Ok, maybe you've all enjoyed some strange ideas i've come up with, but I am really wondering if it's possible to retrofit a 2005 Mini S to make it AWD. what would have to be done to it? how much do you think this would cost? just wondering if there are any gear heads out there who could share some advice

 

I think you could take a MINI engine with an automatic and put it in the back and have two engines thereby making it AWD and have more power.

Earl

 

The problems of an AWD system that really works are a lot more complicated than 4WD. There are usually computers that sense wheel movement at all 4 corners in order to control traction and control wheel spin. A good modern AWD drive system, like Audi Quatro, VW 4Motion or Subaru AWD is designed from the hubs up. Getting a rear drive off a transverse engine while maintaining ground clearance is really a difficult thing to accomplish. I suppose the real question is - if I came across a wrecked Audi TT Quatro, or Jetta 4Motion, or a crashed WRX, cheap, could I transplant the drivetrain into a Mini body? Damn if I know, but I'd like a test drive if you do it.

 

joe d

i had the same 'transplant a wrx drivetrain' idea a while back in another thread - only let's have monster garage go through it first on tv to figure it out..

someone said in my gripe about the larger 2007 car thread that one of the reasons for going to a longer wheelbase would be to make the car eligible for wrc.

i say build your own in the smaller car and change the wrc rules!! i can see it now: "jesse james racing a rallye stage..."

 

Or you could start with an AWD chassis and keep all of the powertrain and suspension intact but look for one that is quite short.

Then get the MINI body or "MINI like" body and stretch it onto the AWD chassis.

That's less of the MINI and more of the other car but it might also work.
Sorta like this-

 

Jesse James' creation is sorta AWD,.......with tracks on the back.
I would say that it is possible to do it. I'm also guessing that it would take a fair bit of dollars to accomplish it properly.
Cheers,

 

I think this has been discussed a few times before. It's something I would delve into given a bottomless wallet...it would be cool just to go in and buy an STi, and a Cooper S and go to work. Given the flat Subaru engine, I'm thinking it would be the best bet given the low hood clearance of the MINI. I actually think though, that there's a guy in the UK who is working on an Audi/MINI combo. I seem to remember reading a 'Go MINI' article about him, and there was a quick note about his 'next project'.

Steve

 

"It's something I would delve into given a bottomless wallet...it would be cool just to go in and buy an STi, and a Cooper S and go to work."

"I'm also guessing that it would take a fair bit of dollars to accomplish it properly."

let's figure out how to turn billy gates into a mini gearhead, funding all this R&D

 

minihune you traitor!! i'm sending the don't change the chassis in 2007 ***** to your house to confiscate all your mini stuff and give you an sti instead..

 

RWD wouldn't be as bad though . With rear seats out, a mid-engine configuration seems plausible. There wouldn't be the added complexity and weight of an AWD system, not to mention the 30% or so drivetrain losses...

I prefer a light and nimble MINI, well-balanced, and ideally with RWD.

or, the Lotus Elises's are coming-out now

 

DONE
(well, the RWD part anyway)

The Qvick Racing M3 engined Cooper.

Steve

 

Renault has done it with cliov6, a great car inmho http://www.cliov6.com/pic.html. We deserve a car like that, if Renault can sell them so might BMW.

 

Oh, I've seen that M3 MINI beast before! Very cool, and I'm sure VERY fast.

That being said, I want a very fun FWD car that I can use on those wet Winter days, and my MCS, when it's finally at a 10:1 weight to hp ratio will be "done" and satisfy this need exceptionally well.

I'm actually looking now for a Summer pop-top RWD car in the next year or so. Gosh, for 25K, the Pontiac Solstice, with it's 2.4 Ecotec engine, nearly perfect front/rear weight distribution and solid chassis is very appealing. The high compression on the Elise makes peformance modifications challenging, at least for those few who would want more power with that already fast ride. I digress..

I guess because of this future purchase, I don't feel compelled to think seriosuly about such a conversion to my MINI. I would not to spend the time, engery and money... - it's fun to talk about though!

 

Tony, my good friend's dad was the chief engineer on the Solstice! It's "his baby"! I just thought that was kind of neat....

 

Well, your friend's dad is on something that could be pretty big (GM is trying to avoid a Fiero flop with this Kappa RWD venture). I have hope on this one! It has me using my GM credit card more these days The Solstice has beautiful lines, and they've got that 2.4 cranking out 1,000 hp on the salt flats. Time will tell.

Before I get flamed, I love my MINI, and will have her for eons

MINI: Nov - Apr
Solstice: May - Oct

 

Sounds like a filterless cigarette induced post to me. It would probably cost more than you paid for the car. WOW DUDE.

 

HAHAHAHAHAHA

 

It would weigh 3500 lbs. The MINI is already too heavy.