I like it.

I'm very interested in the 9th gen civic with the k24 which actually makes 170 ft/lbs. Maybe Honda is learning!

 

My Honda with 111 ft/lbs makes a lot of higher hp and torque cars look silly at the road course. Honda is about balance.

 

111 lb-ft? Sounds like what a B16 motor makes. Those things wind up nicely!!

 

Yes, B16 with a close ratio gearbox in a 91 hatch. These engines love to rev. I am hoping to get the Mini to handle as well as the Civic.

 

Whats wrong with your MINI for it not to handle better?

 

Stock suspension right now. The Mini feels disconnected and not as raw and sharp as the Civic.

 

Something is wrong with your MINI then, unless the Civic had suspension work.

 

Yes, the Civic has ground control coilovers on kyb agx struts and a 22mm rear sway bar. The brakes have been upgraded also 11'' rotors front and rear with Integra calipers. The Mini will be getting Swift springs on Koni yellow struts and a 22mm rear bar. The lower control arms will be adjustable as will the front upper strut mounts. The front brakes have been upgraded to the R56's. I bought the Mini in hopes of building a car that handled as well as the Civic and had more straight line speed.

 

The MINI should have higher potential than the Civic. The rear suspension in particular is a better design. Things should stay located better (assuming similar type bushings!) and control over toe should be better. I also (think I) remember that the MINI's front suspension A-arms are less compromised than the Civic platform's due to space constraints in the Honda.

The straight-line speed might be a problem, though. Due to the extra weight of the MINI (a couple hundred pounds, I think?) you'll need noticeably more power or shorter gearing to get more speed. Unless you had an LS transmission (tall gearing!) in that Civic with the B-series motor, 160 HP and short gearing with relatively light weight make for pretty good acceleration.

It will be interesting to hear the comparison!

 

My current daily driver makes 450 ft/lbs and carries 57% of its weight on the (non-driving) front wheels. It's great in the straights!