277 replies to this topic

[ed4ran]

After thinking about it for a while (after being inspired by SCURVY DOG) i decided to give it a go,

So after receiving a spare engine yesterday i began work on the mating process
The idea is to simplify the Swift conversion so the MINImal amount of work is required to get it to fit,
so by attaching it to a modified mini gearbox it will use a standard subframe, driveshafts, gearchange, and possibly speedo,
as well as fitting in an unmodified roundnose front end
This also keeps more of it standard mini so its easier and cheaper to replace bits when needed and custom parts cost alot, let alone having to replace them should you crash (new frame?) or break a shaft!!

The stock GTI engine is 100hp and ive heard often that the usable limit of a mini gearbox is 100hp
So it should be possible to run a stock swift engine on a stock gearbox, or upgrade if you want to!!
As well as gearbox parts being cheaper for minis, and more people to rebuild them.

Even with the possiblity of a turbo manifold to place the turbo where they are on minis (that have turbos fitted).

MK1 Engine to use for proto type:





Now with a new flange on the base with a modified mini box hanging by some rope
(dont worrying it was only so i could get a pic of current progress)





So thats where i am after a few hours work,
will be adding some reinforcements to the box,
like webbing down the sides, and possibly some support inside.

Have been drawing on CAD to design the crank adapter and when i have the measurements from this box ill do the CAD drawings for the flanges etc then i can get them all laser cut.

Anyone think im too stupid to do it and should stop now?

Edited by ed4ran, 31 May 2007 - 04:11 PM.

[Jordie]

if it works, sell me the engine!!!

[ed4ran]

What will you do with just the engine?

[Jordie]

i mean engine in a general term. as in the engine and box.

Ive been thinking about going 16v lately, but the changing of frame and shafts etc is putting me off. Just missed a 1.8 vaux engine for £20 locally too.

[JetBLICK]

yea, what are you gonna do with this if it works? - u shud put it in the front of ur RWD swifty - 4WD

[Jordie]

And isnt that mini box facing the wrong way???

[ed4ran]

lol, im just pulling your leg
I might make a few depending on cost/time/intrest.
Shouldn't cost too much either, should be a fair bit less than a new frame, let alone not needing driveshafts etc,
and if you have a mini you already have most of the parts!! (exchange of parts?)

[ed4ran]

no its the right way

[ed4ran]

exhaust is down the back like a mini, and the inlet is on the front, like an 8 port only with twin cams are well!!

[Phaeton]

You sort this & I'll have one (price depending), my project over the next winter was to put a Swift engine in the back of the buggy. But that means I would have to make a new subframe & work out how to reverse the gear mechanism, also hack the chassis around as the engine faces the other way. This method solves all these apart from not having 5 gears.

Alan...

[Jordie]

Ah i see. I thought the exhaust went from the front on these like the later rover engines.

[ed4ran]

Yeah i thought about the 5th gear, but with mine at the mo its like have 4 gears as i have to change out of 1st pretty much instantly, if not set off in 2nd, and 5th is more like 4th if not less (i can drive from 20mph up in 5th!!!) but you can change so many of the mini gears to what ever you want!!

[ed4ran]

It does normally go off the front, but as the engine is flipped 180 to sit on the box it then sticks off the back!!

[R1mini]

Hello,
The engine looks very tall or is the camera angle, might want to check the overall height, it would be a great conversion if it can be done cheapish

Cheers
David

[ed4ran]

Already checked, it should be no taller than the mini rocker cover!! with no carb sticking out the top!!