Most liked posts in thread: Possible motor swap

Its one of those things....you dont see any for a pretty good reason. If you have money to just waste on something, that in the end would just be "neat" then all the power to ya.

If you want to make something that will remember for a lifetime, make it RWD and keep the drivetrain w/in the BMW family . But dont think for a minute you would end up with something i would trust on public roads.

 

I've built a few hot rods, mixing and matching major parts. Heck, I helped build a 1915 Ford Model T roadster that had no actual Ford parts! All my builds were roadworthy and driven regularly on public roads. There's no reason you couldn't put any engine/ transmission combination you want in your MINI and have it completely reliable.

Yes, MINIs have computer controlled engines, a lot of cars do, but even that is not a big problem to overcome.

Dave

 

B/C The computer controlling the engine itself is the least of your worries when wanting to do something like this...

It is very likely you wont have a working Air-Bag system (there are quite a few of them in the MINI). Not having a operating air-bag in a car equipped with them = not road worthy IMO, especially for a DD. Sure, you can drive it on the street with little to no issue, but you really trust the general public in oversized SUVs w/ the well being of your wifes life ? I certainly wouldnt. Even the seat belt restraints are computer controlled...

I dont think either of you two understand the complexity of the BMW/MINI computers, and how "not easy" it is to make them adaptable. It took 8 yrs of the car being released to the general public for there to be a self tune software available, and only ONE company offers it. Even that only goes into the tuning of the engine, and while the people who developed it likely can do you want you need your cars computer to do, can you really afford it/ is it really worth it ?

Building something old school, thats easy. I could do the wiring of such when i was 13...

 

As I understand it, the airbags are controlled by the body module, not the engine control unit. This really isn't rocket surgery:wink:. Adapting the software to work properly isn't that big a deal, it all can be done.

Dave

 

Dave, are you able to do it ? Do you know anyone that has done it ? I didnt think so... And yeah, sure it can be done, but at what cost ?


You are correct, the BCM does control the air-bags, BUT the BCM also communicates to the ECU for some info. Info that is needed for air bags to function properly. The systems are tied together.

 

No, I haven't done it, but I'm very confident that I could. You, apparently, are not.

Dave

 

There was a turbo justa built for a guy in Hawaii by the old fireball racing team. IIRC it had to have pistons and rods done and the boost was very mild. I think it was still only safe to 200hp. I searched a little and I couldn't find it though.

 

LoL All right then, ill take the first half of your response as you have no idea what it really takes... Confidence to do something doesnt actually get it done BTW.

Sorry to be the downer, but i just dont see either of yall actually accomplishing this. If you want to go into it further, contact some people who making a real living w/ MINIs: Mynes Tuning & FES Auto. Those two know the computer workings of a MINI better then anyone i am aware of.

 

Well good luck on the transformation, and i sincerely look forward to seeing the progression and thread.

 

Limited slip diff, for sure, and maybe a 17% pulley, headers and exhaust if you have a couple grand left in the budget. Other than that, just get the car back on the road. Doesn't go very fast on jack stands. :biggrin5:

You'll see such a difference with a manual trans and a JCW motor you won't need to upgrade much else.

 

FYI The only thing a "JCW Engine" gets you is a slightly ported head. And there are a lot of other heads that are better in every realm. Also, there is zero difference in the manual trannys when comparing JCW or standard S. There is actual no distinction between the two...

When people bought the JCW engine package, it came with a new S/C which had a 11% reduced pulley on it. That pulley is where a lot of the extra power came from. The larger injectors and JCW tune from the dealer is aided quite a bit. Point is, just getting a JCW long-block is going to do little in the way of adding a lot of HP (especially for the $$) over a standard rebuilt Cooper S longblock. The shortblocks are the same afterall...

Cam (singular as we only have one) is good!
Header (singular as we only have one) is very good as well!


Going straight to a S motor you could have the dealer flash your ECU for you, but it likely wont be cheap. If you start getting into a cam, header, and everything else "go fast" the FA53 would be a good thing to consider, along with larger (much larger) injectors.



I still think yall should sell it, and then buy a standard S and upgrade from there. B/C at the end of the day, you will end up with exactly that, but a MUCH MUCH MUCH more expensive version. Figure, youll only be out $5k to jump to an S.

 

Well best of luck to you then...lol

I know there was one person who has accomplished this in Europe and ive seen the build thread, but cant seem to find it now. I do know it look a lot of work on his end, and a lot of parts scavenging.