Anybody ever thought about AWD??
Turbo Mini Forums

Has anyone ever put some decent thought into how to make a mini AWD?? Or has it ever been done??

I ask because as we all know a lot of horsepower in one of the worlds smallest cars makes it difficult to get suitable traction. If the mini were AWD, it would have no choice but to giv'er.

Any thoughts and ideas will be much appreciated.

Thanks Paul de Boer

know it, build it, drive it

Unless a 4WD car has a central diff or a viscous coupling (or a 40:60 torque split) then they will be prone to understeer. Plus when you add in all the drivetrain you could end up gaining a lot of weight (a shame since that's the Mini's strong point). But still sounds like a good project for someone talented. If you find a suitable donor then anythings possible. I know you can get a 4WD Suzuki Swift and there are a few small Subarus but this would involve loosing the A series maybe. Anyway there are ones here that know a lot more than me.

This pickup is 4WD using a VTEC engine and the guts out of a Jap 4WD Civic. http://www.ringmini.de/English_Version/My_...p_build_up.html

Edited by Jay#2 on 3rd Jan, 2007.

Subaru justy drivetrain is a good bet. Thats what id be looking at, or maybe the suzuki Jimny.

Im sure ive heard some one was doing this, although i think that was on TMF, so the project probibly never got off the ground.

Edit One thing is that the engine would have to be inline, as there aren't many transverse AWD gearboxes out there small enough.

I remember the first transverse AWD box many many years ago, IIRC it was the Focus WRC. CCC mag did an article on it. It was a rather complex afair with shafts rotating within shafts.

Edited by Sprocket on 3rd Jan, 2007.

Good point. I think it would really interesting, but no doubt it would take A LOT of work. I just feel that in coming months/years we will be seeing more and more power from the mighty turbo a-series being put to the ground. With no significant advancement in traction outside of a ATB diff and nice tires. That doesnt mean it would be a horrible thing, would still go like no ones business. But a nice AWD setup would peak MY interest for sure.

Paul de Boer.

know it, build it, drive it

I think the probs with the A series box and clutch need to be sorted first. My Dad worked with a fella who's friend works on Minis and he apparently developed a kit so put the A series on a Ford box (lost his contact details though). Still transverse as far as I know but sounds like a good way to get round the weak box issue. I like the ringmini idea with a front sub in the rear with a diff in there too, you get a nice independant rear with discs and the possibility of 4 wheel steer.

Funny this should pop up..... I was following a Justy this afternoon and though ..... mmmm

Have seen this done, many moons ago there was a black Ford V6 4x4 mini doing the shows (and Miniworld Mag obviously).

As for inline only not so. I have seen a Mini with a VW GTi 16v lump up front and I have owned a Golf Rallye (4wd, supercharged from factory) and a Golf G60-limited (as above but subtle 5 door shell and a 16V head) and am in the process (or was before the house took over and then interest in Mini's grew to the fore again) building a 4motion drive train into a Mk2 Scirocco (hence my e-mail addy for those who know it).

All those are transverse engines.

Think that both Honda and Toyota's silly almost off-roaders for taking kids to school in are transverse engined too .... not sure about the Subaru Justy though .. never seen under the bonnet of one.

Every day is a school day ...........

How fast and how expensive ...... the same question...

There is a 4wd a-series in Gaydon museuem. but its fixed 4wd kinds.

But i reckon it can be doneable, just make new diff case, and gears for it....

probably best not to run a shaft of the diff. Would be better to tak it of an extension to the pinion drive.

Every day is a school day ...........

How fast and how expensive ...... the same question...

I did have in my possesion a 4wd honda civic shuttle for such a project but had to bin it for for space reasons - not sure what the bellhousing was on it but it had a very spritley sohc engine it it which would have taken a turbo very nicely!
a bit more manly than the justy stuff as well

If Carling made Mini engines
it would probably be like this one!

BMC made a few 4x4 mokes with A series gear, my dad had loads of gen on these, i'll see if i can get some of it off him

Hannibal: There are two ways we can do this: the easy way and the hard way. In a few minutes my friends and I are going to come down on you like your worst nightmare. You're gonna wish the Earth had opened up and swallowed you whole.
bad guy: What's the easy way?
Hannibal: That WAS the easy way.