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Pondering an engine conversion > Honda L15A1
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Author:  willd [ Tue Mar 11, 2014 7:51 am ]
Post subject:  Pondering an engine conversion > Honda L15A1
All,

I'm pondering an engine conversion for my project. Any suggestions about the following would be appreciated;

1. What is the considered Tare Mass for a 1962 Morris Mini, NCOP limits swept volume to 2.5x Tare (forced induction) or 3x Tare (N/A)
2. NCOP requires a collapsible steering column, what have people used / grafted onto a mini rack?
3. NCOP requires split / redundant brakes. What are people fitting with Cooper S 7.5 brakes?
4. I'm considering a Honda L15A1 VTEC lump leaving the door open for forced induction, has anyone fitted this engine yet?

Possible donor http://www.pickles.com.au/damaged-salvage/item/-/details/CP-03-04--Honda--Jazz--Hatchback--5-Doors/1002480536

Regards

Will
Author:  Harley [ Tue Mar 11, 2014 2:26 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Pondering an engine conversion > Honda L15A1
1. Your car is an 850 so it would go by the weight of that being around 620 kg, meaning 1550cc forced or 1860 NA.
2. Standard column is 'collapsible' but I've had a tricky time with engineers over this it was easier to fit the column from a 97 model mini.
3. Dual circuit master cylinder, engineers usually want boosters in there too.
4. No reason what you're planning wouldn't work, but your 80kw 1.5 pales in comparison to a 120kw 1.6 which most people seem to opt for with the Honda converions, that and you can buy kits for those.
Author:  Kennomini [ Tue Mar 11, 2014 6:58 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Pondering an engine conversion > Honda L15A1
What state are you in?
Also keep in mind the weight of the donor engine, if you go to much heavier it can affect your final handling and balance of the car.
Author:  willd [ Tue Mar 11, 2014 9:03 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Pondering an engine conversion > Honda L15A1
I'm in QLD

Was hoping to have a growth path to forced induction hence a 1.5 lump. There are plenty of mods for the engine. Dirt cheap too if i buy a whole donor car. The engine is also pretty small compared to a B16 / B18 with DOHC.

Ratios are an issue with 10's, 5th is 0.727 and a FD of 4.6 means about 4000 rpm @ 110kmh, the auto is much better and would be about 3000 at 110. Not that i'll be spending much time on the motorway. Do the B16/18 options have a better FD?
Author:  peterb [ Tue Mar 11, 2014 9:37 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Pondering an engine conversion > Honda L15A1
I might be sounding like an old fuddy duddy, but why do people put motors like this in mini's? Why not leave them as a classic and go buy a Honda Vtec and drive it?
Author:  Irish Yobbo [ Wed Mar 12, 2014 7:20 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Pondering an engine conversion > Honda L15A1
peterb wrote:
I might be sounding like an old fuddy duddy, but why do people put motors like this in mini's? Why not leave them as a classic and go buy a Honda Vtec and drive it?


Might as well ask 'why drive a mini at all'? The answer is simply because we can - and it's fun.
Author:  Harley [ Wed Mar 12, 2014 8:23 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Pondering an engine conversion > Honda L15A1
peterb wrote:
I might be sounding like an old fuddy duddy, but why do people put motors like this in mini's? Why not leave them as a classic and go buy a Honda Vtec and drive it?


It was cheaper for me to design, build and engineer a subframe and shafts, and get and rebuild a donor engine, than to rebuild an A series engine which would have half the power and quarter the reliability.
Most conversion guys do it though because they want to be Ricky Bobbies and go fast! :D
Author:  Bennjamin [ Wed Mar 12, 2014 9:59 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Pondering an engine conversion > Honda L15A1
Harley wrote:
peterb wrote:
It was cheaper for me to design, build and engineer a subframe and shafts, and get and rebuild a donor engine, than to rebuild an A series engine which would have half the power and quarter the reliability.
Most conversion guys do it though because they want to be Ricky Bobbies and go fast! :D



....or perhaps we are just nuts and nothing else would suit :0)

To the op - I would strongly consider a 91-2000 year honda D series motor setup - they range from 1.3-1.7l capacities and are a dime a dozen. Also you can use any Honda B series made frame such as minitec or allspeed - or give Harley a PM as he is in the know for a custom frame to suit. Locally too.
Author:  Harley [ Wed Mar 12, 2014 10:26 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Pondering an engine conversion > Honda L15A1
I'm looking into these L15a engines - so cheap! Like $200 for an engine, or $500 for one less than 2 years old! Unbelievable! I thinking I might design a frame for one of these engines myself! :)
Author:  simon k [ Wed Mar 12, 2014 3:04 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Pondering an engine conversion > Honda L15A1
Eli Evans might have a couple that go alright to get rid of...
Author:  Harley [ Wed Mar 12, 2014 3:11 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Pondering an engine conversion > Honda L15A1
Who's that?
Author:  willd [ Wed Mar 12, 2014 9:30 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Pondering an engine conversion > Honda L15A1
There has to be a market / need for an affordable conversion that is simple and isnt silly money. 5million minis built.... Most make more than 3pc carbon monoxide..

What im thinking is that I design and engineer a conversion, get my project complied in qld and publish the design open source / like minded folk can chip in if they feel like it. Suppliers can then use the data to manufacture parts to a known design and sell to make a buck. If there is a std design pack get an engineer / authorised person in each state to do compliance by similarity. Kind of like an STC for an aeroplane. Ie compliance plate for a few hundred not a couple o grand.

Im not interested In a design that is marginal or puts so much power into a 50 year oldcar that kids build them and wrap themselves around lamp posts and kill themselves. Any one who wants more than 120 hp can put in the hard yards.

L15a out of a jazz is plentyful, not imported so not susceotable to dollar variation and jdm supply. Also still in production so will be viable for a few more years even if the rules change to use cats and other adr37 requirements.

Am I missing something? Has this been done before?
Author:  16sth [ Wed Mar 12, 2014 10:17 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Pondering an engine conversion > Honda L15A1
willd wrote:
Am I missing something? Has this been done before?


Is this the same engine???...http://www.16vminiclub.com/forums/showt ... hlight=L15
Author:  MrFail [ Thu Mar 13, 2014 6:42 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Pondering an engine conversion > Honda L15A1
Harley wrote:
Who's that?


He drives a mean little jazz in the ARC. 8)
Author:  clovus [ Thu Mar 13, 2014 8:16 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Pondering an engine conversion > Honda L15A1
As much as I love the rorty burble of the A series, I would much rather a reliable, clean emissions engine that isn't shaking itself out of tune every week. I used to have a vtec jazz and it was a great little car.

I'd be happy with a complete package, nice light engine, 5 speed gearbox that all works well. 120hp seems like a lot, I'd be happy with something south of 100hp if it retains the light and nimble feel of a mini. The fun in my mini comes from knowing I can drive the daylights out of it and I won't reach the handling limits of the chassis, or brakes to that matter.

I like your idea wiild, hope you seriously think about it.
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