'08 Clubman S with '12 N18 engine swap
 

I have known MINI for about three years and I cannot say how much she caught me eye. She is small but spacious. She can be fast when you need her to be fast. She can be cranky at times looking for attention. The engine compartment is compacted and tight that almost every space is used. Mini taught me a lot over the years to the point I started fixing other minis. More than 4 engine rebuilds, fully restoring two flooded cars (electrically), and fully restoring a Countryman with electrical issues.

Over the years, I collected various parts and now is the time to make use of them. It has been a while since I drove one with manual transmission. Luckily, what i have will make this dream come true.

In this project, I have an 08 clubman S with a LSD manual transmission which will remain. The N14 engine was used for another rebuild. I have an N18 engine that will be used for this project.

Subscribed! Can't wait to see what you do.

preparation!!!
 

The car. it is in rough shape since i got exited parting it out..:lol:

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The Engine:


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I got a bit busy with my Tiguan finishing the engine work and also monitoring the '13 mini after a transmission swap. I can't wait to get back to this project.

What will be your solution for engine management?

i will use the N18 DME

I just ordered the latest thermostat housing so I don't have to deal with that later. I will push the car into the garage so i can work during this up coming rain! (inshallah)

cleaning up the engine and prepping for the new thermostat. Hopefully tonight, i will get some time to continue getting it ready. I have the engine wiring harness and can start dressing it for now. the thermostat should be in before i put the intake manifold.


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Water pipe installed. Ordered the metal pump and a new pulley that goes with it

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I will be using one of these harnesses.

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New Water pump and all dressed up


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Sweet brother ����

Thank you brother...it is coming along...I got the new thermostat housing and today arrives the wiring extension for it and the metal water pump. the MAP sensor was lost and some exhaust manifold nuts. I get those today. I also ordered a new water pump pulley.

added new pictures above...if the weather is any better, the engine is going in....im super excited :impatient::nod:

The moment you've been waiting for :popcorn:


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Saturday will be picking up a nose for her. The one i have is bleeding beyond repair.

Spoiler alert...it started for few seconds. :grin:

Actually, THIS is the moment you've been waiting for. I went to Edison Nj to pick up the nose from Hypermotoparts... they gave good price for this unit.

https://cimg8.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.nor...a00a16f2c6.jpg

The Video


Still not done, ran almost all day even though most modules are not connected.

One step at a time. but fast because i cannot wait..lol

Engine loom
 

Hi nice work im doin same on the clubman got engine box in got the n18loom in but not running properly wot loom did you use or how did yoh plice it whith something else

The engine loom itself is plug and play. The plug the leaves to the cabin is the one that needs extra work. I am currently comparing these two harnesses and will start modifying the 08 harness.
What other changes DID you make aside from the engine?

Mini loom
 

Hi ive forged the engine and 287ir turbo 200 cell cat polly bushed it jcw calipers upgrade stage 3 clutch 6 paddle . abs not talking to ecu is that why you spliceing dash loom or for othermods ,have you same problem as me .its getting very deep now lol so called mini specialists are not just take things a part and talk rubish i need some real input hear
Nothing on the net to justifing a read or real project lol exciting though just you me doin it there is an other way but blows the point of the project put n14 cams chain pump and all the electric dme and cas jollys of the n14 on the n18 and will defo rrun sweet tryed it out of diispair😆 but whet back to trace why not run properly wots your take on it

hey, im having rough time reading your post!

Can you link your post here so i can see what is going on and comment there!

R56 Engine swap
 

Hey buddy I read your post about the engine swap it seems like you’re having a lot of work to do my question is what exactly did you have to do to the harness? I myself have an R56 2009 and I had a death rattle blew the engine so I was able to get my hands on her 2014 roadster JCW and 18 complete with 9000 miles I was going to put that motor in my car but is it worth it in my going to have a lot of problems I was wondering if you can give me some feedback

Hey my friend. Im still in the process and wont be able to to give you accurate step by step swap. However, I know you would have to replace the fuse box (JBE), DME, CAS, and most likely the speed sensor aka YaW sensor.

Where are you located?

R56 Motor Swap
 

I’m located in Los Angeles 24 miles east of downtown LA

N18 engine swap
 

I'm curious about something. There are N18 engines available on the internet. What did you find to be the main fitment issues, and how did you get the DME coded to work with the new engine? And what did you do to the n18 before you installed it?

Thanks, DR

Physically there are no issues. It is bolt on, pretty much.
As mentioned in the previous posts, i used a matching set of DME, CAS, and key fob (matching=all from same car). I have not coded them to my VIN yet since that's my last step.
I have been busy renovating the house and not done any work on the car :-( but soon i will get back to it.

Wiring wise, i used the N18 engine harness and slightly modified the plug that goes into the car. I will be revisiting that plug to fine tune it to minimize modifications.

Where you located?

N18 Motor Swap
 

Thank you so much for the info please let us know How it works out and how it turns out I’m about to do the same procedure and I have everything you mentioned

I have to check the wires going to the fuel pump...im not getting the full fuel pressure.

Nice job man! Quite thorough with the pics too