Brainstorming for new project - V8 Mini Cooper????

[gerno]

Not so much the pro-touring old school stuff but I assume you guys might find this interesting. While I'm waiting on my heads to get back from porting so I can finish the latest stage of my project I've been looking around craigslist at various higher mileage cheap commuter cars to play with since my daily driver is currently a 03 F350 powerstroke on 37" tires. Great for the highway and pulling the trailer but a bit rough on a daily basis....

In looking around I found a 2003 Mini Cooper S with 164K miles. It still runs and looks pretty good and is very cheap. Owner is moving to NYC next week and needs to get rid of it so I'm low balling him. Earlier this year I paid more to replace the trans in my truck than I offered for this car.

One big advantage is I can still use it to autocross while I get my car back together. This got me to thinking how I could add more power..... Easiest thing would be to turn up the boost but that's a bit boring...

How possible do you guys think a rear mounted 5.3 LS would be in the car if I pull the back seat and add a cage? Any thoughts on what transaxle and rear uprights that could be used?? Any better combos for drivelines you guys think would fit? This is all very much in a dreaming stage since I heaven't even bought it yet but I figured I'd throw it out there to get some ideas.

[HEEP]

Had a MINI a year ago. Keyword, HAD.

[Sieg]

LS3 powered Prius with a serious cam and exhaust note.

#PushTheEnvelope #DevilsHybrid #BlendIn #Sleeper #Irritation

Base model Prius spec:

Curb weight 3042 lb.
Wheelbase is 106.3
Track 60.0 F / 59.8 R
Coefficient of drag 0.25

Mid-engine two-seater configuration FTW!

I'm guessing with the stock battery and drive system removed the car is actually pretty light weight.

[Flash68]

Anyone else thinking of Mr. Bean?

[intocarss]

[ADiCarlo]

Every person I know with a high mileage one has had mechanical problems.

Right now as we speak my friend is getting her head rebuilt due to the time chain slipping.

Sounds like an expensive headache because parts are at the price level of a new BMW.

Granted a mid engine set up would be ideal and I would look at the cars running Global Rally Cross and Gymkhana competitions as that's a common modification but again but your stepping our the daily realm and into another project.

Might be blasphemy but I would stick with a Asian car. Tons of junk yard parts, cheap to find, and cheap to fix.

[BADcarma]

At a recent car show I saw a beautiful copper colored Mini with a 3.2 Acura V6, six speed and 4 wheel disks.



Greg

[Vince@Meanstreets]

Originally Posted by Flash68

Anyone else thinking of Mr. Bean?

Charlize Theron in "The Itallian job" actually.

[cluxford]

We have a few here in oz. A tad more wild than you are envisioning

[OBeer-WAN-Kenobi]

Ha! What a coincidence! This showed up at my local Friday night car show last week. I've seen it around before. No idea how it runs or drives but it looks pretty wild!