This is my quest,
It is constantly blocked by budget and red tape.
You see, I'm stationed in the UK with the US forces and of course I had to buy a mini. It was pretty much a requirement.
After owning it for a few weeks I came to discover that 37 bhp was.... Not enough.
Thus so my adventure started.
First research, what should I do? Modify the engine? Swap the engine? Add an additional engine?
To my astonishment I found out that my little mini had been in a wreck, and the front subframe was tweaked just so. That means only one thing replacement. So, the engine is coming out anyway so it might as well be replaced. But with what?
Well the answer came in the form of another car, a cheap EP3 Civic type R that presented itself to me for almost no money. This, unfortunately.. fortunately set the path.
So, it's a k20a2, with 6 forward gears, 200 bhp powering those gears, and legendary reliability.
Now the problem is how do I fit it in the car?
There are kits that work just fine available but they all require an extension to the front end of the body, to accommodate the "huge" powerplant.
See, this doesn't sit well with me, I want to keep the factory body work and have a mini that only appears to be slightly modified. This wouldn't be a problem if I had acquired...... Literally any other commonly used conversion engine for the classic mini!!
At this point you know my path, and now for the obstacles.
The first being budget, I do not have a grand budget to do this and it'll have to be done over some time. Now that the major components are purchased I'd imagine I'm over the steep part of that hill... hopefully.
The next is the red tape,
The ultimate goal of the build is to take it home to the states, and as most of you must already know, there are.... rules to transporting an automobile across federal lines. The rule of no engine modifications or swaps in particular.
I have my quest, I have the parts, and I have the plan. Join me as I let my hard-headedness get the better of me and I ruin a classic mini because I can't be satisfied with 37 bhp and something that runs correctly.
Please Note: if you're expecting regular updates, and actual progress remember nothing substantial will be done until I move home.
Currently the plan is,
Install the K20A2 with transmission.
Use the factory gauge cluster in a MK1 mini basil.
Use the type are lower central console for the luxurious cupholders.
Install larger wheels and fender flares.
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Comments (2)
200 HP in a mini sounds like a dream machine! Registration back in the states sounds like a lot of DMV lines in your future. Might be worth it though.
I'm from SC, so it's no problems at all