Pro-touring Austin Mini. Say what?

[rogue]

Yes I said it. Say hello to my new daily driver. I call it Frank after my dog that has recently passed.

Specs:
2002 Yamaha R1 5PW engine
Alcon Brakes
fully adjustable suspension
Bilsteins
Adjustable Hi-los
Corbeau GTS 2 seats in leather/suede



Before:






During:
















After:









First test drive was today. Working out some final issues. This is going to be my daily driver if I can stand it. The R1 makes 170whp with a 11,500 redline. 1300lb car. Its scary. Lights up in 3rd and even in 4th.



Enjoy!

[CarQz17]

Awesome. I have a 73 Mini that was supposed to have either a VTEC swap or a supercharged 1300 but I'm starting to think the R1 may be a great way to go!

[rogue]

Awesome. I have a 73 Mini that was supposed to have either a VTEC swap or a supercharged 1300 but I'm starting to think the R1 may be a great way to go!

VTEC is too heavy, screws up handling bigtime.

Supercharged 1380 are unreliable for the street from what I've been told in the long run.

An R1 lump is $1000.

[SixD7]

Love the R1 engines. The '02 had better FI, it had a nice hit like the '98. Also loved my '05 Cooper S....so much like a go-kart. I think ya got a good combo there!

[Nessumsar]

Oh man, that is cool. I've seen a couple with Busa engines and they haul the mail!

How's the clutch hold up?

[Restomod]

LOL!! VERY cool!!!!! What does the conversion kit cost??

[coolwelder62]

Wow!! that's cool man.

[Tig]

Awesome.
I would love to have that as my DD.
Nice work man.

[jocko124]

Frank is looking and sounding GOOOOD.

[Chad-1stGen]

Dangit!! I've spent way to much time day dreaming about a Z car mini and here you've gone and reminded me.

I'm jealous. Such a cool conversion

[showa]

I love it... Have looked at this stuff before and have been tempted to do it... Very inspirational... Would like to see more on how the build went...

Want to do something similar ever since I found a couple of these available...


Would keep it all Honda with a Fireblade motor...

[Bigblue73]

Very Cool - More details on the conversion please. Great video.

[OLDFLM]

Hmmm.... I've got a 1960 Austin Healey Bugeye that's been sitting in my dad's barn for years... was thinking about doing a Miata suspension/drivetrain swap but now... Hmmmmmmm....

[DarkBuddha]

I've got access to a Fiat X1/9 that needs something like that... hmmm...

[94SNGLTURBO]

looks like a blast to drive..

[brrymnvette]

Awesome. I want one of the pickup truck Austin Min's to do that with.

[doribak]

one of my dreams! but i also thinking about busa 1300 engine or newer R1 engines that make 180+ HP...

and the 2002 engine makes "only" 160 hp just so you know

how much the sub frame for the R1 cost in the states?

[ed1le]

Hmmm.... I've got a 1960 Austin Healey Bugeye that's been sitting in my dad's barn for years... was thinking about doing a Miata suspension/drivetrain swap but now... Hmmmmmmm....

Funny you say that, so do I! When my folks bought their farm in 78, he dissasembled it to restore it and never put it back together. I joke that I'll one day inherit it and be forced to do something cool with it...

[SimplyKC]

"Let's go see how fast this will go."

"Okay, where's the nearest school zone?"

[OLDFLM]

Funny you say that, so do I! When my folks bought their farm in 78, he dissasembled it to restore it and never put it back together. I joke that I'll one day inherit it and be forced to do something cool with it...

Bought mine out of the local paper when I was 15... supposed to be a father son project (Dad at a TR4a at the time)... then I found my 71 Firebird and well you know the rest...

The little Austin is still sitting back home in the shed... still with several boxes of NOS parts to put it back together (bought it disassembled). Been thinking of finding a wrecked Miata and doing a drivetrain/suspension swap but this looks to be WAY more fun!!

GREAT PROJECT!