The Mini is 50

mulletman · 08-28-2009, 10:19 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by scared2mosh

I would get something light and powerful... probably a turbo 4 banger or maybe a turbo V6...

Well I wouldn't drive it in the snow w/ ultra performance summer tires in the first place. If you want a quick everyday car (that would be good all year round) that can still accelerate really well the AWD really isn't that bad of an idea.

Check my post again... I fixed the link.

Your issue with the Mini and AWD, is how the heck you'd rig it up to work properly, and not add too much weight.

**scared2mosh** · 08-28-2009, 10:23 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by The Phantom Mullet

Check my post again... I fixed the link.

those look kinda like the shifter kart I'm going to build

... but mine will have a much smaller engine...

Quote:

Your issue with the Mini and AWD, is how the heck you'd rig it up to work properly, and not add too much weight.

this is true... the extra weight might kill any advantage AWD would give you.

LaserRacer · 08-28-2009, 11:29 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by scared2mosh

Well I wouldn't drive it in the snow w/ ultra performance summer tires in the first place. If you want a quick everyday car (that would be good all year round) that can still accelerate really well the AWD really isn't that bad of an idea.

Now you are getting the idea...if you are planning on driving in the snow, AWD is far more practical. The point I was making with the tires is that there are LOTS of hidden costs/issues that you normally wouldn't even think of with other cars...

Going back to the tire example, Say you buy a RWD High performance car in the summer...In 99% of cases, the owner will likely have some sort of high performance dry tire on it. You buy the car and think "man this thing grips like crazy"...winter comes around, Its a cold day, but the roads are clear...the car won't grip very well because the tires are too cold. That is without snow/ice/rain... You see where this is going. So now you have 3 choices, buy new tires and dismount the old ones (either saving them to remount later or tossing them)...Buy new tires AND wheels (not just any wheels will do, they have to clear your likely very large brakes, be the correct bolt pattern and offset etc.)...OR suffer through the winter and hope you can tame the beast.

BTW...why change a good thing, the mini was pretty cool as a FWD, what other car could you change the entire drivetrain in between rally stages back then?

**scared2mosh** · 08-28-2009, 04:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by LaserRacer

Now you are getting the idea...if you are planning on driving in the snow, AWD is far more practical.

especially if you live in Detroit... my dream is to have a Corvette and a Motorcycle (to make up for the Corvette's poor mileage

) to drive in the summer and either a Wrangler or a Silverado (or similar sized truck) for the winter/ hauling loads... now I just need a butt load of money...

Quote:

The point I was making with the tires is that there are LOTS of hidden costs/issues that you normally wouldn't even think of with other cars...

Going back to the tire example, Say you buy a RWD High performance car in the summer...In 99% of cases, the owner will likely have some sort of high performance dry tire on it. You buy the car and think "man this thing grips like crazy"...winter comes around, Its a cold day, but the roads are clear...the car won't grip very well because the tires are too cold. That is without snow/ice/rain... You see where this is going. So now you have 3 choices, buy new tires and dismount the old ones (either saving them to remount later or tossing them)...Buy new tires AND wheels (not just any wheels will do, they have to clear your likely very large brakes, be the correct bolt pattern and offset etc.)...OR suffer through the winter and hope you can tame the beast.

I would get new tires for sure and new wheels if possible.

Quote:

BTW...why change a good thing, the mini was pretty cool as a FWD, what other car could you change the entire drivetrain in between rally stages back then?

I guess so... but it would be cool to have something that crazy.

mulletman · 08-28-2009, 05:25 PM

For what it's worth, there are cheap(ish) kits sold by Minimania for a Honda B-series engine conversion. It's still FWD, so there would be no chopping of chassis, but you'd get 4 times the horsepower and an extra gear...

What5647 · 08-28-2009, 05:48 PM

That's why my car has max performance all-season tires. Falken ZE 912s, to be exact. Love 'em. Awesome in the rain, and far better than the summer tires that came stock on the dry. I've got a spare set of wheels that will eventually get some low-treadwear ultra performance summer tires for A/X.

All the people I know that daily drive full-on track cars only do so in good weather, and usually have another car, or cars, for when the weather is bad.