20 replies to this topic

[Alburglar]

if your gunna go for a k series, why not the 1800 vvc? thats what i will be using, actualy the vvc160, which is a reliable engine, very light and lots of power, also cheaper they can be picked up for around 800.
the vvc160 drops straight into a metro gti inplace of the 1400, so unless your going to stay spi or carb with a 8v k series, go the hole hog, the 1800 isnt actualy much worse on fuel then the 1400 under normal conditions!
thats my opinion anyway lol

Not true actually. the 1400 uses the r65 gearbox and the 1800 uses the pg1 box with different mounts. Therefore the 1800 does not fit in the metro gti subframe. However it does fit on the r65 box, but it is not ideal.
What may surprise most people is that the rear subframe frame in an MGF is actually a modified front subframe from a metro GTI, so actually the easisest way to stick an 1800 k-series in a mini would be a clubby with an MGF rear subframe replacing the mini's front subframe!

[Porker]

I own a 1998 Civic VTI.

If you want power, definately go for the B16 engine. Its stupidly fast in my car, never mind in a mini.

think the most important thing you want to look at will be braking. No point going horrendously fast if you cant stop!!!

[minipirate]

hi alburglar, right the vvc does use the pg1 box, im well aware of that, the r65 box is more then capable with the vvc, and fits stright to the engine, then drops straight into the gti, the mgf subframe can also be easyly modified to fit back into the gti then you can use the pg1. i know this as i have a vvc160 that was waitin to be fitted into my metro gti, i also know atleast 4 people who have done the conversion useing the r65 box, and a few using the pg1.

[Alburglar]

Well now you know 5 people...
...Me:

The r65 for road use is ok, but like i said, it's not ideal. My car has seen a bit of trackday use and I along with many vvc metro owners know that the problem with the r65 is the 180mm clutch. It very soon starts to slip especially putting power down in first gear (most people don't notice because they thinks it's wheel spin). It costs between £150 and £200 to uprate it (black diamond do a good one), but that's more expensive than a low mileage pg1 box and it still won't last as long as you'd expect.
You can also use the thicker plate from an early 416 if you use the 416 cover too, but this is largely un-tested.

Anyway, my point was that, if you're considering an 1800vvc it'd be silly to adapt a gti frame to suit a mini then stick the 1800 engine on the 1400 gearbox, when you might aswell adapt the mgf frame to suit a mini and have the correct mounts for the correct gearbox with no extra hassle.
Make sense?

[minipirate]

lo yeh i went a bit off topic the lol! i see youpoint, i w either gunna use the pg1 or the r65 with the 1600 clutch which is what lynn used in hers iirc, but that was for the gti, i have lots of research to get it into the mini!


ment to put i need lots of research by the way!

[Alburglar]

keep us posted. Got a project thread?