46 replies to this topic

[JOE123]

what is a good not to difficult engine conversion for my mini?

[DomCr250]

Easiest swaps are A series ...it's just a nut and bolt plus thought about drive shaft couplings and maybe gear extensions...if you mean other engines then...

 

1.3L Micra seems popular at the moment and it's cheap, but you need to make your own subframe.... which is fairly easy if you can use a disc cutter and welder.

 

Rover is very cheap and very easy with either a MGF or Metro subframe and you can get it under a round nose....keeps it all Rover / BL parts too and you get the ability to do easy upgrades from 1.4 to 1.8 and then to VVC.

 

Take a look on the http://www.16vminiclub.com/ and look at some of the build sections....instantcustard's is a great example of what can be achieved and it still look 100% standard.

 

I did Suzuki Swift GTI, but the engines are becoming rare now.

 

Look at the total engine a box weights ... you want something that's either similar or less than an A series.

Edited by DomCr250, 23 March 2014 - 03:12 PM.

[Carlos W]

The greater your ability, the cheaper any conversion will be.

 

What engine has the car got in it now, and what are your aims?

 

A series turbo is another option

[HarrysMini]

Not really a conversion but I would love to do this

 

http://www.twinkam.c...=12&aid=SCE002

 

Although, at £10,000 + VAT, it might be a little out of your price range. 

 

Alternatively, Specialist Components do a non-supercharged version for a more modest £5395 + VAT

http://www.twinkam.c...aid=SCE001.110

[JOE123]

yeah i dont have a huge budget and im not keen on another mini engine lol

[JOE123]

unless it was a 1275 but that sh*ts exspensive lol

[the_samkingdon15]

1275's aint expensive??!

[HarrysMini]

If your budget can't even stretch to a 1275 (around £300 for a decent runner), then you can forget almost every engine conversion.

[Turbo Phil]

If your budget can't even stretch to a 1275 (around £300 for a decent runner), then you can forget almost every engine conversion.

 

 

I couldn't agree more. The simplest conversion would be to drop another A-Series in. No other engine will fit straight in, so unless you can fabricate everything including driveshafts, subframe, mounts etc etc it's not going to be very cheap

Phil. .

[Cooperman]

If you consider that a fully rebuilt 1275, fitted and running and complete with a rebuilt gearbox will cost over £1200 even if you buy the engine & do all the rebuild yourself, then a different engine will cost a lot more than that.

What's wrong with the classic A-series engine anyway. It is right for the classic Mini and arguably better than creating a 'hybrid'.

[Tomm]

unless it was a 1275 but that sh*ts exspensive lol

Although not cheap, it is the most cost effective option out there. I just sold a ready to run 1275 for £450. You would do more than that in subframe costs for a Honda or Vauxhall conversion (assuming you buy pre-made). Building your own, with the correct materials is also not exactly cheap from my experience.

If it is your first conversion I would stick with something simple and just effective really. I am far more impressed by a well carried out, tidy and well planned a series motor than I am buy a majority of the slap dash 16v conversions (no one in particular but I have looked at a few complete dogs (with the intention of buying them on a few occasions)).

[Cooperman]

To many a classic car without its original type of engine is no longer the true classic, it is a 'hybrid' or 'hot rod'. Imagine putting a 3.5 litre diesel engine from a BMW into a Jaguar E-Type. It would go well, but it would be tragic to spoil a true classic.

 

People buy classic cars because that's what interests them. If modern performance is desired, then a modern car will be so much cheaper and more reliable.

 

I've driven several re-engine (non A-series) Minis and I must say I've not enjoyed any of them. They are, quite simply, no longer Minis and have lost that 'Mini Retro' feel.

 

Still, if you own something you can do with it as you please.

[the_samkingdon15]

To many a classic car without its original type of engine is no longer the true classic, it is a 'hybrid' or 'hot rod'. Imagine putting a 3.5 litre diesel engine from a BMW into a Jaguar E-Type. It would go well, but it would be tragic to spoil a true classic.

 

People buy classic cars because that's what interests them. If modern performance is desired, then a modern car will be so much cheaper and more reliable.

 

I've driven several re-engine (non A-series) Minis and I must say I've not enjoyed any of them. They are, quite simply, no longer Minis and have lost that 'Mini Retro' feel.

 

Still, if you own something you can do with it as you please.

i agree with this, but you can have a lot of fun with say an R1 mini.. forget that its a classic car and focus on driving pleasure.. surely the fun and excitement of a tearing around in a tiny car with a crazy amount of power under your foot is worth loosing that classic engine?? you just cant get that amount of fun from many modern small cars.

[HarrysMini]

Out of all the engine conversions, the only one I'd consider doing is a bike engine. If you're going to go to the hassle of a conversion, why would you go for a VTEC or a Micra engine, you may as well just buy a Civic or a Micra. 

 

Bike engined Minis, when done properly, are awesome fun to drive. However, I'm not sure whether I'd want one as a road car.

[the_samkingdon15]

 

Who wouldn't want this