Hi all,

I’m new to the forum and have been a keen reader for a long time. This year I’m hopefully getting myself a rover mini . I’ve always been keen on a vtec conversion and came across this ad https://www.carsales.com.au/cars/detail ... AD-6458702

Is this a members car? I haven’t gone to inspect it yet but keen on taking a closer look.

I’m wanting a daily driver so getting it engineered would be key but I’m not mechanically skilled enough to do this myself so unsure on how much I should budget on top of the car purchase as is.

Hopefully I’ve posted in the right place and I’d welcome thoughts/advice.

Thanks.

Unknown to me if it belongs to a member here.
Basically if you were to buy a rover and modify it yourself you would spend that money and more on the conversion, so in that sense it could be good value.

I’m more interested to know why it’s been built and drives, but hasn’t been engineered. I’d almost think if it was close enough to done why not go that last step and sell it engineered where it would increase its value by more than the cost of the certificate? If it was built without input from an engineer, are we sure the alteration / upgrades are up to standard?

If you were to choose to buy it, the path to getting it certified would be a big unknown. Going by the ad the car has a home made subframe - finding an engineer to certify that in the worst case may mean pulling it out for an inspection, alteration, or replacement. Being a ‘93 model could throw up requirements not a lot of us have had to go though as most cars modified are done using pre 89 model cars to avoid the tough crash reg requirements after modding the front of the car. If you are in Vic, finding an engineer to do it at all might be a challenge in itself!

I’d bank on needing 5-6k minimum to finish and register it - Engineering could be anywhere from $1500-$4000 depending who you use and what tests they need to do (eg brakes, emissions, swerve).

Also, an engine conversion car as a daily driver will not prove to be reliable. A stock late model rover would be better at that.

What Harley said...and I would be asking if the original A+ is still available, comes with the sale

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"Show me the Mini!"

Really helpful advice on the cost and good tip on asking if the A+ engine comes with the sale.

I’ve searched the forums for engineers in Melb but didn’t see any names...could you recommend one?

Want to at least have a chat to explore a little more but not ruling out a jap import of a late model rover as suggested.

Lots of the mini-experienced engineers have shut shop now that the engineering requirements and procedures are rumoured to tighten up a lot later this year.
Where abouts are you? I might know of somebody depending where you are.

last engineer I spoke to said it HAS to meet VSB14 at a minimum.

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I’m in the Burwood area.

Theres a bloke by the name Blake Arrowsmith in that area who could be worth chatting to.
I’ll be using him for any future projects of my own.
He hasn’t done any engine conversioned minis before though so might be a little out of his depth.

Thanks for that, I’ll look him up and take it from there.

Looks like it's been sold, that honda engined Mini. How much did the seller ask for it?
Did you end up buying it?