The Ultimate Classic Mini?

Sections: Best of the Web Jan 18th, 2005 40 Comments

What happens when you take a late model classic Mini with its incredible handling and throw in a modern, high output Honda VTEC engine? Something fast and a bit dangerous. The guys Car & Driver took a look at this monster in their latest issue, here's an excerpt:

The Mini Tec VTEC is one of the fastest, and, um, furious-est, drives south of a Z06. Just look at the numbers from the one we tested-1792 pounds and a claimed 220 horsepower. The Honda engine was originally for the Acura Integra Type R and was rated for 195 horsepower. But Mini Tec says better-breathing intake and exhaust systems add 25 ponies, and despite copious amounts of wheelspin, the VTEC Mini still scooted to 60 mph in 5.0 seconds.

But sliding a 21st-century VTEC into this Bronze Age Mini takes more than shoehorns and grease. Norman Holley, a Clemson graduate engineer, devised his Mini Tec B-series subframe to facilitate the VTEC Mini's Frankenstein-ism. The hood and the front fenders must be stretched forward four inches. (It's not noticeable until you're told it's there; then it looks cryptically cool.) The conversion doesn't change the stock Mini's front-suspension dimensions, welcoming any new or aftermarket Mini wheel. The Honda radiator has room to sit low, with no ugly hood modifications. A standard Mini brake servo and stock upper control arms and uprights combine with the standard Honda distributor and ECU. Camber, caster, and ride height are fully adjustable. Except for its invisible nose extension, the Mini Tec Mini is indistinguishable from a 35-hp '59 Mini.

[ Specialty File: Mini TEC VTEC Mini (Car & Driver) ]

Written By: Gabe

scott

I want one.
Matt

me too.
minicoopermike

That makes 3 of us :-D
Jim

Yeah that place is near Atlanta, they also have a large number of “standard” Classic Minis that they sell and update.
Allan

same here
Chuckie

Pick up the issue of C&D. It is a good read. The car looks bone stock on the outside (nevermind the twin tail pipes) and perfectly upgraded on the inside.

Worth the few bucks to get the issue.

By the way, I want one too.
Vanwall
Hey, leave one for me! Nicely done, I must say. Bet it's lighter than the old iron lump A-block. ;-)
```
      BCNU,
     Rob in Dago
```
LTL M CPE

I learned about the V Tech craze at the Mini East Meets West in Rockford, IL this past summer. Does make a pretty incredible little Mini. I'll throw my name on the wanting one list. :)

Jim 02 MCS Dinan S1
scott

Wonder if a Jackson Racing supercharger can fit in anywhere? I've had the article for about two weeks (forgot to send it to Gabe after scanning it though) and it would be a really, really tight fit based on the photos.
http://www.motoringfile.com/ gabe

yeah I've had a ton of people send this one to me… but unfortunately the story wasn't on the site until recently. And since I don't get Car & Driver I hadn't seen the article and couldn't report on it. Since it's not huge news I didn't think it was worth shelling out the $4 to page through (something I had refused to do since the last redesign) I figured I'd wait until it was on the site.

In the future if there's something out there that you'd like to see on the site feel free to write up something and submit it!
http://www.jwardell.com/mini/ Josh Wardell

I subscribe and would be happy to quote upcoming C&D articles. But IMO it is still the best car mag out there and at $10 a year it is hard to argue!
Frank

The general concensus among the “Classic Mini circles” is that the minute you yank out the venerable “A-engine” and drop something else inside the engine bay of an old Mini, that car can no longer considered to be a “true” Mini.

I tend to agree with this point of view to an extent, but it is hard to ignore how much more fun these little cars become with a high revving powerplant.

Someone in the Netherlands a couple of years ago, took a small block V8 Chevy and put it on the rear bed of a classic Mini pick-up truck. The car was converted to RWD. It was a beast and tons of oversteer to boost. But that car was no longer a Mini, it became a transplant of something else.
http://www.motoringfile.com/ Gabe

Josh – you are now the official MF/C&D man! BTW I have always enjoyed the columnists and overall writing of C&D (I had a subscription from 10 years old to just a few years ago) but I just can't stand the recent redesign. I know I know… I'm totally a design snob ;)
Pete

I feel bad for the Type R owners… this is just one more reason why people will want to steal there car and sell the engine on ebay. As if the all the integra LS's and civics weren't enough.
Frank

Don't forget that a classic Mini only weighs around 1,300-1,500 pounds, so when you drop a V-TEC engine capable of producing 160HP+ you are essentially creating a drag strip monster.

The last Minis produced (1995-99) with fuel injected A-engines are capable of producing around 90HP and they feel mighty fast. Imagine what almost double the HP rating can do on one of these little critters.
http://www.squirty.com/kurt kcollins

I have one thing to say – HOLY S! I want!
allan MICHAEL

….but $30k… $2k more and you have a pre-owned M3 with 25k miles?!
indimini

Here's a link with more info on the conversion Mini's. Very cool looking cars.

http://www.gomini.com/fs/vtec/vtec.htm
Grumpygills

oops… my hubby just fainted.

His '67 was the same yellow (black roof).
Josh

Looks like a car in need of an LSD, I would think it would be able to do faster than that. Its lighter and more powerful than the Lotus, albeit less aerodynamic and FWD.

Very cool.
Dave

whatever – seen these before and really don't get it.
nrkist

Agreed. Definitely not the “ultimate classic mini.”

I believe that title is held by this car:

http://www.channel4.com/4car/media/classics/mini-cooper/03-large/1964-monte-carlo-closeup.jpg
pete

dosent all this horsepower on the tiny M-wagen mess up the rigidness of the body? if not, i also want one.
PeB_35

lol : “If you're a guy (or gal) who thinks Vin Diesel is a girly man, this R-car is the Mini for you.”

This car is for me :D
duboy

I live in Atlanta, so going to Alpharetta to check out their stash of Mini's is something i'm willing to do :-) i've been wanting an original for some time now, but never really got to searching because I didn't even know where to start… but gomini seems like a great place!
http://lawrenceotoole.com lawrence::otoole

Did you check out the interior shot of their garage?

http://www.gomini.com/gallery/03600008.JPG

Triumphs… Minis… English-iron-lover heaven.
Rossii

Looking to see what Minis are selling for and found this:

http://www.craigslist.org/pen/car/56169179.html
Ben Lavigne

…Another trend (see the latest Mini Magazine) is using rear-mounted Hayabusa motorcycle engine… 250 HP with turbo… chain-drive to the differential through a sequential gearbox! The sounds must be glorious, although loud, coming from the rear seat!
http://telly.bravo5.org/blojsom/blog brian

The 'busa-powered Mini is definitely cool. Check out the movie on the homepage here (which plays whether you want it to or not): http://www.zcars.org.uk/

Wow! I have got to get me one of these! :-)
hugo

deseo mas detalles sobre la construccion del frame
dan

iam doing this for a project a college. its my mates project and he must be crazy its goin 2 be well quick.
sam

how much bhp does a standard classic mini have if you can help me please email me on worthy_666@hotmail.com
Paul Rodda

What’s a Mini(Classic)? I have a 150bhp KAD 16v Mini-have run the 16v A-series conversion for 9 yrs now,and it is an absolute blast.Still a “propa” Mini with iron block, gearbox-in-the-sump, 3 main bearing crank and all that. And still FWD. I love it.Have also run a 2litre Opel/Vauxhall 8v turbo in a Mini and am building a 1.8litre Opel 8v into a Mini to use as an everyday hack car.With 95kW (throttle bodies, but otherwise standard), it will be quite quick enough, civilized and reliable. But I do agree that a Mini Classic ought to have an A-series lump/donk/engine in it. The Opel 8v unit in a round-nose Mini is priceless when you (Quietly) tear past a modern plastic.

Either way, HUGE FUN.

Paul
Brian kenyon

Hi there i was woundering if you can send me the plans for two hayabusa engines for the back of a mini. thanks my e-mail is yarg@hotmail.co.uk
olly

it’s great but couldn’t they have mounted the engine in the passenger compartment just in front of the rear axle a la renault 5 turbo and sport clio v6 or am i missing something? it would handle hazardously it would be so much cooler
olly

*but it would be so much cooler how tall is too tall to be able to fit in this car? bet paddy hopkirk would’ve liked one of these
Andy K.

I’m 6’6″, 280lbs and I fit in both my ’66 Cooper S and my ’71 just fine. (Standard low-back seats). Err…ok, so I have to squish my legs up a bit, but it’s nowhere near uncomfortable. Matter of fact, it (the old Mini) had more room in it than our new MINI Cooper S did. The old car could actually hold 4 people with me driving whereas the new car was strictly a 2 person affair.
mark monroe

I bought a restored mini from Mini Tec,with the flip front fiberglass front end.I have been building the car for about 3 mounths now.It is about 90 percent finished.I have the b18c japanese type r motor/LSD/taller gears/super brake kit.I have drove the yellow car from car and driver.It was scary fast,but not nearly as fast as my car is supposed to be,according to Mini Tec.I cant wait.
phil c.

mark how much did u spend on building your mini..thinking to do the same.i have 71
Will

hey guys what happened to the gomini website, i havent been there ina while and when i decided to check back and see whats new i see a mini storage website….anyone know if they changed domains?

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