Im sure this question has been asked too many times, but I would like to see what everyone thinks. Here is my situation and what I am after. I would like to have a Mini that I can hop into anyday of the week and if needed, I could drive on the interstate (say a max of 2 hours, but possibly more). I am thinking of either a 1275 motor or upgrading to a VTEC.

Do you think a VTEC would be overkill for a daily driver?? I obviously love performance, but at the same time, I am still indecisive on whether spending the additional $$$ for a VTEC conversion is warranted in my situation. I can see if I was planning on racing the Mini, then that would be a no-brainer. I have not driven ANY Minis yet, so I don't know how much pep a 1275 has.

Any opinions (good or bad) are welcomed!!

 

A VTEC might be alittle overkill, but it sure would be a hell of alot of fun as a daily driver

My wife drives our 1275 daily and it is doing great, but it is not doing two hour daily drives either. Here commute is just a few miles, so it might be alittle different if she was commuting daily for hours. I have driven it for 4-5 hours at a time with no problems, it is alittle noisy (but I don't think switching engines is going to change that).

I don't know if I would have it as my only car, little things seem to pop up from time to time that will keep it out of comission for short periods.

I've thought about the VTEC conversion, but I really don't want to chop the front of the car up (though I have seen it done without the flip hood)

If you are looking for pep, then you either need to go with the VTEC, or get something like the guys at 7ent sell. One advantage of the VTEC is getting all new wiring .

Tough choice - not sure what I would do if I had the money!?!

I'm sure some VTEC owners will add comments too.

Good luck,

Nik

 

If I had the money, I'd do it in a HEARTBEAT. Monster power coupled with the reliability of a Japanse engine and tranny, further improved with upgraded suspension elements - what's not to love? Really - it's a no-brainer IMHO. The only thing that might give me pause was if I had a true collector's car - say an early genuine Cooper S or something... If you're just talking a standard 1275 like a Metro or a Sprite then HELL yeah I'd do it.

There's also the safety issue - bottom line is that a classic Mini is not fitted with all the modern safety devices such as door braces and air bags, plus it's a tiny car in a world of SUVs. I'm fairly cavalier about that though - I rode motorcycles in places like DC and Chicago for years, and a Mini is lots safer than a cycle. I think so long as you're willing to drive VERY defensively that you'll be fine.

 

See, I like the idea of having a reliable motor such as a Honda under the hood. British mechanicals have always been mediocre in reliablity, so I think spending the extra $$$ (not that I have any to spare), would be worth it in the long run. I just cringe at the fact that the car will no longer be a simple carbureted car, and I would have to deal with ECU's and sensors galor.

So I guess it just depends on budget (which is at 0 right now).

 

A zero budget is NOT conducive to a VTEC conversion, no. And British engines might be "less than top of the line", but they ARE relatively easy to work on, at least from what I've seen so far. We'll see if I still feel the same way when I have to replace the clutch plates or adjust the valve timing or something...

But on the bright side, lots of places can work on a VTEC motor, but very few can work on Mini engines. Whether they WILL or not, given the application, is another matter. I'd still do it if I had the scratch... one day.

 

Hey Nlsmini,

If you were posting this thread a year from now, I'd be able to give you first hand impressions as I'm in the build process with a Vtec mini restoration. Thus far, I've noticed a couple things. Folks automatically assume Vtec means flip front and 200 hp. Not necessarily. I'm having one built that fits under the OEM hood/fenders and yields around 135-140 hp. I like the "classic" look and feel of 10" wheels, and plan to run those as well. There are various gear/engine combinations that can yield high top end cars capable of freeway cruising. Mine? No. It's apparently going to turn about 4000K at 70mph. I'm building mine as a country road, track days and auto cross toy.

You can put a new powerplant in a 40-year old car, which from an engine standpoint, makes it more reliable, but it doesn't transform the mini into a new 2007 car. It will still be a mini. During my few testdrives, I experienced all the "charm" and visceral madness of traditional minis, just lots quicker than the average bread box variant. I'm a speed/corner junkie, so it's worth it to me to have a reliable stock engine that yanks as hard as the race-built A series engines. I've read that the D-series honda engine & tranny is about 50 lbs lighter than the A series it replaces. I'm not sure if that's accurate, but if so, this should make for an extremely fun drive and even better weight distribution than the original. The D-series I drove was shod w/13"x7", which radically alters the handling.

Truthfully, the 200hp B-series Vtec that I drove was a fun straight-line slingshot, but it made me nervous in the twisties as it comes on really hard when the Vtec kicks in. And the sound? WOW!!! Automotive heroin. I love the supercharger on my '06 JCW, but I absolutely lust after the Vtec mash up.

I'd love to see someone build a vtec Mary Quant, Paul Smith or other designer mini that could outrun the American muscle machines, yet be so darned cute. Mary Quant smokes a Boss mustang--that would be a fun you-tuber.

You're practically next door to Royston. Pay those guys a visit and ask lots of questions.

 

Two words:

Ultimate. Sleeper.

Or maybe 3 words:

Race for pinkslips?

 

Royston?? Is that a user here on NAM or a shop?? Little more info please.

Thanks again for all of the opinions and advice. It really helps.

 

Royston, Georgia, where MiniTec creates their vtec minis and components.
www.superfastminis.com

 

We should plan a NAM trip down there next spring!!

 

it depends on the shell your useing. If you have a beater and the $, go for it. IF you have pristine example of automotive history, buy a beater and go for it!

My mustang didn't have much original sheet metal that was worth saving, and the original motor was gone, with a 66 298 thrown in, wrong carb and on and on and on.

Now, with a FI motor and a 5 speed (and tons of other stuff) it's a great car, purrs on the freeway (1700 RPM, down from over 3k), hauls ***, can burn rubber as long as I want, and gets about twice the gas mileage. But it's more than the motor/tranny. To get all the beneifts, you need suspension, maybe strenthening parts of the shell and on and on. And none of this includes paint or interior items. It gets expensive to do well fast.

But a well sorted "restomod" (that's what they're called in Mustang circles) gives you a car that is more reliable, efficient and fun. The key is the well sorted part! And that's not easy.


Matt

 

If I build one some day it will be like the one you are building. Pics please!!

Nik

 

And I think that is what I would be after too. I would want it to fit in stock trim, with no serious modifications to the body. I don't need a 180-200hp motor, when a 130-140hp motor would be more practical for my desires. I'm liking the idea more and more.

I guess I am that kind of guy. I love the old cars, but I like them with new technologies and comforts. My first car was a '69 Chevy Chevelle and I wanted fuel injection, 6 speed, A/C, power everything. So doing a VTEC Mini would be right up my alley. It still depends on the kind of Mini I can find and my budget.

 

Heck, I want to do a tilt-forward bonnet MOD, simply to be able to gain better access to all the engine components.

It's especially sexy on a VTEC swap: I'd revel in having the car look more or less "normal" just sitting there, then watching people's faces light up when I swing the bonnet up and forward, revealng the gleaming engine and annodised suspension elements... Ooohs and ahhs would bathe me like cool, gentle Spring rain...

 

There was one in a magazine a while back that was the 1275 engine with a tilt forward front. It was the original fron end (metal) just cut and placed pivots at the front. It looked great! I don't really like the look of the longer fiberglass front ends. JMO

Nik

 

I'd replace the metal bonnet with fiberglass... Lighter and easier on the hinges.

The longer one you describe is the Clubman replica, right? I know that lots of people like those because it's easier to fit a radiator in front of the engine with that bonnet, but for my money, NOTHING beats the classic, rounded headlamp version we allknow and love (Clubman fans, please don't hate me).

If only I had the tools... I hear it's a tricky job grinding off the existing wings and fitting the fiberglass bonnet so it matches perfectly, but it seems very doable.

 

No, it was just like ours.

Nik

 

But... longer? Really? I thought fiberglass replacements matched OEM specs. Or do SOME match and others do not? This is the first time I've heard of that, so that's good to know - I'd want one that matched the metal one I was deleting personally.

 

I know lots of folks love them, well I like them too, just not in a Mini. If ya want a VTEC buy a Civic. There is so much you can do to a 1275. They are wonderful engines. Just my .02 here & worth every penny paid.

 

I think I'm with Crashton, you can do a lot with the 1275; back in the day, I knew of one guy who had a 5 spd gearboxe in his.....a modified std Mini box.

There was an ad on Minimania just a short while back for an Arden head 1275 that was making 145hp!

 

If you do a kit like the ones from superfastminis, then they are ~4" longer. I have not seen a shorter one yet. (of course there are not many to see around here )

I agree with Crashton - the 1275's are pretty good engines, and there is alot to be done with them. My wifes has been pretty reliable, with only a few minor breakdowns. Mainly overheating problems, but easily remidied by increasing the size of the radiator, replacing the thermostate, and water pump. Its not the fastest thing in the world, but it'll do 70+ all day long. When the engine finally does go I will most likely look to they guys at 7ent to upgrade the exhisting 1275.

Nik

 

I think it is time that all VTEC Mini threads should be locked.

At least until I can afford to get one.

I had an '88 Redhot with the 1000 motor and it was junk, if they had the Vtec mod back then I would prolly still have the car.

 

Hey Imago,

Yes, the flip fronts used with Vtec conversions are about 4" longer than standard oem configs. You'll notice it by looking at the profile of a flipfront Vtec car (Like Meno's K). In theory, I like the functionality of a flip front for the accessability, and I also like the way it shows. I chose the OEM front, though, because my mini shell had already undergone restoration using stock fenders/hood before I signed on. I briefly considered having a detachable oem front, but didn't want to pay up to "undo" the direction my pick-up was already heading. Oh, I forgot to mention another reason for my choosing a Vtec conversion is A/C. I have MK1 doors/windows and I want to play with this toy during the summer and not tempt heat exhaustion.

 

drive one and then decide, it may not be the car for ya.

 

Minitec:
The new D series = non extended Mini
The new B series = non extended Mini
The new K series and old B series = 4 inch extended fiberglass Mini

My opinion: the daily driver you seek would be best in the D series. Truly that's where the horsepower per weight is still crazy (especially on 10 inch wheels) but more "natural" for the car. My K series is like a combination of Schwarzenegger on a steriod induced rage blended with Pacino's last scene in Scarface...not for the mild mannered.

Seven Ent produces good motors with about 90 hp. Nice for an A series, clearly. But comparing the two is a waste of time because your mind will be made up prior the technical data; there are the lovers of all things original or at least that which resembles original within certain degress and there are the lovers of just give me the easiest, highest power rating with the least amount of maintenance. The data after that is for dorks like me and Dmini who dote and lose sleep thinking about 10 more hp or the purist looking to stroke some more from the A. Good stuff on either side of the aisle.

I sure did like the earlier comment someone made requesting Dmini for some pics...well?