Well, ive been browsing this site for a while now, in preperation for my Mini that i may get when i turn 16. not sure what model it is exactly, but its a manual that was my great grandmothers, meticulously taken care of all its life. my uncle currently holds it in his garage and takes really good care of it. as soon as i turn 16, in two years, it should be mine. i know lots about engines, even though im young, except i still have some questions. im not interested in a vtec conversion so forget that, but im planning on doing a performance A+ S engine. i had been looking at this, http://www.minimania.com/web/Item/BB.../InvDetail.cfm and was wondering if thats the most powerful engine they offer. i just noticed that doesnt come with a tranny ... can you guys help me out? also- i would love to turbo-charge, but i cant find one anywhere. im glad to be here,
David Xerri

 

www.7ent.com

 

I'd look into the Mini Performance Manual - it details the different "stage kit" upgrades that add engine performance to the A-series engine. Shy of actually swapping the motor (which you said you don't want to do - can't say I blame you given the car in question), going to a Stage 2 kit (or even higher, if you have the $ and the talent to install it) will be the best "bang for your buck". The book also goes into other upgrades (wheels, brakes, you name it), and is a blast to read in general - should give you some ideas. Honestly, unless the motor that's in there is shot, I'd invest your cash in upgrading what you have before totally replacing the power plant, but that';s up to you. Obviously, going with a proper Cooper S motor, upgraded to Stage 2 or higher, will be as powerful as you can go in an A-series, but there really is a staggering array of modifications you can to do the A-series - the kits are just recommendations.

Good luck and drive the car carefully! I'd recommend getting a different car for your daily driver and just use the Mini for special occasions - I was 16 once, and I remember that I banged up a few cars, simply due to inexperience behind the wheel. Nothing personal - it's just the way it is.

 

Thanks for the reply ImagoX... id probably need to use it as quite often, but would try not to use it in the rain. as for driving experience... ive been driving full sized SUV's, V8's etc since i was 8 years old. i always had a nack for it. as for a stickshift, i have about two years of experience with it and find it easier then automatics (dont ask =P). i must be good since my dad trusts me with his 2004 45,000 dollar ford, my uncle with his 60,000 dollar lexus and my grandfather with his new subby. i will definetly work on the engine at hand, only swapping it if its a 998cc or completely shot. I do know however, that the car was always well taken care of and in good condition, garaged kept all its life. as for body work, im ready for the worst, but expecting the best. if it needs it i always got my dad to help me out whos a perfectionist at everything and has the skill to work with metal, filler, rivets, and anything else this body might need. ill be sure to get some pics up as soon as i get it, but it probably wont be for long.

 

Obviously you know your capabilities better than I do... No offense, but it's not driving skill/aptitude that I worry about with new drivers, but the ability to think ahead and predict potential problems BEFORE they threaten that makes a "good driver".

This level of defensive driving can't be taught - it has to be learned over time. I'd have the exact same concern about a person that just got their license at 25 - it's not an age thing, it's an experience issue.

Given that the classic Mini is very sparse on safety features, and is somewhat rare (and in your case, irreplaceable due to the sentimental value of the car), I'd still recommend using a "disposable" Honda Civic or some other car with modern safety features for your first year or two (or more), but it's up to you - I know that adults are basically know-nothing idiots to a 14 year old.

Best of luck to you, and have fun reading the Performance Manual and dreaming of your upgraded Mini - I hope I'll get to meet you one day (and maybe take her for a spin).

 

First, find out what you have. If it is a rare 60's Cooper S, do us all a favor and don't bodge it all up with modifications. Show it respect. Sell it off to someone who'll take care of it properly. Use the money to buy what you want.

If it is a run-of-the-mill Mini, then have at it. But, I would suggest driving the car for a while first. Get to know it. Get to know other Mini owners who can enlighten you on what and how to do it.

Minis are fun but they aren't Hondas. If you plan on flogging the car and running it up to redline a lot, you will pay with rapid wear, extra repairs and breakage. If you're going to do a 1430 (or a turbo) you'd better strengthen the gearbox, drop gears and especially the differential. No matter what you do a Mini is never going to be a drag race car. If that's what you want, find something else.

 

Sage advice! My first car was a hideous 78 Buick LeSabre. Ugly and slow, but lots of fun to throw around and abuse (I grew up watching Dukes of Hazzard, if that tells you anything about the life of that Buick). I learned plenty about driving in that car, and since I had no emotional ties to it, I didn't feel bad if I inadvertently got a dent here or there. And the best part, when I got rid of it, I had plenty of experience to draw from and haven't been in an accident in my many years driving since then.

Get an ugly car and abuse it. Fix the Mini up in the meantime to be what you want.

 

if i could i would have another car like a civic, but im in NYC and have no place to store either one, and parking is difficult. i could use my neighbors garage though... for a cost. if its reasonable i will do that, keeping my mini safe. as for defensive driving, im pretty used to it ever since my dad got his motorcycle which is practically the size of the classic. haha... man i love those minis. i just cant wait till im at a light and some ricer pulls up to me... ahh the fun. i just love stickshift so much... power shifting and ripping the ebrake are the best things about manuals, nothing like an auto. im one of the few people in my family who love cars as much as i do. my dream car is a '69 427 stingray. im into classics if you havent noticed, and i find that with more modern cars you lose the connection that a man should have with his car.

 

OK - first - breathe...

Now check out www.limeny.org we are a classic club out on Long Island. Feel free to ask questions or get a ride out to one of our meets.

Next - Classic mini does not equal to off the line speed. My wife's Minivan can smoke me. But I can beat many new MCS's in an autocross.

 

Haha... i understand that. the handling is what gets people the most. but with a 1380cc stage 3 supercharged... i wouldnt really call this a "slow" car.

 

Rocan, you are probably about the youngest person in this forum. Kudos to you for getting a good head start on the rest of us!

If you get a chance, you ought to take a few snapshots and post them here. There are lots of folks here who can help you identify what you have and may even offer you some great advise on whether you should (or shouldn't) mod this car. It could be a remarkable "barn find" or in your case... hmm, don't know the word for an awesome urban find. Anyway, you get the point-- it might be a generic mini which begs you to swap up engines, etc.

Welcome to the forum.

 

I second this... there are TONS of Mini collectors that would give a car like this a loving home, and who would garage it and keep it pristine (I'm one of them).

If your plan really is to make a fire-breathing Mini, you'd actually be better served by selling the 60's vintage car to a proper collector, then getting a 80's or even 90's era re-VINned Mini (visually and even mechanically they're quite similar) and doing the engine MODs on THAT car. I'd wager that with the money you get form the sale of the older car, you'd actually have more than enough $ to really trick out your "driver Mini".

I'd still use the Mini as your "other" car though - I get that in NYC your options are a bit more limited, but I've driven in NYC and if anything that makes me even MORE sure that getting a disposable car first is a better idea. Imagine how sick to your stomach you'd feel if you're out on your first weekend and a taxi or clueless tourist slams you.

But, as I said, I know you have it all worked out in your mind - I have a 16 year old daughter, and she knows everything, too. Funny how she keeps coming to me to bail her out of things when the situation goes sour... hmmmmmm....

 

well said. I'm not sure what this thing is and i like mint un-modded rare cars as much as the next guy. if it is rare, I'll sell it and get a 90's mini. i actually like the styling on those a bit more, and wont mind modding it. as for pics- id have to call up my uncle and ask him for some, since it is all the way in Europe. there is a chance that its one of the first ones that were made, seeing as how it technically belongs to my GREAT grandmother, though she doesnt drive. the only way i wouldnt sell this thing is if its my grandmothers death gift, which i hope it wont have to be, and if that is the case im going to keep it forever.
Thanks for the advice, and i was just thinking- i could always use my dads 750cc honda shadow ACE as my daily driver

 

Motorcycle for a new driver? In NYC? make sure you have good health insurance. I still say a teen's first car should be something like a $2k Impala - heavy, not terribly fast and fugly, so if it gets dinged (and it likely will) then nobody sheds a tear.

You could always start saving now, while you have low expenses, and then when you're 16 just BUY a Mini here in the US - there are loads on MiniMania's classified section... You can get a "fixer" Mini for $4k-$6k. Mine cost $6k and it's mechanically perfect and only has a bit of rust (easily fixable), and barely needed anything beyond a good polishing and a little TLC to win an honorable mention at a British Car Show a month and a half later.

Another few grand for engine upgrades and you have a really unique car for the cost of a nice used Honda (with loads more personality). When you're older and have a proper garage, you can import the 60's car then and treat her right - customs will have no problems with it if it's more than 25 years old.

 

Im just scared that i might not find a mini by the time im 16- or the price will be higher. do you think i could find one that hasnt been converted to lhd? tell me if you find something thats in ok condition (not a total wreck) 1275cc and possibly a later model. as for money- I'm really good at saving up cash and wouldnt have that much trouble making 6000.

 

I really don't think they'll run out of Mini's for sale.

 

you never know... lol. i cant wait till im 16- i guess ima have to drive my parents even more crazy about it...