Hey was thinking about building a motor in my garage for my mini over the next few months and then swapping it in. I'm looking at eBay at motors and I notice the non supercharged ones are only 500 to 800 bucks where the supercharged are an arm and a leg. I plan on swapping over my blower so my question is, is it possible to use the base model long block or is it too dissimilar? Will be swapping out the cams pistons rods and valve train so really it's just a donor block

 

Some other should chime but would think the block is the same but that the internals on the S have been strengthened.

 

Looks like the compression is different.

1.6(T16b3)[edit]

The 1.6 L (1598 cc) version uses the same 77 mm (3.0 in) bore with a longer 85.8 mm (3.38 in) stroke. Output is rated at 66 kW (90 PS; 89 hp) and 140 N⋅m (100 lb⋅ft) in the Mini One, and 85 kW (116 PS; 114 hp) and 149 N⋅m (110 lb⋅ft) in the Mini Cooper.

Applications:

• Chery A11 (Windcloud)
• Chery A15 (Flagcloud)
• Chrysler Neon (in non-US markets)
• Chrysler PT Cruiser (in non-US markets)
• Lifan 620
• Lifan 520
• Mini Hatch and Convertible (until 2008).

1.6 SC(T16b4)[edit]

The 1.6 SC uses a Roots-type Eaton M45 supercharger with intercooler. The compression ratio is reduced from 10.5:1 to 8.3:1. Output was initially rated at 120 kW (160 PS; 160 hp) and 210 N⋅m (150 lb⋅ft) and increased to 125 kW (170 PS; 168 hp) and 220 N⋅m (160 lb⋅ft). The 1.6 SC won the "1.4 L to 1.8 L" category at the International Engine of the Year awards for 2003. It also won Ward's 10 Best Engines award for 2003.

Applications:

• Mini Hatch Cooper S

 

the R50 and R53 blocks are all the same, but all the internals are different. So as long as you are getting and S crank and ALL the internals you could do it. But it wouldn't be worth it as there are many little things like oil jets for the back of the pistons and such that you would need to get that would all add up.

 

The R50 pistons are flat-topped whereas the R53 pistons have a concavity to reduce the compression ratio.

 

this isn't correct

here are the differences in the engines:

Cooper engines don't have inconel exhaust valves
non-forged crank, rods/pistons all different from the S version
blocks are the same except..........No oil squirters (pads are there but not drilled /tapped for squirters)

 

So there is no concavity in S pistons to reduce the compression ratio? I know that they are forged, but the Bentley manual says the R50 pistons are flat-topped as well.