Hello.

I am new to the club. This past weekend I finally acquired a 1968 MKII Mini that I have been lusting at for a long time! Finally! The engine is shot, but the body is in great shape. It will need a full dissassembly and repairs but the car is solid. Having said that:

I have been reading and looking at the Minitec pages. I am thinking that will be the most cost effective and bang-for-the-buck option. I was lucky enough to get the car for a good price so there will be resources to invest in the conversion.

I have some questions:

1. Definetely disc brakes will be required. My car has the original 10" wheels and brakes. I will need to get new uprights (hubs) yes? Will that work with the Honda engine or are the hubs special? Other than the hubs, I need to get the calipers and the rotors. Are there any other "special" parts?

2. When mounting 13" wheels and tyres, will the wheel arches need to be cut? I realize the Honda conversion will make the tyres stick out a little so I will have to use flares. But, does any of the body need to be cut to make room for the new tyres/wheels?

3. Some of the pics at the Minitec website show cars with A/C. They do not show where the condenser goes. Does anyone know how that is rigged? Usually the condenser is mounted in front of the radiator. Is the condenser in the VTEC conversion placed somewhere else?

Please folks forgive my questions - I have been doing my research and yes, I have used the Search button! I just have so many questions about my car!!

One more, if you don't mind...

4. My Mini has the sliding door windows. In the general consensus, do these make the care more/less desireable? I find them very cool, just wanted to get your opinion on this.

Thanks!
joe

 

Might want to take a read here

http://www.minimania.com/web/threadi.../msgthread.cfm

Some cheaper alternatives for Honda power if you want to go that route. I have a A series turbo engine, which is also another option. Only one major mod needs to be done to fit the engine (turbo box in bulkhead) and can end up being much cheaper with similar power and less cost. Congrats and enjoy!

 

Personally I wouldn't hack up a Mk1 or Mk2 Mini external hinge shell for a VTEC when there are plenty of less desirable and plentiful Mk3-on Minis about. But it is your car & your choice....it will not be an inexpensive conversion. Less hassle and likely cheaper to buy a VTEC conversion done.

If you live in a warm climate, you may not be happy with sliding windows. Insufficient airflow.

VTEC requires an extended front end (4") which also provides room for A/C parts.

The wheel arches must be trimmed to fit 13" rims.

VTEC requires big brakes. Look up the 8.4" brake conversion from late model Minis.

When you're done, you've taken everything that makes a classic Mini a classic Mini out of it...

 

Minimad,

Thank you for the reply. I find it interesting what you say about hacking up the MKII. Is it out of the question to modify the MKII?

My car is not running. I have thought about perhaps replacing the engine with something 'original', but when I get done I guess I would have sunk about as much money as the Honda conversion...

Not trying to flame, just trying to weigh my options...

thanks and any info would be appreciated.

joe

 

I am not putting your choice down. If VTEC is what you want, fine. I was just expressing my thoughts on the relative rarity of early Minis as opposed to the more plentiful late shells which hold little intrinsic value.

In truth, Minis are the Mr Potato Head of cars and owners personalize them in all sorts of manners. Fundamentally, what do you want out of the car? I don't think a VTEC conversion is any less than a proper restoration of a Mini. Likely more with its own set of issues and challenges. I have friends who have gone the engine swap route with Honda and Suzuki power.

Rebuilding the original A series motor is not that expensive and the easiest part of the rebuild. The bodywork, rust repair and fettling to fit a VTEC, wiring, A/C and ancillaries is much harder and time consuming to do correctly. Talk to owners who have done it before embarking on the task. On www.minimania.com there is a message board member named N.J. who is completing his VTEC conversion. He has also written articles for M.A.D.M.E.N. NEWSLETTER chronicling his experience. He's out of the Atlanta area and a good source for info on the process and cost.

Another poster:



[FONT=Verdana,][SIZE=-1]Here's a quick tally of my costs:[/SIZE][/FONT]

• [FONT=Verdana][SIZE=2]Subframe $2000[/SIZE][/FONT]
• [FONT=Verdana][SIZE=2]axles 220[/SIZE][/FONT]
• [FONT=Verdana][SIZE=2]engine swap 1000[/SIZE][/FONT]
• [FONT=Verdana][SIZE=2]clutch 140[/SIZE][/FONT]
• [FONT=Verdana][SIZE=2]coil springs 330[/SIZE][/FONT]
• [FONT=Verdana][SIZE=2]header 525 (400 +125 Jet-hot)[/SIZE][/FONT]
• [FONT=Verdana][SIZE=2]alloy radiator 300 (custom)[/SIZE][/FONT]
• [FONT=Verdana][SIZE=2]elec speedo 200[/SIZE][/FONT]
• [FONT=Verdana][SIZE=2]LSD 350[/SIZE][/FONT]
• [FONT=Verdana][SIZE=2]Gearbox rebuild 660[/SIZE][/FONT]
• [FONT=Verdana][SIZE=2]engine harness 100[/SIZE][/FONT]
• [FONT=Verdana][SIZE=2]endless hardware 75[/SIZE][/FONT]
• [FONT=Verdana][SIZE=2]tach/guages 150 (used)[/SIZE][/FONT]
• [FONT=Verdana][SIZE=2]exhaust 200[/SIZE][/FONT]
• [FONT=Verdana][SIZE=2]Toyota alt. 60 (used)[/SIZE][/FONT]
• [FONT=Verdana][SIZE=2]electric fan 75[/SIZE][/FONT]
• [FONT=Verdana][SIZE=2]Aftermarket intake 150[/SIZE][/FONT]
• [FONT=Verdana][SIZE=2]intake mods 150[/SIZE][/FONT]
• [FONT=Verdana][SIZE=2]Fuel pump/ lines 200[/SIZE][/FONT]
• [FONT=Verdana][SIZE=2]Grand Total $6885[/SIZE][/FONT]

 

I have been dieing to build one of these since I first heard about them. I would do it in a heart beat if I had the time...or the car...or the money. But I dont have any of the three, so it is just a pipe dream for now. Do it. That is just my two cents though.

 

NJ's project:

 

I guess being VTEC owner I should pipe up.


First off I can understand the not wanting to chop up a mk2 if you can help it. Most of the VTEC Miins built have been done with late model MK3s

On the other hand I also understand the A/C bit and wanting the reliability of the Honda motor.

I have a Minitec Mini with A/C. (witch is for sale BTW) I put a lot of $$ in to this Mini and there will never be another one like it. I also started with a 87 shell.

If you live in a hot climate the A/C will not be efficiant. I live in AZ and blew out the compressor twice because the compressor does not work where they put it. (underneath the rear subframe)

I have sence figure out that if I move it in front of the header that has been heat wraped that I should get much better air flow. At this point it's not hot out so I would not know how it works till next summer.

When I sell this one I will be starting another VTEC conversion. I plan on using most of Minitecs parts. I priced it out and with out the shell I will be looking at 10K for all the parts to put one together including A/C. I also save myself a lot of $$ by making my own fiber glass parts for the conversion. That's onther grand. This does not include labor to put one of these together. You're looking at at least a year doing it part time in your garage.

I know there is a company making an A/C unit for the A series motor to so maybe you could look into that.

So what it really boils down to is it's your car do what you want.

BTW you can get a lot of VTEC info at this forum.

www.16vminiclub.com

 

Check out http://joltfreak.tripod.com/breadboxracing he will build one for you for a reasonable price