38 replies to this topic

[Quicksilver-ash]

A good friend of mine has a 1960's vw beetle and is running a top spec engine which he is racing at minis vs beetles this weekend but after the weekend he is stripping the motor and rebuilding with a turbo kit and efi. He's hoping to achieve close to 200bhp so as we are both quite competitive (and me been a loud mouth) I said next years minis vs beetles il race him on the strip. So the question is how will this be achievable and rough price idea price wise with an A-series? The mini isn't quite a daily but I do like to drive it regularly so needs a certain amount of reliability 2.

[vx220]

Try the forced induction forum on here, and turbomini forum

Turbo is the only way to get that sort of power

Possibly try Vaux/Vtec transplant?

[Minimad100]

turbo definitely the way forward

[Tamworthbay]

Cheap/ powerful/ reliable, choose any two as the old saying goes. Turbo is the way but 200bhp reliable isn't going to be cheap.

[69k1100]

Why do you need 200hp to beat him? A lot of steel on the car can be replaced, Perspex instead of glass, beam axle instead of rear subframe, fibre glass, carbon, ditch all the extras (spare wheel, interior) small dry cell battery, smaller fuel tank will less petrol.

I'm sure you could get the weight under 600kg of you try. Decent suspension and a small turbo, you will spank him lol.

[Quicksilver-ash]

The mini is in project state at the min, the interior is staying stripped, apart from the 2 front seats and the windows will be polycarbonate. I'm not wanting to change to beam axle or do a transplant. It doesn't have to be 200hp as long as I win, doesn't matter if I win by an inch or a mile winnings winning

[rally1380]

Why do you need 200hp to beat him? A lot of steel on the car can be replaced, Perspex instead of glass, beam axle instead of rear subframe, fibre glass, carbon, ditch all the extras (spare wheel, interior) small dry cell battery, smaller fuel tank will less petrol.

I'm sure you could get the weight under 600kg of you try. Decent suspension and a small turbo, you will spank him lol.

 

Very true......Power to weight ratio is the important thing here not outright power.  Find out how much his cars weighs and then you can work out how much power you will need. Thing with Beetles is they have awesome traction off the line so you will need to get your power down efficiently.

[oliver122]

have a look on turbomini's bud there are a few guys running 200hp also have a look at this http://www.turbo-min...3348/index.html will give you a rough idea of what is needed , like above loose as much weight as possible. 

[Minimad100]

The mini is in project state at the min, the interior is staying stripped, apart from the 2 front seats and the windows will be polycarbonate. I'm not wanting to change to beam axle or do a transplant. It doesn't have to be 200hp as long as I win, doesn't matter if I win by an inch or a mile winnings winning

 slip in some fast and furious .......

[Broomer]

K and N filter. Job done.

[Alex_B]

What would the reliability be on an engine like that detailed on turbo-minis, the 170bhp one ? I am in the planning stage of my 1275 and not sure what I am after (forced induction or highly strung cammed engine) and so insight would be handy on something like the one mentioned above :) 

[Tamworthbay]

Nitrous is also worth considering. That way it can be milder for the road and then 'tickled' for the strip.

[phil hill]

There are few true 200bhp turbo minis, and I mean a few.

 

TurboMini's forum is your friend here. 

 

Matt Woods "Williams Mini" was the first that I know of to claim 200bhp and to have some dyno pulls to prove it.  

 

Price wise, well it's not just the engine you have to worry about at these levels.  Specially selected gearbox casings, stress-relieved gears and shafts, uprated driveshafts etc.

 

Phil.

[Roxoff]

... It doesn't have to be 200hp as long as I win, doesn't matter if I win by an inch or a mile winnings winning

Amen to that!

But he's got a Beetle. Just ensure you're racing on a track with bends, and you can push your Mini round and still win.

[Quicksilver-ash]

Nitrous is also worth considering. That way it can be milder for the road and then 'tickled' for the strip.

Iv been scanning the turbo mini forum for a fair few week now there's some great info on there, I do like the idea of using NOS as I still would like a drivable mini so could have a fast road mini then use a shot of laughing gas when I want to see my mate in the rear view mirror