How fast is a quick mini?
Discussion
fastcarl said:
now thats knocking on , and i truley hope he dodn't crash at those speeds, the mini shell reaqlly would take a battering if he were to hit any armco whilst travelling at some of those high speeds, no cage .
carl
carl
I was thinking that as well. Good advert for the conversion though.
... be even quicker if the bloody Superbikes would get out of the way 
HAVE YOU SEEN THE K.A.D. SPACEFRAMED VAUXHALL MINI OF PETE EDWARDS.
I HAVE WATCHED THIS CAR QUITE A FEW TIMES NOW, TALKING TO HIS MECHANICS IT STILL RETAINS STANDARD TYPE MINI SUSPENTION FRONT & REAR.
I SAW THAT CAR GO AROUND THE OUT SIDE OF A TYRELL F1 CAR AT CRANER CURVES DONNINGTON PARK SHOWS JUST HOW GOOD THE MINI SUSPENTION DESIGN STILL IS I KNOW ALL THE MINI PURISTS OUT THERE WILL SAY ITS NOT A PROPPER MINI BECAUSE IT RUNS A VAUXHALL ENGINE BUT HE IS STILL FLYING THE FLAG FOR THE MINI
I HAVE WATCHED THIS CAR QUITE A FEW TIMES NOW, TALKING TO HIS MECHANICS IT STILL RETAINS STANDARD TYPE MINI SUSPENTION FRONT & REAR.
I SAW THAT CAR GO AROUND THE OUT SIDE OF A TYRELL F1 CAR AT CRANER CURVES DONNINGTON PARK SHOWS JUST HOW GOOD THE MINI SUSPENTION DESIGN STILL IS I KNOW ALL THE MINI PURISTS OUT THERE WILL SAY ITS NOT A PROPPER MINI BECAUSE IT RUNS A VAUXHALL ENGINE BUT HE IS STILL FLYING THE FLAG FOR THE MINI
? Just to add about how quick a Mini is....
I have two Minis at the moment. One has a reasonable spec 1380cc (straight cut box, stage 3 head, 296 cam etc) and the other has a transverse mounted Rover V8 3528cc (again, reasonable spec, 296 cam, EFI custom ECU etc).
Of the two, the 1380 is the best to drive. The V8 is amusing in a straight line, but handling is compromised and at the end of the day, both have enough power to break traction in 1st and 2nd gears, which on the roads I drive on is all that matters...
IMHO Minis aren't fast cars... Even though the V8 pushes out over 200bhp and weighs under 800kg, I still think my bog standard 200bhp 1300kg Fiat Coupe is faster. The Mini just isn't the car for big power. THAT IS, unless you want to have fun. If your taste is going fast in a straight line, look elsewhere. Most modern warm hatch stuff in standard tune will keep pace with a top spec Mini.. If you wanna have fun though - (again IMHO) the Mini cannot be beaten. Even a 70bhp Mini will put a bigger smile on your face than pretty much any poridge anyone makes these days.
I have two Minis at the moment. One has a reasonable spec 1380cc (straight cut box, stage 3 head, 296 cam etc) and the other has a transverse mounted Rover V8 3528cc (again, reasonable spec, 296 cam, EFI custom ECU etc).
Of the two, the 1380 is the best to drive. The V8 is amusing in a straight line, but handling is compromised and at the end of the day, both have enough power to break traction in 1st and 2nd gears, which on the roads I drive on is all that matters...
IMHO Minis aren't fast cars... Even though the V8 pushes out over 200bhp and weighs under 800kg, I still think my bog standard 200bhp 1300kg Fiat Coupe is faster. The Mini just isn't the car for big power. THAT IS, unless you want to have fun. If your taste is going fast in a straight line, look elsewhere. Most modern warm hatch stuff in standard tune will keep pace with a top spec Mini.. If you wanna have fun though - (again IMHO) the Mini cannot be beaten. Even a 70bhp Mini will put a bigger smile on your face than pretty much any poridge anyone makes these days.
Locally we have Derek Kessell in this Maguire replica. It is just short of 1300cc's and runs a 5 port head. Idles like a chainsaw and beats most things including single seaters. It is the highlight of the SW hillclimb season.
I'd put that as just about the maddest 5 port mini out there.
V8mini said:
If your taste is going fast in a straight line, look elsewhere. Most modern warm hatch stuff in standard tune will keep pace with a top spec Mini..
It depends what your idea of a top spec mini is, I know from experience that hot hatches do not even feature on the radar when i'm out hunting in my 'top spec mini'
A 100hp 5 porter with nylon bushes is not a top spec mini.
danwebster said:
It depends what your idea of a top spec mini is, I know from experience that hot hatches do not even feature on the radar when i'm out hunting in my 'top spec mini'
Agreed. It's possible to make a mini quick. I think what I was probably trying to get at is that if straight line performance is your only goal, there may be better starting points. You're right - I guess I didn't really mean "top spec" at all, more just "good spec": what joe on the street can achieve without breaking the bank. (ie, retaining A-series power and not getting too involved in mods to the rest of the car...)
Looking back through the thread, how expensive *serious* A-series power is has been discussed at some length already
I have to say personally I'm quite drawn to the idea of using a pre-fab subframe kit and going with VTEC power next, for a good combo of useability/performance/reliability - and a reasonably quick build. Never been out in one - anyone got one?? Does the suspension cope with the power? The vids of them on track are quite encouraging - don't look too much of a handful!
Edited by V8mini on Saturday 14th April 20:08
The only personal experience I have of engine transplant mini's going up against an A series on track was at the filming of the dvd, Ultimate Mini Extreme, where the A series car was the quickest by a decent margin. They were all driven by Bill Sollis.
From memory I think there were 2 bike engine cars, one honda, one vauxhall and a K series.
From memory I think there were 2 bike engine cars, one honda, one vauxhall and a K series.
danwebster said:
The only personal experience I have of engine transplant mini's going up against an A series on track was at the filming of the dvd, Ultimate Mini Extreme, where the A series car was the quickest by a decent margin. They were all driven by Bill Sollis.
Nice! The A-series would certainly be my weapon of choice. It seems to suit the Mini really well.
However I also love the idea of having an unmodified (as much as possible) modern engine/gearbox combo - mostly from a reliabilty point of view to be honest, more than outright performance. Leave any engine pretty much standard and they go on forever! Hopefully....
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