So dumb question but is it possible to turn a r53 into awd

 

Technically yes. Jay Leno had one on his show. It had a second motor and tranny in the rear. 500hp

 

Getreg ( who makes the transmission ) made one back in late '06 and there was a TV show on it. Guess MINI decided it wasn't worth the cost. If you search around you'll find it.. Stock everything except rear drivetrain AWD..

 

I've sure that if you have the time, and the money...anything is possible. You are probably looking at 10's of thousands of dollars I'm guessing......sounds like a fun project

 

The easiest way is with the B series Honda swap (better motor anyway than any that comes in our MINIs).

You take the already produced "vtec MINI" kit --- instead of GSR/Integra/Civic transmission - use the AWD CRV trans and cut down and balance a CRV driveshaft.

You'll need a fuel cell since the rear chunk will be where the gas tank is currently.

 

anything is possible, while there is no direct swap. but getrag did make I think 6 units for testing on the r53. I don't think you would need to move the fuel tanks, but the exhaust situation would become that more complex.


luckily the r53 doesn't push all that much power so the driveline wouldn't have to be super beefy. it may have come down to cost, effectiveness, reliability, manufacturability...... who knows.... would be sweet tho

 

Aren't all of those "VTEC in a MINI" Kits all for the old classic original mini's? I haven't seen any VTEC's in the new Gen 1 Minis.

 

There are a few b series new minis - and of course the 2 that have had Honda K series. WIth the K swap - just grab the trans from the 2nd gen awd CRV.

 

http://www.motoringfile.com/2005/06/...mini_in-depth/