Engine conversions?

[Mini Mad Max]

Hi alan,
Cost is a big urghhh factor along with all the problems of putting the engine behind you. Cost is a big factor in all stupendous projects, I will probably waste a tip load of money on my buggy, but im just excessive :lol: I'd like to think that it would be a simple job, but the way its looking i know it wouldn't be. I am currently collecting bits to make a very good mini engine and don't want them to go to waste if i get a v-tec so i don't think i will be doing the v-tec, but not for a long time anyway. plus, think of the insurance!! I think that for now i will have to settle with a tuned mini engine lol.
Hope that all info on here can be used for anyone that wants to make the first v-tec or redtop buggy.
Max

 

[biddleboy]

hi max i think ive found the solution to all your problems for pure power to go with pure fun of haveing a funnbuggie stick a mk1 mr2 engine in it solves all your gear change problems and you use the complete rear end of the car i now somebodey thats got an mr2 buggy based on a simular frame to the funnbuggie and its the bollocks for power the only thing is you have to use a new sub frame but thats not a problem has threr is a sub frame for it you all you have to do is do a bit of fabbrecation to fit it to your chassis it will allso confert it to coilover springs on the back aswell ignor the spelling english not my strong point i will get some photos and show you what i mean hope this helps

 

[Mini Mad Max]

That sounds good, i think im gonna stick to a mini engined buggy, maybe with one of them twin over head cam conversions, but i think i'll save a v-tec or big power for a mini where there are kits that work
Feel free to post pictures if it helps anyone else.
anyway, thanks for everyones help and advice.
Max

 

[HolyCount]

Would love to see those pics, Steve, will still probably go down the A series line, but it's nice to suss out the options

 

[biddleboy]

thanks guys i will try to get some pictures on over the weekend but yes i agree a series is easy to work with

 

[collie]

To be honest I don't know why you want a big fat engine when you can drop in a nice easy to work with, tunable and lightweight A series.
I'm dropping in a 1ltr Metro engine and I know for a fact I will scare myself silly!

 

[Mini Mad Max]

Yeah your right,
I will probs be crappin ma self with a v-tec so im gonna stick to a 1380 with a weber and basically highly tuned mini engine, then i have a super duper buggy! lol
Its nice to dream and know options like holy count said(sorry i can't remember the proper name )
but i will be happy with a 1380

 

[offroad 68]

Please excuse my ignorance of freestyle buggys but would I be correct in saying they are the same width as a mini so you can use standard length drive shafts and the mini inner cv joints are central (both drive shafts are the same length) in the buggy.
If this is the case how do you go on if you fit the engine and gearbox from a modern front wheel drive car because most, including the engines talked about have a long driveshaft (some times in 2 parts)and a very short one. The short one would be even shorter in a narrow mini based car which will restrict the amount of suspension travel you could use without exceeding the cv joints limit, and in a buggy you need all the suspension travel you can get.

 

[Phaeton]

Hi there Offroad, you are quite correct the Freestyle is the same track as the Classic Mini, in fact all it uses is the complete front subframe with standard engine, suspension & drive gear, the basic kit uses a combination of front drum hubs with drums mounted on rear backplates to provide the handbrake, I have developed a rear disc brake system, as yet untested but looking hopeful. With regards to the driveshafts as previously stated they are standard Mini ones, not quite the same length as each other but pretty close I think there's only a couple of inches in it.

There are currently 3 other variants in some form of production I know, the first is using a K series 1.8VVC engine & subframe from a MGTF, the second an extended Freestyle that houses a Yamaha R1 engine & thirdly a K series 1.1 or 1.4 which has had a K series subframe grafted onto the rear of a Freestyle, a hoop has been put out the rear to collect the coil overs to form the rear suspension. I know the 1.1 or 1.4 has stalled as I haven't done anything with it in ages & am currently getting a standard Freestyle ready for SVA on the 2nd February. As to the other two not heard from either builder in quite a long time.

As to fitting a different engine into a Freestyle I've covered most of the options as I see it in an earlier post. I do however intend later this year (post SVA) try to go with option 1 i.e. take a standard Mini subframe & try to get another engine/gearbox to fit into it. I have quite a liking for the 1.2 Zetec Ford if I can get round the clutch/gear change issues.

With driveshafts in mind all I will hopefully do is cut & shut, or at least get a good welder to cut & shut. I understand what you are saying about travel, but the Freestyle is a compromise, it is good fun on the road & quite capable off road See Videos

Alan...

 

[Mini Mad Max]

Hi offorad. I completely agree with alan as the travel on the buggy is far off great but because each wheel is on the corners and it has a small track and a small wheelbase it is quite awesome offroad-lol. With my idea of putting a v-tec in a freestyle, It would work, it's just expensive. The drive shafts for the kit are just adapted mini ones to fit the v-tec pot joints. So all is the same apart from the 320bhp per tonne that you get with a v-tec 1.6! I would love to do that one day as it would be [glow=orange,2,300]WILD[/glow]
Max

 

[collie]

Of course the other option is the Twin cam Kit. BMW 8v or 16v head grafted onto the A Series producing over 150bhp.

 

[Phaeton]

My only argument about the BMW route is you still only end up with 4 gears & an agricultural piece of cast iron from the 1950's

Alan...

 

[iank]

Also a very expensive route.  £500 for a head, £500+ for the other bits you need, £500 for machining + all the work you need on the bottom end to make it semi reliable with 150bhp.

 

[Asbo]

alan....just read all the posts about various options for an engine-change,and would like to see what you thought of this?

firstly,i've found a local machine shop where the owner will cut/machine/weld/balance any combo of driveshafts....at £50 a pair(he does our truck prop repairs and does a good job).

secondly,im friendly with a garage owner who specialises in prestige and racing/track cars who reckons he could fit a rover twin-cam or mr2 and give me it back running,all sorted,for around £400-£500 with me supplying made-up shafts.sound feasible to you?



ps.....still cant find capital letter button.

 

[Phaeton]

firstly,i've found a local machine shop where the owner will cut/machine/weld/balance any combo of driveshafts....at £50 a pair(he does our truck prop repairs and does a good job).

Think that that's not a bad price, assuming they are all balanced etc. It just may depend on what you go for as some are easier than others.

secondly,im friendly with a garage owner who specialises in prestige and racing/track cars who reckons he could fit a rover twin-cam or mr2 and give me it back running,all sorted,for around £400-£500 with me supplying made-up shafts.sound feasible to you?

I am also assuming you are supplying the engine as well? As you will have seen my favourite engine is the MR2 only as that has cable gear change & clutch. However if you gave him a MGTF or one of the others but used the MGTF box you have the same from the Rover point of view.

As to the price, if you can get him to put that down on paper & guarantee it & you have the money I would snap his hand off. Garages normally charge £30 - £50 per hour so he's reckoning on between 8 & 16 hours to do it, I think it will take a lot lot longer.

Although personally I won't be paying somebody to do it, I want the challenge, but that's not to say there's anything wrong with getting somebody who knows what they are doing do it  ;D

Alan...
p.s. Good to see you back, I hope that other business has either gone away or on it's way.

 

[Asbo]

thanks,thanks and thanks. 

prop/shaft guy says they'd be cut and machined to diameter of narrowest one,sleeved,welded then turned and finally balanced.

garage price is for me either taking my engine out or not...i probably would tho.....deliver buggy to garage then provide a full car for him to cannibalise. i've got my eye on a few at work and should get a car for about,erm,nothing....provided i return it for scrap with a duff engine. he envisages that hardest part will be engine mounts but reckons that there will be modifiable ones he could recommend for me to 'acquire' as he does it.

also,he's had a look at dave's dvd's and i think may be toying with the ownership of a buggy,so its kindof a help to him to see what is possible,engine-wise.

as for the challenge,i'd like to have a bash at it,but simply dont have the time as i work 6 days a week and on standby 4 nights.

 

[Asbo]

alan......had a look on 16vmini website and decided to buy a welding machine thing,a subframe,acquire an engine/box/susp etc and do it myself. looks easyish,but giving myself until next summer to have it ready for grafting onto my buggi.

 

[Phaeton]

Yeah, I have the same a full subframe including arms & shafts. I also have a 1.4 8V K series was hoping to pick a 16V up but the 8 will do for now. Once this one is SVA'd the next job is to drop the K into the A frame & see what needs to be chopped away. Not figuring to do the swap mid year but over next winter. Might be asking you to drop 4 shafts into the guy to bring 2 back out.

Alan...

 

[Asbo]

yea,no probs re gettin machinin done on shafts....may also have cheap engines if you need one? honda rover etc?

 

[maz]

Hi I've got a dazing 1100cc biggie .The thing is I'm lookin to put a Suzuki swift 1.3 git 16v in it. can anyone tell me if anyone out there has dun this and how hard it was .I've got every thing to do it, just need to no what the pit fall's are will it fit in with the gear box ? do i have to cut anything i.e roll cage .the engine mounts on the 1.3 are all most in the same place as the 1100 so I no the engine mounts  wont be to much of a problem  i hope lol HELP  :'(