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Not for the Faint of Heart: Honda Swapped Mini

Close your eyes and think about the first picture that comes to mind when you hear "Lamborghini killer." Chances are you pictured something low and wide with the engine in the back – possibly a Ferrari, McLaren, or Pagani. A classic Mini was far from what you imagined, as they're usually seen as cute little city cars buzzing around narrow European streets. mini_rear While Lamborghini killer and Mini Cooper don't go together often, this particular car has something special about it. Now that you’re wondering, you probably have two questions: "What the hell is under the hood?" and "Who would own such a thing?" mini_wall To the untrained eye, this car doesn’t look much different from any other classic Mini. Take a closer look and you’ll notice a roll cage and flared fenders that barely cover a set of wide, meaty tires... just a few things that hint at the monster between the front wheels. mini_open Flip open the fiberglass front end and you find the Japanese heart of this British beast. The original 1071 cc motor has been tossed out and replaced with a twin cam 1.8-liter B18C motor from the legendary Integra Type R. mini_engineflares In stock form, the B18C puts out about 170 wheel horsepower. This B18C has been built with upgraded pistons, rods, cams, racing intake manifold, and bigger injectors - all managed by a Hondata S300 ECU for an added 60+ horsepower over stock and more than triple the motor that the car rolled off the assembly line with in 1969. mini_subframemotor The B-series swap is far from bolt-on. Fortunately, MiniTec makes it easy with their Honda B-series conversion kit. The kit consists of a new front subframe, allowing for the new motor to bolt right in, along with new lower suspension arms, coilover suspension and front and rear disc brake conversion. mini_street On the road, the old Mini is dwarfed by modern cars designed with comfort and safety in mind. Crumple zones, cup holders, arm rests, sound deadening -what’s that? You hear every rev, squeak and road imperfection as thin metal separates you from the outside world. At less than 5ft wide, the driver and passenger sit closer than teenagers on their first date. mini_interior The car does come with some luxury features, such as air conditioning, sliding windows, gauges galore and a radio. Once you go over 3000 rpm, you wonder why there is even a radio - as VTEC kicks in and the tiny car ABSOLUTELY RIPS! All 230 horsepower is sent straight to the front wheels and it requires the driver’s full attention to keep the car in check. I have ridden in some very fast cars in my day, but sitting shotgun in the Mini - I have never felt so amazed and scared for my life at the same time. This thing is scary fast. mini_shop As amazing as this thing sounds on paper, you’d wonder, who would need such a car? For car enthusiasts, car purchases usually don’t come with a logical answer. When its current owner, Ash Nair, came across this unique Mini for sale, he figured “why not?” and jumped at the chance. mini_fuelcell Ash has owned over three-dozen cars within the past decade and his stable has included a few classic Datsuns, probably the world’s only stick shift 2nd gen Lexus GS430 and an AE86 powered by an F20C motor out of a Honda S2000. Clearly, he is no stranger to odd swaps or the sounds of a VTEC orchestra coming out of a car without the big H on the hood. mini_rolling Ash says one of his favorite things to do when taking the Mini out on Sunday drives along the coast, is pulling up alongside a Lamborghini or Ferrari and seeing the owners face when they see the unsuspecting Mini (which probably costs what they’re spending a year on car washes) keeping up with their exotic car. mini_shop2 Driving or parked, the car is definitely an attention getter. Ash says he gets people of all ages, especially older folks who grew up with a Mini as their first car, asking to check it out and constantly finds people taking pictures with it wherever it is parked. “It's not a car to drive everyday, but it’ll definitely make you smile every time you’re at the wheel.” If you’re interested in owning this Mini monster, you’re in luck as it is currently up for sale. Check out the video below to see it in action...

What do you think?! Love it or hate it - have you ever built something so off-the-wall as this Honda swapped MINI?

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