Anyone here own one or ever ride in one? I have always loved them and had an 06 Cooper S, but sold it. I was looking to get an 61-80's and possibly putting a honda D series motor in it to make it reliable and able to cruise at highway speeds.

 

My Dad has two. Both race cars now. He bought his first Mini for $400 as a basket case. He had it on the street for a few years before turning it into a vintage racer. The other car is just a race car my dad bought to take the good parts (dogbox, LSD, steel front, race head) off of and sell. That car is still in a 1000 pieces in our garage lol. Too many projects going on at once.

One of the guys who races Vintage Minis with us still has his old Cooper on the road. I think it is only a 1000cc but it goes decently on the highway.

A motor swapped Mini would be a torque steer monster but still pretty fun I would think.

Pics:

Dads Mini as it sits now.


Friends Vintage racer:


Car we bought to steal go-fast parts off, testing at MSR


My dads Mini before pink gay paintjob. Fiberglass front.

 

Shockingly roomy inside. Crazy quick turn in. Don't know what it takes to make them semi comfy for DD. Can the suspension and brakes be modernized at all?

Looks like Bond might be a great resource for you.

 

First: My built turbo race car makes too much power
Then: I'm looking at getting into (midenginefail) MR2s
Now: I'm thinking about building a (failwheeldrive) torque monster for no apparent reason


I'm starting to worry aboutcha Bob.

Just kidding, that could be a really neat and fun project. One thing you can be sure of though is that as you switch platforms you are going to spend the vast amount of research time you've put into Miatas that you now take for granted. Fun learning experience, but time consuming and chock full of first timer follies.

What are your goals with it? Race car or sleeper grocery getter?

Atleast it won't take up much space in your shop. Hell, I bet you could use the lift and store it out of the way on the sidewall racks if you needed space.


EDIT: ^^^for modernizing check out Keith's Mini build (well documented as usual):

http://keith.miata.net/mini/flip.php?x=44

 

VTEC Mini Parts & Accessories: vtec.minimania.com

 

That would be so rad it's not even funny. I never even knew these swaps existed...and I really can't afford to know about them either.

In for cheap labor VTEC Mini swap crew.

 

Bond: I would really love to come check out your Mini's some time if possible.

Damon(gospeed): My track car does make too much power as is to learn well, so I turned down the boost and stopped being retarted, lol. The MR2 idea came and went when I saw problems that I really didn't want to deal with.

This is something I have always wanted for a car to mess around with for in town errands and short trips. I will autocross it, but will probably never see track time. I want tit o be comfortable and not have a harsh suspesnsion.

The VTEC subframe is cheaper than I thought, which is why I am thinking about doing this.

 

If you are ever in DFW feel free to stop by.

A street mini with a honda motor and trans would be pretty cool.

 

I love the mini, mgb gt, gt6, tr4, tr250, and the tr6. It would be a sweet ride.

 

Rock out with the classic British autos.

Heres my mini...



Had it a while 10yrs now. been thru about every system. My car is an early mrk I car, No creature comforts , sliding windows , manual brakes , manual choke. 1 speed heat. etc. dyno'd at 69 hp. and thats with the big 1275 motor.(about average for that cc)

In all honesty its slow, Its still a blast to drive, and a sucker for attention. You realize how much you stick out when your in a classic mini and everyone thinks it SOO CUTE...

Be ready for lots of silly questions...

As for mods.. lots possible.

Hondaswap. Suzuki Swap.( 3 cyl ) some have done gsxr 1300 or r1 swaps, more geard for race purposes,

Stock motors range on their own ability for upgrades. Cams are essential, along with good flowing heads, and intake exhaust. However the ultimate pushrod design limits High power limits, along with clutch holding and gearbox holding. (the gearbox and the oil pan share lubricants)

I jump on Turbo mini information, advice, photos and banter and everything else about the forced induction a-series and turbo minis! for a good reads and a few info on some cool turbo mods on minis. Lots of ideas too.

Dont know how much you know, but worldwide there are lots of people into and still working with mini's

Find one and have FUN.

 

Just stumbled on this thread - I've had minis in my time and I still love them..

Another interesting engine swap is for a suzuki swift gti - 1.3.

There's bucket loads of info all over the interwebs on it.

 

 

Put an R1 in it. Way cooler then VTEC
R1 Kit Info - Pro-Motive

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DEnqp...ayer_embedded#

 

This guy has no clue how to drive a mini.

 

A Mini with a stock motor is cool. A VTEC swap can sometimes **** up the fun those cars are when stock are lightly modded. Many people do the swaps and then end up ditching their swapped Mini. True story.
If I was going to do a Honda swap it would be a D series and keep the Mini looking stock though.

I have two classic Minis. No plans for any motor swaps.

 

Would definitely be a D series swap since they are for one cheaper and I don't need 200hp in that thing. That's just ridiculous.

 

Go for it, the mini will be one of the most fun cars you have ever driven. I've owned over a dozen. My favorite being a 1964 morris mini pickup. 1310cc A series power with uprated brakes. Ran on 5x10 minilite wheels with yoko tyres. I was sad to see it go.

Some engine conversions need the front end lengthening which spoils the look imho. A clubman front end would take a conversion easy as the length is already there as Mr Issigonis designed it.

Definately look at uprating the gearbox if sticking with an A series as they are the weak point.

Whatever you decide have fun.

 

ive always wanted to get one and convert it to a RWD with a bike motor or something