Not quite sure where this should be posted, so I'll start here, I guess...

I've been having ridiculous issues with my head and/or block with coolant leaking into the oil over the past year and a half or so. After two head gasket changes, and plenty of hours of cursing, I've pretty much come to the conclusion that the most cost effective solution to my problem is going to be a complete engine swap or more. I'm considering buying a salvaged title mini to use as a parts car for mine.

I own an '03 r50 non-s. There's an '08 r56 non-s with a salvaged title less than 30 miles from where I sit with nearly 100k less miles on it than I have on mine. Really, the only damage I can see in the photos on their site are passenger side door between wheel wells. This car is listed super cheap. like 1/10th the price of just a used motor with more miles on it.

My questions is: Does anyone know if it's possible to put any or all of the mechanicals from the '08 into an '03? Engine, dash, as much of it as possible..

 

I would not even consider it...
Differnt motors, computers and drivetrain....
Physically the gen2 is a bit bigger...so not sure if it would even fit...
Would be an interesting project..

 

Yeah, what Zippy said. Assuming it was even possible, by the time you bought all the incidentals to make it work, you could have just bought the proper motor at full price. Then have fun with all the little issues the Prince motor has. Good luck.

 

If you wanna do a motor swap, I would NOT use the r56 motor.. Some people have used the Honda Civic motor, others used the 1.8t from VAG. There was also talk of using a cobalt ss motor.

 

thanks, all, for your input.. that's pretty much what I was afraid of. Read through a bunch of posts last night on here about an SRT-4 swap, a Vtech and a couple others..

I'm just at my wit's end with this whole situation. Mini is our only vehicle and i'm killing myself trying to get it back to usable. Thankfully I drive a company truck for work, but my wife's still got to get the kids to school and my daughter has to go to physical therapy 2x a week down in tampa (40 minutes away).

The best I've been able to find for a motor is from LKQ in Crystal River, it's from an '03 and has like 80k miles, for $2130. Got my tax return earlier this week so I'm ready to go on it, I'm just afraid that i'm throwing good money after bad.

I saw a posting yesterday where someone near me here said they had a JCW head, and I'm considering just buying that (or something to that effect), but i'm afraid that since my whole lower end has been bathing in coolant on and off for the last year and a half all of my bearings are shot and god knows what else. I know the oil pump is, at least..

Anyone have any other suggestions for me?

 

Did your problems begin with an overheating episode? When you replaced the head gasket (twice?) was the head checked for warpage?

- Mark

 

You have a r50...
The jcw head is for a r53....so i do not think that is a option...
The 2 head gaskets....was the head/dewck ever machined? Ever checked for cracks?
Having had a year of issues of coolant in the oil, i would second the questioning of the internals....just depends how fast you caught it, and how long you drove....

 

Yah.. had the head checked both times refinished the first time but I was scared to have it refinished the second time and have it end up too short.. it was done by a guy a co-worker knew and I'm under the impression that he just pressure tested it, not x-rayed. I didn't even know that was an option. after reading a few other threads here and talking to a eurocar guy here near home, I'm seeing that there might be an issue with stress cracks in the head behind the cam sprocket that only leak when HOT and under pressure.. FML.