Austin Mini V-Tec rear engine (update 10 Oct)

[geetee66]

I saw a Mini in a yard and had to get a closer look. Couldn't believe it had a Volvo 2L turbo engine stuffed into the rear.

 I decided on the spot, that I'd have to try and build one.

 

Edited October 10, 2018 by geetee66

[geetee66]

I got the Tamiya kit from eBay for about £20.

The Honda B-18 engine is by Studio 81, the seat, photo etched fuel caps, fire extinguishers and wheels came from ScaleProduction.de.

 I'm very impressed with the wheels. They're really well made and the tyres are good.

[geetee66]

I'll make a fuel cell to go where the fwd engine was. The floorpan will be cut away at the back and I'll need to fabricate a frame/roll cage to mount the engine etc.

I've seen online videos of this type of engine swap, and these cars accelerate like lightning. Even faster with an R1 or Hyabusa motorcycle engine. 0-60 in 3 seconds, easy!  

[Janne Herajärvi]

Very interesting project.. Cant wait to see how you make that all work together.. You are right about those wheels they are really nice.. I used them lately in my Toyota Corolla TE27 Levin.. and best part is that they are really easy to detail paint.. 

[bobthehobbyguy]

Cool project. Looking forward to watching this come together.

[Jason Sheer]

This is going to be Awesome! Can’t wait to see the progression through the stages to produce a final Mini with all the junk in the trunk!

[cobraman]

Cool project.

[Ich_Will]

Sweet. This appeals to me in 1:1 form as well. 

 

[PARTSMARTY]

I'll be following-very interesting project !!!

[espo]

The 1:1 looks like a real terror on the road. This should be a fun build. I'm working on somewhat of the same idea. I'm putting a Corvette LS engine and rear mounted trans./diff. in the back of a '69 Corvair.

[Foxer]

Very interesting ..  ))

[geetee66]

I mocked up the engine with white glue, to see how it fits.

Plenty of room in there, allowing for the cage, too.

[geetee66]

And a quick wheel pose, just to see how it's going to look.

Luckily, the O/D of the tyres, is the same as the kit tyres, so no arch adjustment required.

[Dann Tier]

VERY cool!!!....I very nearly put a Jaguar XJ220 V6 in one of my Mini's, but I changed my mind. Cant wait to see more!!!

[geetee66]

It's been a while...

Work prevented progress ?

I had a go at one roll cage, but it looked too fat and I didn't like the shape:

[Dann Tier]

2 minutes ago, geetee66 said:

It's been a while...

Work prevented progress ?

I had a go at one roll cage, but it looked too fat and I didn't like the shape:

I know the feeling!....but its worth it to redo it til YOU like it!!...welcome back!!   -I like to use canopy glue to pre-assemble things as well...

[geetee66]

...so I made another one from thinner styrene rod. 

I started by putting wire posts in the ends of any vertical parts, and drilled corresponding holes in the floor pan.

styrene always wants to return to its original shape. The wire posts helped keep everything in place while I attached the horizontal parts. I used Rocket and Tamiya extra thin cement and it made a good bond.

[Dann Tier]

2 minutes ago, geetee66 said:

...so I made another one from thinner styrene rod. 

I started by putting wire posts in the ends of any vertical parts, and drilled corresponding holes in the floor pan.

styrene always wants to return to its original shape. The wire posts helped keep everything in place while I attached the horizontal parts. I used Rocket and Tamiya extra thin cement and it made a good bond.

Now that looks AWESOME!!!

[geetee66]

Cheers Dan

it's all done by eye, as the markings on my ruler are feint. It's not 100% , but as most of it hides behind bodywork...well..

1 minute ago, Dann Tier said:

Now that looks AWESOME!!!

s 

[Dann Tier]

2 minutes ago, geetee66 said:

Cheers Dan

it's all done by eye, as the markings on my ruler are feint. It's not 100% , but as most of it hides behind bodywork...well..

s 

You said it right there, Guy....."by eye", it totally looks perf!!…..models aren't displayed under magnifiers, and IF they were, that'd be one weird person!!

[crazyjim]

This looks to be a pretty cool project.

[geetee66]

Made some modifications and devised a way to mount the engine.

 I had to remove the rear horizontal bar to fit the engine, after I installed more pipe work to the centre hoop.

added some side bars too.

now I've got to add some sort of structure for the rear shocks to bolt to.

[Dann Tier]

nice engine mount!!

[afx]

Great project Guy.

 

[89AKurt]

My kind of project!  Look forward to seeing this one completed!