I just picked up another mini today:
i just want to think and plan out loud and hear some opinions......I'm wanting to build a speedster out of this one. I'm not sure what motor i want to put into it or if i should keep it fwd or go rwd (mid-mounted). i leaning on getting an automatic (so my wife could drive it & if i go the rwd route it would be much easier to hook up). any thoughts?

 

Sounds like your going to need a BIG bucket of money!!!

 

How about a mid mounted MR2 auto? Mmmmm!

 

that would be sweet!!!!! but finding a donor would the hard part they aren't very common here. this mini is going to be a long term project (i want to finish the first one). i already have it on a jig. I'm going to clean it out and then brace it so i could cut the roof off. it's crammed into my garage (which i will be extending this spring) at the moment. it came with LOTS of spare parts which i still have to pick up and sort. I'll post some pics shortly.

 

motorcycle motor

 

i don't think that a bike motor would last long on a mini. but it would be really fun to drive!!

 

Automatic VTEC with 3.47 final drive. FD would be a challenge unless it's the same as regular boxes.

 

but it would nicely in the rear of thr mini. and it would be fun to drive a rwd mini!

 

A while back I heard about a guy who had a dual engined awd mini. The engine up front was an auto and the rear was manual to simplify things. On a roadster, that could be a blast.

 

Put some honda brakes on it!

 

LOL!!!! definitely

 

personally i would get a mini motor, to have the ability to call it a mini. i wouldnt do the automatic because you might end up regretting it, seeing as you'd have no fun if you decide to go mountain driving. why dont you do a 1380 bored out to 1510 (or something like that), dual charged (super and turbo) and set up disc brakes all around riding on 13x7s. that would be fun as hell and will be MUCH easier to build then any conversion.

 

fyi Rocan, a 1510 will probably last you about two hours. and who would one buy such pistons from?

 

Not necessarily, if its built well enough it will last you for a while. im pretty sure Minispeed supplies those pistons, but only under special order (http://www.minispeed.co.uk/classic/)

 

I'd love to see the VW GTI turbo 4 cylinder with the paddle shifter automatic (DSG)...I love that idea but haven't the silliest notion if it would work.

 

ooohhh that ones good. one thats dieing to be done though- ferrari enzo conversion. now THAT would be THE sleeper car.

 

Rocan: i already have a mini with a mini motor in it. i just want to do another one that is different.

Check these out!:

http://translate.google.com/translat...GLM_en___CA244

http://translate.google.com/translat...GLM_en___CA244

 

I've always been a fan of the Mitsubishi 4G63 engine used in the DSMs and EVOs, swap over a complete AWD setup with it and you've got a mean little beast.
Also, how about a mid mounted small-block V8 hooked to a Porsche 930 transmission? An LS1 engine in a Mini would be a real screamer.

 

my buddy is installing a smallblock mid-mounted using a fiero tranny into his mini van....can't wait til it's done

 

s2000 and call it the other VTEC

 

i was looking at Caddy northstar set-up but who knows, i'm going to get the body ready then we'll see.

 

a v8 conversion is really nice, but be careful with the torque steer. how about a V8 smallblock AWD? that would confuse a hell of a lot of ricers.