1065 replies to this topic

[Kam]

Probably debt!

But hopefully a Mini rio vtec....just the way rover intended


Edit:

** 1.6 engine with clubman front from page 1 **

** 1.8 type-R engine from page 30, standard length front end from page 32 **

** 2.0 engine from page 38 **

** No more changes to the engine, honest! **

Was supposed to start this build when I bought the car around 18 months ago, which looked like this at the time















I've had various cars and fancied something a bit different, so the plan was to buy a mini that needed work and go from there.......unfortunately I bought the wrong mini as this one had just been restored but was such a nice car I just had to have it there and then

**If the previous owner was to find out my plans she would rightly give me a slap but I just cant sell this car?**

Chucked it on the rollers after purchase for start point, made its factoryish 54hp @ flywheel



The tester liked the car and said "its nice to see a standard mini nowdays" No doubt he'll have to join the queue to give me a slap

Started off with putting on a stage 3 kit, uprated suspension and some go faster wheels Made a healthy 70 horses @ flywheel, cue more smiles













Done about 10k miles since january which includes going to Le mans, shows, trackdays and been to the nurburgring three times in four months with absolutely no problems, no breakdowns nothing, so why am I changing the engine? Well I do have ALOT of respect for the A-Series after my jaunts but I only bought a mini so I could have an engine conversion - something different on the road and as much as I could squeeze power out from the A the reliability will suffer, so swap it is?

Looked at bike engines but I'm keeping the interior standard so no weight loss, was a bit worried then about a bike engine pulling a fully laiden cars weight? I know Martin (roofless) R1 has a full interior but I just couldn't see it on mine. Looked at vauxhall and honda engines and seeing as my mate had a honda civic type r (albeit an EP3) it still hit all the right buttons so honda vtec it is.

Picked up a 1.6 63k vtec which came from a '93 honda del sol and bought it home with the help from Komenda from tmf

Edited by Kam, 31 August 2011 - 11:46 AM.
Subtitle changed

[Kam]

The reality is this build is out of my depth so need to get as much help as possible so did ponder an extended front but I'm not too keen on them so more money being spent it is

Will be using an Alspeed subframe which should be here monday, so started taking off a few bits on the engine like power steering res etc etc and engine wiring loom



Was gonna take the head off and change the gasket but that might be a bit too much work for my skills so we'll see how good the honda reliability is







Took off inlet manifold



This needs to be chopped down as I'm not cutting the firewall?

Managed to split the engine/gearbox today



I think this build is gonna take some time?



For some reason I'm too tidy when I work? This tidyness takes up time!

Plan is to get the car running by Le mans next year in june? Yes I know its another seven months away but you dont know how slow I work

Edited by Kam, 10 July 2010 - 10:03 PM.

[minimaff]

Very nice, keep us updated

[HARBER07]

Thats EXTREMELY tidy . Nice build though, been checking this out on 16V forum. Yes, i think you need to modify the inlet manifold (either cut & weld, or use silicon hose & clamps?), thats if you don't want a bulkhead box.

[Kam]

i think you need to modify the inlet manifold

One of the guys on there may have found a good solution (still needs cutting/welding) but will look into it

[benb12]

When I saw the project title I thought you were going to put the front of a Kia Rio on or something...

I doubt you're too slow, if you take your time and do it carefully you'll only have to do it once!

The Mini looks georgeous inside and out, and it will still look georgeous with the clubman front on. Good luck with the project!

[miniadventure]

Looking good. bet your still quicker than me

[Kam]

Looking good. bet your still quicker than me

I really do beg to differ!

[adam_93rio]

that rio looks really nice. its really good to see one in such original condition
that is... before you changed it

surley the engine fits under a standard length front tho? didnt think they used extended front ends on the likes of z cars ect

[Juju]

Owww Kam!!
You ain't carving up that beautiful car, are you?
Really?

[Bec]

Owww Kam!!
You ain't carving up that beautiful car, are you?
Really?

Imagine the finger prints from all the work

Good luck with your project Kam

[Kam]

Right, not much done over the last few days, its not my fault honestly? Someone decided to leave call of duty mw2 and assassins creed 2 on my doorstop? What bad luck

So only managed to get the clutch off and get the engine on my stand ready to be cleaned up, I'm looking into maybe changing the final drive in the box to a more suited one but still at research stage with that one, got a local gearbox place near me if I decide at the last min to go for it, thats after I find the right ratio.....





Also got my subframe through from allspeed, hats of to them, really is put together well



Yes my engine is still sitting in the mini and yes the front end is still on aswell, was looking at it earlier and thinking of maybe keeping standard roundnose and sucking up the costs to get a custom radiator and exhaust manifold? If I do then the front will still be a pull away, just a normal standard length one.

Then comes the headache of mounting the alternator...somewhere

Also did a silly thing the other day and bought a mig welder, not sure why? I dont know anything about welding, but looks like fun on the tv......

[Kam]

Owww Kam!!
You ain't carving up that beautiful car, are you?
Really?

Sorry June I am Had plans to do this when I bought it, just didnt have the nerve to go for it? Your gonna have to join the long list of people waiting to give me a slap for modding this

Rest assured though, it'll look good, and clean

[Juju]

Sorry June I am

Who the hell's June?

Your gonna have to join the long list of people waiting to give me a slap for modding this

Rest assured though, it'll look good, and clean

Keep the round nose, if poss? Love the sound of the engine-swap, but keep it externally as it is now? It's beautiful, Kam. You destroy those looks & it won't be a slap you'll get, Fella.

[GreaseMonkey]

I love Vtec conversions, will be a lovely build.

Can I have a ride when it's done?

Edited by GreaseMonkey, 25 November 2009 - 08:23 PM.