sorry to hear the bad news.

there is always the k24 swap

 

Although I love my Mini, life is short. If you always wanted a mid-engine car, the time is now. Go for it.

 

Just to end this thread. I have removed and disassembled the engine (not a small feat for me). The bearing on Cylinder #3 disintegrated and deformed, some of the metal was in the oil pan, I had to remove the cylinders in order to turn the crankshaft and remove the flywheel etc. Here are a few pics to document the disaster. I don't know if I can reuse the crankshaft in my rebuild, but I'll start a new thread for all that.

Before the engine seized, the ECU was throwing a lot of misfire codes, specifically "0304 Misfire on cylinder 3" codes, so I guess this is what the ECU was trying to tell me ;-)

 

oh my that looks like its seen better days. good for you for going after it. interested in seeing how the rebuild gets on

 

Thanks, follow the new build here:

https://www.northamericanmotoring.co...d-06-r52s.html