Returned From VTEC Hell At Last
Orig. Posting Date | User Name | Edit Date |
Mar 25, 2017 05:00AM | CooperTune | |
Mar 24, 2017 06:03AM | Cheleker | |
Mar 23, 2017 06:31PM | thewerewolf | Edited: Mar 23, 2017 06:32PM |
Mar 23, 2017 03:47PM | trevor6058 | Edited: Mar 24, 2017 01:32PM |
Mar 17, 2017 04:36AM | CooperTune | |
Mar 13, 2017 10:40AM | specialist | |
Mar 13, 2017 03:41AM | helpmymini | |
Mar 9, 2017 12:17AM | JerseyMini | |
Mar 8, 2017 04:10PM | armycook | Edited: Mar 8, 2017 04:15PM |
Mar 8, 2017 03:45PM | Spank | Edited: Mar 8, 2017 03:48PM |
Mar 8, 2017 10:44AM | armycook | |
Mar 8, 2017 09:05AM | Spank | Edited: Mar 8, 2017 03:43PM |
Mar 8, 2017 05:45AM | armycook | |
Mar 7, 2017 07:42PM | maj4479 | |
Mar 6, 2017 11:13PM | JerseyMini | |
Mar 5, 2017 09:52AM | thewerewolf | |
Mar 5, 2017 07:50AM | Ratrodmini | |
Mar 5, 2017 07:48AM | Ratrodmini | |
Mar 5, 2017 06:31AM | CooperTune | |
Mar 3, 2017 01:20PM | Jemal |
Found 26 Messages
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- I kept an eye out for a running driving honda for cheap/crashed/or could be parted out.Had to be a D16 vtec for me.Bought a car for 500..sold suspension and a few aftermarket things off of it and scrapped the car and got 500 in return and an ECU/Harness/engine/trans/linkage etc for free. -Bought the MTD kit from Minitec for 2400? Found cheaper ways to complete the rest.. -poly engine mounts on eBay for 100 bucks I think it was -radiator and fan for $50 and relocated the lower port over a little -Found the shocks on here from a member,was going to measure and source cheaper then Minitec though elsewhere.
There are a lot of ways to save money on this swap but it still is expensive in some ways but a lot can be saved.You can message me at anytime if I could help or if you are trying to figure out prices or what is needed to do certain things.Also,think about it before you pay someone to do the swap.If imagine it sucks having a car that you can't google or ask around how to fix an issue because its a crossbred car and fully custom lol really is nice to know the car inside and out.
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edit/ just sent you an email.
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I should also add. My wife paid $3,600 for the awesome 05 MINI S and the 94 miata that I referred to I just sold with full smog, 2 years of registration paid for $1500. For what you sold your rally replica for, you could buy 6 MINIs plus 1 miata and drive a different one every day.
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I think the SPI mini is the best compromise for a 20+ year old car and modern functionality, sound deadening, daily driver and distance practicality, but still a unique hobby car you can make improvements to handling and suspension and has the classic mini ride. It also has the benefit of being able to convert over to carbureted and points driven ignition if something goes t!ts up and replacement injection parts are not available.
Unfortunately, we cannot get one here in CA without an engine swap into an older car. If you are going to go the engine swap route of putting an SPI drivetrain into a classic (which I am considering doing with a Riley Elf I have), it will probably be not a whole lot more work to do a D-series swap with a kit that someone else has already properly developed.
That said, I'm not convinced that some of the mass-marketers of the honda mini kits properly developed them. They make it sound easy, they put together a nice kit and tell you there's lots of help and experience out there, but there is still a LOT of fabrication work involved. To test my theory, find out what the "All-inclusive Kit" price is, then ask them the "fully installed, turn-key pick it up in XYZ and drive home 1500mi away" price is. Take that price difference and divide it by 100. That's roughly how many hours it will take this EXPERIENCED shop to do the swap and stand behind their work.
Lately, I've had my own prior biases against some cars be softened and I have been presently surprised. While we've had some MINIs before (05 cvt vert, 02 S with lots of mods, 05 JustaCooper, 12 Countryman S), my wife's current daily, an 05 S w/ 160K mi on it is by far the most fun MINI I've ever driven and enlivens the little bubble of giddiness I get with I drive well-sorted classic minis. I've always said it isn't fair to compare the mini to the MINI, but with this 05 car, I get why people do it. Hopping in this thing, you'd NEVER believe it were 10-11 years old and at 160K miles.
The other car that also gave me pause and new found respect: an NA miata (in my case, a 1994 base model w/ 135K on the clock). Nimble, slightly underpowered in the seat-of-the-pants department, but seems to react about like a high powered 998 of warmed over 1275 would respond.
My advice: Go to a new or used car dealership on a nice day and go test drive some MINIs just to give yourself a baseline. I know, it's not a classic. But go for the drive a bunch of cars for free and then question what you want and why you want it. Having a classic car that is a reliable daily driver is along the lines of a high schooler wanting to be a professional athlete. Pretty common. Not out-of-the-question. Lots of crushed dreams along the way. A very select few ever achieve their dream. And those who succeed are always very gifted/skilled in the area of their want, very dedicated and perhaps singularly focused, and often times have connections to get their foot in the door.
Congrats on your sale and good luck achieving your dream.
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I think the SPI mini is the best compromise for a 20+ year old car and modern functionality, sound deadening, daily driver and distance practicality, but still a unique hobby car you can make improvements to handling and suspension and has the classic mini ride. It also has the benefit of being able to convert over to carbureted and points driven ignition if something goes t!ts up and replacement injection parts are not available.
Unfortunately, we cannot get one here in CA without an engine swap into an older car. If you are going to go the engine swap route of putting an SPI drivetrain into a classic (which I am considering doing with a Riley Elf I have), it will probably be not a whole lot more work to do a D-series swap with a kit that someone else has already properly developed.
That said, I'm not convinced that some of the mass-marketers of the honda mini kits properly developed them. They make it sound easy, they put together a nice kit and tell you there's lots of help and experience out there, but there is still a LOT of fabrication work involved. To test my theory, find out what the "All-inclusive Kit" price is, then ask them the "fully installed, turn-key pick it up in XYZ and drive home 1500mi away" price is. Take that price difference and divide it by 100. That's roughly how many hours it will take this EXPERIENCED shop to do the swap and stand behind their work.
Lately, I've had my own prior biases against some cars be softened and I have been presently surprised. While we've had some MINIs before (05 cvt vert, 02 S with lots of mods, 05 JustaCooper, 12 Countryman S), my wife's current daily, an 05 S w/ 160K mi on it is by far the most fun MINI I've ever driven and enlivens the little bubble of giddiness I get when I drive well-sorted classic minis. I've always said it isn't fair to compare the mini to the MINI, but with this 05 car, I get why people do it. Hopping in this thing, you'd NEVER believe it were 10-11 years old and at 160K miles.
The other car that also gave me pause and new found respect: an NA miata (in my case, a 1994 base model w/ 135K on the clock). Nimble, slightly underpowered in the seat-of-the-pants department, but seems to react about like a high powered 998 of warmed over 1275 would respond.
My advice: Go to a new or used car dealership on a nice day and go test drive some MINIs just to give yourself a baseline. I know, it's not a classic. But go for the "drive a bunch of cars for free" and then question what you want and why you want it. Having a classic car that is a reliable daily driver is along the lines of a high schooler wanting to be a professional athlete. Pretty common. Not out-of-the-question. Lots of crushed dreams along the way. A very select few ever achieve their dream. And those who succeed are always very gifted/skilled in the area of their want, very dedicated and perhaps singularly focused, and often times have connections to get their foot in the door.
Congrats on your sale and good luck achieving your dream.
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I've got nothing against HONDA power, but many people wishfully think it's as easy as assembling a Lego kit! It's not! You may have a new niche Steve!!
Looking into investing in something safe and well thought strong power plant that is also fun to work on. Not fully convinced with going Honda vtec yet and still doing my research on maybe a 5 speed A series. But not looking to spend ridiculous $10k.
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I am on my high horse I know, but it is hard to watch bashing people because they do something to their own car. Now personally I have considered doing something pretty brash to "Barb." The person that I went to for advice/help was adamant there is nothing that can be done. I in turn privately ripped them a new one. I am sorry to that person, for being a douche. Because I am a newb, I hope that person cuts me some slack.
Mike, it stinks you had a "world's most expensive Europa," experience. Glad everything is sorted out and maybe we can see you at the MME in Columbus, OH. Either way happy trails in this community.
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Hell I would never drive it without the turbo now lol
Really is NO point.My turbo D is amazing all around cruising highway with the 3.72 final drive and 10" wheels smoother and quieter then it ever was with the raspy mini exhaust.Do it right and put attention to where its needed and you will be happy with it.If you slap a B series from a car intended for tires 6 inches taller or w.e and a stupid muffler you'll be miserable .
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I've got nothing against HONDA power, but many people wishfully think it's as easy as assembling a Lego kit! It's not! You may have a new niche Steve!!
hec.
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hec.
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BTW the engine and tranny ( Honda ) was a burned out racing engine the rice boys just wanted to get rid of. It has been a pleasure working with my brothers from NC and Va. Steve (CTR)
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I've got nothing against HONDA power, but many people wishfully think it's as easy as assembling a Lego kit! It's not! You may have a new niche Steve!!
Found 26 Messages