Yep, I got head gasket issues too in my 1275. Thats the thing to is the high RPM. To get highway speed whether a 1275 or 1380 your Mini will be screaming and, for me at least, you have to cross your fingers you don't loose the head gasket. I am so done with my 1275, thats why ASAP I am so going with a "D" VTEC.

 

Personaly im of the oppinion that keeping the motor as stock as possible or at least oem as possible makes the car that much cooler.
The Vtec has alot of wow factor but how would you feel if someone swaped a Vtech into Dawn?
Kinda strange right.
I have a 68 Austin Mini with 211 hp to the tires, theirs no other word for it than scary. I dont at all recomend it unless a serious full build is being done.
Honestly it sounds like you should stick with the A series motor and possibly supercharge it later on down the line if you happen to need more 150 hp is a genunine road rocket in this car. and you will have a smile so big it will hurt.

 

I understand what you are saying and I agree to a point. For me driving 65 MPH with it's tounge hung out worring if the head gasket is going to make it everytime, and as someone put it, when a cloud fly's over the engine behaives different is not fun. I wouldn't even dare to put a supercharger on it given the head gasket issue unless maybe you had an "S" head with the extra studs or lowered the compression. These enignes already run on the warm side starting with the 1275 and in the 1380 it starts to go in to the "run hot zone", then with forced induction you are adding even more heat and for where I live that is not good. In a nut shell, The Mini is one kick *** car all around but it's biggest down fall is the motor IMO.

I agree the 220 HP VTEC is way to much. That is why I am going with the "D" VTEC which is 120- 130 and as MiniD has said, his Mini only wieghs 100 LBS more than stock and still handles very well and has gobs of power.

I have built souped up classics in the past. I have built a 51 Chevy P/U, a 65 Mustang, and my favorite- a 57 Bel Air. It has been my experience just not from me but other hot rodders, the hotter the motor- the more reliabilty issues you have. So souping up a an A motor with a supercharger, cam and what not scares the bejesus out of me as far as reliabilty is concerned. With the stock Honda motor- no mods to it, you get more power and reliabilty.

The different make / era motor I don't have issues with because I have seen so many hot rod Fords and Dodges with Chevy motors in them (an improvment in my book) so it doesn't bother me I guess.

To each his own though.

 

Well, I can do 65-70 in my 50HP 1275 with the motor revving at about 3500 RPM... I have the taller top gear I think. I've never had issues with the head gasket, and I do quite a lot of highway driving.

I agree on the "stock as possible" comment - as cool as I think the VTECs are (they're just SO SEXY with the front flipped up and the anodized aluminum front suspension and all... droool...), I think the upgraded A-series posweplant is even cooler.

Chuck - I honestly have no idea if I have the chops to do a complete engine upgrade like that. Hell - I can't even hoist out the stock motor. If Eric were still around I might be able to ask him to do it, but...

 

My 211 hp isent on a Vtech
Very good points though.
well now the pressure is on Lets see what you come up with matt?
Idk where you are but if your anywhere near me thats sorta semi reasonable ill lend a hand.

 

It's not a very hard engine to do. The info is out there. Do some investigating & have at it. Or spend large $$$$ & pay someone else. Tough choices. Good luck!

 

The info I have... it's the tools and the skill that are in deficit. I really wish the classic Mini club here in Columbus were like the MG club. My neighbor has a MG and is in a local club, and they do stuff like this all the time - they get 10 or so people together for a project like this one, and some of the experienced members go thorough the project while newbs watch and drink in the wisdom...

Silversmoke - thanks for the offer, but Ohio's a wee bit far from Cali.

 

Speaking with experience on several engine builds, the head gasket issues some of you guys have, you might want to check the straightness of the head and block when the next gasket goes. I personally have a 1380 with 110hp at the wheel and have never had a problem with it. It starts everytime and even on hot days (around 80degrees) it runs mid-range. Try a colder thermostat, and flush the coolant system along with updating to a 3 row radiator. As for supercharging, buy the whole kit together as match to the size of your motor. The kit should include a thicker head gasket to lower the compression. This is vital in order for your engine to survive the added boost. hope this info helps.

 

Done That. I have 180 stat, tropical fan, a Super Cool 2 row radiator, Water wetter, 20% glycol soltuion. I have to run the 180 stat or the engine runs to cold when the temperature is 75 degree's or colder, like in the mornings or at night, and then it runs like crap.

Where I live we are in the 80's-90's right now, peak summer 112- 115 and for 8 months out of the year we are above 80. I call it hell's outhouse.

Thanks for the suggestions though.

 

200 is too much? Smegal dosing like Hulk Hogan bad? This feels like a scene from Less Than Zero.

Matt, you'll love what ever you do whether the car catches on fire or you get years of laughter from the transplant. But seriously, a little bit more is the only thing that is enough.

I sound more and more like a freshman at Betty Ford.

 

This thread is my "ideas" thread...love the opinions -both sides. Thanks for posting it.

Personally, before I had my classic I lusted after the VTEC idea...then I bought Betty and the history side of me kept poking me saying "No, keep it OEM-ish". I figure I'll play with the "show" right now and work on the "go" in a few years. Maybe I'll flip-flop a few more times and have a better idea of what I want. Right now, everything sounds so cool I want to have two!

 

Everyone needs two of these. I'd like a "jacked-up" A series in addition to my baby VTEC model. Heck, now that MiniTEc is offerering an AWD variant, maybe we need three classic minis.

I'd love a B18 Type R hooked up to a four tire drive system. You could probably leap frog over cars rather than pass them!

 

What we really need is 3 or 4 good friends that are all neighbors...a large garage and everyone can invest into one of the Minis. That way we can trade off which ones we want to drive.


Granted...that would require a lot of logistics and a referee to stop the fights over who gets what and when.

 

I will give you a small taster list of what my v-tec is costing to do my self.
mtd kit, axles upgrade, front flip kit, shocks, and misc odds ends-3300
complete 1993 civic ex-1000
custom trans w/lsd, mix'n'match gears (3000 rpm at 75mph), light flywheel, perf. clutch-1000
autometer carbon gauges, fuel pump, steering wheel (for honda column), low clearance electric radiator fan, underdrive pulley-900
dyno tuning car-200
misc odds n ends-500
exhaust-220
7100 total


extras not necessary
rear i beam setup-1000
fuel cell setup-550

recoupable costs
mini motor and subbie-500
civic misc-500
rear subbie-100

On a side note, I completely replaced the mini wiring with the honda harness to eliminate the electrical mumbo jumbo .