Most liked posts in thread: Possible motor swap

The transmission swap can certainly be done. I don't know that it won't bolt right up, but even if it doesn't, there are many techniques to put initially incompatible engines and transmissions together. You can make adapter plates, weld tabs to the transmission and mix and match clutches and flywheels, it's all about how innovative you are.

Dave

 

I'd guess the second gen trans would turn in the opposite direction. I gear forward & 6 reverses. :shocked:

 

That 1.8T swap sounds pretty bad ass

 

I'm not sure either of those would be doable. Well I guess anything is given enough time skill & money. I think I'd go with an R53 engine & tranny swap, might be easier than the ones you've mentioned.

 

The R56 engine is backwards, so you're talking new intake and exhaust manifolds, etc. No idea about the SRT-4 engine.

Engine swaps used to be relatively easy, before OBD-II and modern electronics. Now you really don't know if everything will sync up until you've installed it and hooked up the battery. The packaging is difficult on FWD cars, too, because everything's crammed in there.

Why not an 05-06 R53 manual? You might be able to find a rollover car with the engine intact.

 

I believe you can put a turbo on the Brazilian lump.

 

If my memory serves right, the R53 and SRT4 motors are very similar. I hate to admit it but the Brazilian motor is from a Chrysler plant that built the SRT motor too. On a side note, WMW sells brand new R53 motors in stock and not so stock forms.

Shawn

 

It would certainly make tuning it easier and bolting it up would take a lot less guesswork. I didn't want to come right out and say we have a neon motor, but there it is!

Shawn

 

The R53 block was also used in European market PT Cruisers and Neons if I remember correctly.

I know some Neon parts work on the MINI, I had to get some internal head parts once and we used Neon race parts. I forget what the part was, sorry.

 

The big thing in swapping motors is all the electronics have to be changed also.
R53 motor will go into R50.
The ECU, etc will also have to be changed.
Major costs.
R53 could be turboed but same issue with all the sensors, etc.
R50 engine can not be turboed without complete reconstruction of block, crank, rods, pistons, etc.
SRT-4 Neon would not fit.
You would have to use Neon transmission.
Would require the complete mod of front suspension, steering, and chassis.
Neon electronics will not work in MINI.
R53 Getrag transmission can be swapped into R50.
Your best thing is to do a complete port job on R53 head, big valves, springs, NS-1 cam,
Header & exhaust system, 267mm fuel injectors.
This would be the cheapest method also.
HP would be 140-165.

 

For 1 thing, the overall size of the motor.
You are taking a 1600cc motor and trying to cram a 2400cc motor in its place.
The MINI engine compartment is not all that large to begin with.
The SRT is a longer & wider engine because of it's displacement.
You need to check some things out before you get involved in a project that will never end.
SRT is a different style and type of motor than the MINI Tritec.
Parts are not interchangeable in any way, shape or form.
Getrag transmissions do not bolt onto SRT's.
Cooling systems are different.
Electronics are different.
Exhaust is different.
It would cost you at least $6,000.00 mininmum for that type of conversion if it could be done.
Several shops in England tried this when the MINI was first introduced.
Not 1 of them every completed the project.
You need to consider the engineering of such a project.
To much HP on FWD cars do not handle very well in the turns.
Yes it goes in a straight line.
MINI is designed for cornering, not drag strips.
Suggest you do some reading of automobile design & engineering.
Not everything is possible.

 

I have played with all of the Chrysler part. The MINI engine is related, and was designed by the same people, but there are differences. The Chrysler engines for this country were made as 2 and 2.4 engines. The bore is the same. The stroke is different. Both displacements were made as single and twin cam. The single cam head is similar to the MINI head. The biggest external difference is the larger cousins use a rubber belt to drive the cams. Both engines are much bigger than the MINI engine. The bore spacing is different and the engine is a lot longer. I do not know the how the single cam 2 L engine compares in height, but the 2.4 L engine is much taller. If you try to put that engine in a first generation Neon on the stock motor mounts you have to put a hole in the hood. The block is taller, and the twin cam head is taller than the single cam head. The 2.4 L engine was really designed as a high torque engine for mini vans. The second generation Neon could accommodate the 2.4 and the turbo PT Cruiser was already planned. Chrysler let SRT (I had a friend working for SRT at the time) build the SRT-4 if they did not use too many different parts. The engines are basically the same between the SRT-4 and the Cruiser. The difference is the intercooler and intake manifold. The transmissions are different. The Cruiser uses a Getrag, and the Neon uses a Chrysler. The Chrysler trans. Is a much improved version of transmission in the R50

 

Read post #14.
It really isn't worth it unless you have a lot of time and money to invest with no thought of ever getting any of it back.

 

If you want to engine swap you need to start w/ a budget and work from there. Any sort of engine swap, whether "IMPOSSIBLE" or not, it will cost money.

If you differ from something 'made' by MINI, you will run into HUGE amount of headaches concerning integration of the electronics. (Speedo, tach, etc.)

Other motors to dream of cramming in there: k20, and GM ECOTec turbo (capable of 500hp pretty easy).