26 replies to this topic

[trendkill]

Hello people!

I'm new to the forum but no stranger to bad ideas!!

Bought a mini on a 'g' plate off ebay. It's a shell with a full internal cage, boot cut out ready to start a bike engine conversion. - It was too much of a bargain to pass on

Now instead of going down my usual route of 'putting a v8 in anything' I'm going down the motorbike route. I have a buggy with a z550cc engine in and it shifts! There is something about having a motorbike engine in something that your sat in a seat with a steering wheel and pedals!

The plan was to buy an r1 engine or a 1200 bandit.... Possibly honda vtr... Then I thought. DUKE ENGINE!

Love the sound of a v-twin and always been a fan of ducatti. After searching and reading I've come the the Ducatti 999s engine (approx 130bhp)

So to start, has anyone done a ducatti powered mini & if so what are the pros / cons

Its obviously going to be rear wheel drive, with an electric reverse fitted

As stripped as possible - Nothing fancy! Probably only one seat.

I want to keep the cost as low as possible - Have a full workshop so fabrication isn't a problem. It's not going to be easy I know but Im looking forward to learning alot as I go on.

Once the car is completed my intention is to drive it for a while, a few track days, then to sell it on for someone else to enjoy!

Any thoughts / ideas are welcomed!

Cheers - Bob

[jakejakejake1]

Sounds good, don't forget to take a load of pictures!
Don't think I have seen a completed ducati engined mini before, there is a thread where somebody started a 916 project but didn't hear anything about it getting finished.

http://www.theminifo...howtopic=143084

Jake

[trendkill]

Jake,

That thread is how I found this forum! The fact it's unfinished spurs me on more to actually do this!

Something different is always good!

Any further thoughts / comments are welcomed....

Many thanks,

Bob

[Mini Mad Drakeley]

you should go ahead and do it anyway cus it would be an awesome project

[sonikk4]

Give it ago it would be interesting hearing the Duke sound track coming from a Mini.

[trendkill]

Where is the best place (besides zcars) to get a read chain diff & running gear?

A long shot I know, Looks for a diff, casing, shafts etc....

Cheers!

[Mini1275buggy]

How will you get a reverse gear?

[vik]

If you want to keep the costs low probably stick to an R1 or Fireblade engine... been done plenty before so parts/knowledge will be more avalable, I'd imagine engines will be cheaper than a KTM or Ducati either...

[86mayfair]

That sounds lke a fantastic idea! Ooooodles of torque and rear wheel drive! short wheelbase might make it a bit twitchy though

[Johanmini]

The sound of a duke is just perfect and I think they are really torqy, so that could be a good idea, not sure what the weight is or what could be the reason for nobody to use these engines. I can't imagine those engines are a lot more expensive than hayabusa or b-kings.

I would love to see a picured thread on this one! And don't mind the short wheelbase, it's not as twitchy as you would imagine.

v8-ing is also not a bad idea, 4 in the front and 4 in the back for weight distribution...

Edited by Johanmini, 25 April 2012 - 01:48 PM.

[SukiDawg]

V twin is a poor choice for bike engine cars due to the peaky torque output from only two cylinders. They work well in bikes because this peaky torque makes the tyre work better out of corners, improving traction. As you are driving against a much larger inertia in a car (heavier vehicle), and also you have a much greater tyre contact patch this effect isn't carried over to the car.

Most likely outcome is that you will give yourself driveline durability problems.


Not what you want to hear I am sure, but them's the facts :/

[Tupers]

Hmmm what about a nice Aprilia V4 engine.

[charie t]

Hmmm what about a nice Aprilia V4 engine.

No,

[Carlos W]

I may be wrong here, but do these engines need their belts changed fairly frequently?

Is that something you are going to be able to do in the car or are you going to have to pull the engine out to do it, and is this a problem?

Other than that, the noise will be awesome!

[daddy2coull]

isn't ducati an L twin???