So, i'm looking to take on a new car project. Me, my brother and a couple of old guys are just finishing up a complete restoration on a 70 vw bug. With all the rounded body panels and stuff, doing the body work and paint has been less than enjoyable. We want to take on another project were we will just upgrade and kind of "hot rod" a car. We want to start with a car that won't need paint or body work, and is already for the most part restored and already running. I immediately thought classic mini.

But, I read somewhere on this forum that a 1275cc would do 0-60 in 12 seconds!?! If we replaced the engine with a 1380cc motor, put a big bore kit on it with new pistons and better compression, better cylinder heads, better cam, new gears, better carburetion and all that good stuff. Could I get the car 0-60 somewhere in the ball park of 7 seconds for under 10K on the engine. Then upgrade the suspension, brakes, put racing seats in it and all of that good stuff. Could I do it all for under 20-25K including the car? All help is greatly appreciated.

FYI the other cars i'm considering are a datsun 510, and bmw 2002

 

if you're doing the work you could buy a honda b series VTEC engine and compete with Vipers... its a sick process and turns around a great profit in resale. i've seen much better times than that on a 1275 motor by the way like the 6-8 second ball park for 0-60. if you get crazy into the 1380 motor i would suggest this site
http://www.minimania.com/web/Item/13.../InvDetail.cfm

hope this helps

 

If you like, you could swap out the motor in MY car (hint hint).

 

I had a modded 510 when I was younger (I couldn't afford the 2002) and it was my true 1st automotive love/addiction.

Any ideas of what you would do with a 510?

Regarding classic minis, a hopped-up up, crude FWD toy is a handful. I would highly recommend finding a classic and go for a ride. They're very unique and quite visceral. Put a lot of power (150bhp+) into the mix and you end up with a squirrely little machine that smokes tires.

 

Thanks for the info that helps alot. About the VTEC engine, does that take much modification to the engine bay. Also do you have any ideas where to find a VTEC engine or should i just look around on my local craigslist.

As for your question dimini, i've heard that you can really easily swap out the enignes of the 510 with a later model datsun or nissan like a 240sx and even hop up that engine. 510's are really popular to autocross too so I don't think I'd have trouble finding parts for it.

 

Depends. Some folks replace the entire front sub-frame and fit a flip-front bonnet. benefits are a beefed-up suspension rig which looks great and helps with the handling. Others modify the stock front mounting points to retain the stock bonnet and wings but still allow for the use of beefier shocks. I personally like the look of the full subframe replacement/flip front better, as it allows easier access to all the front components, including the suspension (a VTEC crammed into the stock bay is VERY tight). If I ever do a VTEC conversion, I'd do it (read as: PAY to have it done) with the replacement sub-frame, but both are viable alternatives.

PS - I've also seen people that fit motorcycle engines in there as well (the Hyabusa conversion is said to be insane)... there are many options.

 

I wouldn't ever say the Vtec conversion is a great car for resale but it sounds like the group of guys you have would have quite a bit of fun and are capable of such.

http://www.superfastminis.com/MTDPACKAGE.htm

The above link is for the D series swap which in my opinion would be your best bang for the buck and can be had through Mini Mania for less money.

My next car might well be a 2002 with an M3 swap. I've been gathering some info on them and love what I see.

If you do proceed on any of them, let us know where we can spy your progress.

Good luck!

 

"Mini Tec has taken all of the headaches out of this engine swap by developing the MTD subframe. Specifically designed for the Standard length Mini and the Honda D Series engine, the MTD subframe mounts directly to the Mini using the two stock Mini tower front subframe mounting bolts, then the Honda engine mounts directly to the subframe using the hardware and brackets that are supplied with the Kit. It is as simple as that!"

Oh, sure... simple. You can do it after dinner one evening. :impatient :impatient

Wish I had the tools and talent to do this... Not for resale, but just because I'd LOVE to feel what putting the hammer down on a car like this would feel like (wistful sigh).

 

You might want to check out Mini Mania's http://vtec.minimania.com/ site for more info.

 

Hey Moparmn,

An L20B engine w/matching 5spd tranny from a 200sx is what I used on my Datsun 510. Simple trade that I bolted right in. I'm not familiar with the later Nissan 240sx engine, but I think its a screamer, right?

I agree with Meno that Vtec minis and resale doesn't appear to be profitable to the seller...

 

+1 . Agreed.

 

That's what I'm looking to do, only with the slightly less insane Yamaha R1 engine.

 

Will you adopt me?

 

when we started trying to do one... never found a decent starter mini but got tons of parts for it. we found an actual conversion kit. the whole front is bought as a fiberglass shell which takes some hours to line up just right. it then lifts like a classic vette or buick with front hinges. there is some strengthening to the frame but if you or a friend is a talented welder you'll make short work of the changes. i found the engine i wanted in a wrecked car at a local junk yard actually. it was out of a 93 civic si vtec. i'm sure there are some ricer forums where you can get one tho. its a really cool project. i've seen some trick parts on there too like HiD's fabbed into the old headlights. really trick stuff since you have a modern engine and electrical system... speaking of which there is a ton of wiring involved which i'd recommend buying the book for whatever model car you get the engine from so you can reroute all of the wiring correctly. this took 3-4 days with our vintage mustang project. good luck to you. if you can find a machine shop to make you a driveshaft and create the RWD mini i'd be super impressed.

 

if you do it well enough the car will sell on ebay upwards of 20 grand. buy a new zealand car fix any rust issue swap frame swap engine ad electrical components and you're looking at something awesome. we scrapped ours half way through when the mini we had needed more frame work and one of my friends.. the "great with electrical guy" got an engineering job in seattle.

 

So how hard is it really to put a v-tec motor in a mini. Is it going to be something that's going to be a long grueling process that people will just get annoyed with and the project will eventually be scraped. Or will it be not easy, but a good challenge but won't be impossible and slow. ABOUT how many hours do you think it would take for the engine swap alone. ImagoX seemed think it was difficult enough that he would pay someone to do it.

Hey dimini how did that L20B engine swap end up working out for you. Was there enough room in the engine bay to turbo charge it? The newer 240sx engines are more powerful, but they are heavy, which kind of ruins what was so great about the 510s in the first place. First, they were light and nimble, second they had very close to 50/50 weight distribution. If i did a 510 project I think I would stick with a L20B engine. I'm not going to lie, a 510 is looking awfully tempting right now. But at the same time its not as cool or well known of a classic as a mini.

 

Just email Xanthus here or on Sunshineminis.org for his opinion. A percentage of VTEC projects end up for sale shortly after completion.
I know 2 persons who've done this. Each exceeded original budget and took longer than expectd (over a year).

 

Why not put an R53 MCS motor in a Classic? 200 hp and keep it "in the family"?

 

Price (cost of motor and parts) and performance (amount of horsepower per liter / pound) are the deterrents BUT I like the idea!!!!

 

The success of the project depends on skill set of the builders. For some, the process is everything. For others, the result is everything.

If you are of the latter (like me) and lack the skills to install fuses well, then it's about finding the right builder. Finding the right builder is very difficult because most guys beat their chests in bravado and say, "I can do it!" but few have the ability to think out of the box AND have the "finishing" skills of a professional.

If you are of the prior then it depends on your personal skill set and desire. Ever do a 5000 piece puzzle over and against a 500 piece? Where are you (your team) in that mix?

If you want to read the full instruction manual from MiniTec, you can go online to do so...it even has pictures. NJ has the build manual at www.vtecminis.com

 

By the way, if you don't think your group can build one take a look at the below link and see what some clown did in his spare time with an old Mini:

http://home.comcast.net/~marklooman/..._01_31_08.html


If a clown did it....................................

 

Hey moparmn,

Before I get blasted for talking about Datsuns, allow me to remind folks that I love classic minis. I have a Vtec pickup currently in the build process. I'm not personally doing the conversion as it exceeds my ability and resources.

The L20B engine block looks exactly like the oem L16, but about one inch taller. Have you seen under the hood of a 510? TONS of room. It's like working on a straight six in a 1969 Chevy pickup, only scaled down. Lots of open real estate under that 510 hood. Seen what's beneath a mini hood? Both the oem A series and the vtec conversions take up every square inch.

You really need to drive a classic mini before you consider looking at a 510 or 2002, though. They are highly addictive go carts. Keep us posted regardless your choice. If you don't choose a mini, you could still direct us to an off-topic thread and post info there.

 

Naugh! A couple of weekends and a few cases of beer!

 

I'll make sure to stock up before we start!

I will also keep you guys posted on what I decide to do. Thanks for all the info, it was a huge help!

 

good idea....though there will be times that'll do more drinking than working....but it's all good.