Hi Guys,
Just wanted to know if anyone has any first hand knowledge of a rover mini being engineered and registered in NSW with a VTEC / swing fiberglass front conversion. Cheers

Whats up guys. I've read over the site and a lot of people are talking about vtec conversions but no one seems to know if its been done before. Seems to me that if any of you were serious about this conversion ( like me ) that it would be the first question you should ask!

hehe - I don't believe there are any registered VTEC minis in Australia, there are 2 B16A race cars in the Sydney area (Wollongong and Penrith), one B16A race car in Melbourne and there are at least 3 B16 conversions that are planned to be road registered..... have a look at the "CONVERSIONS REGISTER" sticky and you'll find some details.

so what's up? I'll ask you a question in return - why do you need a precident before getting an engineer on board and getting on with it

If the first starlet converter had waited for someone else to do it, there wouldn't be 9 or 10 of them either on the street or in progress

Simon

BTW, I'm doing a D16, non VTEC, so I don't apply to your query about them...

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did I tell you that I won a trophy?

For a start, is the VTEC engine any better than startlet or the suzuki swift engines for a mini in terms of performace? Is it more dearer to get too?

I might be planning to implant one into a cluman.

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1964 Morris Mini 850 - G13b gti powered - classic yet practical
1968 Morris Minimatic - 1100cc - classic & breakable
Sun Certified Java Programmer v5 310-055

I can't think of a reason why you would opt Honda over a Toyota. Sure over a the G13b, but not a 4EFTE.

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But he's thriving and striving and hugging the turns.

i hear the v tech is heavier and more expensive then the 4efte


less power too if im right

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You also have to extend roundnose front for VTEC I heard a couple of guys were dong VTEC in Melbourne through Bernie. Mat be some on the road soon.

JC Whats wrong with G13B?

Just not fast enough. If you can fit the turbo and the intercooler, then the 4EFTE gives you way more bang for the same effort. If you want your car to be outwardly identical to an A-series powered Mini, then G13B or smaller is the go.

As you are probably aware, to blaze the trail can be an expensive procedure. The reason that I wanted to know if others have done this conversion is so I can spend less time and money achieving the same result.

As for the VTEC, have you driven one? Good solid engine with a racy feel to it. Heaps of power too when transplanted into a light mini. I already have a turbo racer (escort running 1.7 bar boost), and although it is big on power its nice to drive non-turbos too.

I was also under the impression that the front has to also be extended on the round nose minis with the Suzuki engine?? That’s why if I have to go to the trouble, I'd rather a VTEC 1600cc. Anyone got any thoughts....

No there are various roundnoses about in Oz using G13B with and without turbo, no lengthening needed.

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DrMini- 1970 wasaMatic 1360, Mk1S crank, 86.6HP (ATW) =~125 @ crank, 45 Dellorto (38 chokes), RE282 sprint cam, 1.5 rockers, 11.0:1 C/R.

With serious firewall modifications...

You can go a G13b with out extending the front & without touching the firewall..

As for fip front in nsw a engineer told me that if we were going to do it. It would need to still have a removable bonnet. So as long as you could still pop the bonnet like normal.
you could also put in a flip front..

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Baracade
Relationships! The only time you get to sleep with the enemy!
1972 US Export Moke in Bundaberg QLD

I thought we were still talking about VTEC...

Nothing wrong with it. Just the reward for effort is far less than a Honda and even farther less than the 4efte. The G13b are prone to gearbox failures under excessive load and if driven robustly. The same cannot be said for either a Honda or Toyota.

The g13b responds well to opening up the airways but given that the mini engine bay is so cramped you can't fit a decent set of extractors without it being seen from outsie the car. The relentless quest for power will point you towards a turbo and you would have been better to start with a 4EFTE.

Don't interpret it as me bagging the g13b, they are a very good package in their own right. 'Borgy' has some pretty good results with his turbo Suzini and I've been in a turbo Suzini and it was alot of fun. Its just that it does not compare favourably to the 4EFTE or B16A.

I've had both the G13b and 4EFTE in my car and the 4EFTE looks like a better fit with less compromises.

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But he's thriving and striving and hugging the turns.

Some good input there guys. Thanks for the heads-up. I'll be speaking to some mini people when I go to Sydney in a weeks time.....to be continued