Let's say you have a budget of up to $8k (maybe a little more, up to $10k perhaps) for the motor and related items (including mod plates/compliance if needed) - the car is going to be a daily driver (though a second car), but I want it to be fast (but drivable, the wife will also be using it, occasionally!)

Basic choice would seem to be whether to stick with the A series and modify that heavily (eg. super/turbocharge, 16V twinky head etc) or carry out a modern conversion (I'm drawn to the R1 option, but the 16V Suzuki looks to be nice as well, or even a Honda VTEC?)

I know everyone is going to have a different opinion here, but seeing as I'm after ideas, that's a good thing! Looking forward to hearing your thoughts, ideas and suggestions chaps!

To start with you have to declare what you call 'fast'. I've said it before, if it was all about going fast, you wouldn't start with a mini. Not for a straight line anyway.

You're right there of course! I'm talking 'fast' around town, so very quick acceleration 0-60km/hr (or 0-80km/hr), able to surprise (and beat!) the local V8's and rice-burners . Not fussed about top speed or quarter-mile, it's all about the 'red light drag' for me . Would be good to get performance on par with a modern hot hatch (Megane RS and the like) for instance...

Turbo'd A-series, not that expensive to do and will give the torque to boot! Manifolds can be sourced locally carby and plenum from UK eBay, wind up the boost, get 150hp atw thanks for coming

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Here am I sitting in my tin can far above the Moon
Planet Earth is blue and there's nothing I can do...



“A turbo: exhaust gasses go into the turbocharger and spin it, witchcraft happens and you go faster.” - Jeremy Clarkson

I can see this thread turning into a word battle, it really does depend on you though... will u want the car to just be quick around town or would u be on the open road (a conversion would give u a 5 speed box?) How long do u want to take to do this? Still a few questions to ask yaself, everyone will have their own opinion so beware

matty

_________________
Here am I sitting in my tin can far above the Moon
Planet Earth is blue and there's nothing I can do...



“A turbo: exhaust gasses go into the turbocharger and spin it, witchcraft happens and you go faster.” - Jeremy Clarkson

CAN OF WORMS OPENED LOOK OUT, The purists will want to kill you the mad modifiers will want to be you... I for one am watching in anticipation.
good luck

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If its got tits or wheels its gonna cost you

1973 Solid side Leyland Mini Panelvan 1100 in Hairy Lime(Elma)
1976 Clubby project in progress
1966 Morris Mini Deluxe in need of a full resto
1971 Mini K Garden Art

motorbike head

good ol a-series

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1152cc turbo A-series now with 125.7hp at the wheels !

AUSSIE Turbo mini forum >> http://boostmini.justboard.net/

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Benjamin that is the dopest thing I've seen in months......

+1... that does indeed look the biz! Have to say, there's a lot to be said with getting the most out of an A-series, 'keeping it real' so to speak, and certainly (likely to be?) the 'easiest' option? 120hp+ at the wheels (with a Quaife ATB diff) would be 'adequate' for my needs I'm sure

10k including car by the way or just upgrades?

purely talking about the engine (and any related/required ancillaries for engineering approval)... Will already have the car (very interested in one in the classifieds at the moment actually!) Total budget for my 'dream mini' will be around the same as a decent modern hot hatch, I'm planning on 'up to' $30k in total (over the course of the project, not straight up! )

10 k is a huge budget then! If your keeping the A series I would have trouble spending that much without doing something crazy.

Don't have to spend it all! That's a maximum figure . But I do have a decent budget to play with, just need to work out what I want/should do, hence the chasing around for ideas

I'm not fussed on keeping the car 'pure' btw, I mean, here's the beast that's taken my eye in the classifieds:



Not exactly 'subtle' is she? But I really like it! Boy racer or what?