I will update this thread as work continues.

Page 2 post 33 for more picts
Page 4 post 80

Here is Angus when I bought him about 6mo. ago.
He started as a 75 Leyland 1000. Bought him for $2000. He had very little rust except for the back seat area. For my use I didnt need it out it went. He'll never be the same again...





Stripped him down and started cutting him up for the conversion. Gotta love the plasma cutter for quick work on metal. I will be cleaning it up as soon. Should be ready for the acid dip by next week. Then off she goes.






Stock Acura VTEC K20z1 engine from a US RSX type S



Engine has been torn down and internally everything replaced. Block painted and covers polished. Manifold and intake are polished as well just not on the engine yet. AC and power steering deleted.
Stay tuned more to come. Next its off to get acid dipped and coated then the subframe should be here and the fun begins.

 

nice~
Cant wait for the next episode =)

 

I like those wheels.

 

A lot of people have commented on the wheels. they are for sale BTW. Make me an offer. They have seen the curbs more than a few times but they can easily be fixed and good as new. If you want some close ups let me know. Send me a PM or email.

 

Man, I wish that I had the tools and know-how to do something like this... Looks like a complete blast. Best of luck to you!

 

Its really fun actually. This is my first mini and have found it actually quite easy to work with, modify, etc... I think it took me a full day to do completely strip the car with the engine and subframes. Oh did I say by myself! I'll keep you all updated

 

If you own a plasma cutter, you're simply in a different league than me. But thanks for the vote of confidence... personally I have no illusions about my ability to swap an engine. Maybe one day I can help with such a job or something - I have a cousin that seems confident that the job can be tackled successfully, and at a far lower cost than some of the Mini VTEC specialists charge.

 

Plasma cutter.......borrowed. Welder is mine just bought it. And you can do the same thing with big grinder. However I just wanted to use the plamsa such fun! Swapping the engine not too bad actually I bought a long block. Had a import friend of mine redo everything with me so I can see what is going on.Sent the wiring harness to Minitec and let them do what they do best.

There are many frames out there that are up to the job. But, the rear engine conversion is a bit more work.

 

Awesome project Jealous


Please...keep that side graphic...that so awesomely old school. I love it

 

Ambitious and awesome project. I share project envy with Imago. As much as I'd love to tackle this, my resources are too weak. Plasma cutter? I'm a plasma donor... doubt that's relevent .

Keep us posted!

 

are you building your own rear subframe for mounting motor and all

 

Z car = Z car prefabbed rear subframe methinks...part of the package.

A stock K20Z1 = ~ 201 HP @ ~ 1500 lbs rear wheel drive. Short wheel base + absurd power to weight ratio = grins, grins, grins.

For gravity bong effect add super charger but make sure the life insurance policy is paid.

Look forward to the progress! Please keep the photos and info coming as they are much appreciated.

Best wishes!

 

Yes, please do keep us updated on the progress of your build.

I've been kicking around the idea of going with Pro-Motive's R1 Kit since I like the idea of keeping the Mini fwd and not having to do any cutting.

 

Close Meno Im going snail power

 

Ive heard good things about that kit. Do it!!!!!

 

Big Norm,
It includes the front and rear subframes complete with suspension, brakes, steering the works. Its a very complete kit. Is all you have to do is supply the engine (or not they can do that for you to).

 

200+ hp in a mid-engine rwd... YES!
(sorry to all proper mini folks, but this would be a fun "variant")

 

Had to make a correction to your post its 400+ yep 400+

 

sounds cool......if i had the money i would do this to my roadster since the back seats are already gone and the back area needs a bunch of work.......good luck with the build.....looks like fun

 

All I can say is OMG .

Geez, I was just about to start a fundraiser thread to keep Meno's K-series outfitted with rubber... You're gonna really need help! I saw a video a few months ago showing some guys lowering the shell onto a full tube frame chassis (I can't remember, but I think it was inside the z-cars shop). Pretty damned cool. Has anyone engineered an AWD version? Seriously, with that kind of power, AWD would be the ticket.

 

:drooling on keyboard:

 

If the dollar wasn't in free fall I would be all over it. I wouldn't have much of a problem spending $3K for the kit (since that's pretty close to what you'd pay for a VTEC kit) but $6K is a bit much.

 

You dont need to tell me about that. This kit was around 7,000..............................pounds. You do the math.

 

Then you have to think about rubber.
I just had 2 sets of 215/50/13 Yokohama A032R's sent here from Canada. Oh and did you realize the Canadian Dollar is higher than ours!

 

Someone in Europe is trying to convert the Subaru AWD system into a mini. Apperantly its not going well. But I thought the same thing, WOW that would be fun.