Monster Mini

[krazy skwerelette]

Okay. So I got me a 1988 Mini Mayfair. Currently there's a 998cc motor in it. I plan on doing a vtec swap. However, I'm trying to decide what motor to use. I've found a few different kits that don't need nose extensions, which is a plus in my book. So I have come to the all knowing and generous nicoclub to give me insight or ideas on which motors to use. here is my car now.

[Razi]

I love the puny engines in Minis!

[krazy skwerelette]

The current engine runs great but those damn Lucas electronics can rot in hell

[300ZXttZMAN]

Thats an awesome little thing I have never seen one of those.

Does it have to be a honda swap? If so I say K20

[krazy skwerelette]

I would prefer Honda because parts are easy to come by. Right now we're thinking of going with a D15 or 16. The K20 would be awesome but you have to extend the front end by approx 4 in and I really don't want to extend it because it looks like a clowns foot. The other choice is a vauxhall 8v. To not extend the front. And thanks. You don't see them in the states often. I'm in Germany right now and it's coming to the states with me in 2013. But I want to get the swap done here for some fun on the ring and at spa

[dre1507]

D-series are really reliable motors. They're also wicked responsive to boost.....If that ever becomes an option.

[300ZXttZMAN]

Can you post a pic of the inside I am curious to see what it looks like..

[krazy skwerelette]

Here's a few quick shots of the inside. The guy I bought it from made the dashboard. I plan on covering it at some point and redoing the whole interior. But at this moment we just need it to run without having to carry multiple batteries and then get a honda motor in it.

[300ZXttZMAN]

Ha I like it!

[alms24sebring]

That thing is tiny. Rock the D15 Vtec or better yet the D16z6 Vtec. Small and light, easy, single cam, great mpg, and I bet it would pull pretty good in such a light car.

[Mr1der]

a d series is a cheap, dependable motor.

I know there's at least one company that makes kits to install the b series in them though.

This looks awesome but isn't cheap.

http://www.minimania.com/web/Item/MT530 ... Detail.cfm

Shop in GA that specializes in them...

http://www.superfastminis.com/

[krazy skwerelette]

Mini mania's kits are actually's minitecs which is from superfast minis. We got a quote from them. To ship to Germany it will be $3400 for a decent kit. So hopefully by the end of the summer i'll be running a honda motor. I'm just hoping to get on the Ring once this summer with the mini.. honda motor or not.

[Otto.]

Speedhunters just did a feature on a Honda powered Mini. http://speedhunters.com/archive/2012/03 ... -mini.aspx

Can't wait to see what yours is like when it's done. Keep us updated!

[alms24sebring]

^ whew, thats a tighter fit than Joe Paterno in a prepubescent .. ah nevermind.

[TTkickedin]

Sweet! Mini's rock. I always wanted one!!

I've seen a few hayabusa powered Mini's. What's making you go with a honda engine?

[alms24sebring]

Id go honda. Small, simple, easy to work on, high-ish revving, light, and FWD trans, etc

[krazy skwerelette]

Sweet! Mini's rock. I always wanted one!!

I've seen a few hayabusa powered Mini's. What's making you go with a honda engine?

Thanks I love the little thing! I need to tune my carb right now :S I decided to go with a honda D series cuz it's a good motor and reliable. There's a lot of bolt ons for immediate power gains and parts are easier to get in the states for them. The other choices were vauxhaull or an R1 bike motor. Well those are the ones that have kits around here. I don't want to do another British motor.... parts are difficult to get outside the UK and the British pound to the dollar blows. To do a bike motor you have to do a lot of fabrications to get the car to reverse. So the honda motor it was! Superfast minis also sells a rear subframe kit that I'll probably get when I have it back in the states and we're hunkered down in TN.

[nissangirl74]

Awesome find. I can't wait to see what all you do with it.

[TTkickedin]

Haha, well you coulda flinstoned reverse

Glad you're sticking with the project! Seems like you planned it out pretty well. The honda engine should suit your needs, I was just curious because I've seen bike swapped mini cars before, lol.

You planning on just daily driving it here or you gonna bring it out to an autox meet at some point? I'd love to see (or maybe drive,) this mini in person, haha.