I figured it is about time i put my project up.

I spun a bearing in my motor, and while i realize that i could of just rebuilt the stock motor with a new bearing etc., that just didnt seem like as much fun as getting some more power out of the ordeal. So, I gave Jan a call and decided to get a RMW powerplant for my MINI.

there are some other mods that i am doing since it will be down like springs and finally getting my rear sway bar on. Found a good deal on some 17" rims locally as well.

I have to say this is by far the most extensive i have ever been into a car. I have done some engine mods to my mustang and motorcycle, but this is the first time i have ever pulled a motor completely.

Here she is:





bumper bracket off, just have to remove the crush tubes and can slide the MFE off.


crush tubes


MFE off. i had lots of help from Gerldoc's how to on removing the modular front end, found here:https://www.northamericanmotoring.co...front-end.html


lookie there, stock slow motor.


my brother looking at what the next day has in store.


looks just a little different, calling it a night.


got the intercooler removed


you cant tell from this picture but everything is disconnected and the motor is ready to be pulled.



right befor the first attempt and pulling the motor.


this is after i realized that the driveshafts had to be removed in order to remove the motor.


after a couple hours of researching how to remove the driveshafts, finally got the motor out.


looks so empty


ready to be disassembled.


thats where i am at for now. after supper i will go out and disassemble the motor and then, make a call to Jan to check on progress. Cant wait!

 

some of my other mods.

Alta 22mm rear sway bar and some KW lowering springs


and my 17s

 

Nice looking wheels!

Dave

 

So when will the new engine be ready?

 

I am going to be giving Jan a call in the morning and get more information on the progress. Im still hoping for the first or second week in October for the new motor.
I will update tomorrow as i know.

 

Thank you. I had been looking around for months trying to find some that i actually liked. I was about to buy some Koenig Twilites from someone on a local forum when i found these on Craigslist. For some reason i like 5 spokes better than any multi-spoke rims. Well i take that back, I do really like some BBS rims, but they are so expensive.

These have some surface scratches on them so over the winter I will be powdercoating them. color still undecided. most likely stay silver.

 

Wow. Looks like a fun yet nerve racking project.

I agree with Dave, nice wheels!

 

Hats off to you, that's a big undertaking to do anywhere but your doing it in the DRIVEWAY!!!!

Your going to have a beast once you get that RMW powerplant installed, good luck and keep us posted!!

 

What motor are you going with?

 

1.6L with the go fast parts



I'll check on the pistons to see if they are done tomorrow. Give me a call to let me know when I can have them pick up the engine core.

YOU MUST WEAR MORE HUSKER GEAR WHILE TAKING PICTURES!!!!!!!

GO BIG RED.......... sorry Washington Husky fans

 

If you get stuck with any of the reassembly or what not, pm me and I can give you my number, I know where every connector and bolt goes inside of the engine to everything that is in the engine bay.

 

I would of loved to do my project in the garage, but it is sort of full at the moment. My brother has his mustang tore down in the process of getting a twin turbo set up. He also has his Lightning getting a new rear axle. Then we have a quad, four motorcycles, a pit bike, and three or four blown blocks in the back. I will post a picture tomorrow.

 

I dont have any old skers gear to get dirty. I will try and get a picture upon reassembly tho.

 

That's cool, I admire your attitude!

 

it has definitely been an undertaking. but fun nonetheless.

 

You remind me of my older brother in the 70's. He had the neighbors talking when he threw a chain with pulleys around a tree trunk and dropped a beefed up AMX 390 engine into his Javelin. Good thing you aren't getting paid and in a nice, comfortable garage--that would take all the fun out of it . Nice work!

 

well, after talking with Jan this morning about tuning, I went on a search to find the closest Dynapack dyno....

Yankton SD is the closest one at about 180 miles.

guess either using Dynojet or mustang dyno will have to suffice.

 

You should get all this on Video, what a big undertaking you have going on.
I dont think even in my younger day i would have done this in the driveway!!!
hell if i lived closer I would come over with a 6 pack or 2 just to watch and learn with you guys. hats off to ya

 

you're a brave soul
What are the most diffucult steps? I'm thinking about changing the clutch,flywheel and diff, myself as the quoted labor was over $1200.

 

That would be a very wise idea. it's much simpler to do it now than to tear it all back apart in a month or so.

 

It's pretty easy if you pull the engine and tranny together, if not you need to drop the engine 6 inches or so to remove the tranny out the side. If you are replacing the clutch setup, I highly suggest replacing the plastic bushings on the throwout bearing arm as well as going with a new updated throwout bearing. I had to replace it all to get the clutch to disengauge and put it in gear. It's all pretty straight forward, it's just a pain on the MINI because there isn't much room to work around.

 

I understand that all Nebraskans have a secret hand-shake, and that if you use it with Jan, he'll get your parts to you faster. True?

 

 

Glad to see the progress. I guess we now know who has the most modded MINI in Nebraska. You will need to bring this to the track out in Hastings when you are done.
The "Kernel" of C.O.R.N.
A little video for what you are in for out here.

 

My car was tuned by Jan at some motorsports place just off of the Bellevue exit, I-80. It was a Mustang Dyno, I think, but it got the job done.

I'm equally impressed.

The Cornhusker Horsemen have been dispatched to "deal with" all non-Nebraskans who've learned about the secret hand-shake. You'd better not go outside again.