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

Typically, an R50 MINI–the first-technology of BMW-owned MINI hatchbacks–never built a lot of electrical power. Even its sportier spec, the MINI Cooper S, produced significantly less than 200 horsepower from 1.6-liter supercharged four-pot. That clearly was not enough for very hot-rodder Duane Smith, who made a decision to rip that tiny engine out, in favor of a compact-block Chevy V8.

As an alternative of 1.6-liters, the freshly enhanced MINI Cooper S displaces 355 cubic-inches and is paired with a Tremec 5 five-speed manual transmission. Oh, and they energy the rear wheels in its place of the fronts.

To make it all fit and take care of adequately, Smith took the entrance and rear subframes, as nicely as each suspension setups, from an E36 3 Sequence. Not only do they match properly, necessitating really minimal modification, they make the minimal MINI deal with seriously effectively, far too.

Other modifications were being required to get it all to fit and operate adequately, together with mods to the pedal box, HVAC, and software program. The latter was the trickiest bit of the build, getting the GM electronics in the modest-block V8 to do the job with the MINI electronics. While, some items just ironically fit effortlessly, this kind of as the GM energy steering pump fitting properly to the BMW’s rack and pinion steering setup.

The relaxation of the automobile looks fairly substantially bone stock. From the outside, with the motor off, you’d under no circumstances know it was nearly anything other than a usual MINI. As soon as it starts up, nevertheless, the modest-block Chevy-driven MINI Cooper S is a right monster. It sounds every bit like an outdated-faculty Chevy V8, as well, which would make the personalized MINI sound so a great deal far better than stock. When any one hears the compact-block-MINI push by, they are quickly intrigued but what it might be.

Smith takes his car or truck to car or truck demonstrates, enters it in contests, and provides it to community gatherings, to clearly show off his generation. And we can see why, it is wonderful.

[Source: Motor Trend]