10 replies to this topic

[Jockmatlot]

Hello ladies and gents, I'm a total newbie at this game, but i've had a mad idea and i need some practical, and useable, advice. I want to buy an old-shape Mini and attempt to fit a Vauxhall 3.2 V6 engine on board, and totally upgrade the underpinnings of the car to handle the power. I appreciate that this will be a long-term and expensive project, but i do have a fair bit of experience mechanically (10 yrs as an aircraft mech.)

What i need is advice on whether or not this can be done, and any potential pitfalls.

Here's hoping someone can help!

Jockmatlot

[george91]

Anything is possible with enough skill and money to do it properly. Although unless your thinking of going mid engined your better using something smaller as that v6 will be a boat ancor on the front of a mini. Have a look at some of the conversion projects for inspiration, the zcars section will give you some idea how the mid engined cars are built.

[hazpalmer14]

isn't rubicon on TM throwing the vectra V6 in the back of his pick up?

[George929]

Have u considered the v dub 3.2 v6 or the (2.5) there a more compact engine than the vauxhall.
What they call the vr6 engine a were the banks are 15 degrees instead of the conventional 45,60 or 90 degrees. So a much more compact engine.

[george91]

isn't rubicon on TM throwing the vectra V6 in the back of his pick up?

Apparently yes.

[minidream94]

Yes harry, rubicon is putting a vectra v6 into the back of his pickup, also mattG has put a 2.5 v6 into the front AND back of an estate, dont think they got finished and the last i heard and knew of it, one wass in the hands of alanMcD.

Like said above, have you thaught about fitting the dub v6? my dad was toying with the idea of fitting the 3.2 v6 diesel into the back of a mini.

[Kam]

Just off topic slightly, but helped my cousin yesterday transport a VR6 engine which he's chucking into a golf cab

I was quite surprised at the size of the engine, as above, its quite compact for what your getting.......

[Jockmatlot]

Many thanks to you all for the advice........ I'll definitely consider a VW VR6 3.2, due to the size. Good tip. Does anyone know if you need to seriously modify the subframes in order to handle the mountings?

Jockmatlot

[George929]

im sure to fit a vr6 engine you will need a full space fame have a look at z car builds thats the sort of thing you would need to make

[charie t]

Does anyone know if you need to seriously modify the subframes in order to handle the mountings?

you're going to need to seriously modify the whole shell, not just the subframe

[craig 1010cc]

There was a vectra V6 powered clubby estate (front mounted) built a few years back by the chap who runs 16vmini, but I couldn't find the build thread on a quick search. But you should be able to find most of what you need over there.