dandan Posted September 30, 2006 Share Posted September 30, 2006 Ok guys, For those of you that don't know I am a big classic mini fan with an appetite for taking cars on the track but am fed up with reliability issues from 120bhp+ A series engines. After umming and aaahing over power train choices (honda vtec fwd, vauxhall XE fwd, Hyabusa fwd or rwd, 1UZ mid engine V8 rwd, vauxhall V6 mid engined rwd etc etc) I think I have made a sensible choice..... My plan now is a mid/rear engined mini running the later 245bhp 3SGTE setup from a late mk2 MR2. I am planning to transplant the whole rear drivetrain, suspension and brakes into a custom modified mini pickup. A front subframe, suspension and brake transplant may also be on the cards but that is undecided at this stage. My plan is to buy a 1994 or later crash damaged car and transplant as much as possible. My knowledge of MR2's is a little limited. What I need is as many photos (and as much information as possible) on the rear subframe, engine, box, brakes etc - the whole lot. I have put a post on IMOC but I know there's some MR2 owners on here so... Anything you can post up which you think might help would be great. Initially I want to see what sort of spaceframe to mount the MR2 parts (like engine/box/driveshafts/hubs/wishbones/struts and subframe) is going to be needed before I commit to buying a car. Many thanks in advance Dan Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DannyW Posted September 30, 2006 Share Posted September 30, 2006 well ive got rev3 mr2 complete with a revision3 3SGTE engine in sat in my garage, so if you need anything measuring etc. then let me know. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lockys96 Posted September 30, 2006 Share Posted September 30, 2006 why not use a toyota starlet turbo engine? 1.3 turbo, has been done before Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dandan Posted September 30, 2006 Author Share Posted September 30, 2006 I'm not sure if the 1.3 Starlet motor would give me the combination or performace/reliability that I need. I figured the 2.0 litre 3SGTE would give massive reliability even when kicking out 250bhp. Plus I want to keep the install as (relatively) simple as possible and I've pretty much settled on rwd as well. Something rwd with a complete drivetrain/susp package should make for a nice install. Danny, it'd be great if you could take a few rough measurement for me - nice one... Can you measure the front and rear track width please and a rough measurement from the rear axle to the gearstick please? Also the height from wheel centre to highest part of engine, approx total engine/box width (with any ancillaries), and a measure in front and behind the back axle of any part of the engine/box/diff. Just trying to get a rough idea of the space envelope needed for the package. Any photos/info of the gear linkage would be handy if possible and can you tell me - is the clutch cable or hydraulic? I found an EPC for the MR2 but not gone through it yet in any detail. I'm on the lookout for Toyota workshop manuals as well (just in case you hear of any for sale) ps Did you buy thw white endless Supe? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lebsteif Posted September 30, 2006 Share Posted September 30, 2006 Great project! good luck http://www.archanox.demon.nl/thumbsup.gif Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DannyW Posted September 30, 2006 Share Posted September 30, 2006 No problem mate, i'll go outside in the morning and take some measurements for you, i believe the clutch is hydraulic. Workshop manuals can be had on CD from ebay for a couple of quid i think. I'm buying the silver trial kitted 6speed TT supra from Jurgen. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DannyW Posted October 1, 2006 Share Posted October 1, 2006 Took a few measurements today distance between front strut tops - 1150mm distance between rear strut tops - 1000mm rear axle to gearstick - 1500mm centre of wheel to highest point in engine (coolant cap) - 600mm engine width with ancilleries 900mm engine/gearbox in front of rear axle - 400mm engine/gearbox behind the rear axle - 150mm All measurements are approximate. Couldnt get photos of the gear linkage as it's too dark in the garage but i'll try tomorrow. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dandan Posted October 1, 2006 Author Share Posted October 1, 2006 Excellent thanks Danny. Much appreciated. Could you also measure the total width across the wheels please (front and rear) - outside of left wheel to outside of right wheel. I'm guessing it'll be around 1700mm. Also whether you're on stock wheels would be handy too. Thanks again Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DannyW Posted October 1, 2006 Share Posted October 1, 2006 No problem will do. Wheels aren't standard but are still 15's in standard sizes or thereabouts anyway. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ChrisSZ Posted October 1, 2006 Share Posted October 1, 2006 Saw one of these at the Pod last year - fappin rapid Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dandan Posted October 1, 2006 Author Share Posted October 1, 2006 You didn't get any pics did you (or know anyone who did)? Apparently it was doing wheelies in the first 2 gears and posting 12sec quarters... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ChrisSZ Posted October 1, 2006 Share Posted October 1, 2006 The only two I got I'm afraid. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stupra Posted October 1, 2006 Share Posted October 1, 2006 Sounds like a great project fella, nice one . My cousin an his mates were always sticking big or powerfull engine's an running gear into weird and wonderfull cars, they've done some crackers. Good luck with it all mate. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dandan Posted October 1, 2006 Author Share Posted October 1, 2006 Nice one - thanks. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
colsoop Posted October 2, 2006 Share Posted October 2, 2006 If you are planning on documenting it I would be interested in seeing this project. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dandan Posted October 2, 2006 Author Share Posted October 2, 2006 No worries - all the stuff I've done on my Minis is pretty well photographed so this would be as well. I'm thinking an NA 3SGE may be a better choice for a more linear predicatble power delivery. This is for the track so needs to be predictable and as progressive as possible on the limit. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ric Posted October 2, 2006 Share Posted October 2, 2006 theres a mini with a sunny gtir engine in it at the squires meet, bet thats mental Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jagman Posted October 4, 2006 Share Posted October 4, 2006 minis I can help you with ,I sell a vtec conversion kit which is great, everthing fits and well engineered,its not available in the uk from anyone else,the conversion makes the mini whoop ass fast:d take a look at http://www.minimania.com item number MT10000 0-60 in 5 seconds Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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