I have a 2011 Sport auto and have lurked for a while and desided to join so I can get info and possibly parts for my future swap into my classic Mini.

 

nice. i luv the last gen rover mini's before bmw took over.

 

Why not a B or D series swap?

 

Agree with you. B20 Vtec.
Or if money is plentiful a nice K20A with an ITB setup would be sick!

 

I don't want to extend the front end or cut the intake manifold.

 

That's overkill. Yes, it's been done but that's not what I want. The L15 will fit better IMO.

 

So cutting has to happen on a D series but not L series engine?

I know nothing about minis.

 

Yes, you have to cut the intake to fit it in a standard length Mini or cut the front end off the Mini and extend it. If you look at the profile of a D or B series motor vs an L you would see just how much the intake protrudes out.
I'm not an expert on Minis or Honda motors but after a little resurch I personally feel that the L15 is the way to go. I'm not looking for 500 horse power or 100 miles per gallon, but something I can jump in and I know it will start right up and be fun to drive too.

 

Vtec D Series Honda Engine Conversion Kit For Mini

I think the D would work.

 

It will work and has been done thousands of times but if you go the the Mintech site (superfastminis.com) you will see you have to cut the intake manifold for their kit to work. There are other kits out there for different motors but all involve hacking up your manifold, your car, or cutting a chunk out of your oil pan. I believe the L15 will fit in the Mini engine bay better than the other options out there. That's just my opinion.

 

What's your mini weigh?

No doubt the Fit is fun in turns, but the power is just terrible in my opinion. I understand you don't need 500hp, only reason I'd second guess swapping in an L15 is the lack of aftermarket support compared to the other Honda motors out there. I guess my mentality is if I'd be going through the work of swapping a motor I'd do one with an abundance of aftermarket support. If your dead set on an L series then maybe the L15A from the GD3, that way you have the option of throwing on a nice little turbo kit to have some fun with. There's a turbo kit for sale in the classifieds right now for $1600 I believe. That would be a blast! Either way you go keep us posted, I love the minis and interested to see what route you take.

 

About 1500 pounds.

 

Oh wow. 1000lbs less give or take than the Fit. Go for it, should be a fun car to drive.

 

Would be interesting to see if the little diesel out of the Cobalt would fit.. Or heck a Kubota tractor engine..

Motor swaps always fun...

 

Its interesting how this swap goes, welcome!

 

Ok, I found a 2009 L15 swap. I'm getting the motor, trans, engine harness, ecu, axles, throttle pedal, and shifter with cables.

Question: Is the OBD2 port part of the dash harness? I've looked on eBay at the harnesses but can't tell if the port is with it. I've looked under my dash but can't tell where it goes to.

Any help would be appreciated.

 

It should be above your right knee.. (My 07 is)

 

Thanks, but what I mean is I want the OBD2 port in the Mini to run my gages from. I need to know if the port is wired in with the dash harness or if it's separate. I've looked but didn't find anything.

 

Considering a stock Mini is fun to drive, I think the L15 will be a great fit! Interested to see how this build goes.

 

OH now I get ya,, I just got the factory electrical manual this week I'll look when I get home from work, FWIW if I was doing this swap I'd want the manual, its very detailed flowchart of all the circuits and connectors. (And mine does show the a lot of the variants of the car as far as country... )

What I recall form the pictures is there is a "ecu" harness that run for the computer to the firewall I bet thats where its tagged in..