Mini Diesel engine options and suitable gearboxes

[Tatraman]

Beyond the known Mini diesel conversions that make use of either the 993cc 3-cylinder Daihatsu CL-Series, 1.4-1.5 PSA TUD and odd 1.5 Isuzu 4EC1 units, what other small diesel engines could realistically fit into a Classic Mini?

Have looked at the 41-53 hp 799cc 3-cylinder Turbodiesel from the Smart Fortwo CDI (that can apparently be remapped to produce around 69-75 hp) though even if the engine could easily slot into a Classic Mini, could the existing transmission be made to cope with the torque/etc from the 799cc 3-cylinder Turbodiesel unit (especially when remapped) or any other small diesel engine for that matter?

If not, what would be a suitable gearbox or would one have to settle for using the Smart's existing dodgy semi-automatic gearbox?

In the case of a remapped Classic Mini 800 CDI conversion, the prospect of 1275 Cooper S-like pace with potential 83MPG and 86g/km Co2 figures is very appealing (at least in theory).

[Tatraman]

cpas said:

Just a quick question. Are you doing this just out of interest to see if it can be done, or are you after economy? Have you calculated the mileage you would need to do at the extra MPG to pay for the conversion cost? Also, the CO2 figures won't mean you pay any less car tax.

Mainly to see whether it can be done though given the Mini is lighter than the Smart Fortwo, it would be interesting to see whether the mpg figures remain unchanged or are somehow improved upon.