I've been talking with my friend about this (we've both graduated from an automotive tech program at college), and I've been trying to figure out exactly how I want to do this. This is what I've go thus far (is only the basics, not the actual indepth info)

R50 (hoping it'd be cheaper than using an R56, as well as lighter - though i don't know if the engine i want to use will fit)

3.2L engine from an M3 (E36)

RWD transmission (unknown what sort to use yet, when I get more details written down/mapped out, going to ask Transmissions teacher, from school what he thinks)

cut the body approximatly where it is on the Red Bull Mini, and make the back half able to fold back/to the side for access to the engine. When I get the chance, and my parent's scanner is working again (their condo flooded, so none of their tech stuff is working atm), I will try to better show how I mean.

I've searched online, and I haven't found any Minis modified in this manner, and I think that just the uniqueness of it will make it awesome.

if you've got any imput, please, feel free.

note: i do not know if the engine will fit yet, nor the exact dimensions of the engine. if you know for a fact that it will not fit in an R50, please let me know. also: I do want this to be based off the 2 door model, not the clubman nor countryman. too much weight on those


edit: before you all start saying that this will be expensive, i know that it will be. that's why i'm trying to plan it out now, and save money to do this now, long before i actually manage to create this monster

 

What about taking a fwd engine and transmission,complete with cradle, and bolt it in to the back? Car and Driver made a twin engine CRX many years ago by doing this. Also the SHOgun was a Ford Fiesta with a SHO Yamaha engine/transmission stuck into the back.

You MUST do this!

 

nah, it'd be RWD, and that would be the only engine. i'd turn the front into a boot (makes more sense than calling it a trunk).

 

I don't think Squirlz is suggesting twin-engine. I think the suggestion is to do what they had done for the back of the twin-engine CRX. That is, take a complete transverse FWD drivetrain and put it in the back of the car hooked up to the rear wheels. That would be a mid-engine car (or pretty close) and would not require any mix-and-match of the transmission and engine. Plus the packaging is fairly small, which means you have a bit more room around the setup.

This is exactly how the Fiat X1/9, the Toyota MR-2, the Pontiac Fiero, and the Lamborghini Miura (among others) were done.

If you're really really looking to do a longitudinal drivetrain, you'll need a lot more room. I don't know what longitudinal FWD transaxles would bolt up to a BMW motor, though. If you go Audi (or possibly VW?) you could get a Boxster trans to work.

You can talk to Kennedy Engineered Products (http://kennedyenginc.com/default.aspx) about adaptors for VW transaxles, but those generally can only handle a limited amount of power. Porsche transaxles can handle more, but they're more expensive. Just about all of those would have to have the ring and pinion flipped, which again is more money and more work.

If you're really really lucky (or have a whole ton of money to throw around) you might be able to find a ZF transmission from a Pantera.

There are some racing transmissions that will work (e.g., Hewland, Mendeola, etc.) but most of those are not really suited for road-going cars.

It's an interesting project, that's for sure!

 

I applaud anyone who can take on a project this big! I'd love to see it work out.

 

Love the idea...a modern, MINI take on the old Renault 5 Turbo II!!

 

It's going to need to be transverse if you want it to fit and be more than four cylinders. Plenty of good options, including the Northstar, which can be mated to a Fiero transaxle via trans-dapt plate. Using a RWD trans and engine for a mid project just ain't going to work.

 

these reasons are why i'm going to be talking to my transmission teacher. he can probably suggest something to use, but i'll have to ask him sometime after the new year.


actually, that's an interesting idea, slave. if i could find a wrecked old 911 with engine/trans intact.....

 

I think once you do take a few measurements, you'll find that BMW engine will be up against the windshield. The only way to do this is transverse engine.

However, the MINI is a VERY short car, only the most compact driveline will let you sit in the front seat.

Good luck and let us know what you do....

BTW, there is a race MINI with a BMW 6 cyl mounted in the front, driving the rear - the driver pretty much is sitting in the rear seat tho - well maybe not all the way back, but definitely not in the normal spot.

 

If you're going to think Porsche, why not scale down a bit and think Subaru? Being a boxer four, it would be shorter length-wise than the Porsche. And since it's coming out of an AWD car, all you'd have to do is cap off the front diff where the driveshaft to the rear would normally be. Not to mention that, if you use a WRX motor, you're starting off at 225+ horses, with quite a few more available with some good tuning. Oh, and they sound good, too!

 

God I wish I had the amount of disposable cash you guys have, but I would get 1991 318is (non-sunroof) and convert it to a 325is (engine) and have it race prepped for SpecE30 and campaigned it for a season or two.

 

That's why i'm saving now. started a seperate account to save money for things like this. doesn't have much, since i only started putting money in recently.


and a suby engine could work too. when i look at the back seat/trunk of my car, it always looks like there's more than enough space (R56)

 

Check around but there was at least one mini race car back in 02 with a M3 powerplant. Might give you some ideas .

Randy