Just cam across these kits to fit an R1 bike engine. I know thats nothing new but these kits fit the engine in the front with proper sub frames etc, even has reverse.

http://www.pro-motive.co.uk/index.html

Cant see how it would be different to any engine transplant. What would stop it getting registered?

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1965 Riley Elf
1974 Ex Army Moke
1997 Rover Cooper
2002 JCW Cooper
2003 JCW Cooper S

Best idea is to talk to the WA registration authority and an engineer that is on their list.

Asking here will get a bunch of opinions not based on the rules or engineering.

Having said that ...

opinion - Using bike engines in cars in Australia is generally not possible because the bike engines will not meet emmissions ADRs applicable for cars. I don't now what the WA rules are, but here in NSW the emissions laws of year of the younger of the engine or car will be applied, so the fact that an early Mini did not have to meet ADRs at manufacture is irrelevant.

i.e. If you use a 2005 R1 bike engine in a 1962 850, then the 2005 CAR emission standards of 2005 will be applied. There is no way you can make it worthwhile meeting those emissions with a bike engine. You would kill the power and torque with the catalytic converter and have to change the engine management to pass the tests, which are extremely expensive.

/opinion

But like I started with, talk to WA rego and licensed engineer about it.

cheers
michael

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the world is a book, and those who do not travel read only a page
66 Mini Minor sponsored by http://www.lifeonthehedge.com.au/ The Dog Harness Specialists
It was a pleasure ausmini. I'll miss all you misfits and reprobates

Theres emissions test for bikes to pass as well. Just got to get the 2 values and compare the 2. Although at the end of the day its a high performance 1 litre bike engine, so pollution should be fairly low.

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Simplify and add lightness

Id see if i could take a test drive in a bike engined vehicle over here, just because the extra 400 kilos itll be pulling in a mini would take a bit of performance out of it.

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Simplify and add lightness

Ahhhh it's no longer an electric reverse, very good I think this may be one step closer to passing.......
All you need now is to;
figure out if the emissions will meet what's required,
get it in writing that your state will allow it to be registered,
buy and import the kit,
get an engineer to approve the subframe,
buy a R1 engine,
assemble the whole thing,
get it all certified and approved,
and pay the rego.....
Then you will need insurance I seriously think this may be possible. If you have a week or two spare start doing you homework and find out for sure what is required.
Looking at their price list to get the kit in Australia it will cost at least 3850 pounds ($6265 AUS) plus the R1 stuff and I'm sure their will be a heap of other bills, you may get it on the road for less than $10,000 all for 130bhp ish at the wheels (R1's have 160 at the crank correct?) consider you can get 160-200at the wheels out of a starlet that will cost about the same, maybe a little more.....
Yes the R1 will make a lighter car, more balanced car, cheaper on fuel, unique, may be easier to fit and with a turbo it may beat the best starlet mini around. It has potential to be a great conversion but it's un-tested here in AUS so you'll be taking a gamble if you go for it, but I'd love to see you do it

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Respect mine and I'll respect yours.

Emmisions wouldn't be a huge problem even the newer version of my ZX14 meets Euro-III emission standards. But you know WA is the Nanny State to end all Nanny States. I wish you luck mate.

What exactly are you looking to use the car for?
How practical is a car that weighs 600ish kilos, has 73 lb ft of torque and a peak power 150 hp at 12,200 rpm?

All figures from here http://www.motorcycle-usa.com/268/458/M ... rison.aspx

Only thing it doesnt say is the engine and gearbox weight, which be somewhere round the 70-80 kg mark. Although thats an estimate from about 60 kgs for an R6 engine and gearbox.

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Simplify and add lightness

Im just looking for something unique. I have dvds here with r1/hyabusa powered minis producing over 400bhp, however they look almost impossible to drive in a straight line!

Am in the process of selling house and moving so not had a chance to look further into this yet.

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1965 Riley Elf
1974 Ex Army Moke
1997 Rover Cooper
2002 JCW Cooper
2003 JCW Cooper S

There is a FWD R1 powered mini being built in Perth at the moment.
He was hoping to have it ready for Albany, but I'm not sure what his progress has been like lately.

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Too many cars, and too little time.

Any updates?