Yes, I understand that. Did not say it wasn't going to be challenging. But, thats why I am doing the reasearch now. I may end up going with a turbo'd Honda engine, etc... just need to see

That, and the lack of torque which causes their owners to crank up the boost until they blow out their seals, is the main challenge with using one of those.

Norm

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Just to give you guys an idea of the level of my builds... Here is my 930 racecar. Most of the body is carbon fiber, weighs just over 2,000Lbs, (stock was about 282 Hp), now, on E-85 just over 900 Hp. Full race suspension, full race trans, brakes, etc. Link Efi engine management, yadda, yadda.... This entire car was build by me, with the help of a couple of friends.

Currently working on my VW 67 split window bus...

I just have had a classic mini cooper in my head now for a couple of years. It will be a definate project of mine. I am just not sure which direction to take it.... (Honda, Rotary, AWD, turbocharged, etc)

Nah, I need at least 400 to 600HP to quench my thirst....

Nah, actually the engine to the running gear would be the easy part. All I would have to do is machine an adapter out of plate aluminum, (cut the top part of the bell housing out of a factory honda trans), and weld the new plate to the existing bell housing. Of course, making sure that all is welded perfectly straight and at the right dimensions as not to disturb input shaft angle/ depth.

In fact, I think there is a company that already makes the adapter.... hmmmm

My question is if all of the ancilleries will fit. (alternator, turbo, header, intake, intercooler and piping, etc)

I never said this will be an easy project... half of my fun is building it. I can use the crv running gear for the AWD kit ( but might design in a different setup if I can find one that would work)

At this point I am against running the 'Busa engine (even if its turbocharged). The engine just doesnt do it for me. I also do not want to do a mid or rear engine mini. I want to keep the interior stock and still have the back boot, rear seat, etc

good luck with the Busa Upgrade turbobrat !!, i've always been fascinated with hayabusa engine upgrades, 180hP, i love it.. Overall i like the concept, the only downside of having a hayabusa mini is that you can't attend mini shows and events especially if it's organized by the Purist mini owners, these people hates upgrades,the only upgrades they know is the speedometer upgrade from kilometers to miles, and carb return spring from rubber band to metal spring, nothing else. they want to see your mini in the stock condition otherwise you'll hear it from them.,it's like you did a mortal sin.., i can name at least a dozen certified mini and moke Purist in here.,email me if you want to know their names. anyway it's not important tho.

 please keep us posted, we are looking forward to see the completion of your build...we love pictures! good luck!

jerseyMini,
Your comment might be offensive to some that have a connection to the horrid event.
Perhaps you could edit your post?

Good luck with a rotary swap. Since there is no FWD rotary engine application that I know of, a lot of custom fabbing (machining) will probably be needed. AWD would increase the difficulty and cost 2X IMHO (less number of transaxles to choose from to attempt the swap.) It might be easier to just do a tube chassis and plop Mini body panels over the top.

Everytime im at the track they have to close down for an hour to sweep up the rotary powered engines that grenade and spill theyre guys out onto the track..lol

I am about a year away from starting this. I am only doing research at this point. I just finished the engine in my 930 racecar, and currently underway on my Vw Split window camper bus. Once that is done, I will take on the classic mini project.

At this point, I am just trying to see which direction I want to go... and pick up parts when I can. So, when I finally do start this project, I will have the direction nailed down. Hence, all the questions.

And yes, I am a pic friendly guy, so there will be a TON of pics posted...

Lets see it -Get it done- Post pictures of progress.

 about a year ago - someone was putting a GSR 4wd drivetrain in a swapped riley mini ... The shell got cut up - and umm.. thats where it stopped. or the last posted.

Yes, the Honda B, D, and K series engine swaps provide plenty of power. I get that. I want to be different. I do not want mine to sound like the average 19 year old's rice burner. Unless I get knee deep in this and find out that there is no way to do a rotary powered car, then I will have to fall back on the Honda power....  But, until that time, I will be going rotary.

Hope to see something come out of this.

I have a D series right now as stated,did it because of the engines being cheap to free,gives more space for my standard round nose,and we have built these D series turbo cars to make 400+ hp,and the transmissions have a wide vatiety of final drives..

However i had in mind to MAYBE eventually do an AWD D series which is possible after its turbod and moving up the HP chain..but im seeing some fast FWD minis lately.I have a recipe for 400hp...but im going to inch my way up with this car being soo light and the tiny wheels and tires.

Steps 1 stock 2 turbo low boost 3Turbo higher boost 4 BOOOM 5 depends on how 3 worked out..if it was ok,built motor,more boost,better turbo.

Sounds like one of these would be right up your alley.

//superfastminis.com/Midi.html

Thanks to all that have responded!  Mini-tec is only about a 2 hour drive from me, so I will probably be going with them for most of the parts that I can not, or do not want to make on my own (why reinvent the wheel)...

I will look at the 16vmini forums as well as the links that were provided. I am just in the planning stages right now, so I have some time to figure out the direction I will go with this project.

Any other  info/opinions/suggestions are very welcome!

Thanks again to those that have responded!! 

Trust me, the car in N/A form would NOT be enough for me... I am going from a supercar, to this... so 200hp (although a huge amount in this car) would nowhere near satisfy my needs or wants.

But, I completely understand what you are saying. I always told my track students to start out with a stock engine, and spend the money on the suspension and brakes. That way, they develop as good drivers before they add all the power. you are completely correct in your line of thinking.

Yes, a Hayabusa engine would be cool, but I would like to have creature comforts such as A/C, etc. My engine of choice that I am leaning towards right now, is a turbo twin or triple rotary engine. Small, but very powerful.

I understand that the rotary engines dont have the greatest torque down low, so I am hoping that fact will help me save the drivetrain componants.

Jwakil, you are correct!!  Great cars!!!

My current 930 is still in the process of tuning, and when done we should be around 900 HP on E-85...  with all the carbon fiber body panels, the car is just over 2000lbs..  FAST!!!

I actually talked with NJ about his AWD beast when he was helping out with my VTEC build.

From what I understood from NJ there was a problem when it came to letting off the gas, I quote "It is like throwing an anchor out the back".

Hopefully the problem has been rectified at MT but I would make dam sure before venturing into it as NJ was not pleased with the outcome at the time.

I also have a dream (unlikely to be realized though) of an AWD classic Mini. However, looking at the MiniTec AWD kit, it seems like it requires the wheels to be pushed out far more than I like. Looking at the samples head-on or tail-on look weird and ugly with the huge flares needed to cover the wheels. I'm not sure if this is the design of the kit or just that the owners have chosen the ultra-wide look.

IMHO, if the A-series original engine is discarded, I would not start out with a turbo. I would only add the turbo later if the normally aspirated power wasn't what you wanted. Even if AWD helps with torque steer and traction, traction can still be a problem depending on the engine you choose. More power could make it less drivable and likely less reliable. Remember you're talking ~1800 lbs here, even if it were loaded up with luxury features like A/C and sound deadening. A complicated project is best done in phases, in my view.