19 replies to this topic

[Christy]

My Little monkey (Mini) has blown its head gasket (I believe) :'( so I think it is time to start playing with the idea of change.

Does anyone have any details for any company who supplies a kit to fit a Bike engine into the back of a mini? They was one listed in one of the Mini mags a few years back. I believe the featured engine was an R1.

I would like to fit a Busa or any other big bike (zx12, Blackbird or other 1300cc- depending on engine found) and have it rear wheeled dirven. I think the place to start is finding the right subframe and drives etc to house the engine. The engines them selves seem to be plentyful'ish.

Does anyone have details (as much as possible) on any types of kits that are available for such a project?

This is the planning stage so the more I know the better it will get on its feet, I hope?

[Christy]

PS does anyone one here make such a frame? Let me know?

[The Matt]

You need to spend some time in here

[TOMMO0302]

Yes there is someone on here that makes a kit, its 'z cars chris' of z-cars! There is a whole section dedicated to z-cars on this very forum!

BUT, if its just a head gasket, thats a cheap and easy fix! (unless any other damage has been done)

Edit: Dammit, beaten to it!

Edited by TOMMO0302, 13 February 2007 - 11:51 AM.

[Jammy]

Cost of fixing head gasket - up to £300.

Cost of building a Z Cars bike engined mini - minimmum £10k.

[The Matt]

Cost of fixing head gasket - up to £300.

Cost of building a Z Cars bike engined mini - minimmum £10k.

Cost of Jammy - Priceless!


Sorry, it just reminded me of the Visa advert!

[Christy]

Does anyone have any costings for such a project?

I remember a kit was available for 2k not including Engine...

I can buy a bike engine for the same...

Thing is it should be worth 5k for such performance.

[The Matt]

Cost of fixing head gasket - up to £300.

Cost of building a Z Cars bike engined mini - minimmum £10k.

Those are realistic figures. I believe the kit from Z-cars is more like 5k than 2k. There is all of the other modifications that are needed too.

Markrally73 has just finished his, he'll give you a more accurate build cost.

[Jammy]

Does anyone have any costings for such a project?

I remember a kit was available for 2k not including Engine...

I can buy a bike engine for the same...

Thing is it should be worth 5k for such performance.

That kit was not Z Cars and the development of the kit seems to have a dubious past!

As MME says, price of Z Cars kit is 5k (although I remember it being 6.5k, it may have gone down), price of busa engine 2-3k, price of other bits and peices easily 2k.

Petes R1 pickup at 6.5k is an absolute bargain!

[supermotolee]

http://www.pro-motive.co.uk/
give darren a shout R1 in the front! on mini suspension and brakes so mini handling seems like a cood compramise to me darrens building my kit now and i've seen his car in action pulling away from kad engined mini's

[TOMMO0302]

You could talk to 'BigMadBasturd' on here, he is developing a kit for a V12 to go in a mini, his work and technical knowledge looks second to none. But i like Supermotolee's idea more...

Have you looked at the z-cars website yet?

[Christy]

Z cars are offering a road kit for 5.2k (atm) with all the gubbins (No engine).

I have had great leads on this, and like anything else, the more info the better!

If it does (All fingers crossed) go ahead I will have a 1275 Modified A series engine to sell too, to boot.

[pete]

Z cars are offering a road kit for 5.2k (atm) with all the gubbins (No engine).

I have had great leads on this, and like anything else, the more info the better!

If it does (All fingers crossed) go ahead I will have a 1275 Modified A series engine to sell too, to boot.

Add another £500 for reverse and another £500 for an lsd and then all the other modifications and you won't be far short of £10k. Don't think anyone on here has built one for less than £10k yet.
And then don't forget that a bike engine conversion isn't ideal for everyday use so you would then need a second car.

Pete

[Christy]

Z cars seem overpriced for what you get. However, I am no expert. I guess at present there is no competition.

On saying that the kit looks amazingly easy to fit. (using the word easy loosly)

Edited by Christy, 15 February 2007 - 08:21 AM.

[frankmini30]

http://www.pro-motive.co.uk/
give darren a shout R1 in the front! on mini suspension and brakes so mini handling seems like a cood compramise to me darrens building my kit now and i've seen his car in action pulling away from kad engined mini's

how much does he charge for this kit?