Small-Block Chevy-Powered R50 MINI Cooper is Brilliant Lunacy

Generally, an R50 MINI–the initially-era of BMW-owned MINI hatchbacks–never designed a large amount of electricity. Even its sportier spec, the MINI Cooper S, created significantly less than 200 horsepower from 1.6-liter supercharged 4-pot. That plainly was not plenty of for sizzling-rodder Duane Smith, who determined to rip that very little engine out, in favor of a compact-block Chevy V8.

Alternatively of 1.6-liters, the recently improved MINI Cooper S displaces 355 cubic-inches and is paired with a Tremec 5 5-speed manual transmission. Oh, and they electric power the rear wheels alternatively of the fronts.

To make it all in shape and deal with appropriately, Smith took the entrance and rear subframes, as nicely as both suspension setups, from an E36 3 Series. Not only do they healthy nicely, necessitating incredibly very little modification, they make the little MINI take care of truly very well, much too.

Other modifications ended up essential to get it all to suit and do the job adequately, including mods to the pedal box, HVAC, and computer software. The latter was the trickiest little bit of the build, finding the GM electronics in the modest-block V8 to get the job done with the MINI electronics. Although, some factors just ironically in shape simply, this sort of as the GM energy steering pump fitting correctly to the BMW’s rack and pinion steering set up.

The rest of the car or truck appears to be like really a great deal bone stock. From the outside the house, with the motor off, you’d never ever know it was something other than a typical MINI. As soon as it begins up, however, the tiny-block Chevy-driven MINI Cooper S is a correct monster. It seems each bit like an outdated-college Chevy V8, far too, which tends to make the tailor made MINI seem so substantially superior than inventory. When anybody hears the modest-block-MINI generate by, they’re straight away intrigued but what it may well be.

Smith normally takes his car or truck to car exhibits, enters it in contests, and provides it to local gatherings, to exhibit off his development. And we can see why, it is wonderful.

[Source: Motor Trend]