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 Posted: Dec 26, 2014 05:40AM
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Dan, how long have you had your 123 dizzy? any problems so far? im seriously considering getting one that will replace my 59D4 Lucas. 

 Posted: Dec 24, 2014 09:43AM
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CA
Quote:
Originally Posted by velocity

mobilejay, pls stay, i got the same resistance when i was showing some inclination that i wanted to swap to Vtec, after driving my stock mini and were able to tune it properly, i dont want to go to vtec anymore. 

a stock well maintained mini will give you many happy miles. 

after hanging out with the guys here, i learned to love SU carb more than Weber carb / i learn to love points distributor over electronic distributor / i learn to love 10 inch wheel more than 12 inch wheel/ i learn to love pre verto clutch over verto clutch .,, and most of all  i learn to love a radiator with no drain pipe. 

stay and you'll learn a lot on this forum.

I'd second velocity's (e)motion. Except for the lack of a drain pipe on the Mini radiator. More power is OK (I'm still a fan of Tim-the-Tool-Man). However, a big part of Mini fun is doing things people don't expect without the power. (Think of the difference between "qiick" and "fast".) And as has been said, Mini engines can produce surprising power with very few cc's AND they can be reliable. When they do act up they are very simple to fix.

After KG's a Mini should be easy for you to care for. Adding Honda power adds complexity, and increased diffficulty when something does act up. As has been suggested to you, I'd advise growing with it. 

And welcome!

 

.

"Hang on a minute lads....I've got a great idea."

 Posted: Dec 23, 2014 04:17PM
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mobilejay, pls stay, i got the same resistance when i was showing some inclination that i wanted to swap to Vtec, after driving my stock mini and were able to tune it properly, i dont want to go to vtec anymore. 

a stock well maintained mini will give you many happy miles. 

after hanging out with the guys here, i learned to love SU carb more than Weber carb / i learn to love points distributor over electronic distributor / i learn to love 10 inch wheel more than 12 inch wheel/ i learn to love pre verto clutch over verto clutch .,, and most of all  i learn to love a radiator with no drain pipe. 

stay and you'll learn a lot on this forum.

 Posted: Dec 23, 2014 03:57PM
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CA

Boys, boys, boys, there are more than just the purists on here.. there are quite a few of us VTEC gang as well..  good idea to find someone near you that has done a conversion and go out for a drive. It wil either convince you to do it, or stay classic.. either way do what you want, not what other people tell you to do.. I am building my 3rd Honda D series powered Mini, and have put thousands of miles on them enjoying them all, and I have also had many original Minis which I have also enjoyed..from 998 through to 1275s.. Sedans, Moke, and GTM..  for some technical info  drop over to the 16Vmini forum,, lots of info over there..


Mini Mike.  .....
Driving the Mini 30 VTEC,  Mini Van ZC now finished! ... mikesmith.vic (at) gmail 

 

 Posted: Dec 22, 2014 04:22PM
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Mobilejay it would be great to have you around here just to go over these kinds of questions as you take the plunge and after when the great experience starts.  You'll have more fun with your mini than is possible to have with any other car, by a very long shot.

Before I got my first mini I went through the same Vtec pre-purchase phase as you. I *assumed* it was the smarter decision adding Japanese reliability and performance.  And since people were investing untold hours in the projects I thought there must really be something there.

But the advantages have faded over the last several years, mainly because the A-Series R&D aftermarket is flourishing in the UK.  You can hotrod an A-Series to almost the same HP level and save (I think) 150 lbs(?).  There is supercharging, EFI and ECU, not to mention Craig's BMW 16v head.  You can buy Titanium subframes and hubs and spend $100K easily.  If you hotrod your A-Series, you can drive and enjoy your car now and carefully, methodically work it up to be an absolute beast as your wallet allows.

A lot of the guys here are making Vtec power or know how. Craig's car purrs, it's like a tiny Lexus.

However gonepostal's ZCars is probably gonna be my next project as well.  Very far removed however.

 Posted: Dec 22, 2014 03:17PM
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I have owned one of the first MiniTec minis and loved except for the toruqe steer. I rode in the first AWD mini on the dragon. Man it was crazy. I drove NJ's AWD mini and it was great. The final drive you have to worry about if you are going to do any high speeds. They do make a K or B series. I now have a Z car RWD mini and it is perfect to me. It has mini front subframe and handles like nothing stock. Power is crazy. I have been thinking about a turbo. I want more power!!!!!

 Posted: Dec 21, 2014 02:50PM
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LOL thanks guys. Yes I would be buying one that is complete. I do not have the energy to re work another car. 

Craig, I watched the first episode and will be watching the others when I have time. I was kicking around the idea of dropping something else in there like the Fiat 500 Abarth but like I said, there are so many already done with Vtecs and the subframes made. I would have to start from scratch on an Abarth swap but I think it would be very cool. I will stick around and keep reading on the forum just for the history of the cars and what makes them the cool little Minis they are. Thanks again. 

 Posted: Dec 21, 2014 02:13PM
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US

mobilejay

if you want a vtec, like someone suggested, drive one already done first. I understand they are too much power and difficult to master.

That said,  if you still want one, buy one done, as the time and funds are grand and you'll never recoup your investment. You'll end up selling it at a discount once you tire of it, like the sellers of Vtec minis you'll find.

there is a reason the car survived almost 50 years of production with very modest changes.

think of putting a 357 into a KG.

 

 Posted: Dec 21, 2014 11:23AM
 Edited:  Dec 21, 2014 11:25AM
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Wow. "Snobs".  I certainly do not agree with that characterization of all the people who frequent this forum.  I'm actually offended by such a generalization.  I would personally support any enthusiast that wants to do whatever he or she wants to do with their own vehicle and money.  Heck, I put a BMW twin cam head on my A-Series block.  I wanted to make something a bit different than the VTEC swaps that seem to be everywhere here in California.

I say, "Live and let live."  Do what you want to with your Mini and money and don't worry about what others may say.  Unless, of course, you happen to find that really rare original, first year of production Cooper S or whatever.

And to make an informed decision, hang around here and the other Mini forums around the world and see what is actually out there.  You might do the boring VTEC conversion or come up with something new that no one has thought of or had the courage to even say outloud!

Welcome!!!

Oh, and for real AWD insanity check out Project Binkey.  Just do a search in Youtube for it, sit down with your favorite beverage and enjoy the next hour or so...

Craig

'72 Morris Mini - 1310cc, K1100 head conversion

 

 

 

 Posted: Dec 21, 2014 08:52AM
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Did you see this one in cars for sale section ?

//www.minimania.com/cars4sale/12094/1967_Morris_Mini_Mini_Sedan

Car is done, should be fun, already molested so you won't be under the gun, add A/C for the Houston sun, if I think some more, I might have another pun.

Think there are also some done V-tech minis for sale.

People that own them seem to tire of owning them, come up for sale often.

SxS

 Posted: Dec 21, 2014 08:44AM
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Thanks guys, I appreciate the help and honnesty. I understand completely about keeping the cars in original condition. My KG was damn near matching numbers but I just can't do that again. Once more, thank you and enjoy your amazing Minis. 

 Posted: Dec 21, 2014 08:40AM
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US

If you're specifically interested in a VTEC Mini this is NOT the forum for you.  The majority of folks on here are Mini purists (snobs) and will not hesitate to tell you bluntly that you're doing the car an injustice by swapping in a Honda powerplant.  This thread is a recent example of what some of the people on here think.  It's worth mentioning that 82mini did successfully complete his swap in his desired timeframe.  He's got a nice thread on 16vMiniClub worth checking out which is where you should spend your time.

You also need to watch the Project Binky series on YouTube.


 Posted: Dec 21, 2014 08:31AM
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GR

try locating a vtec owner near you, give it a ride see if you like it and then built it why not..

 Posted: Dec 21, 2014 08:10AM
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I have driven them before. A friend of mine had a rhd and I loved it. But I want to have one with the vtec powering it. I have spent many years restoring and building the Karmann Ghia and after she caught fire, I do not have the energy to start over with something else. I love the Minis and always have, I just want one with a different power plant than what they came with. Just trying to get info on them and searching didn't quite give me what I was looking for so I wanted a some info on the awd set ups people are running. 

 Posted: Dec 21, 2014 07:40AM
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US

if you don't know anything about these "cars" , then I would suggest getting an unmolested one and start by driving. If you want a honda AWD then buy one.

 Posted: Dec 21, 2014 07:33AM
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Hello all. I have been reading about the Vtec Minis for some time now. I have always loved these cars from the first time I saw one YEARS ago. I had a 69 Karmann Ghia that recently went up in flames while I was driving it. I am ready to move on to a new love and these Minis are what I want. 

My question is about the AWD set ups. I may have read it wrong but are the K20 swaps the only ones that will support AWD? I can't see why but then again, I don't build these. Would the AWD set up be the way to go? I am just imaginning tons of torque steer out of these cars with out it. 

Looking forward to joining the Vtec Mini crew. Thanks guys