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"Inferno" 16V Mini Project
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What is this all about?
I have always loved the look and feel of a Mini. It handles great, looks great and goes like a rocket. But it's an old car and has a few problems.
The engine is good, but even the powerful 1275CC has it's limits. And the engine is also not that reliable for start-first-time-every-time use.
So when I found out it was not too hard to get an engine from a new modern/powerful car and fit it into a Mini I was hooked. You get the classic good looks and feel of the Mini with the reliabilit and power of a new engine.
I also feel the back seat in a mini is rarely used and would be better as a boot, except it's not easy to get to currently.
What I want to do?
First off, I want to get a nice powerful (hopefully around 160-180bhp) engine (looking at Honda VTEC, B16B would be nice). I will then chop the front of whatever Mini I will use (maybe OSWEC) and put on a new subframe and hinge front body.
I also want to lower the roof a bit and maybe even make the doors longer and move the driver back a bit.
I also want to add a sunroof, do some major body changes and get big mag wheels.
The last big change is i want to turn the back window into a hinge up boot and remove the back seat and turn the whole back into a boot.
Then it's just all the fancy parts with the custom dash (maybe with LCD displays for car control and gauges), sound system, dual twin-pipe exhaust and paint job (black and fire design)
Costs and problems I forsee?
For starters, getting a good VTEC engine with wiring and gears and all that won't be too cheap. The Mini should not be hard to get (especially if I sue OSWEC).
The subframe and hinge front are a bit costly too, but I may be able to make my own.
The rest of it will add up in price (especially the sound system) but a lot of it will just take time and effort. And I will probably learn how to weld to make it cheaper still.
When will I do this?
I want to do it now, but lack funds. I think it will most like happen after I have done my big trip and got myself a new (more modern car) for everyday use.
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