Since you are already heading down the Vtec path and it looks like you have the time and ability, have you considered a mid-engine conversion? That's the way I am heading. Stupid fast AND no torque steer.

Cheers!

Johnny Mac

Hey, I am really glad you didn't succome to some of the absolutely abusive advice some of these guys were giving.  I understand where they are coming from sometimes.  I will not be doing any conversions to my late fathers Moke "Barb."  And have you figured out a name, mind you "ye old turncoat" is taken already. Thank you for serving our country.

well folks its been awhile,  I retired from the army and got a job in Mesa Az.. Life got busy but the Mini has come with me still lovin it.  wish you all the best

//youtu.be/wdgFPY3FjKE

intake after one coat ss powder coat and 2 coats hot candy blue

some parts im throwing at the mini

skunk2 pro series throttle body

13x7s

Minitec rear subframe

some parts i removed for powdercoating will post pics when the coating is done, not pictured is the drums and calipers and rear springs should get em back sunday 

ok added a hood scoop came out pretty good and is effective at lowering IAT temps at speeds over 35, also thought i would show that the car is truely driven every day.. even in the snow.

Yeah Carl, a break in the weather gave me some advantage; couldn't run earlier with my screen covered with ice or whatever that stuff was, and no wipers or defroster as mentined earlier.....So, everyone gets lucky once in awhile.  Hope to give you another chance at MMW this June, In BC.  I chalenge you to drive your Mini up, even though you live 500 miles closer:-)

Steve also managed to record the lowest overall time at the Snowcross on Mt. Bachelor, OR at MMW 2013 taking the coveted top x-cross trophy!

Although it should be pointed out that it wasn't snowing all that hard when he made his historical run  

SAlexander's mini is scary fast!  Very clean install too. 

Robb

  The D series has become the Honda engine of choice for VTEC Swaps, Partly because of "bad press" from experiences with poorly done B-series swaps.  The D series does have some important advantages over the B series; it is 110 to 125 pounds lighter, depending on which B series model you compare; the D is even lighter than the stock Mini lump.  Second, the purchase price drops the overall cost of the conversion somewhat and it is easier to find in the US.  Lastly, taller OEM 5th and final drive gear ratios are available.  Aside from the lower HP output, the only major issue is the intake manifold; unlike the B manifolds which curve upwards, the D curves down and will not properly fit in the engine bay; to date, there are no replacement manifolds I know of, that will fit.   I can not afford the time or investment to tool up for casting a new manifold design......I am sure MT has considered it; C'mon guys, everybody will buy them off you, including us.    

I have seen it on the muscle car forums it came up when i was looking to see what sound deadener i was going to use, didnt see any thing bad about it, but for the floor, it gets a bad wrap on the forums but teh pick and seal from Lowes, i have used to on two cars and have had zero issues with it and it is effective and a fraction of the cost of dynomat i just say dynomat cuase everyone knows it... but this is the stuff i used on the floor.

//www.lowes.com/pd_154017-81326-PS625_0__?productId=1018733 

I don't want to get too far off topic with this, but has anyone used or know someone to use that spray-on product "Lizard Skin?"  I have been entertaining the idea of using their insulative spray on the roof, and then the deadening spray on the remainder of the car...

That is cool!

One of the reasons I asked was the "conversation" factor at certain speeds. I just removed the entire interior of the car and sprayed dynomat in the seams and will also dynamat the entire car. I was hoping you also did that because it was my next question, lol. Thank you and enjoy will look into the conversion but I dont know if that money tree has sprouted fully!

Good to hear that it is not much to hear. =)

Adding dynomat to the list of things to do on mine, but I am going to stick with a 1275 for now.

the noise is great, its way less then the 1275 i had, i dynomatted from the windshield to the back window and the boot floor and boot lid, you can carry a conversation at 70 mph no prob and super easy at 35 around town. when the turbo and vtec kick in.. you have more worries about keeping it headed down the road then talking, but just driving it is not loud.  the D with a larger turbo is great, the low end torque is not excessive with the D and the boost really kicks in about the time the vtec kicks in so its perfect, really likeing the set up. 

How is the noise?  I rode in another vTec, very very fast, but very very loud.

 75 mph its 3400 rpm and top speed is 135 with my transmission, i have enjoyed the heck out of it, didnt gain too much extra space with the flip front cause that is the same metal front i cut off.  reliability with the honda is great, and the extra power when you need it is nice.   

If you haven't seen it, take a look at this AA VTEC conversion for some inspiration.

//superfastminis.com/MTB-AA.htm

I have looked into this same conversion. May I ask what your top speed is rougly or Rpm at lets say 75-80. I understand there is a small tire ratio siutation or am I just a greenhorn? I am installing modern drivetrain into my austin and want to make sure that I am not missing out here.

I really though about the honda swap but really considering a complete Drive train to Rear wheel drive Conversion for my Austin America. I dont know how close they are to the minis but from my understanding there are not very different. Even the swap is unorthodox as most want to swap to more power and reliability, I am just searching for reliability as more power would not hurt but then comes all the extras.

Waiting to hear back from you though, I am on the fence both involve lots of work and money trees!