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 Posted: Aug 11, 2020 05:36AM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by RedRiley
Quote:
Originally Posted by Whee
Quote:
Originally Posted by eslarrad
Thank you all for the good advice. I already have the car, been driving it factory spec for about 10 years now. I've been thinking of using it as my daily but I need it to be more reliable/comfortable but I'll do more research on the conversion to see if it's worth it. Thought most people were happy going the vtec route.
7/10 never get to drive their VTEC project
2/10 get to drive it, but never have it setup properly
.5/10 get to drive it, have it setup properly but don't like it
.5/10 like it


Seriously, buy someone else's that is setup and go with that. If you hate it you resell and don't lose much. If you love it, you can either resell and convert your current car, or sell your current car and keep the one you bought.
Nice stats. Can I see your sources? 
Sure! Here's the main source. https://medium.com/clippings-autumn-2017/according-to-research-80-of-statistics-are-made-up-aef0edeac615

 Posted: Aug 11, 2020 04:50AM
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Consider ways to increase the horsepower of your A-series.  Turbos and superchargers can get stupid horsepower out of the 5-port head, but that can quickly get complicated.  A naturally aspirated setup is tidier, and can get you well over 100hp without breaking things like transmissions.   There are 7-ports and 8-ports like https://www.minimania.com/part/C-AJJ4064/8-Port-Crossflow-Arden-Cylinder-Head-With-Valves-And-Pushrods , and twincams like the one from KAD https://kentautodevelopments.com/products/kad-twin-cam-16v-road-cylinder-head-kit.  The BMW K-series head is the way to go for the DIYer,  but there must be some shops around that can do that conversion for you.  Those heads are cheap on Ebay.  If that interests you, your first step would be to get and read the conversion manual from Specialist Components to understand the kit and the build:  https://www.specialist-components.co.uk/index.php/shop/twinkam-16v-conversion/twinkam-conversion-kits/twin-kam-conversion-kit.html

 Posted: Aug 11, 2020 04:17AM
 Edited:  Aug 11, 2020 04:20AM
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Having gone the sensible route and paid someone with experience to do the complicated part of the build, and seeing the result of other attempts, both good and bad, I offer my 2 cents.

The main reason that many VTEC and other "engine swaps" into Minis seem to end up on a pallet behind the shed, is that too many people think "Oh, cool! That thing rocks! I'll bet I could do that, and way cheaper, since I know someone with a welder I can borrow."
Then at some point into the process, they suddenly realize that it is way harder than they thought.
I mean, who would have guessed that you need to have some skills to re-engineer a front suspension, or modify drive axles, or get a fuel injection system to work, or even to weld body panels, etc., etc. 

So even though it might be cheaper to get a stock Honda engine to put out horsepower than modifying a Mini engine to do the same, in the end, you are going to need to be able to either fix it yourself, or find someone to fix it for you. And putting a Honda engine into a Mini is not in any way the same as putting a Mini engine into a Mini. Plus there is a WHOLE LOT MORE to it than just plugging the VTEC into the hole the A-series came out of.
So the best options in my opinion are to either leave it Mini, and work with that, or get ready to spend loads of time and money with one of the few reputable conversion experts, or honestly evaluate your skills. I always shake my head when people on the VTEC Mini forums and sites ask questions like "Where do I get X, and how do I hook it up?" If you have to ask, you probably shouldn't even be attempting it.  

Oh, and by the way, I love my D-16 VTEC powered Elf, and drive it as often as possible, since 2009.

 Posted: Aug 11, 2020 03:52AM
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US
Quote:
Originally Posted by Whee
Quote:
Originally Posted by eslarrad
Thank you all for the good advice. I already have the car, been driving it factory spec for about 10 years now. I've been thinking of using it as my daily but I need it to be more reliable/comfortable but I'll do more research on the conversion to see if it's worth it. Thought most people were happy going the vtec route.
7/10 never get to drive their VTEC project
2/10 get to drive it, but never have it setup properly
.5/10 get to drive it, have it setup properly but don't like it
.5/10 like it


Seriously, buy someone else's that is setup and go with that. If you hate it you resell and don't lose much. If you love it, you can either resell and convert your current car, or sell your current car and keep the one you bought.
Nice stats. Can I see your sources? 

 Posted: Aug 10, 2020 10:18AM
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All good points, thank you for the insight and sharing your experience.

 Posted: Aug 10, 2020 10:04AM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by eslarrad
Thank you all for the good advice. I already have the car, been driving it factory spec for about 10 years now. I've been thinking of using it as my daily but I need it to be more reliable/comfortable but I'll do more research on the conversion to see if it's worth it. Thought most people were happy going the vtec route.
7/10 never get to drive their VTEC project
2/10 get to drive it, but never have it setup properly
.5/10 get to drive it, have it setup properly but don't like it
.5/10 like it


Seriously, buy someone else's that is setup and go with that. If you hate it you resell and don't lose much. If you love it, you can either resell and convert your current car, or sell your current car and keep the one you bought.

 Posted: Aug 10, 2020 10:02AM
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GB

The 'problem' with Vtec is that it completely changes the dynamics of the car, coupled with the fact that most people get seduced by mahoosive BHP numbers and end up with something that drives badly and is uncontrollable.

90 BHP in a Mini is more than enough to put a massive smile on your face, you simply can't use 150+ unless you're on a track - and the compromises needed to make the car work on the track make it nasty on the road.  Vicious circle.

If you do have an MPi (best not mention that in public till 2024) then you have the most refined Mini made in terms of NVH and comfort.  Reliability can be improved enormously for far less than the cost of a conversion.

 Posted: Aug 10, 2020 08:30AM
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Thank you all for the good advice. I already have the car, been driving it factory spec for about 10 years now. I've been thinking of using it as my daily but I need it to be more reliable/comfortable but I'll do more research on the conversion to see if it's worth it. Thought most people were happy going the vtec route.

 Posted: Aug 10, 2020 07:32AM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by RedRiley
Quote:
Originally Posted by Alex

I'd suggest not referring to any potential car that may be coming to America as a '99 until 2024 at the earliest, or it could be seized & crushed...

DJ Minis would be my go-to place in Florida, but I'm not sure how much experience Dion has with Vtec conversions.  Everything else he's spot on with.

I'd also strongly suggest that when your '99 MPi car does eventually arrive, you spend a decent amount of time driving it as factory spec and an sensible amount of time driving a conversion.  I know of exacly one person who's kept a Vtec conversion more than a few years.

What Alex said.
My question is if you're going to have someone do the conversion for you, why limit it to Orlando? There are places that will do a turn key conversion and when you figure the total cost to have one built, shipping it to you would just be a drop in the bucket.
Look at https://sites.google.com/site/mcgeesminis/  , https://www.supercoopers.com/  , or //superfastminis.com/.

Why not just buy an existing car with a Vtec? They are always cheaper than they cost to do. I only know of 2 people who are really happy with their VTEC (One in British Columbia, one in Colorado )

 Posted: Aug 10, 2020 07:21AM
 Edited:  Aug 10, 2020 07:25AM
Total posts: 2100
Last post: Oct 22, 2023
Member since:May 1, 2007
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Alex

I'd suggest not referring to any potential car that may be coming to America as a '99 until 2024 at the earliest, or it could be seized & crushed...

DJ Minis would be my go-to place in Florida, but I'm not sure how much experience Dion has with Vtec conversions.  Everything else he's spot on with.

I'd also strongly suggest that when your '99 MPi car does eventually arrive, you spend a decent amount of time driving it as factory spec and an sensible amount of time driving a conversion.  I know of exacly one person who's kept a Vtec conversion more than a few years.

What Alex said.
My question is if you're going to have someone do the conversion for you, why limit it to Orlando? There are places that will do a turn key conversion and when you figure the total cost to have one built, shipping it to you would just be a drop in the bucket.
Look at https://sites.google.com/site/mcgeesminis/  , https://www.supercoopers.com/  , or //superfastminis.com/.

 Posted: Aug 9, 2020 09:09PM
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GB

I'd suggest not referring to any potential car that may be coming to America as a '99 until 2024 at the earliest, or it could be seized & crushed...

DJ Minis would be my go-to place in Florida, but I'm not sure how much experience Dion has with Vtec conversions.  Everything else he's spot on with.

I'd also strongly suggest that when your '99 MPi car does eventually arrive, you spend a decent amount of time driving it as factory spec and an sensible amount of time driving a conversion.  I know of exacly one person who's kept a Vtec conversion more than a few years.

 Posted: Aug 9, 2020 02:18PM
 Edited:  Aug 9, 2020 02:51PM
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Hello everyone, looking for a shop capable of doing a vtec conversion plus paint and interior on a 99' Mini. I checked out the Shops page here but there's only one listed nearby. Appreciate any suggestions.