I have a 2003 Mini Cooper that is going under a full overhaul. I've ordered Carbon fiber Doors, Seats, Hatch, and Hood to reduce weight. I'm still shopping for coilovers and sways bars. LSD & Short Shifter, full sha-bang And I've decided on going with Team Dynamic Ultralight race wheels. As I look into enhancing the tuning of my mini I cant help but notice that the original engines tend to lack some power. Im not knocking cooper s or john cooper works but Its very rare to see a mini with 300+lbs of foot torque. HP is great but it isn't what really gets you going. In the past I have built MX-3's with KLZE's but I was wondering what experiences people have had with Mini Cooper Engine Swaps. What are any problems you have experienced? And if you find that a KLZE isn't a prime choice then what is your suggestion? Like i said, I just tend to favor the Japanese block due to familiarity and low expense. So what are your thoughts or suggestions?

 

 

What is your goal here? Drag racer, autoX, obviously with the engine swap what you end up with won't be a MINI??

 

The 1st Gen Mini engine is a Chrysler engine in it's base form......How MINI is that? The motor isn't what makes a Mini a Mini, no?

That being said, with all the lightweight parts you're swapping in, I think you'll find you don't need 300 ft/lbs of torque to really scoot. Think Lotus Elise. Unless, as stated by BensMini - you're wanting a drag car.....

 

An MX-6 engine in a MINI. Unless you plan on a rear engine conversion and have unlimited funds it's a pipe dream. There has been a Vtech turbo swap done in the UK with far from stellar results.

 

Is there a link to the Vtec swap?
Which Vtec was used?

 

No links that I could ever find and as far as which Honda engine was swapped I have no clue. Here's a useless dyno vid.

 

[quote=Akai;3076380]Is there a link to the Vtec swap?
quote]

There's a big clue in the second photo.

(do a Google search on "zcars")



Jim

 

It's for sale.

http://zcars.org.uk/new/carsale1.php

Dave

 

What is a KLZE V-6 out of?
Not everyone is a fanboy who knows all these model numbers by heart......give us some more info please.....

 

It's a Mazda motor, made for front wheel drive cars.

Wouldn't it be a big project integrating the Mazda ECU and the Mini's computer? There's a lot of things in the Mini that are computer controlled, that are peripheral to the Mini's ECU.

Dave

 

When doing a swap like that most people really dont care about how the stock ecu integrates with misc bs the ecu controls.

 

Well, I would! I'd want the transplant to be seamless, to look, and work as though the bigger engine had always been there, including electronic peripherals. It is so much more elegant that way.

Dave

 

It can be done. Just a lot of time. The first gen would be much easier to do then then the second gen that is for sure.

 

Is that the little 1.5L one they had back in the early 90's? Or is that the same as the Ford Duratec that was in the Probe?

 

KL-ZE

• 1997 Mazda Capella Wagon
• 1993+ Mazda MX-6 Jspec
• 1993+ Mazda MS-8 (Japan)
• 1993+ Mazda Eunos 600/800 (Japan)

Thats from wikipedia.

I would rather do a 1.8bpt smaller block and tons more aftermarket. Almost the same hp output as well. The BPD is the cool version of that block. It outputs more than the kl-ze and the internals are better in stock form. For the 199hp the kl-ze puts out I would rather save the money in aftermarket for the BPD block.

 

Ok. To clear up some misunderstandings. The KLZE is a 2.5l v6 fwd Mazda engine. Its a compact v6 that can fit in mx3s and 626 so i KNOW it can fit in a mini cooper. Its natural aspirated output is 200-240hp depending on whether one attains a old mx6 or jdm import with 240. It´s easy to tune and low in cost. I know that its accepted to swap first gens but for all those second gen lovers. Losen up, i know you love your stock minis and for all i care you can keep em stock. Where I live, everybody has a porsche or bmw. I got a 2003 mini for 10k in mint condition. I love the handling in my mini but the power is very dissappointing. So all im asking is what engine possiblities should i consider. ECU and engine mounts will be a problem i will solve but right now i want the best engine available and i want to know my options in order to get started prepping it.

 

There are a lot of tuners out there, with parts that could get you over 200 hp out of a Cooper S motor, wouldn't it be easier to keep the MINI motor and hot rod that?

Dave

 

I know you can tune past 200 with the stock block but im looking to going about 320 or so, and I honestly dont think the stock engine could do that..not for long anyways.

 

As for klze's theres a been cases of 800-100hp and Im not looking to push it that far. I would be content with 300 or so. Low boost and lightweight is my plan. I can raise the power if need be but I still want a DD.

http://forums.mazdaworld.org/index.php?showtopic=16590

 

I'm really glad to see you understand the reality of not being able to get 300 lbs of torque out of the MINI motor.
As for swaybars we have the best Hsport bars in Stock.
Then for LSD's, wait till you figure out your powerplant, but OS Giken that we sell makes great LSD's for more than just MINI's. Sounds like a Crazy fun project.