Before I start this, let me preface by saying that I don't care about the following:

- Money

- What "Muh inschurants Polysea" says.

- Ethics

- Resale Value, or resell-ability.

- The Children

Let's treat the following scenario like it isn't really happening, but what the most probable outcome would be:

I have a 2007 R56 Justa Cooper, and one day the engine explodes. Oh no, that's terrible. Let's say I also have $3000 just lying around, that I can use to buy a complete Mini Cooper S engine, a Cooper S ECU, and the odds and ends required to make the conversion.

NOW I KNOW what you want to post, but don't because I absolutely do not care. Pretend this is a track car and I have infinite money.

Can I mate that engine to my base transmission and make it move? Is the bolt pattern and spline number the same? I realize that it is a lot of power to put down on the little Getrag, but I would probably buy an S tranny later anyway. Could I just buy a gearset and call it good, or should I spring for the S trans?

Has seriously nobody fixed that Timing Chain issue?

Are there any hurdles I am NOT factoring in, beyond the ECU and exhaust system?

What are the parts I would need?

Who here has done this?


I don't want to sound very disparaging, but this community is very unadventurous compared to the Jeep and Volkswagen communities. It seems like half of you don't even change your own oil, and worry too much about simple hangups like money, insurance, emissions, etc. I live in Michigan, where none of those things exist, we make our own stuff. I have a CNC Mill and a 3d Printer. I can make some of the parts I need. Everyone I know is a mechanic. That stuff isn't a problem, I just want to know EXACTLY what has been tried, and what the hurdles are, so I can do it myself.

I know there is at least one person here as crazy as I am, who has done this, so who are you and what do you know?

 

Disclaimer --- I haven't done the swap you propose, and don't know of anyone that has. However, I've seen some interesting Mini small engine conversions, so most anything is possible.

The different bolt-ons will require a different wiring harness --- probably the hardest part to work with. As long as you have access to parts, fab services, and money, I'm sure it can be done. The tranny should bolt on, but if not, let us know. It's not likely you'll blow the gears or axels unless you add a lot of mods to the "S" version. "Dropping the clutch" is the best way to snap an axel. My 300+ WHP hasn't done any damage to the "S" tranny --- yet --- four years so far.

Maybe check Real OEM for part number differences --- http://www.realoem.com/bmw/enUS/select Have you searched the forum for engine conversions? Pretty sure it's been discussed a couple times.

 

Go find a car like mine. Then buy it. You'll like it way better than whatcha got trust me.

 

I simply Googled:

https://www.northamericanmotoring.co...to-s-swap.html

 

you wanna make power? drop an ls9 in that **** do a rear wheel drive conversion and mate that 800hp beast to a t56. Screw sport mode, now you're in "holy fxxxing chit!" Mode

 

Why would you ever want a four cylinder when a v8 conversion is possible? 🚀

 

uh.. how about

*brakes
*fuel
*weight
*cost of service

..just to name a few. A high strung 4 is much lighter on the pocket, and its fun. A V8 is fast.. which doesnt always equal fun.. it does equal $$$ though.


@ the OP - engine, and ECU and MAP should be all you need to make it move as you say.. the transmission will bolt up. Your #1 concern is the wiring harness for the ECU.. as the justacooper is likely not wired to support all the bits it wouldnt have. Wiring harness installs are typically what stop most planned motor swaps in newer cars.

 

I don't think you read the original post thouroughly.
Money is no object in this build.

big brake kit with some big rotors would solve most braking issues

you'd have to tunnel the body for a rear end conversion so a fuel cell would probably be placed in the trunk with an aftermarket fuel pump.

of course it would be heavier but it would make way more power and would still be balanced because you're adding a transmission and rear end.

also with a swap like this you would use an aftermarket generic wiring harness which is a lot easier to do than frankensteining together two factory harnesses.

 

You'd probably have to subframe the car as well

 

I want referring to cost for the swap..just operating coat of a built 4cyl vs a 8cyl.

*if money is no object put a JDAM rocket pod on the roof and weld on some wings.. smh.

 

There's that unadventurous attitude the op was talking about!
A built ls9 can do 15-20mpg with 700-800hp which is about 5mpg less than built 4cyl that only pushes 350-400hp.

Do you mean to say a v8 Mini wouldn't be fun?

 

I do like the rocket idea! "Even though you were sarcastic "
wouldn't need the wings though we're not building an airplane here.

 

How crazy do you wanna go? Sure, it can be done. How deep are your pockets?

 

That's awesome! The rear was probably way too stiff though.

 

I respect the OP’s drive and I agree. When I read posts on any forum, I read a lot of negativity, cheap/easy fixes and it’s-too-much-hassle responses. In the interest of a project car, I say go for it. If you can find a place to tuck a turbo, dive in and figure it out. Anything is possible.
I love projects like this. Most of my friends are gearheads too and I bounce ideas off them all the time. The problem is most people don’t have the resources, support group (large group of gearhead friends or machinery) to take on a project of this size and it ends up being a “wish I could” dream.
An R56 Justa would be the perfect sleeper car. I was just talking to a friend tonight about this very project, which lead me to this post after some searching.

I think the projects that no one wants to take on, are the best projects. “It can’t be done” is the common answer and that pushes me to figure it out. With a little imagination, that Justa could be Justa-Badass.

If you take on this project, keep me posted. If you’re in the Denver area, I’d be happy to help.

JP

 

Why not keep an eye out on Copart Auctions for a cheap stolen-recovery or lightly banged up S, then carefully take it apart, label everything, clean and inspect everything, take lots of pictures of how things go, then when you're ready swap everything over to your car. That way you'll have everything you need. Then you can sell all the leftovers at the end to make some money back.