My name is VTEC+Mini but that may have to change. I currently have a B18C Type-R with a Garrett GT2860RS turbocharger in a 1999 British Leyland Mini. routinely known as a "Classic Mini" It runs great. I have no issues but it's time to switch things up. I've had this for more than a few years. Most folks have no idea what this car is and far fewer know what the car is I'm about to transform it into. There's a car called a "Mini Marcos". It uses all the Classic Mini running gear. It was designed back in the 60's by a couple of guys, Jem Marsh and Frank Costin. Frank Costin might be better known as the Cos in Cosworth. He did the same thing when they founded the Marcos car company Marsh-Costin=Mar-Cos. Anyway. Where the Classic mini weighs in just short of 1600 pounds, the Mini Marcos is just over a 1000. All the mounting points for the MiniTec subframes will locate on the Mini Marcos monocoque. I'm doing away with the turbocharger and going with a set of Jenvey ITB's. There is no room for the turbo, period (I have other plans for the Garrett). The ITB's are much shorter and will keep me from having to section the intake manifold...again. Otherwise they run into the firewall and end up in your chest. I'm quite sure there will be some massaging I'll have to do but this car is all fiberglass and that posses little problem for me.
I have to say that beauty is in the eye of the beholder. The Mini Marcos aesthetics are an acquired taste. I've posted an extremely flattering picture. From other angles, not so much. Heck, from this angle she's no sure winner. It's difficult to convey how small a car this is. It has an 80 inch wheel base and at 6',6" it apparently looks hilarious when I get in or out of my Mini and this is even smaller. Interestingly enough it has a much larger interior. How you ask? It doesn't even pretend to have a rear seat.

Well, I should be placing my order this week. Hopefully everybody at Littleton Garage, Semington, Trowbridge, Wiltshire, England hasn't been corona'd.

 

I like the front end allot!

 

sounds exciting.

 

I hope you dont dislike the power drop from Boosted to N.A although N.A has its own pros I always miss the sound of a N.A B18C5!, and those ITBS should be fun for that!