Welcome to the North American Subaru Impreza Owners Club Thursday March 28, 2024
Home Forums Images WikiNASIOC Products Store Modifications Upgrade Garage
NASIOC
Go Back   NASIOC > NASIOC Technical > Subaru Conversions

Welcome to NASIOC - The world's largest online community for Subaru enthusiasts!
Welcome to the NASIOC.com Subaru forum.

You are currently viewing our forum as a guest, which gives you limited access to view most discussions and access our other features. By joining our community, free of charge, you will have access to post topics, communicate privately with other members (PM), respond to polls, upload content and access many other special features. Registration is free, fast and simple, so please join our community today!

If you have any problems with the registration process or your account login, please contact us.







* As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. 
* Registered users of the site do not see these ads. 
Reply
 
Thread Tools Display Modes
Old 12-10-2018, 01:32 AM   #1
WR50X
Scooby Newbie
 
Member#: 494911
Join Date: Dec 2018
Default Cooparu

Beginning in Jan 2019 the Mini Cooper/ Subaru will start to evolve. Currently, I have a donor car and will start the process of converting the Mini to Subaru in Mid January. The project is to have a NA 2.5L AWD Mini Cooper rally car and to be completed by July. Even though the donor car is not a WRX I thought W and Mini R50 plus X would make a nice name.
* Registered users of the site do not see these ads.

Last edited by WR50X; 12-07-2020 at 11:20 AM.
WR50X is offline   Reply With Quote
Sponsored Links
* Registered users of the site do not see these ads.
Old 12-10-2018, 09:49 AM   #2
Homemade WRX
Scooby Guru
 
Member#: 33782
Join Date: Mar 2003
Chapter/Region: MAIC
Location: Milton Keynes, UK
Vehicle:
96 3MI Racing
search FIRST, then PM!!!

Default

Ok, so you're planning on slamming an EJ25 with Subaru drivetrain into a classis Mini or a new age mini?
Homemade WRX is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 12-10-2018, 11:00 AM   #3
WR50X
Scooby Newbie
 
Member#: 494911
Join Date: Dec 2018
Default

New age 2004 Mini, not exactly slamming it in but more of a careful installation LOL I already have STI suspension fitted.
WR50X is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 12-11-2018, 09:09 PM   #4
Homemade WRX
Scooby Guru
 
Member#: 33782
Join Date: Mar 2003
Chapter/Region: MAIC
Location: Milton Keynes, UK
Vehicle:
96 3MI Racing
search FIRST, then PM!!!

Default

Ok, that might have a fighting chance. My biggest concern would be engine width and the placement driven by front CV angle.
Homemade WRX is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 12-12-2018, 12:57 AM   #5
WR50X
Scooby Newbie
 
Member#: 494911
Join Date: Dec 2018
Default

The Subaru engine is about 31" wide and the chassis rails on the Mini are 32" wide The axle distance on the Mini and Subaru are both around 20" although that will mean the radiator would be better placed in the rear quarter panels similar to the Renault R5 Turbo II

The Mini has subframes like the Subaru and currently, I use 2008+ STI type rear dampers, that's why I went with the Outback because the rear suspension uses similar dampers.

The job is going to be a challenge but so was the Mini
WR50X is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 01-22-2019, 03:05 AM   #6
WR50X
Scooby Newbie
 
Member#: 494911
Join Date: Dec 2018
Default

I started the project about 2 weeks ago and so far things are looking good at the rear. I spent a few days stripped down the Outback/Mini and then stripped down the rear suspension of both cars. There is a difference of about 7cm of height between the Subaru and the Mini so I had to cut the Mini chassis and hatch floor. Also, the Reiger coil overs are the same as the Subaru dampers so I can use them. Overall the Subaru rear subframe fits in position and I can still use the Mini fuel tank. Currently, I'm away working so when I return I will fabricate the mounts to bolt up the subframe and axle. What's a good photo sharing site?
WR50X is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 01-22-2019, 09:10 AM   #7
horsePOOGAS
Scooby Newbie
 
Member#: 450712
Join Date: Jul 2016
Location: Indiana
Vehicle:
04 STi
WRB

Default

Imgur is what a lot of folks use. Just copy and past the picture link and it shows up.
horsePOOGAS is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 03-21-2019, 01:13 AM   #8
WR50X
Scooby Newbie
 
Member#: 494911
Join Date: Dec 2018
Default

As I travel a lot I got just got 2 full weeks of work done last month. I used the Mini Cooper subframe cut and weld to the Outback subframe. I didn't want to chop about the Mini chassis so using the Mini subframe gave me an alignment reference. The biggest issue the trailing arm front mount but I resolved that with welding the Subaru bracket to the Mini which will then give me some adjustment to finally align the tracking. All in all the hybrid subframe fits and the diff clears the Mini fuel tank. Next month I should finish the rear end and hopefully start cutting out the transmission tunnel
WR50X is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 05-14-2019, 12:07 AM   #9
WR50X
Scooby Newbie
 
Member#: 494911
Join Date: Dec 2018
Default

Phase 1 of the Mini/Subaru rally project is almost completed after 6 weeks of work. The Subaru/Mini subframe is now bolted to the Mini chassis which didn't take a lot of complicated fabrication. The idea is to use as much of the original chassis as possible. Overall the finish and fit worked out better than I thought. I will be back in June to finish phase 1 and start Phase 2 which will require a bit more thinking. A big thanks to EBC brakes for supporting our project.
WR50X is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 08-20-2019, 11:37 AM   #10
WR50X
Scooby Newbie
 
Member#: 494911
Join Date: Dec 2018
Default

Work and traveling got in the way so I had a slow start but picked up the pace this month. I now have the rear subframe sorted and cut up the Legacy body ready to transplant the front strut towers etc. I pulled the engine and transmission out of the Legacy in one go and did a quick fit into the Mini engine bay. Apart from cutting away the Mini transmission tunnel the engine/gearbox goes in with room to spare. Next job is to carefully cut away the front Legacy bodywork and then cut the Mini to fit the Legacy strut towers and subframe. Hopefully next week I will have some photos up on here.
WR50X is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 12-07-2020, 11:16 AM   #11
WR50X
Scooby Newbie
 
Member#: 494911
Join Date: Dec 2018
Default

I just realized I have not been updating the progress of my project here: COVID-19 has been good for the project. I have done nearly all the fabrication work, the wiring is 90% done and the engine and AWD drivetrain is sitting nicely in the Mini body shell. I figure I have around another 4 to 5 months before the project is on the road. look for it on Subaru engined conversions on FB.
WR50X is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 12-08-2020, 10:22 AM   #12
Absoluteyeti
Scooby Newbie
 
Member#: 519596
Join Date: Oct 2020
Chapter/Region: MWSOC
Vehicle:
97 Impreza OBS
Red to be white

Default

Any pictures of it? (or my phone isn't loading them) I'm not sure why i would (sign up for and) check Facebook for a project I went on a forum to see...
Absoluteyeti is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 12-09-2020, 09:00 AM   #13
WR50X
Scooby Newbie
 
Member#: 494911
Join Date: Dec 2018
Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by Absoluteyeti View Post
Any pictures of it? (or my phone isn't loading them) I'm not sure why i would (sign up for and) check Facebook for a project I went on a forum to see...


Sorry I thought most folks are on FB. What is a good photo sharing site so I can post photos here thanks
WR50X is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 12-09-2020, 10:35 AM   #14
WR50X
Scooby Newbie
 
Member#: 494911
Join Date: Dec 2018
Default

what link do I use to share photos with photobucket?

Last edited by WR50X; 12-09-2020 at 10:41 AM.
WR50X is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 12-09-2020, 10:54 AM   #15
WR50X
Scooby Newbie
 
Member#: 494911
Join Date: Dec 2018
Default










WR50X is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 12-09-2020, 10:57 AM   #16
WR50X
Scooby Newbie
 
Member#: 494911
Join Date: Dec 2018
Default









WR50X is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 12-09-2020, 10:59 AM   #17
WR50X
Scooby Newbie
 
Member#: 494911
Join Date: Dec 2018
Default










WR50X is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 12-09-2020, 11:01 AM   #18
WR50X
Scooby Newbie
 
Member#: 494911
Join Date: Dec 2018
Default










WR50X is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 12-10-2020, 12:36 PM   #19
WhiteZombie
Scooby Newbie
 
Member#: 338863
Join Date: Nov 2012
Location: Bethlehem,PA
Vehicle:
PSM 05 WRX WGN 5MT
95 Caprice 6spd Track Rat

Default

Cool project! In for updates!
WhiteZombie is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 12-13-2020, 07:59 PM   #20
WR50X
Scooby Newbie
 
Member#: 494911
Join Date: Dec 2018
Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by WhiteZombie View Post
Cool project! In for updates!


Thanks. I will update more as the project concludes.
WR50X is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 01-01-2021, 06:40 PM   #21
T_Chayal
Scooby Newbie
 
Member#: 511156
Join Date: Jan 2020
Default

Nicely done.

Built, not bought.
T_Chayal is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 05-24-2021, 02:47 AM   #22
WR50X
Scooby Newbie
 
Member#: 494911
Join Date: Dec 2018
Default

sorry for the lack of updates. I'm slowly finishing off all the small details. The engine has been in and out quite a few times.LOL I have the Mini Cooper PS hooked up and one side of the coolant pipes hooked up. Next is the other coolant pipe and the exhaust system. I'll post some photos soon.
WR50X is offline   Reply With Quote
Reply

Thread Tools
Display Modes

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Forum Jump

All times are GMT -4. The time now is 08:13 AM.


Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.7.0
Copyright ©2000 - 2024, Jelsoft Enterprises Ltd.
Powered by Searchlight © 2024 Axivo Inc.
Copyright ©1999 - 2019, North American Subaru Impreza Owners Club, Inc.

As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

When you click on links to various merchants on this site and make a purchase, this can result in this site earning a commission
Affiliate programs and affiliations include, but are not limited to, the eBay Partner Network.