vauxhall 16v, pro's and con's

[VODKAKID]

Anyone had or know of these conversions?? Whats the performance and handling like??
Any problems?
Just doing a bit of recon for engine ideas for my motor (when i get it!)
cheers
Andy

[plotloss]

The Vauxhall lump is heavy and it requires either a wing extension or a clubman front end like the VTEC.

VTEC is a better conversion but take the engine cost and treble it at least.

Then theres the modified subframe etc etc to add on top.

[vodkakid]

I hoping to get a clubman anyway, looking at the sites that do the conversion it should be within my buget. I was just wondering what there like to drive and such
Cheers
Ac

[jeffriesmullet]

have a look at this

www.16vminiclub.com

[Fatboy]

IIRC once you've done the VX 16v conversion, swapping it out for a VTEC later down the line isn't too difficult, so that ca be done once you get some more funds...

[phil hill]

I saw a mini with the Vauxhaul XE engine in at Stanford Hall which didn't have any wing extensions. And yes it was a round nose before you ask !!

I noticed that the pedal box was on the wrong side of the car, and asked the guy what he had done. He said he had fitted a second pedal box, connected the brake and clutch via a set of bars and cut off the pedal arms. Neat I thought.

Then when I described the set-up to a friend he said "Oh, right, so he's fitted a set of driving school dual-controls and then cut off the pedals......." to which I thought ok, maybe not so clever, but clever enough to have the idea in the first place !!

[vodkakid]

Is the vtec better??? why???
Andy

[plotloss]

Its much much lighter and fundamentally a better engine, if not as tuneable.

But then with the B18C6 Spec R pushing out around 210bhp on throttle bodies is more power going to be a consideration?

You could always fit nitrous!

[vodkakid]

What sort of performance can you get from minis with these enginges (in standard form)? do you know who does the vtec kits?
cheers
Andy

[plotloss]

210 from the Spec R VTEC (Integra Type R) and around 140-160 from the 1.6 VTEC.

Two leaders in the field are

www.watsonrally.co.uk and www.saeminivtec.co.uk (I think).

I cant remember the name of the company that does the Vauxhall conversion (AMT or similar) as I didnt look into that all that far...

[annodomini2]

Ok excluding cost, would a K20A fit?

[jacko lah]

If you go the Vauxhall route then try mig web and cav web for engines and advice on head pourousity.

If you are going XE why not LET (300 bhp plus possible with the right parts and lots of money)

Personally I think you must be mad. The Metro Turdo engine is the way I'd go, with 5 speed straight cut jack knight gearbox and the boost pressure altered.

By the way : I'm right in thinking it's not gonna be a daily driver ?

[plotloss]

annodomini2 said:

Ok excluding cost, would a K20A fit?

Is that the S2000 lump?

If so Watsons are trying to make it fit...

[Fatboy]

plotloss said:

annodomini2 said: Ok excluding cost, would a K20A fit? Is that the S2000 lump? If so Watsons are trying to make it fit...

If it is, it's not too different from the Civic typre R lump (on the outside anyway)...

Still, on a cost basis you'd be better off bunging a supercharger on an Integra type R lump....

[vodkakid]

Yeah it would be my daily driver. The thing is im total virgin when it comes to minis and there are so many engine options out there, what im looking for is something that would get me a good whack off the mark (something around the 5's for 0-60)
is this just a silly idea or is it possible with some of the options around. (sorry if im a bit dim but im new to this motor) Buget would be around 12k for car and bits
cheers
Andy

[plotloss]

For that money its got to be VTEC.

Both Watsons and SAE will do you a conversion with doing all the work complete with a DTA and the Throttle Bodies for about £11K

Or you could get a professionally fitted Turbo Hyabusa Unit for about £3K more...

[vodkakid]

but that leaves me 1k to buy the car and do the other mods

[plotloss]

Thats about fair as the conversion cost includes paint I think.

What other mods were you planning?

[minimax]

vodkakid said:

but that leaves me 1k to buy the car and do the other mods

save up a bit longer!

[rougeleo]

I think in the end , to much power in a mini it becomes unsafe and undrivable .

I did see a very nice 1300 GTI Suzuki Engine fitted in a Mk3 Cooper S ( without destroying the car either , but with a very well made modified subframe )
I think its been a mag feature
It was at the recent Kimbolton Country fayre and Classi car show , think the guy came from Cambridge , I must say the car sounded spot on and was a real Wolf in Sheeps clothing .


Vitec over Vauxhall for me as well , but I'll stick with the A and A+.