.

Plotloss

67,280 posts

277 months

Wednesday 7th September 2005
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There been a couple of clever twincan transplants and people used to the the Maxi 1750 conversion a lot in the 70's but I dont think there is anything better than the A series lumps with the clever heads. Arden 8 port (excluding the carb fitment, smart but not seamless) and the KAD/JKD 16v jobbies

jellison

Original Poster:

12,803 posts

284 months

Thursday 8th September 2005
quotequote all
KAD, Jack Knight, or Turbo on the A - all the rest just not Cricket!

4WD

2,289 posts

238 months

Thursday 8th September 2005
quotequote all
I understand from a nostalgia point of view why these would be preferable, but putting that to one side - are they really as good as a modern Honda unit? I can't imagine they would be, as things move on so much. Honda seem to offer unbeatable reliability and power to weight ratio.

A supercharged Honda would be even more fun, but expect the steering wheel may not agree