Rather than this just turn into a 'just buy an R53 instead', I was wondering who had done a relatively original and/or crazy engine conversion to an R50? A couple of people are 'apparently' looking at VAG 1.8t blocks aswell at a selection of Honda VTec and Toyota VVti units

I have been away from the UK for about 3 years and its evident that many a great engineering feat has been achieved in a lock up somewhere, including:- E46 V8's, E46 V10's, E30 S52's etc etc So I was wondering if someone had done an exciting R50?

 

Ahhh now this is a good start......

http://www.corsa-c.co.uk/forum/showt...ered-BMW-Mini&

 

hhhmmmmm

http://www.gtt.uk.com/miniturbo.asp

OK so its not quite the full conversion, more a mess around with something existing already

 

to be honest I have enough trouble getting the tires to stick under full accelleration now. Only have an exhaust, pulley and CAI i'm guessing 190hp tops. never dynoed it. i couldn't imagine more hp without trying to fit AWD under it first.

 

I would think an R50 with a blown up CVT would be a natural for something like this, since it's so expensive to fix the tranny in the first place, why not do a transplant and go all out?

 

Since the entire drivetrain and engine management will be swapped out..it is is good idea!!

 

R50XY,
The Think Mini 1.8t VAG is what I want to do. I still haven't got the money for it yet, but I have emailed Dave Tassel a couple of times and I can't wait til my time comes. One of the things he told me was that they were looking into an American distributor, which should make it more affordable. I have my fingers crossed.

 

i'll be considering these options too in a while (my CVT is half dead, drives only in sport mode as long as it's never in "1")

 

Has anyone considered hybrid swaps for the R50, like a Honda k series? Seems it that would fit that it might be the perfect engine platform to build a "s" slayer...

 

wouldn't consider either. although i would love to see a Boxer or a mid placed nissan V6

 

More power to Think Mini for installing the 1.8t, but I'll stick to the Bimmer engine. If you want a VW, buy a VW.

 

ummmm except the R50's have Chrysler engines, there's nothing bimmer about that.

 

Kinda...sorta....
the gen1 mini engine was built in brazil in a joint veture, the old, totally independant chysler and bmw....
cyrsler needed a small, cheap motor with low hp, that was to be used in it very small export market, primiraly for the export dodge neon....and rover ( the mini's parrent company, then bought by bmw), needed a low production number motor for the relaunched mini that was in desgin....so they teamed up...
and the tri-tec motor was born....several different motors on the same block, but with different machining, and very different heads were made.
The eventual purchase of chysler by bmw's largest competor was one factor that doomed the parntnership....
the factory was closed, and crated up, and shipped to china...
The tri-tec motor lives on a chinesse make...the chery i think...

 

ThinkMini had pretty sound reasons for doing the conversion. They wanted a better Mini, not a VW.

 

Designed with much BMW input. Yes, everyone knows they're BMW/Chrysler Engines
I'll put it this way: I'll stick with the Factory engine.

ZippyNH - Thanks for schooling rustyeuro! I thought all mini enthusiast knew the Tri-tec Motor story, but I guess not.

 

Why not make it a 1.8 stroker?

 

Hey hey hey, you're making me frisky. I'd soil my dashboard if I had that setup

 

Hahaha wouldn't we all lol
That's my plan at least, strokin all the way

 

Would you happen to know the cost?

 

not the exact cost, but it is roughly 15k.....big money

but think of it this way, you are basically getting a whole new MINI with that engine..
beats getting a JCW and having to deal with a car payment again haha