32 replies to this topic

[Ste mini]

Im really interested in doing a front wheel drive R1 engine conversion and was planning on fitting a diff is this possible also how do people transfer the power from the engine sprocket spindle to the wheels pictures would be great if these can be included.

Also how much does a R1 engine weight please any model please

[Jammy]

Has anyone been able to shoehorn a R1 into the front of a mini yet??

[ryan69]

Yea I think there is one guy and it's on the latest Ultimate Mini DVD which hopefully santa will bring me for christmas. :grin:

[R500OLE]

I think the R1 engine/gearbox weighs 70kg from memory

[chairchild]

and a fully-built mini engine weighs around 150kg, so thats a fair bit of a weight saving!!

[R1mini]

The R1 engine/gearbox/carbs/etc unit weight is about 70kgs but you need to add the differential, chain, sprockets and additional cradle to support it, also you need to add a reverse system for a fair comparision.

I would say the true difference like for like, is less than 50kgs still a great weight saving.

The yellow mini on the DVD has an R1 engine fitted without any modifications to the bodywork. He has acheived this by reversing the engine driving a jackshaft this drives a chain to a heavily modified cut down mini box with only the diff, crownwheel and pinion left in, no reverse. Because the engine is reversed the drive is in the wrong direction and you need the crownwheel and pinion to correct the direction. In this form with all the extra bits I don't think there is any worthwhile weight saving and it still hasn't got a reverse.

I can draw a piccie if required

Cheers
David

[R1mini]

I found a piccie

Edited by R1mini, 30 May 2010 - 04:05 PM.

[miniboo]

i like the idea of it being in the front. proper stealth car then!

[Ste mini]

totally agree also they weight at the front is not different every time you go for a drive as feul tank is still in the back and you still have weight over front wheels

[The Matt]

You'll get less traction by having it at the front though. But I guess it's a case of 'whatever floats your boat'.

It would be kinda cool to keep it front engined FWD though.

[Jackman]

That is cool... confusing tho, two rad vents

[Ste mini]

yeah sure your get less traction on acceleration but with the engine over front there is more gravity pushing the front wheels into the ground for cornering where as wth petrol tank over the front the weight of it can change upto 40 kilos

[R1minimagic]

There is more gravity??? lol :saywhat: :saywhat:

[The Matt]

There is also more weight at the front to try and make it go straight on at corners! lol

But the engine at the front would retain the Mini's existing characteristics I guess.

[Jammy]

Lol, I laughed at the more gravity comment as well.