14 replies to this topic

[scubalegg]

Has anyone tried putting a 4g63t engine a mini before?
Do you think it is possible?
Do you think it is possible to link up with AWD?

Any help would be great

Thanks

[mike.]

I think it'd be more the case of putting a mini on the evo rather than putting the bits into a mini.

You'd probably need to use a lot of the evo floor/bulkhead to get it to work.

Of course though as with anything, with the money and knowledge it could be done, it'd just be lot of fabrication work.

[scubalegg]

there is a mini on the 16v forum where a guy has cut the floor out of the mini and welded in the floor of an evo, i was more thinking a subframe that would hold the evo engine like the honda conversion kits you can buy, you can also buy an awd kit for the honda engines so making a rear subframe like this but to take the evo stuff instead should work.

i was wondering if anyone has seen this done before or knows anywhere to buy stuff prebuild as a starting point.

if not making a subframe to hold the engine i think will have to be the way forward, it might even be cheaper as the k20 frames from minitec are like $2610 and the rear is $2695. I think i could make a frame get all the metal work professional bent and tig welded for less then that.

Thanks

[MiniLandy]

If you need to ask, then no.

[minidave1991-89]

Would be a sight to see. Wonder if anyones done it in say Japan? would go like the clappers!

[scubalegg]

If you need to ask, then no.

Always a 1st time for everything... anything can be done

[MJWarren]

Yes there is a bloke on 16v mini forum who has built one. Its just freshly built i think. Its spaceframed and uses lots of the EVO stuff. Have a look!

[mini_mad69]

If you need to ask, then no.

Always a 1st time for everything... anything can be done

What he's saying is, if you have to ask whether it will work. Your unlikely to have the knowledge of making it work.

Not being rude, but the people who do these things are very talented fabricators and will do all the calculations themselves.

[scubalegg]

I take on what your saying but theres no harm in researching these things and finding out how other people do it 1st and other ways of doing things to take into account things people may not have thought about.

Maybe a very talented fabricator might do it all without asking anyone for advice or asking how they would do it, and fair play if they can then well done, but if you look at most projects on here they mostly have input from other people or the builder has researched what they are gonna do before doing it.

This thread was just a research thing to see if it has been tempted before and how easy it is, from what ive seen on the 16v forum with similar things they have used the floor plan from a donor car not build subframes to take the new engine.

Thanks for your input.

[M J W J]

The guys name is Allan McD over on the 16v mini club. This guy has built everything from vauxhall redtop powered minis, suzuki swift minis that are turbo charged, hybusa powered minis, a mini that used the AWD system and floor out of a subura justy (originally hayling mini's idea) and finally the evo mini.

The evo mini is a space frame mini that uses the engine and drive train out of an evo 4. It isn't really a mini. It just looks like one due to having a mini fibre glass shell being put over it. Unfortunately it looks like an engine rebuild may be on its way. The car has not been built to be road legal just to compete in hill climb events. He is always building better and quicker minis.

He is also the only guy who can just about compete with MattG and Jerry Hayling in the number of conversions done and shear crazyness of the projects.

Here is a link to his build

http://www.16vminicl...ead.php?t=27088

I think that no-one has tried it before as

A. its expensive
B. Getting it road legal would be a nightmare
C. It wouldn't really be something that you would want to use on the road due to practicality issues.

[scubalegg]

i had a read of his build and it looks good,my plan was to build 2 subframes to hold the evo running gear and then join them together to kinda make a chassie, then drop the mini shell onto it.

im still unsure on what to go for... high tuned a series, honda k20 or a evo set up

the shell needs some work done to it 1st so dont need to decide for a few months and in that time ill prob change my mind again on what i want to build lol

thanks for your help

[charie t]

I think i could make a frame get all the metal work professional bent and tig welded for less then that

I would like to see you try. They cost that much for a reason

the shell needs some work done to it 1st so dont need to decide for a few months

You'll need to make a decision soon then. If you have the shell sorted and have front and rear subframes you could be wasting money.

[scubalegg]

Im gonna get the shell rust free 1st, ive not bought anything for it yet... but I do think a rust free shell is something I gotta get done no m atter what i decide to do

[RayBoogs]

I think what he is saying is, If you do go evo or even honda and go rear wheel drive, the whole rear end of your will need cutting out to accommodate the engine, so spending money buying panels and or welding in plates etc could be time wasted, and more importantly money.

[scubalegg]

I want to keep the engine in the front, not a fan of engines in the back seats like the z cars, the mini tec rear wheel drive honda subfame cuts some of the boot floor out but keeps the wheel arches and connor bits that I need to replace.

Thanks forthe input tho and trying to help keep the costs down