Has anyone done or heard of using daihatsu charade engine in a mini???
Ive acquired one today after my friend wrote it off.

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"You can turn your back on a person, but you can never turn your back on a Mini"(or wallet for that matter)
R(a)ph

Just because it's free doesn't mean it's a good idea

You're looking at anywhere between 50-80ish HP at the motor depending on what year (as you havn't specified).

IMO it's just not worth it - the money involved, the time - the fabrication costs, materials, engineering all adds up and it's not worth it for 80HP

You can work a 1275 to comfortably make that power, a small block can punch out 75ish with a little work and if you simply turbo either your well in front and for a lot less.

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Starlet Conversion:
http://www.ausmini.com/forums/viewtopic.php?t=15484

We don't have those cars here in Canada but my understanding is that this engine would be similar to mine. I'm running a 1.0L 3cyl Suzuki turbo in my car that was rated at 75 hp I've built a better exhaust and intake so it should be closer to 100hp. Consider other factors than just the power output. My car now gets about 50mpg, it's got plenty more power than stock, it revs higher, it's now a 5 speed, fuel injected and the car is much lighter. It changes directions much better with the lighter front end, the drum brakes worked much better when I still had them. The Suzuki engine is very durable and can take lots of mods. So don't just consider a swap only for power, think of the other benefits you may also get from such a swap. When I originally did the swap, everything fit in the stock engine bay with only a small mod to the fire wall to clear one part of the intake manifold. The subframe mods were pretty simple as well.

Good luck and let us know what you decide.

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email - [email protected]
http://s28.photobucket.com/albums/c207/TurboOrangie/

67 Traveller - Needs restoration
www.victoria-chiropractors.ca

I am a big fan of the CB70 Daihatsu (if that is what you have??).

They are small, light, free-reving little engine, and with the turbo on them (as in the CB70) make decent horsepower. With a few mods there is an easy and cheap gain of at least 50% in power and torque.

Not to mention the ease of installation - virtually nil inner guard mods needed. Plus as Turbo Orangie has said, 5 speed, good fuel economy and great relaibility (Daihatsu are quite well known for their reliable engines).

If you can get the CB70 engine out of the turbo Charade, then get it, install it, and drive it!!!

My $0.02

Cheers,
Tricky

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"Not Speeding Officer..........Qualifying"

As he hasn't specified, it hard to tell - CB70 is the only motor i would consider, it's a goodun but a run of the mill stock charade motor is not worthy IMO.

All other factors such as fuel injection, economy are really a moot point if it is going to cost you a fortune to get there and really most people looking for conversions are wanting more power ..

I know there are those after economy - but it's usually stated what you want when you ask a question - if someone wants advice on if a particular engine swap would suit them - they should provide more than 2 lines to work with.

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Starlet Conversion:
http://www.ausmini.com/forums/viewtopic.php?t=15484

exzacary - the actual cost of the engine (free or otherwise) is basically inconsequential compared to the cost of doing the conversion (even if you've got a mate who is a welder and yaddah yaddah whatever), so if you're committed to doing a conversion, you might as well spend the extra few dollars and start with a decent bit of grunt

turbo charade, do it - Brad is doing one.... NA charade, forget it

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did I tell you that I won a trophy?

Josh, you need to consider the rate of return.......

Whilst I don't agree that the initial outlay may be high (it shouldn't be) you should recoup any additional outlay fairly quickly with cheaper running costs.

Diahatsu are basically a Toyota motor arent they?

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

There was a 3cyl Diahatsu / mini at the mini show in the Melb showgrounds a few years ago, I wondered Why, but I guess it looked a relativly easy fit, 5 speed and probably as much power as a 998/1100
which ones are the CB70's, 3cyl or 4?

I saw the one at the showgrounds as well. Certainly fits better than other options. I thought it was an auto though.

I considered this motor for a long time before deciding on a 20v 4AGE, then a B16A then finally the 4EFTE. As the others have said, a very strong little motor however I've heard that the gearboxes can be a weakness with higher power levels.

Madmorrie

Innocenti fitted them to Minis ages ago....100BHP 3 cyl turbo ain't bad in anyones language

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"Show me the Mini!"

ive heard of a daihatsu engine fitted in a mini before if it is a cb26 or cb50 i wouldnt bother

it would depend on how much work you can do yourself, look at how much it would cost to rebuild a "A" series motor at a specailist workshop, if you can install a fresh low km jap engine for the same or less cost it may be worthwhile

cheers Paul

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with the fury of a Monkey Dishwasher aimed at your Purple

57 Morris minor
88 Rover Mini

cb70 all the way mate, way better then those crappy 4efte motors

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1974 Moke - 998cc
76 Clubman B16a2 Vtec AWD Turbo 12.9@105mph
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V9PW49e1hYs

The late model De Tomaso Mini 3 (the Innocenti spin-off) was factory fitted with a 3 cylinder Daihatsu engine way back in 1982. Available in naturally aspirated, turbo or diesel.



Also the O2 Moke from Cairns has a 1L diesel Charade motor. I don't think it sets the road on fire but it gets extraordinary fuel economy.

Tim

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1951 Morris Commercial J Type Van
1955 BSA C11G
1961 Morris Mini Traveller
1969 Triumph TR6R
1977 Leyland Moke Californian

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DrMini- 1970 wasaMatic 1360, Mk1S crank, 86.6HP (ATW) =~125 @ crank, 45 Dellorto (38 chokes), RE282 sprint cam, 1.5 rockers, 11.0:1 C/R.

CB70 - That's 3/4 of a great motor.