Looking for a mini with potential to turbo.
Turbo Mini Forums

Hi all.

Sorry in advance as these questions have probably been asked time and time again.

I'm looking at getting my first mini and was wondering what the cheapest/ most reliable way of getting more power would be? This will be my daily drive so with that in mind, would I be best turbo charging the standard engine or swapping for something like vtec etc?

this is the mini I have seen. http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/321849747000?_tr...K%3AMEBIDX%3AIT

I'm looking at getting something pre 75. If anyone could give me an idea on cost I'd really appreciate it. I have looked on many forums and have just found this one so hopefully someone could give me a rough idea.

Thanks in advance

Sam.

Who doesn't feel even a little bit happier when a classic mini drives past them.

Looks alright.. cant see an engine size in the add??

That's not in its original shell, so it's either...

stolen and put on other plates
has been reshelled as the original was past economical repair
Or just a ringer for the tax exemptness

You might not be bothered about any of that but if your after original it's not for you

If you want a daily driver enjoy the mini as it is, buy a second engine and turbo that so it can be dropped in when finished. Expect to spend £2,000-£3,000 in parts (assuming you can do the assembly yourself?)
I personally think the vtec would be slightly less work to build and instal (slightly!) and give a more reliable daily drive. And probably cost as much.
Buy a car that has a solid body, check the sills and wheel arches for rust along with front and rear sub frames. You don't want to buy a rust bucket that will cost you another 2 grand weld up!! (Like I have...)
Good luck!

Words reliable and cheap don't go together

Edited by Chalkie on 2nd Sep, 2015.

Thanks for all the replies lads. Yeah I'm really only going for a pre 75 because it would be tax exempt haha (not sure how much you guys pay for tax on your minis?)

Yeah my ability is limited to general servicing really lol :(.

If turbo charging the standard engine is about as much work and price as the vtec swap, I think I would go for the vtec, just because of the bulletproof engine and starting power of 150bhp (i'm sure this is more than enough for a tiny mini).

thanks for all your help everyone, hopefully I can find a nice shell that needs no welding to start this process.

If I could I would put my Mitsubishi colt CZT engine in a mini, as its a 1.5 turbo but I can imagine the work would just be ridiculous to do that :.

Who doesn't feel even a little bit happier when a classic mini drives past them.

I would say that a mild turbo build would be much simpler than an engine swap.

If you're not after big numbers, then it can be done fairly cheap too.

In the 13's at last!.. Just

You should probably look into the price of the subframes and extra bits for a vtec conversation if that's the way you want to go and can't make one yourself. Personally I'd go for a clubby front because it's so tight under a standard round nose!
http://www.allspeedengineering.com/index.p...-b16-b18-detail

They don't die, they just get faster!

I did consider that Shauna, but can you beat the round nose look?! I think an A series turbo may be the one to go for. Surely it must be less hassle than having to put in an engine from a completely different car? Things would be a lot simpler if I knew what I was doing lol.

Who doesn't feel even a little bit happier when a classic mini drives past them.

Have a good read round here mate... plenty people mildly turbo'd there mini whilst on the road

As said above.. get something and enjoy it whilst building another engine

Edited by D4VE on 2nd Sep, 2015.

It's just a warning, it's TIGHT and that's for someone who has already done other engine conversions. I have a turbo daily and the only thing I really miss is 5th gear for motorway driving but I don't spend enough time on there so it's no biggie for me really. Personally I'd just buy a MOTed mini and build an engine to drop in. At least that way your driving it and getting a feel for it while building something you can drop in with a few weeks work.

They don't die, they just get faster!

Yeah building an engine while driving around sounds like the best option I think. I still have so many more questions, what turbo to use, which engine to go for, what upgrades does the engine need to handle the turbo.

I must have spent the whole of this week going through this, TMF and another mini forum getting ideas and reading different threads. So much to learn! lol

Thanks for all your help so far folks.

Who doesn't feel even a little bit happier when a classic mini drives past them.

Either try get a complete turbo lump or get any bottom end n source a head, carb, turbo and manifolds...
Car wise itll be bulkhead box (depending on manifolds)
Fuel lines larger and return and fuel pump