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 Post subject: Conversion help
PostPosted: Fri Apr 06, 2007 11:14 pm 
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848cc
848cc

Joined: Wed Mar 28, 2007 10:33 pm
Posts: 15
Location: Melbourne
Hi guys,

I am about to pick up two mini shells that I bought off the for sale section. I am thinking that i would really like to do an engine conversion in one.

Now forgive me if this question has been asked, i have done a search and am getting a range of different results.

Basically what i am wanting is reliability. Sure i could do a rebuilt A series engine but the constant maintenance puts me off. I like the idea of chucking in a jap engine and not having to worry about it as much. So i am after a reliable daily driver that has some power but nothing that is scary quick. Can anyone suggest an engine that would be reliatively simple to fit and one that suits my criteria? Also i know this is a hard question to answer, but what sort of $$$ are involved in stock engine conversions...

Thanks so much

Nick


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 Post subject:
PostPosted: Sat Apr 07, 2007 12:54 am 
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998cc
998cc

Joined: Wed Jul 13, 2005 5:26 pm
Posts: 718
Location: Sydney
Any thing other than a Series costs $$$$. The most popular seams to be the 4EFTE conversion. Mainly clubbie. Here is an example.

http://www.ausmini.com/forums/viewtopic ... 23&start=0

or this beauty. http://www.ausmini.com/forums/viewtopic.php?t=18264

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 Post subject:
PostPosted: Sat Apr 07, 2007 3:13 am 
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1360cc
1360cc

Joined: Mon Nov 01, 2004 4:36 pm
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the toyota starlet non turbo, theres plenty of experience fitting the turbo one, but non turbo would be easier still.

the g13b from a suzuki swift GTi would also be a good choice.


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 Post subject:
PostPosted: Sat Apr 07, 2007 9:21 am 
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1275cc
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Joined: Mon Jun 27, 2005 9:09 pm
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Location: S.A
Spaceboy wrote:
the toyota starlet non turbo, theres plenty of experience fitting the turbo one, but non turbo would be easier still.

the g13b from a suzuki swift GTi would also be a good choice.


there is not alot of diffrence in doin a starlet GT (Turbo) one
u still have to do the mods to get it to fit into the car so no reason not to go the turbo :wink:
id be lookin at 10G if your doin lots off the work :D

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mini parts for sale http://www.ausmini.com/forums/viewtopic.php?t=42247


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 Post subject:
PostPosted: Mon Apr 09, 2007 8:42 pm 
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848cc
848cc

Joined: Wed Mar 28, 2007 10:33 pm
Posts: 15
Location: Melbourne
Ok thanks guys...

After further searching i have definately narrowed it down to either the suzuki swift or toyota starlet engine...

How do these compare in terms of ease of installation into a roundnose? I'm not after freakish power at all, mainly reliability...

How would the two engines compare in terms of cost also?

Thanks guys...

Nick


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 Post subject:
PostPosted: Mon Apr 09, 2007 9:10 pm 
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1275cc
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Joined: Mon Jun 27, 2005 9:09 pm
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Location: S.A
i got my 4efte motor for $600 8)

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mini parts for sale http://www.ausmini.com/forums/viewtopic.php?t=42247


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 Post subject:
PostPosted: Mon Apr 09, 2007 9:16 pm 
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1360cc
1360cc

Joined: Mon Nov 01, 2004 4:36 pm
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you can pick up everything needed engine wise for a g13b for under $1000 easily.

ask matt how much his startlet turbo engine was..

have you considered buying one thats already converted?
i think there is a yellow roundnose GTi powered mini for sale?


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 Post subject:
PostPosted: Mon Apr 09, 2007 9:27 pm 
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Slow-Po
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Joined: Fri Jul 08, 2005 8:56 pm
Posts: 9979
Here it is, beautiful car and I believe the owner is a member on here.

http://www.carsales.com.au/used-cars/pr ... |1&trecs=9

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 Post subject: Re: Conversion help
PostPosted: Wed Apr 11, 2007 11:36 am 
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Yay For Hay!
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Joined: Wed Sep 08, 2004 9:27 pm
Posts: 15912
Location: Wodonga - Vic/NSW border
spargs wrote:
Basically what i am wanting is reliability. Sure i could do a rebuilt A series engine but the constant maintenance puts me off. I like the idea of chucking in a jap engine and not having to worry about it as much.


this opinion bugs me a bit.... A series engines aren't unreliable.... there are plenty of minis out there that are still running around on 30+ year old motors. It's just maintenance, the same as you do on any other motor, any other car...

a jap engine conversion can be as reliable as an A series, more reliable, or even less reliable - my money is on it being generally a less reliable vehicle as the modifications create stresses and other issues due to the fact that the car was modified and altered to take something that wasn't meant to be there in the first place... case in point, what's wrong in this picture? - the car has a G13B in it

Image

I just happened to notice that after I was looking at the photos when I got home from the event... I pointed it out to the owner and he did something about it, but who's to say he'd ever have noticed, until it was too late. The owner also said he wouldn't take the car on the track as the caster bar mounts were too weak and would break under heavy braking - how can that be safe on the road?? I don't call this vehicle reliable

and yes, I have a conversion in progress - I don't expect the finished product to be any more reliable than my daily driver MK2 Cooper S, which takes me on a 450km round trip to Echuca every few weeks, and never misses a beat - I keep it maintained, just like I would any other car

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 Post subject:
PostPosted: Wed Apr 11, 2007 12:36 pm 
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998cc
998cc
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Joined: Wed Aug 18, 2004 2:41 pm
Posts: 1145
Location: ACT
I gather you are talking about the hose sitting over the bolt for the shockie? If so yeah bad location still he should have seen this coming when he designed it as that is a pretty naff effort as far as hose placement is concerned.

Cheers

M

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 Post subject: Location
PostPosted: Wed Apr 11, 2007 5:39 pm 
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1360cc
1360cc
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Joined: Sun Apr 11, 2004 11:32 am
Posts: 12390
Location: Sthrn HiLoLands, NSW, Australia
Where ya from Spargs?

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 Post subject:
PostPosted: Wed Apr 11, 2007 5:49 pm 
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848cc
848cc

Joined: Wed Mar 28, 2007 10:33 pm
Posts: 15
Location: Melbourne
Thanks guys,

I think i am pretty set on a suzi g13b. I will have a go at fabricating the frame myself. (probably tack most of it up and get it welded up by a professional.)

In terms of motor prices I have been getting quotes of around 750 from wreckers for mid 90's models. What sort of inspections should i be doing on the engine pre-purchase?

What sort of room will be available in the roundnose for say radiator mounting?

Cheers

Nick


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 Post subject: Re: Location
PostPosted: Wed Apr 11, 2007 5:49 pm 
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848cc
848cc

Joined: Wed Mar 28, 2007 10:33 pm
Posts: 15
Location: Melbourne
9YaTaH wrote:
Where ya from Spargs?


Melbourne mate.... Why do you ask?

Cheers

Nick


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 Post subject: Re: Location
PostPosted: Wed Apr 11, 2007 7:27 pm 
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1360cc
1360cc
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Joined: Sun Apr 11, 2004 11:32 am
Posts: 12390
Location: Sthrn HiLoLands, NSW, Australia
spargs wrote:
9YaTaH wrote:
Where ya from Spargs?


Melbourne mate.... Why do you ask?

Cheers

Nick


Well.....two-dogs :lol: :lol: ...it is a little unwritten rule (Poeee could make it a real rule :roll: ) that you put your location in your profile so that all the local Mini nuts in your state/location can put their hands up and offer YOU assistance/advice etc.....ya dig :?:

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 Post subject:
PostPosted: Mon Apr 16, 2007 3:31 pm 
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848cc
848cc

Joined: Wed Mar 28, 2007 10:33 pm
Posts: 15
Location: Melbourne
Location updated!

I thought the suzuki would have been my best bet but they are now becoming hard to find.

After speaking to tricky (archangel007) he suggested the daihatsu engines so I have now limited my choice to the following three engines. The daihatsu CB-70, the daihatsu KV-3E or the starlet.

I think i am leaning towards the daihatsu's due to ease of conversion,cost and fuel efficiency. How would resale be on one of these conversions?

What are people's thoughts on the three options. This is my first conversion by the way...

cheers

nick


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