21 replies to this topic

[extreammini]

Hi,

I am looking at building a street sleeper that looks acceptable but is the fastest mother out there!

I really don't want a rear engine rear wheel drive as I need the 4 seats, hence no bike engine is involved.

I would like your guys opinion on what engine to put in? I really would like this car to be one of the fastest mini's around but without bike engines!

I only say 1380 or VTEC as they seem to be common conversions but what really is the better / faster engine?

If its a 1380 would a mini speed engine or a MED engine be best or a mixture of an assorted array of parts?

If its the VTEC engine would it be the A - Series, B - Series or K - Series etc? Also what cylinder capacity? 1600cc, 1800cc or 2000cc etc?

Or maybe the best conversion is a Vauxhaul red top?

I really have no idea, have looked on the web and can't seem to find any articles that answer my questions, so maybe someone on this awesome forum can?

Any info would be great and any opinion to steer me in the right direction would be great.

Many thanks for your help,

Mark

[Guess-Works.com]

I think you've dismissed bike engines too quickly....

http://www.lynxae.co...1_Pricelist.htm

[briain]

I think you've dismissed bike engines too quickly....

http://www.lynxae.co...1_Pricelist.htm

I was just going to mention this was a mk1 in miniworld with a few months ago no body or subframe mods required. Personally I'd ask if this guy could make a kit for a zx12r engine its Kawasaki's equivalent to hayabusa very underated engine

[new_zealand _minis]

could just go for a std b16a vtec

or a promotive front kit ?? r1

[E.L.M.O]

There are plenty of options out there, the most common are
1) A series (1293, 1380 and bolt on things like superchargers and turbos providing your engine can take it - dont just bolt a turbo onto an old block and expect it to last very long) a high output A series wont really be a sleeper as you will be able to tell its not standard by the engine note and tone.
2) Honda (including a type R if budget allows) the perfect sleeper, but it aint cheap!
3) Vauxhall (small block can go in a standard round nose, but big blocks are very common with a clubman from or slight extention) The honda and vaux normally give you a slightly wider track, so you can normally tell its not a standard mini. but as for the sound, they are rather quiet engines in standard form and are idea sleepers engine choices!
4) Front engined bike engine as mentioned above. (promotive would prob be your people for that, but its not really a sleeper, you can hear it coming a mile off normally!)
5) Nissan Micra transplants are becoming rather common. same benefits from the vaux and honda but i dont think its as easy to get the power out of. But 5 speed and 16v will give you enough power for a mini.

You will favor one the more you read up on them, but It really depends on your budget and skill set which one you go for.

For me, ive got a 1380 supercharged engine ready to go into the pick up, but would like to go down the small block vauxhall route at a later date.

Take a look at AllSpeed engineering if your looking to go Vauxhall or Honda. But I think kits are availible from Watson Rally also.


Do you mind if I ask how old you are and how long you have been driving? Do you have the road exerience required to handle a high powered car? Would you be able to get insured? All things that need coincidering. Just asking mate, for all I know you could be a 50 year old with 30 years driving experience, but if your in fact 17 with a month, you may want to look at this as a long term project! No offence intended.

Edited by E.L.M.O, 02 March 2012 - 11:05 AM.

[extreammini]

Hi there,

Thank you all for your great responses, it really helped!

Guess Works.com and Briann - I can not believe they are putting R1's under the hood! That is insane .... but awesome! I would like a bike engine because lets face it, it would be the fastest BUT I don't think I can justify spending that kind of money. Roughly how much do you think it would cost to put a R1 engine in the front of a Mini

New zealand minis - in your opinion is the B16A VTEC the best / fastest VTEC engine to put in a mini? What about the K-Series VTEC's? Also what is a pro-motive R1 front kit engine?

ELMO - Thanks for the vast knowledge you have shared on the subject :) ! I am leaning towards a VTEC engine, what is the fastest VTEC as standard out there that can be put into a mini? Also how much power would a Vaux small block engine give you? More or less then a VTEC? Is this the vauxhall redtop you talk of?

Dont really need to worry about sound, just need to worry on looks .... it cant look fast! It must look old and used etc haha!

I have enough money to make it mechanically sound ( I think ) but dont like flashy things anyways!

Also no offence taken towards asking age etc, I appreciate your concern! I have raced motorbikes and cars over the years ... but only on the track! I also have done off road racing and Im nearly 21!

Thanks so much for all your help guys, I really appreciate it!

Keep it coming!

Many thanks Mark

[Sam Walters]

The vauxall and k-series mini`s are faster then the honda ones.

You could do a budget turbo build and have something thats as fast for a heck lot less.

[extreammini]

The vauxall and k-series mini`s are faster then the honda ones.

What are the K-Series engines? I thought they were a K-Series VTEC, but if there faster then the Honda's obviously I'm wrong! Haha!

You could do a budget turbo build and have something thats as fast for a heck lot less.

How much hp would a turbo chuck out? What would you recommend "turbo-ing" a 1380 or 1275??

Thanks for the responses!

Mark

[jameswildcooper]

depends on your budget. my 1293 engine has cost me in the reagon of around 4K so far without the supercharger kit.
which includes straight cut box, straight cut drop gears, straight cut final drive and LSD, forged omega pistons, steel H rods, MED race crank, MED race cylinder head.
im hoping this engine is good for upto around the 250bhp mark.
im running a blowthrough supercharger setup at 14PSI and hope to push 170-180bhp with that but if i go down the turbo route a year later i can wind the boost up to over 200BHP.
now a B18C4 engine is only 175BHP and a lot heavier and less torquey and will cost you a lot more to build with buying the subframe kit aswell.
depends how reliable its also got to be?

[Mad Max]

K series is the easiest and cheapest, plus using the watson subframe means big brakes and driveshafts, so clever wheels and arches would sufficently hide the added width.

[MINI WILL]

How about a Focus ST170 or zetec s engine conversion ?

[greenie]

Hi
For what its worth i had a Honda Integra type R, B18c engine and that was very quick as standard. I put a few extras on( exhaust etc) and RR session with an after market ECU and had a reliable 212BHP. And very easy to drive so put that in a mini and it would be very interesting!

[rids]

How about a Focus ST170 or zetec s engine conversion ?

i put one of these in a 1973 spitfire. it was awesome. a real sleeper.

[charie t]

I have looked on the web and can't seem to find any articles that answer my questions

You won't find an answer because it is a personal preference so there is no correct answer.
You'll have to do your homework while you start saving money. Different engines supply power and torque in different ways. What engine you go for would depend on your driving style. You need to decide what your budget will be, then you can decide if you want to break away from an a series

[charie t]

depends on your budget. my 1293 engine has cost me in the reagon of around 4K so far without the supercharger kit.
which includes straight cut box, straight cut drop gears, straight cut final drive and LSD, forged omega pistons, steel H rods, MED race crank, MED race cylinder head.
im hoping this engine is good for upto around the 250bhp mark.
im running a blowthrough supercharger setup at 14PSI and hope to push 170-180bhp with that but if i go down the turbo route a year later i can wind the boost up to over 200BHP.
now a B18C4 engine is only 175BHP and a lot heavier and less torquey and will cost you a lot more to build with buying the subframe kit aswell.
depends how reliable its also got to be?

But a vtec has been designed to handle the 175hp all day long. The a series will be modified to its limits