9 replies to this topic

[TomSober]

Being at the start of my project I haven't decided on what engine I'll be using yet but I have been offered a b16a Honda engine at a good price and apparently 160bhp, I love the idea of all the power but I have not idea what goes into a build like this

I've been doing some research and found out several little things but I can't seem to find anywhere that explains exactly what has to be done and what can and can't be used, like subframes, wheel and brake sizes etc

If there's anyone who can give me a full run through about fitting an engine liket this and answer all my annoying little questions it would be a great help! Thanks

[Sleepy Stu]

Firstly you need to start reading through all of the build threads on here and also on the following site and then you will have more of a clue

 

http://www.16vminiclub.com/forums/

[TomSober]

Firstly you need to start reading through all of the build threads on here and also on the following site and then you will have more of a clue
 
http://www.16vminiclub.com/forums/

Have been reading, have been reading a lot, have you done one of these builds yourself?

[Sleepy Stu]

Half way through mine although it has stalled a bit cause I have just bought a house. The engine you have quoted will be fine. The main thing you need to decide on is the frame. Unless you are good with a welder and plan to fabricate one yourself the main three options people go for are

 

 

Allspeed : Keeps the minis standard track width and uses the usual mounting points

 

http://www.allspeede...-b16-b18-detail

 

 

Watsons : Widens the track width and I believe require some new mounting holes drilled

 

http://www.watsonsra...its_list_4.html

 

 

Mini-tec : Based in America

 

http://www.superfast...LL PRODUCTS.htm

 

 

Of course you don't have to buy these new they do pop up from time to time second hand but not often.

Edited by Sleepy Stu, 10 September 2014 - 07:55 PM.

[TomSober]

Half way through mine although it has stalled a bit cause I have just bought a house. The engine you have quoted will be fine. The main thing you need to decide on is the frame. Unless you are good with a welder and plan to fabricate one yourself the main three options people go for are
 
 
Allspeed : Keeps the minis standard track width and uses the usual mounting points
 
http://www.allspeede...-b16-b18-detail
 
 
Watsons : Widens the track width and I believe require some new mounting holes drilled
 
http://www.watsonsra...its_list_4.html
 
 
Mini-tec : Based in America
 
http://www.superfast...LL PRODUCTS.htm
 
 
Of course you don't have to buy these new they do pop up from time to time second hand but not often.

After buying that subframe, what subframe has to be fitted, can I still run 10 inch wheels and does the bodywork have to be cut or anything

[Ro3ert]

Most of your questions can be answered through this forum. Use the 'search' feature. Some very useful threads/conversations. Enough to build your own project from. :)

[Ellie]

[joakwin]

10 inch wheels can be used with a engine swap

 

 

 

you have to change the final drive in the Honda box or your 1st and 2nd gear will be super short

 

another thing to think about is braking power, 160bhp is a lot more then what a stock 998 makes, so your going to need more braking power

 

keep on reading before you jump head 1st into something you don't know much about, the swap will be nothing short of hard work and long hours

and even if you have a good guess about how much time you think you can pull this swap off in, times that by about 4 or so

its not a over night swap job

 

 

with my swap, I set my car up on some custom vented 9.5 rotors and wilwood 4 pot calipers in the front, im running 13 inch wheels

I have a single cam Honda engine that's putting down 145whp

[GrahamHolland]

From what I've read (I'm no expert so somebody please correct me if wrong) to install larger brakes than 7.5inch (which you probably will given you'll have 165bhp not 50-odd) you need 12 or even 13inch wheels. These larger wheels also come with the added bonus of the availability of wider tyres to put down what power you have.Depends on what you're building, but I'm not sure of the super sticky road-legal slicks are available for 10inch tyres (for example yoko A048R), whereas they are for 12s and 13s. But if you're not using it on trackdays/sprints/rallys then you might not be bothered.

 

As I said, this is the gist I've gleaned from reading a few builds over the last few months so happy to be put in my place.

[Kam]

Don't worry too much about the brakes, honestly   there is nothing wrong with the standard 2 pot jobbies with a top notch set of pads and a good efficient working system, you are stopping weight not HP, mini miglias on 10's might stop superb with there pots and power (150+) but they have a lack of weight, pad choice makes a huge difference 

 

Stu has given you some bona fide advice above, couldn't of said it better myself, your frame makes your car, if you know what you want from your car and how it will look then find the right frame and see if it fits your plans and go from there

 

For instance, as mentioned an allspeed or minitec will retain mini track and looks, a watsons will give it a metro track and look, so wheel size comes into it here, you can't run 10's on a watsons nor 14's on an allspeed (well you can but on a mini track it'll look silly) 

 

You want a mini track then allspeed or minitec, you want a metro track then watsons, why would you want a metro track? simple, a metro track will handle much much better on a track than a mini track even if the mini track has more power, it will put the power down better brake better and out handle and have slightly better gear ratios (larger wheels) 

 

Honda have awful final drive ratios for mini but then again they made them for honda not 10 and 12 inch wheels! So you need to make sure you get your gearing right, vauxhall suzuki don't have this issue - as much

 

Get the gearing wrong and it'll soon be on the classifieds, that wouldn't be the first time thats happened

 

The build diaries are your thing here, they are not here just so people can show off, they are here to show people whats done and how, what they got and why, how they got round a problem and so on

 

Don't read every single one as that can sometimes make it worse when you are starting out, have an idea of what you want then just read the ones that relate to you and if they still fit your plans and looks, forget the power side as thats always there with any swap of any make you choose, the looks and style is the thing here

 

Learn the build diaries, plan it right, build it right then enjoy it