North American Motoring - R50/R53 Project X-1 the ultimate Mini

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Project X-1 the ultimate Mini

I started this project some years ago now, (time flies) to build the ultimate track Mini. Many of the designs I have had bouncing around in my head that keep me up late at night. I like to do something that no one has done, test it and produce it for the masses. This project encompasses all those things. Having spent time tuning and building Championship winning Mini's and Porsche's, I've seen what makes them fast. So how can I make a Mini faster than a Porsche around the track. This is the summation. This year I will finally have some time to get it out there and test it.<br /><br />Let's start with the prototype engine upgrades<br />2.0L custom billet crankshaft designed and engineered by the guy who develops GM and Fords prototype cranks for their race engines. This is a big stroke , long rod, deck plate engine. Many parts were designed to make it happen. Custom timing chain, custom chain guides, deck plate, sleeve system, 12mm head studs vs 10mm (factory size). Custom camshaft to work with the custom manifold. So many custom parts it makes your head hurt. Can't wait to do some track testing with it. https://cimg6.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.nor...8cfc3ac349.pngdrawn up and tested by the engineer who does Daytona Prototypes for GM/Ford
https://cimg7.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.nor...1e9c32b8bc.png
https://cimg0.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.nor...595c12a508.jpg4340 Timken steel
https://cimg8.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.nor...19a2fe54a4.jpg
https://cimg7.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.nor...546778cbed.jpg
https://cimg8.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.nor...5a68d47edd.jpg
https://cimg0.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.nor...4090c11e5e.jpg
https://cimg4.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.nor...85c31a12ce.jpgfinal piece after nitride, 1st Mini with a pilot bearing

Wow. That is some serious major custom work. What seals the coolant from leaking between the deck plate and the block? Also what is the significance of having a pilot bearing - I assume it is for the gearbox input shaft. May be the gearbox to mate with it requires one?

Quote:

Originally Posted by pnwR53S (Post 4393041)

people attempt to copy my designs all the time, it's very detailed machine work that I would rather not make public. I have a sequential box hooked to this car which I will be posting up the custom parts today

In designing the intake manifold, all calculations were entered in the modeling. I used both 3 and 5 wave calculations to come up with this design. Camshaft info, head flow and engine compression, size, valve size etc etc etc. Luckily in this vehicle there is more room to build the manifold with the correct runner length which shows up in the power curves

https://cimg2.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.nor...5c4f74d8b3.jpgPlenum for RMW custom intake manifold
https://cimg7.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.nor...58563f30a0.jpgbell with proper radius to smooth the flow into the runners for maximum hp
https://cimg2.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.nor...d6af198ad8.jpgwelded in place
https://cimg5.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.nor...bcc05b83f0.jpgthe business end
https://cimg5.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.nor...3b9d6feca5.jpgcenter feed throttle body 76mm BMW throttle body
https://cimg8.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.nor...7d91261cf1.jpgperfect transition into the cylinder head
https://cimg4.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.nor...3e4a65ca6f.jpglong runners put the power band exactly where we want it on the track
https://cimg6.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.nor...f9fad273f4.jpg
https://cimg7.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.nor...689c5725e7.jpg

Need to come up with some RMW drool bibs.

As I kid I remember some show where the winners were able to run around in a grocery store and whatever they got into the cart and back to the register in a certain time they got to keep. When you having a contest similar to this Jan?

And yes guys like Vetsvette and Goldsmithy grew up before there was TV so they never saw a show like this . . . . . . . . . . . .

Nice stuff as always Jan.

That’s why you are my parts supplier and tuner, you don’t get better than RMW period.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Whine not Walnuts (Post 4393236)

Yeah I would run through the RMW store and pick up only 3 things.

A fully built 1.8 stroker motor with a turbo.
RMW TVS kit
A 1.6 bullit crank

Maybe a spare OSG clutch or two. :eek:

Quote:

Originally Posted by Revolution Motor Works (Post 4393116)

My thought before asking the question was, I bet he uses a OE head gasket. :wink: So there are two head gaskets used.

I thought you mentioned elsewhere (may be in the turbo) sequential box cannot take the monster HP.

Nice project and love to see each step of this project. :thumbsup:

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dave.O (Post 4393264)

Yeah I would run through the RMW store and pick up only 3 things.

A fully built 1.8 stroker motor with a turbo.
RMW TVS kit
A 1.6 bullit crank

Maybe a spare OSG clutch or two. :eek:

I'd have to bring my grandson with me to carry the new 2.5 liter motor out to the car. Getting ahead of myself though. Have to wait until the prototype is finished. :grin: In the meantime I'm waiting on some other parts from Jan. :popcorn:

Quote:

Originally Posted by pnwR53S (Post 4393275)

My thought before asking the question was, I bet he uses a OE head gasket. :wink: So there are two head gaskets used:

Nope.........1

https://cimg3.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.nor...38810c6cb6.jpg

That's one prettiest stainless octopus.

The project started from such humble beginnings............ left here all by itself while the master plan was being laid out

https://cimg7.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.nor...9e445c85b3.jpgI'm lonely over here...........

If only I could weld like the guy who made the manifold...........:lol:

The guy is an artist. :thumbsup:

RMW RACE CAR PORN ! Love it.

Opening this thread this morning for the first time.. Ive managed to hit my jaw on the keyboard and almost spilled my coffee twice now. I love fast things being made almost more than driving them.

*Bravo so far. Super anxious to see end results and hear it roar.

Quote:

Originally Posted by cornjuice (Post 4393623)

thanks, appreciate the comments. The car is frightening to drive..... the chassis with full fluids is 1750lbs

https://cimg7.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.nor...eb7fde213d.jpg4130 chromoly cage, zeus fastners to allow easy assembly of the flat bottom and body panels
https://cimg9.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.nor...8e953860e5.jpgtriangulated body construction everywhere, it's the stiffest thing I have ever driven
https://cimg7.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.nor...ce1f2e0384.jpgamazingly light even when not skimping on toughness anywhere.
https://cimg9.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.nor...49e3919a34.jpg
https://cimg0.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.nor...3efbb21ea5.jpgthis car was made to race, to take hits and keep going. everything is much beefier than needed
https://cimg6.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.nor...df6559c3ec.jpgspace frame technology. A true cockpit to sit in for protection. All major tube joints are tube in tube. A 120 wall tube welded inside the tubes to join the joints together. Then welded on the outside. It won't ever break there
https://cimg2.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.nor...c585f9fa57.jpgthe rolling chassis
https://cimg3.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.nor...0b2b8125e4.jpgbump bar on the front so you can move the bad guys out of the way when needed and still protect the radiator
https://cimg4.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.nor...bf8c997617.jpg
https://cimg5.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.nor...fca4e950a8.jpg