Hello NAM mods community! I am writing this post after I heard the dreadful news from my mechanic. My beloved Fiona ('03 MCS) blew a rod bearing after 127k miles . I am looking at a steep cost to either rebuild or swap the engine and get her back to life. I had always wanted to to do performance mods to the car and I thought I can use this as an opportunity to get my engine mods going. This is where I need your help, I want to create a plan for reliable mods within my budget (Right now, I have a budget of 5k). With this in mind, I also need your opinion on either rebuilding the engine or swapping it for a used one and carrying out the mods.

Thanks in advance for anyone and everyone who can help me out from this little messy situation !

Cheers

 

If you have an engine builder/shop that's local, I think that would be my first choice and just rebuild your current motor (as long as it's salvageable). My second choice would probably be these guys. http://www.sneed4speed.com/mini-r53-engine-1/ their sport motor looks pretty sweet and it's just above your budget. They don't list the torque and horsepower specs but I'd bet it's pretty good

 

Thanks for the link Racingguy04!! Will call them up to find the specs.. Currently I am trying to find out how much of the motor is salvageable. Talked to a few mini owners here and most of them are skeptic about a rebuild.. Working on quotes with a few shops around here

 

I had some unfortunate luck in my time (non-MINI car). I've done everything from a new long block, short block, and currently just did a built block. Before the build, I spent 2 years compiling exactly what I wanted to do. Since you're wanting performance, do you currently have a MINI specialist shop in Huntington? If yes or no, I'd highly suggest speaking with them about the possible build options. They'll be able to compile an estimated list for you that'll meet within your 5k cost range. I worked at a performance shop for VW/Audi in which we had people tell us what they want and how much they wanted to spend (depending on if it were a blown motor or an intact motor) and we would write up an estimate to try and meet those things. Take that list and let us know what they came up with and I'm sure people will gladly help you out with suggestions.

 

Find a local shop and port / polish heads, are you looking to rebuild or swap , some difference in money there, if you swap , bit of money taken out in the new engine.

Good luck.

 

Thanks for the input everyone, really valuable! Found a shop here to do an engine swap. Going with an used S engine. Just did some shopping at both PelicanParts and ECSTuning for some goodies for Fiona

 

Great! Glad you found a shop and hope you get her back up and running soon. Thanks for your order for Fiona and if you ever need anything feel free to reach out.