I've been trying to search the forums for this, but I can't find anyone with a built or upgraded engine. Yes, I know there are the basics such as tuning your ECU, and other upgrades such as cold air intake, which can add horsepower, but doesn't anyone else crave more than just above 200 hp for their Mini?

Has anyone heard of someone building their own engine or replacing with an already built engine? What are some of the specs you've seen on those?

Thanks for any input.

 

I've always wondered about this myself. So many other cars you see guys who have built everythign from the ground up. Honda, Subarus, Mitsubishi/Eagles, Mustangs, you name it...but no MINIs. Surely not with the N14 anyway

 

Yeah, my friend has a built motor in his Evo. It is so powerful now, and I'm pretty jealous. :P I know a Mini won't ever get up to those standards, but I'd at least want to get some good power out of the type of car.

 

Oh the 1.6l N14 Prince motor can reach those numbers. Is all about proper tuning and building the engine. The most I have seen is cams and that isn't even that confirmed. I would sumise that you could sleave the cylinders for a little more protection and maybe some forged indternals. It is worth it, even though people on NAM herethink that a tune and bolt ons should run them a 10 sec car, just obtaining is going to be difficult becuase there isn't a big interest in it.

 

What numbers? The low 200's? I already know Mini motors can do that, but I'm wondering if people are putting different motors in their Mini's that can produce more than the low 200's. I haven't seen a single person on this forum who has done much more than cam/intake/tune.

I really just want to find someone who has built a motor for their Mini so I have a starting block for what has worked for other people as far as adding ALOT of power. I also need to know what the limits are of the stock turbo as far as what it can handle with an upgraded engine.

 

Generally accepted automotive lore is that anything much above 250HP or so in a FWD car is going to have some inherent problems putting the power to the ground. Not saying it can't be done, or hasn't been, but should you? You'd be better off working on the chassis and improving your driving skills.

 

I would think it is a cost/worth thought. A performance built engine is going to run I would guess about 5-7 for the short block alone. I read the guys who put the larger engine in the 1st gens spending thousands and wonder why they don't just get a car that already has that power level?

 

It's already been done by the R53 guys. 600hp on the ABF R53. There are many twin charged R53s out there that are around the 300hp mark.

The N14 has a long way to go especially from a tuning and hardware standpoint. If you want huge power now, sell your R56 and get an R53. Do you really need 300hp? There are a lot of other things to make the R56 a better car instead of just investing in the powertrain.

 

Nothing mass produced has been done. A few people have had headwork done, but that's all I know of.

Anything you want done internally can be done though, all it takes is your $$ . I had some plans to get a little crazy with my turbo/motor, but like many things in the aftermarket tuning world...plans fell through due to idiotic people. So those are on hold...for now at least....

You can easily be up around 300 with just a bigger turbo and proper tuning (which still hasn't been perfected). If you get your MINI up around the 300hp mark...I can promise you it will destroy your friends Evo.

What exactly are you wanting to do? I've talked to 3 manufacturer's that are willing to produce forged aftermarket pistons to whatever specs you'd like...along with rods. They just need your stock ones to look at and some $$.

 

Here's the best one I've seen. WAY more than 200 hp here!



This photo was taken at the "British Invasion" show in Stowe, Vt. last September.


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It's not exactly a build engine, but I am getting headwork done alone with some Schrick cams. My build thread is here.

 

I don't currently have a Mini, but am planning out my build. That is why I posted. Thanks for the information though, my only concern is that the R53's would run higher in mileage because of the years.

 

Basically you are running into the fact that the Gen2 hasn't been around that long, it differs substantially from the Gen1 (turbo vs. supercharged), and the biggest problem is that there are over 2000 maps in the ECU and only a couple of dozen have been cracked - thus limiting options that won't throw codes all over the place and drop the car into limp mode.

 

Here in Europe we regularly get 240-250hp from the N14 (Prince) engine, without any internal mods whatsoever, this is achieved with the addition of a Milltek high flow cat (200 cel) down pipe, an ITG panel air filter in the stock S or JCW air box and a tune, and that's it, if we then want a little more, then the addition of a replacement FMIC will give you just that little extra, and all that comes from the tiny stock S turbo and cast exhaust manifold, at this level the sock tiny S turbo is now close to it's limit in terms of it's flow capabilities.

Now if we want 280hp then we the move up to the JCW turbo and exhaust manifold, these are slightly larger internals, with the above mods, and hey presto we get it, still on stock internals.
And for those wondering, yes the JCW turbo and exhaust manifold is a direct fit.

The BIG question, What will the stock internals cope with?

Simple answer, do you really want to find out to your cost of a holed and wrecked engine!

If your serious about wanting to build and have BIG reliable HP, then surely for piece of mind, and the cost of a few extra $$$ then it makes sense to upgrade, if your going to do it once, then do it right the first time and eliminate all worry, and the sickening feeling you will get when your having fun and then........... oh **** and after saying that, it's too late, and you will kick yourself for saving a few $$$ at the time you built your engine, and now you have no engine at all, and a few $$$ and your time wasted.

Remember the killer of any engine is, high heat and high RPM.

 

You regularly get 250 BHP at the back of the engine calculated using guestimates as to the drivetrain losses are.

Over here we quote HP at the wheels. You aren't getting 20-40 more HP than the US MINIs are. You are just using a different measuring stick.

My 07 S measured 212 hp at the wheels. Using european method that would translate into 240-255hp. I also got 245lbs at the wheels - convert that and it comes out to 280-295 lbs. I don't' go around saying my car puts out 250hp/290lbs torque though.

 

Revolution Mini Works has many options for a built engine. Heads/cam/pistons, etc.
Jan also sells a rotrex s/c that has put out close to 330 on a 1.6l