22 replies to this topic

[gavminivtec]

hi all im new to this site, my names gav and im interested in doing a vtec conversion to a mini.

I'll start off with only 1 question,
what vtec engine would you recommend? ive seen people do b16-b18 and the 2l not sure of code for that one are they all pretty much as easy/hard to get in or are some harder many thanks
gav

[Carlos W]

Gav, 

 

Although I can't answer your questions, you may be interested in this!

 

http://www.ebay.co.u...=item2c7abb265d

[gavminivtec]

thanks mate have just messaged him, I think its in sittingbourne which is just down the road as well!

[Carlos W]

I'm in Sittingbourne too, that's why I thought you might be interested

[gavminivtec]

im in ashford so not far :) do you know much about the k20 conversions

[KaneH]

(Just for info, the numbers after the b in the b-series engines just indicate the capacity of the engine so the b16 is the 1.6l, b18 1.8l and b20 is the 2l)

 

As for the choice of engine, it really depends on what you are looking to do with the car. Is it going to be a day to day car or are you wanting to race it? Will you be staying N/A or going forced induction, as some of the different variants of the b-series engines work well with boost and other don't. There are a load of other questions that could be asked but again it depends on what you are looking for. 

 

Whatever engine choice you go for there isn't a great difference between the b-series so installation shouldn't vary too much between them. There are various companies out there making kits to help you with the install, such as allspeed, mini-tec, watsons etc so it makes it a little easier for you. I'd recommend you go onto the conversion section of the forum and look through some of the builds to get an idea of the work involved. Also have a look over on 16miniclub as there are a load of guys over there that have done/are doing the swap.

 

As for the K20 i believe the lump is a bit bigger than the b-series so makes for a more challenging install, it has been done though.

[gavminivtec]

thanks for reply :)
yes I knew about the b16 and 18 was to indicate the litre just was unsure if there was a b20 as only heard on k20 haha!
car would be race/track and ideally would like to stay n/a

yes have looked and the conversion kits helped a lot was just unsure on engine :)

[gavminivtec]

also what car does the b16-18,20 come out of I know that the k20 is the 04 civic shape was unsure of others

[KaneH]

The k-series is the more modern engine so tends to be more pricey. Best thing to use to check what engines is wikipedia to be honest, just type in b series vtec on your browser and click the first link. There it will give you a list of all the b-series engines, their associated cars and their specs as well (e.g. displacement, hp, torque etc etc).

 

I would say if you were going N/A then get something like the b18c6, has a good bit of power and better torque than other b-series as standard. Or if you're feeling adventurous you could always slap a vtec head on a b20, the longer stroke means the engine kicks out a hell of a lot of torque which means bags of grunt low down. Fair enough it is a bit more work but proven to be a very decent motor if done correctly, see Kam's build on here as he has done this conversion.

 

Or if you're feeling even more adventurous (or just plain mad), take a b18c4 with a turbo and the awd system out a crv and voila 300+hp 200+ft/lbs torque and 4 wheel drive. That's the plan for mine anyway...

[bartman]

it will depend on how much work you want to do. you can get a D series in without to much problem. you can squeeze a B series in to but its a lot tighter. and as for a K series then your have to put it in the boot or extend the front. I have been building mine for nearly 2 years and there is a lot more to consider than I realised 16v mini forum is good for ideas or the honda section on here

[gavminivtec]

thanks for the replies people been really helpful asIim new!
you say put the vtec head on a b20 is a b20 not already a vtec then?
I'll check kams build now :)
also the d series I have never heard of if im honestbut will have a look,
I think the 4ws crx will be a bit to much the b18c6 sounds like a good plan though!

[KMP]

I have a 1.6 vtec engine on motorbike throttle bodies in my mini, I would say the b16 is an excellent engine choice. I really depends on your budget for engine choice, a normal 160bhp B16A2 engine from a civic vtec inc. gearbox are about £400-£600. People do put b16 heads on b20 bottom ends but there is a bit of work involved, but it's so you basically get a b16 with lots more torque! A b18 from a civic which you can buy with an LSD as standard is also a good cheap choice, they are about 170bhp+ but with slightly more torque and roughly the same price. Maybe a bit more. The integra type r engine which is 200bhp with LSD is around £2000! Also an engine from a newer civic type r (k20) which don't have an LSD are also about £2000! Believe me the costs mount up when you try and fit the engines too so bear that in mind, think of a cost and then Double it. Hope this helps? I have an integra type r gearbox which has an LSD on my b16 too. Search for 'vtec mini at gurston hill climb' on YouTube, that's my mini - I pull off in 2nd gear....

Thanks,
Kris

[KaneH]

No the b20 is a non vtec as standard, you'll find them in a Honda crv. Being a Jeep, it's been designed for towing things so has a lot of torque low down but runs out of revs quicker than some of the vtec engines. I think Kam is running approx 8000rpm as his limiter but he'll have to confirm.

Agreed with kmp on the budget thing, how much you are willing to spend will dictate what engine You can go for.

I forgot to mention earlier there's a guy over on the 16vminiclub website selling a b16 engine with box for around 350 I think. Have a look and see if you can find it. One thingi would mention though is it is recommended by people to buy the whole car and then strip the parts off it you need as you could end up spending more hunting for parts down the line if you were to pick up parts individually

[KMP]

Donor car is the best way to go definitely, you do need a fair bit of the car. Mine is on Dta engine management and was rolling road tuned last year and it's now 190bhp and mine revs to 8,250rpm with vtec engagement lowered from 5,200rpm to 4,200rpm.

[giacomo]

Get yourself on the 16vminiclub forum. Plenty of info on vtecs and other 16v conversions :)