Okay I know what your thinkin!!?

15th April 2009, 18:32

Alright maybe i should explain befor i ask...

right im happy with my saxo i love to bits so once ive finished my last couple of exterior mods i intend to leave it as my daily driver. So i have the a shell to a mini in the garage with no front end completly stripped out ready for a rebuild.

So ive decided i wanna put a vtr engine in it rather than the normal a series engine. now i know what your thinkin... I think... So where between why would you do that and if your gonna do it y not put a vts in. i will put a vts in eventually if i can get the vtr in.

now what i need to know to get started is, where is the engine mounted at the bottom? i have no jack at the moment so cant get under mine lol and the haynes manual is Sh*t lol.

if i do decide to go ahead with this i will make a proper thread and keep you all updated

many thanks mike

15th April 2009, 21:21

Just a very brief list of what you're having to overcome.... (I’m sure you've considered all of this anyway)

Fabricate all engine mounts either on subframe or seriously strengthen and build on inner wings.
Separate engine loom and ecu from existing wiring.
Driveshafts are the wrong length and CV joints wont fit any of the existing hub setup.
Saxo hub will not fit by any stretch of the imagination.
Tunnel will have to be cut and fabricated for selector rods.
Bulkhead will have to have a recess fabricated.
Good chance the engine will sit too high, or low.
Rad wont have anywhere to fit, unless you extend the entire front end like with some from engined v-tech conversions.
Impossible to work on in situe.
Rework fuel lines.
Brake servo (if fitted to your model) will probably not clear engine.

Continues...... lol

However, if you feel up to it please make a start!! Be nice to see a new mini engine conversion.

15th April 2009, 21:47

i have considered this and i want a challenge and quite a lengthy project, i mean i am still just tryin to see if i can get it in with out ruining the mini look coz i still need to look like a mini but i dont want it to be as predictable as other mini conversions.

and ive considered the drive shafts and the brakes, hubs, wheels, fuel system, ecu, all the wiring and it is do able i think. its deff gonna have to stay clubman front end id never get it under a saloon front altho i can always try... and fail lol

15th April 2009, 21:54

this will be awesome

15th April 2009, 22:02

Be much easier (and more fun) if you mount it in the rear of the mini.
All you got to do is cut the entire rear innards out of the mini, then work out how to make it fit the vtr suspension and subframe, lock the vtr steering and hey presto job done. Only take a weekend (and a miricle)

15th April 2009, 22:02

itll just fly mate when u think a mini ways less than half a tone with full interior and this just gonna have the two front seats and abit of sound deadening it'll just disappear into the distance lol. i mean hell theres alot of work but im prepared for it lol i mean the biggest bit is probs gonna be gettin the frame to house it in built.

15th April 2009, 22:08

Quote:

Originally Posted by col101

Be much easier (and more fun) if you mount it in the rear of the mini.
All you got to do is cut the entire rear innards out of the mini, then work out how to make it fit the vtr suspension and subframe, lock the vtr steering and hey presto job done. Only take a weekend (and a miricle)

and the gear linkage and the id have build a subframe for the back to coz theres nowt to bolt to except wheel arches which arent strong enough whichever way you look at them, plus theyd have to come out to make room for the saxo rims anyway so really is no easier.

you know with throttle bodies do you still need the ecu??

stupid question lol but is there anyway way around havin to put the ecu you in could i run the engine on a set of bike carbs? i mean proper carbs not injection carbs?

16th April 2009, 18:24

gd idea i would put the engine in the back cant wait 2 c the progress threads

16th April 2009, 18:33

Glad to hear you've got a clubby front, saves a fair bit of head scratching. Going for a flip front would make it so much easier to fabricate the front end. What you doing about shafts and cv joints? I recon the saxo shafts would be thicker so could get them machined to fit mini cv joints?

16th April 2009, 20:26

Im fairly set that im now goin to do this and making a list of the stuff i need to do it and pricing. first thing is an engine me thinks lol mate it up to the bulk head and do a hair bit of thinkin, head scratchin and planning.

ive been thinking about the shafts and id obv have to have them shortend proffesionally which isnt a problem thanks to the mini club im also part of i now know where to take them to get it done. but i was also thinkin about the brakes because im obv gonna have to upgrade them alot lol so i was thinkin of using saxo brakes and calipers all round as well biggest problem would be would vtr disc n callipers fit in side 13's coz id obv have to use the saxo hub as well theres alot of thinking to do here and its difficult to do with having it in front of me lmao

16th April 2009, 20:38

Quote:

Originally Posted by r_i_c_h_1

Just a very brief list of what you're having to overcome.... (Im sure you've considered all of this anyway)

Fabricate all engine mounts either on subframe or seriously strengthen and build on inner wings.
Separate engine loom and ecu from existing wiring.
Driveshafts are the wrong length and CV joints wont fit any of the existing hub setup.
Saxo hub will not fit by any stretch of the imagination.
Tunnel will have to be cut and fabricated for selector rods.
Bulkhead will have to have a recess fabricated.
Good chance the engine will sit too high, or low.
Rad wont have anywhere to fit, unless you extend the entire front end like with some from engined v-tech conversions.
Impossible to work on in situe.
Rework fuel lines.
Brake servo (if fitted to your model) will probably not clear engine.

Continues...... lol

However, if you feel up to it please make a start!! Be nice to see a new mini engine conversion.

what do you think the guys have to do when they fit a Vtec lump in or a bike engine? it will be along the same lines as that, i say go for it man ive not seen it done and would love to see it done, i have pondered over it before

17th April 2009, 18:34

Quote:

Originally Posted by gav1513

what do you think the guys have to do when they fit a Vtec lump in or a bike engine? it will be along the same lines as that, i say go for it man ive not seen it done and would love to see it done, i have pondered over it before

I recon they go and buy one of the many kits out there.... Was just making sure he knows what he's gonna let himself in for, far too many unfinished projects out there.

17th April 2009, 18:37

Quote:

Originally Posted by mikey362vtr

Im fairly set that im now goin to do this and making a list of the stuff i need to do it and pricing. first thing is an engine me thinks lol mate it up to the bulk head and do a hair bit of thinkin, head scratchin and planning.

ive been thinking about the shafts and id obv have to have them shortend proffesionally which isnt a problem thanks to the mini club im also part of i now know where to take them to get it done. but i was also thinkin about the brakes because im obv gonna have to upgrade them alot lol so i was thinkin of using saxo brakes and calipers all round as well biggest problem would be would vtr disc n callipers fit in side 13's coz id obv have to use the saxo hub as well theres alot of thinking to do here and its difficult to do with having it in front of me lmao

I see what you're getting at, but don't forget although yes it will be fast it wont be any faster than the standard mini thanks to the nice light cylinder head of the saxo

There are alot of big brakes for the mini out there without haveing to custom make anything. Also disks on the back? Madness!! lol. You wouldn't be able to put alot more power down then with a decent drum setup or it will slide everywhere. Even the 140bhp mini-engined guys use drums at the back. Can't wait to see you getting into this, lots of pics plz

18th April 2009, 01:23

yeah i know about the breaks lol the engine wont be staying standard either intend on putting better cams in, intake and exhaust upgrade, stand alone ecu unless i leave it standard then eventually get a vts if it will fit. when i get round to the garage ill get some pics of the mini im using and start a thread

18th April 2009, 01:38

You might inspire me to get on and do something with the mini I've had sat around for last few months I took as p/x on my other mini. I fancy doing the first big power 4wd mini! Atleast I think it would be the first? Don't have the time to commit to a big project like that yet though.

19th April 2009, 01:08

well the girlfriend has left me so i figure ill do this for now and if a nice girl comes along in the mean time fair enough but its summat to do with ma spare time lol god im a sob story lmao