G'day
Well, Let me just say I love the forum.
I have learnt a great deal!!
However I have questions!

Now, let me first start by saying that I am not a machenic by a long shot!!!!
ie, I know nothing about cars, cept for the basics I have picked up or read about

But, I have now fallen in love with a mini classic (none of this new mini I don't fit in)
now I don't own a mini yet, however I already have grand plans and one of them is changing the motor and gear box.

My goal for this is producing a car that will be reliable every day car for my self, that will look like a stock mini on the outside but modinised on the inside (I intend of sculpting the interior to bring it into line of todays cars with my own touchs and precisely what I want)

Now I know a few original mini lovers will be thinking my god hes a nut, why not go with the classic interior. Well, I love the history of the car, the handling, the size and its just so damn cute (erm, please don't think less of me for saying that)

Anywho, I can sculpt so moving to a car wont be too difficult and although I haven't done it before, fiberglassing shouldn't be too hard, and my brother knows what hes doing!

NOW onto the questions
I want to put in a new engine from a different car, from what I have learnt suzuki is one of the easist engines to put into the mini, however, any other options that are easy to do (of course thats relitive) that don't require much in the way of modifications to the car.

I am looking for more power then the original minis but I don't need to be beating BWM's or anything, so in other words, enough power to pull the car, everything I intend to put in it and pull my arse I was thinking about 90 too 110kw (lets just assume my arse is of regular size for a 6'2 guy)

So any other engine that is easy to install with little mods (oh and something that would be easy to source both the engine and parts)
I know of premade framing you can buy to install in the engine bay so you don't have to mod, however, is it really difficult to produce one for your self? or would it be better to purchase one purely from a safety stand point!

My intended interior will also house an incar pc with GPS, Stereo, LCD touch screen and quality speakers (not for doof doof music, I have sensitive ears so need quality and clarity) and of course sound proofing.
So you will look at the car from the outside and see something thats old design and inside very modern!

Erm, I have searched, however its more difficult to find info when I don't know exactly what I am looking for.
Of course I intend of learning all I can before this project begins. Including everything I can about engines in general and the specific engine and also gear boxs and stuff.

So any sites out there that will at least show me basic stuff?

BTW the intended Mini will be one much like this. http://cgi.ebay.com.au/ws/eBayISAPI.dll ... 29617&rd=1

Now is that a Copper or a Rover? I'm confused on that point I thought it was a cooper

Well it could have been a Rover Cooper. But it says it's a Mayfair. So it's a Rover Mayfair.

Sounds like your aiming to do a little like I did. Wanted the feel of a modern car and comforts all fitted into a Classic Mini. However, i stayed with a normal Mini engine.

Good luck.

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mutant mini 1380cc '73 UK imp-Chroma Lusion-leather interior-8 x 300W Diamond Audio Dual Voice Coil 8" subs, Phoenix Gold 4 chnl amp, Pioneer 7550 DVD, 2x Phoenix Gold A1.800d MonoBlock Amp, Focal Utopia splits, 14" chrome rims 195/40/14 tyres

Im after the same thing, I'll get put a rover EFI inwhatever I build. Drops straight in.
130hp is a lot of power for a little car. maybe it would be easier for you to super or turbo charge a 1275 or something.

110kW is alot of power for a small engine.. you will beat alot of cars with that kind of figure.. the mini only weighs 600 odd kilos and you will usually find a turbo or super charger hanging off the side of an engine in a mini producing that sort of power (yes even the jap engine conversions)

if i were you id go the suzuki swift GTI.. (um engine is a.. G13B twincam) produces 73kW and will be one very quick little car without the hassles of reinventing the wheel..

unless you aiming for different.. not comfortable as you stated i think thats the nicest easiest way to go for a roundy

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Expert in training

Just ran some quick numbers.....

Gti 74kw at the flywheel = 55-58kw at the wheels = roughly 70hp at the wheels. Kazjim has approx. 90hp atw from a turbo 998!. Makes you wonder whether or not it's worthwhile....until you start modifying the gti motor.

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But he's thriving and striving and hugging the turns.

its not that.. the a-series and gearbox is hardly a 'modern feeling' thing to use

its clunky and.. well lets say it takes some special love to use

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Expert in training

I really like your car Mutant Mini, is that sort of paint job still allowed on cars??
I thought about staying with a normal mini engine, however I have been reading that the engine constantly brakes down which is a concern for me. I want the car to go from A to B without any problems.
Did you get them seats made for the car? or where they brought and recovered?



Thought about it, concerned about it being reliable!



Good to know, Thanks MiniVan.
Turbo charging, hmmm hahaha, althought I say no right now, I know my male side will rub at me slowly thinking more power more power hahaha ugh
Will look around for that engine!!



Umm, HUH???



Thats an understatment!
I was driving one the other day, oh gawd, although I know if I was driving it often it would be different!
Reversing was strange!!

"azjim has approx. 90hp atw from a turbo 998!. Makes you wonder whether or not it's worthwhile....until you start modifying the gti motor"

its approx 73 .. it WILL be approx 100@wheels soon

Bus seriously, we have cars getting around with 140+HP A-Series engines, that are streetable and have very clean emissions (by comparison)

Bang for buck, turbo the one you have.........

I'm going to start turning up the wick on mine soon, its virtually stock at the moment....

Stage 2 starts here. . . . . . . .

J

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quote:
I really like your car Mutant Mini, is that sort of paint job still allowed on cars??
I thought about staying with a normal mini engine, however I have been reading that the engine constantly brakes down which is a concern for me. I want the car to go from A to B without any problems.
Did you get them seats made for the car? or where they brought and recovered?

Haven't heard of any laws against any type of paint.

My husband has been driving a Rover Cooper 1.3 spi for the last 3 years and 4 months from Sunbury to St. Kilda (around 110kms round trip). Haven't had any major problems with the engine at all. No more than any other car.

It's like any car I guess, if you don't care for it, it will sooner or late break down.

My front seats are from a 1996 Mini and padded and re trimmed and the back seat was completely built from scratch by a professional trimmer called Straight Line Motor Trimming in Bayswater.

Good luck with yours.

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mutant mini 1380cc '73 UK imp-Chroma Lusion-leather interior-8 x 300W Diamond Audio Dual Voice Coil 8" subs, Phoenix Gold 4 chnl amp, Pioneer 7550 DVD, 2x Phoenix Gold A1.800d MonoBlock Amp, Focal Utopia splits, 14" chrome rims 195/40/14 tyres

Interesting.
So, the engine can be rebuilt to be just as reliable as a new engine??
When you say "if you don't care for it" do you mean care in terms of high maintance every week or good maintance of every month?

Regarding the paint I was told that getting a car painting in the colour changing paint is no longer allowed.. however the source could be suspect so who knows!

are the 1996 mini seats available to buy as remakes or can you only get them from a car from that year?

Quote:
Interesting.
So, the engine can be rebuilt to be just as reliable as a new engine??
When you say "if you don't care for it" do you mean care in terms of high maintance every week or good maintance of every month?

Regarding the paint I was told that getting a car painting in the colour changing paint is no longer allowed.. however the source could be suspect so who knows!

are the 1996 mini seats available to buy as remakes or can you only get them from a car from that year?[/quote]

His engine has never been rebuilt. When we bought the car it had come from UK. It is a standard 1994 Rover Cooper 1.3 spi engine. He services it every 10,000km.

1996 seats would only be available from a Mini of that year. Maybe Steve from Brickworx could help you out there. He imports bits and pieces. Probably easier to get modern seats from a different car.

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mutant mini 1380cc '73 UK imp-Chroma Lusion-leather interior-8 x 300W Diamond Audio Dual Voice Coil 8" subs, Phoenix Gold 4 chnl amp, Pioneer 7550 DVD, 2x Phoenix Gold A1.800d MonoBlock Amp, Focal Utopia splits, 14" chrome rims 195/40/14 tyres

Pup, I am making my own frame as we speak and it seems to be going fairly well. I am thowing a 1.3ltr Toyota Engine in (4efte). As for the frame it has to be engineered anyway so irrespective of whether I have a death wish or not the frame has to pass scrutineering. While development has been tedious it has been enjoyable and as I said to few people at the end of the day you may have to toss it out and start again but so far I have spent about 100 bucks for the frame and 200 for steel.

Cheers

Matt

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225hp atw on 14psi. 1/4 Mile no idea. Take one 1971 Mini Clubman, one Starlet GT Halfcut, Simmer over a warm MIG Welder, and Voila Minstar! www.mpdesign.id.au