My first Mini, a 68 Countryman, was nicknamed "The Chirp"

It had an 850 and a grabby clutch. To get going with passengers, I had to give her revs and let up on the clutch, which grabbed and produced the "chirp". The eventual upgrade was a 100 lump (I did swap the final drive). With that, it was easy to get wheel spin in 1st gear and ssometimes a chirp out of 2nd. The fun was being behind a big car at a light, doing a wheelspin without moving and watching the occupants of the car ahead rubber-necking to see where the 'hot' car was. Could do it 2 or 3 times before they figured it out. They could barely see the Mini right behind them.

oh yeah, and i could get her to chirp in 4 gears.

I had a D series, depending on the engine and tuning you can get around 140 Hp from a D15b. Like Jedduh01 said, plenty of power. I have gone well over 100 MPH in it. I have never driven a B series or K series but if he says the torque steer is more, which im sure it is, it would be serious. Loved the car, supension was stiff, drove it daily for a few years, just long distance driving isnt the best but its a mini, so. Sorry for the long winded explination, they are fun. Good luck.

Don't forget the other ingredient "TIME". Don't know how long it took MiniMike to do his cars, but during the time it's being done means the Mini won't be available as a daily driver. If you don't have the skills, tools and time you could have a shop do it for you, but it's "gonna cost ya". I know someone who did most of the work himself and he was over $12K in parts. 

Solution:

$6,000 on an A-series from one of the Mini specialists (Mini Mania, Seven Ent, Mincomp, etc..) and drop it in the Mini.

$6,000 on a 2005-06 Honda Civic VTEC sedan and use that as a daily driver.

$6,000 on insurance for a few years for the daily driver.

$18,000 spent would be less than it would cost you to have SuperfastMinis build you a VTEC Mini.   

If you are doing a VTEC conversion I would go D series.. makes for a good daily driver, plus still loads of power..I have suprised many a driver by passing them uphill on the highway, pulling my trailer..  If you have the skills and the tools, it's doable for a lot less than people have posted.. check out my links below and you can get an idea of the work involved..  lot's of info on the 16vminiclub forum as well..

ok ok vtec not vtech i got it... it was late when i posted after hours of videos and forums. yes i have had issues with this engine for some time and i am done with it.  I want more power if its a vtec or not.
A drop in engine would be perfered, but im attracted to the rediculousness of the vtec to keep my interest in this car.  The 1380 mini mania powerunit is an option, and engine from steve is an option but i need to make a decision on this and soon.  i have a shop to do the swap with the vtec, if the 1380 is a beast i can go that route but i need more power to keep me in this car.  does anyone have the //minimania.com/part/1380HP_ENGINE/1380cc-Mini-Mania-Powerunit---Engine--Gearbox---Mini-Cooper from this site? 

I say go for it. I would have been doing this to mine except I was going to go the AWD with it. Only reason I'm not is this one is very early and solid it only had rust on two panels bad enough to swap them. There are lots of places to help sort it out when it's done. There are many JDM engine sources we have two good ones here in DFW. The one in Richardwill does swaps and has a wicked fast HondA del-sol that will scare anyone. Email me if you want their info. 

i double jedduh01 words! always try before you buy, even if its a pair of pants! i've been in a vtec conv recently, hell of wheelspin, i would double think it for a daily driver...

If your mind is made up, the only advice I can offer, is that it is "V-TEC" NOT "VTECH"

If you are however thinking that dropping a used japanese engine/transmission, used (and homebrew / modified) engine harness and controls, into your old mini will result in trouble-free motoring, you might be dissapointed...

I'd have thought a better option would have been to call superfastminis and ask them to put the next "sound" 998 or 1275 powerplant they get on standby for you to purchase. Then you have an in&out solution and are driving again instead of being miniless while the vtec is being fitted.

D series.

I have been in both a D and a B series converted car . the B is 160ish HP and absolute silly ammounts of power. Torque steer to throw you in the other lane.  Vs the 120ish of the D - Single over head cam - Sill has Vtec for boost and still PLENTY FAST- Much better access to work on it. WHeelspin 1-2 3rd still! 

 For other info - and the headaches Conversion people work with get to know //www.16vminiclub.com/forums/

 HIGHLY Suggest meeting and riding in a few Vtec cars before jumping in... Personally  I MIGHT own and drive a D series if one presented itself well - but the B and even a K were almost impossible to live with on a daily basis. Suspension setups yes can be different but the tastes i had yeilded a car that was uncomfrotable - rough - bangy and in traffic would be horrible .  Sure Loud Muffler- and looks cool but not a daily mobile.

Vtec Conversion.. Do you have place and all the space to do this operation?  Welder - Cutting grinding- Modifying a car?

Make a LIst -  Frame set + Engine Set + Fuel Set + electrical re working + gauges+ and you say Hood Set - Paint work - pedal set- Cutting fitting making work.         and ALOT OF TIME?

   Once you get a List- assign nominal values -  then DOUBLE IT!   Things will cost Twice as much - even small things eat up a budget like Wire Connectors and plugs and clamps and such.  Once you hae a base cost- DOUBLE IT    YEP -  Face it - you will have 10K in parts alone - Kit- Engine- and such- and then to install - Never seen one done in under 6 Months.   Minitek Guys might be able to do them faster but Pay PaY,

Then finally  - is it a proper car? 20K   have 30 Into it.... comfortable and ready to drive? 

your're military right ? Ready to move with this lump a few times? Backup transportation while its down.

Seriously talk to someone doign this project.  I can point you to someone here locally thats building a B Car --  gave me a taste that  - No thanks - if i want fast- buy fast.  No reason to build it.

They come up for sale all the time. This past winter few good cars for fair $$

K series- In Florida , For sale ad's here.   - Go get that one 

Sorry for the long wind- Its your car - you asked for opinions-   D Series is the Way togo! 

 Your current engine delimma-   Pull it - strip it down...  

Take head block and moving parts to a machine shop -  THEY KNOW WHAT THEY ARE DOIGN  or they will say no.

 Cut Crank- Oversize for new bearings

Flatten head- new valves. 

New cam for a bit more pep! 

     order new gaskets. seals  ready to re assemble.  2-3 Weeks MAX! 

DOing this right now with a friends mini .  1000$ engine machine work being done right now. He's figuring another 1000$ in parts- cam - new CWP gear - and Bang.= 2 K- Refreshed motor.

it is a 1275 - hoping for around 90 HP.

If I recall you have been having engine issues for some time. I'd suggest you do some research before jumping in. Do you have a feel for how long this is going to take and the total cost? Back in 01 I picked up a complete 998 power unit with 78,000 miles on it according to the speedo I got with it. I paid $350 for the power unit speedo, the interior and glass. I installed a timing chain and tensioner, front seal V/C and tappet cover gaskets. A water pump and by pass hose and it served me without fail for 80,000 miles. While not fast I did get a ticket for 78 ina 55. I'm thinking of building a 998/1100 and a 1275 for sale this summer if things hold up. Steve (CTR) 

Have you actually driven a VTEC (no h) on a daily basis ?
Have you driven one at all ?

I run a Mini as a daily driver come rain or shine and, (touch wood, tempting fate), have never really had any major issues with reliability in 20+ years.

money trees planted, check

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Plan on beefing up everything else on the Mini besides the vtec engine itself to accomodate all the extra hp, (brakes, suspension, tranny, etc., etc., etc.,) Plant two money trees in your backyard too, because the first tree will need a chance to resprout, while you finish pulling the last of the bills off the second tree!!!                                        Mini Estate

ok recently i had engine problems again and looks to require a rebuild and being my daily driver im looking to move to the vtec conversion, i see three different engines and im wondering which i should go with i like the mtk so far and looks to be the front runner to me but if you have used it or another in your conversion please chime in and let me know what you wish you would have done from the start.  im going to get the pedel kit and hood conversion, will my  12 inch rims fit over the brakes? eh really i want to know the difference in the kits besides horse power. any sugestions will be welcomed ill be ordering it on tuesday. 

Don