Well I will push the limit with the R53 engine and supercharger capabilities (M62, Fireballed Head, Larini Header, Ecu Tune). I refuse to go twincharged or turbo because the R53 was designed to have a supercharger. The R56 engine was designed for a twinscroll turbo, so that's how it will be modded. They can but a honda engine in classic minis, I see no reason why something like this couldn't happen with some money and ingenuity, plus I'm getting tired of everyone who doesn't know about the Cooper S referring to it as a turbo. Something I see right now, is that the new hood scoop has no function and is blocked off. I'm thinkin' ram air cold air intake. FMIC for the turbo. 3 inch down pipe, maybe an exhaust. ***** I might just do this 'Busa style and just exit out the downpipe. I dunno we'll see...

Mike

 

I'm sure it'll be possible, just costly and time-consuming.

A few years down the road maybe you'll be able to find wrecked R56s for cheap-ish $$$... Well, one can dream.

 

The idea of transplanting the R56 turbo engine in the R53 doesn't sound very productive. If I was going to bother transplanting an engine, I'd do something like a K20 if I wanted n/a or a Mopar 2.4L if I wanted boosted. The R56 engine is an unknown in terms of high HP output. On top of that, it'll take at least a few days before ECU tuners can apply their knowledge of prior BMW Valvetronic applications onto the R56 to even get any more power out of the engine.

The R53 W11 isn't designed to be supercharged, it was designed to be "boosted", it doesn't care how it gets its' boost, only than it's designed up to a certain power level from the factory, which some of us have discovered is a bit north of 350 gross HP. Obviously there are MCS's out there with way more power than that, however they also have beefed up internals. Over 200HP per Liter of displacement is impressive for a production engine. I'd be impressed to see that with the R56's engine, with its aluminum block and list of variables. The bottom line from me is the R53 engine isn't as crappy as some of you think, it just needs some massaging, the fundamentals are there for big power per liter.

Cheers,
Ryan