22 replies to this topic

[F1L8EY]

hi all,

im not sure if ths is just lazy but i want to compare both the cost and power outputs of 2 types of engine conversion for my project.

im an engineer for the Royal Navy and i want to get a portpholio of my plans/aspirations in order to be forarmed prior to starting. thus making as few mistakes as possible.

option 1 - R1 Engined mini.

i have read depending on model that i would get between 150-180 BHP 0-60 between 4-5 seconds and in 6th about 125MPH top end. (i dont know what the lb/ft torque is mind.)
pros - no need to extend frontend, and custom driveshafts mean i can keep all the mini suspension ect.
cons - extra stress i should imagine as the mini shell weighs more than the engine was designedto pull.
kit cost approx £3500

option 2 - Honda Vtec
again ihave read a standard vtec 1.6 is giving 160 BHP and 105lb/ft torque but cannot find the stats for speeds ect.
also it seems to be more common to put a vtec on 13" wheels not 10's like i would like.
i ave just read that you can shoehorn in a b16 without a nose exstension but again it seems the structural mods are greater.
however one makes the assumption that a vtec would be more suited to the weight of a mini.

guys any help at all would be much appreciated. ever the enthusiast... im determined to be someone who completes said project and drives the mini lots... not another seller on ebay selling a shell and a bag of bits that never got fitted!

Filbey

[F1L8EY]

R1 approx 70 lbft torque.

[M J W J]

I don't own either so can't comment on them however I always say the same thing to people considering an engine conversion to a mini. Don't rule out Vauxhall engines straight away (I am building one so am bias). They may not be quite as powerful but you have more options for final drives and the money you save on buying the engine and stuff needed can go on tuning it up a bit later.

A Honda engine can be fitted in a standard round nose but is tight (take a look at Kam's build-rio vtec). You will need to cut the bulkhead to get the inlet to fit or look at throttle bodies. The exhaust also needs modifying.

A Vauxhall engine can be fitted in a standard round nose with out any modifications to the bulk head if you modify the gear linkage or use the cable change as Burnard on here has done. They are also a lot cheaper an in my opinion seem easier to fit.

Take a look at the K series conversions as well. Again can be a lot cheaper than the honda engine. I don't know if you can get one in a standard round nose front though.

There are also micra engines and starlet engines that have been fitted. With work 160 bhp can be achieved.

Keep reading through the build diaries. Most of your answers will be answered in there.

[F1L8EY]

ok i will have a read... i want a mini (this may sound ambitious!) that i can comute to work in (60 miles each way) 2 or 3 times a week. its a lovely fun road. i think the engine conversion will give me the extra power and drivabilty that i require. (4 speed A series fun but not practiclefor long trips.)

[Nick Warwick]

B16 sit at high revs when you are doing 60-70mph so not the best on fuel for long trips.

[Wil_h]

60 miles each way is a fair distance and I can see why you would think an engine swop is the way to go. I would say if you plan to comute 120 miles a day forget the idea of a bike engine.

I commute about 20 mile each way every day in a 998 turbo. It has 13" wheels and a 2.9 diff, so 70mph is 3500rpm, it has enough power to get to 60 in 8 seconds and will crack 100 no problems. My car is injected, so starts on the button every time and has not let me down ever.

If I was serious about commuting as much as you are planning I would still be temped to stick with the a-series, but maybe a high compresion 1275 turbo running 10psi with something like a 7-port head. You could get an easy 130bhp which will mean you can keep all the helical gears for a quiet drive.

Just my opinion. If an engine swap is your goal, then K-series would be my first choice, 1400cc 16v with a turbo.

[F1L8EY]

so you think the 6 speed of an r1 say would be better on a run ??

[F1L8EY]

1400 k series you say... will look into that as well... are there any kits ready to go with this ? typicaly what motor would that come out of ? corsa/astra i take it what year ish ?

[Furyblade_Lee]

I have an R1 albeit in a kitcar not a mini. As much as I love it, it's 'flippin mental", and 3 times I have done 2,500 in 10 days in it, it is probobly not the best for commuting....

A 1.8 or. VVC K-series is a good choice, I have been in a Talon Sportscars Metro with a 1.8 VVC and it was one hell of a car. The K is very light compared to a Vauxhall or Honda, I know from Elise's a Honda setup with its ancillaries is possibly 30kgs heavier than the K. That stat alone is more important to me than headline power, like having a 10 year old child sitting on your bonnet. C of G and nose heavy handling would be compromised a little. Also a K can be run on 13" wheels. Sounds like a great project whatever you do!

[F1L8EY]

i can appreciate the vauxhal my be lighter ect but if i had to choose honda vs vauxhal, id go honda everytime... BOMB proof!

next thing is to find a mini... will keep an ear to the ground... im tempted to start with a mini that is taxed and tested, do some work and keep her on the road for 12 months while doing some research, then for the big chop and change. in 12 months i go back to an airstation with a very comprehensive car club.... lifts... tools... welding spraybay etc.

in the meantime do you think i should start a thread with what i have in mind thus if its not possible/cost efective orive even missed something big you guys could help point mein the right direction.

[JakeJakeJake]

1400 k series you say... will look into that as well... are there any kits ready to go with this ? typicaly what motor would that come out of ? corsa/astra i take it what year ish ?

Lateish Rover and MG's had them.

Allspeed and Watsons makes kits for them. Watsons is only £800 and includes brakes, suspension and steering rack, but need a clubman or extended front.

[F1L8EY]

OOOOOoooooo... that is cheap... compared to say a r1 promotive at £3500 or a vtech build! while i dont mind a well fitted flip front, im not keen on extending he front if possible. id like to go retro styling mk1 rear lights front grill external hinges etc. so the aim is roundnose standard front end hidden tiger under the bonnet.

[Wil_h]

It is possible to fit a 1400 K in a roundnose with no mods, it's tight, but doable. The other advantage with the K is that because it was fitted to the metro the gearing is pretty good. Also they are available and cheap as they were fitted to lots of the later MG ZRs. and don't believe the myths about head gasket failures, the problem that caused them was solved years ago.

[oliver122]

I commute about 20 mile each way every day in a 998 turbo. It has 13" wheels and a 2.9 diff, so 70mph is 3500rpm, it has enough power to get to 60 in 8 seconds and will crack 100 no problems. My car is injected, so starts on the button every time and has not let me down ever.

sorry to hijack , but what spec are you running on the 998 Wil_h engine wise?

[oli8925]

K series is also about the same weight as an A-series, which is why I've chosen to wang one in the Viva instead of the usual C20XE. Pay a bit more for a 160VVC and (shockingly) you have 160 horses as standard, which beats a standard Redtop and is in my opinion plenty in an over-sized roller skate. They also have more torque than a VTEC and a fantastically useable power and torque curve. VTEC's I find a bit boring and poor unless you keep your foot down everywhere you go and rev it to engine screaming speeds, similar to bikes I guess. I'd choose a more torquey engine for your uses.

Edited by oli8925, 26 January 2012 - 08:34 PM.