Jump to content

Tamiya Austin Mini - aftermarket upgrades


Chrissy_J

Recommended Posts

Morning all,

If I were to replace the BMC A-series engine in a Tamiya 1/24 Mini with another transverse motor, where would I get such a thing from in the UK?

Hiroboy have a couple of Factory81 Honda B-series engines which would look great and have prototypical history too, but they seem to be permanently out of stock, and I'm reluctant to buy from abroad if I don't absolutely have to.

 

Also, can anyone suggest a suitable wider wheel and tyre type to replace the skinny stock 10" diameter effort? Everything else I've seen is a minimum of 14" diameter which is way oversized.

 

Finally, if anyone can recommend a model car parts retailer in the UK (apart from Hiroboy, who are good but sometimes you need choice, y'allknow?) it'd be much appreciated

Link to comment
Share on other sites

I just wish you could but aftermarket 10" minilites for it, those kit alloys are awful. 

 

 Anyway, Honda swaps are popular, maybe a Civic Type R kit might provide a good donor engine. 

The Fujimi Rover Mini kit has the 12" wheels fitted to later Minis though they're probably more like 13". I've got a picture of one of my really old builds somewhere, I'll have a look

  • Like 1
Link to comment
Share on other sites

I'm trying to get all the Tamiya Mini kits, as a source of parts, but they suddenly seem to have disappeared from general sale (like the Honda CB750).

Cuh! Typical!

Quote

Chrissy, there is a Tamiya Racing Mini (green one on the box), that has wider racing wheels in it. 

As for a Transverse replacement, cant actually think of anything at the mo.... Golf engine too big?

There's a few engines that could be made to fit, theoretically, and that includes the Golf. But it really comes down to what is the right size for the vehicle (no point trying to show off with a 2 litre Ford Focus mill), what's on the market, and what cam be made to look 'right'.

Engine swaps are popular with US car builds but they're the wrong configuration and while it'd be cool to drive a Mini with a 426 Hemi engine it'd be nearly impossible to make it work in real life, and just absurd as a model.

Edited by Chrissy_J
I'd rather expand on the post than write another
  • Like 1
Link to comment
Share on other sites

5 hours ago, Cooper645 said:

This looks like a good source of bits, and not one I've seen before. Thanks for that, I'm always pleased to discover new sellers and companies.

 

I've kinda resigned myself now to the fact that if I want Factory81 parts I'll have to shop abroad. Just got to decide whether I'll use the company's website in Hong Kong, or go to BNA Model World in Australia.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

6 hours ago, Alan R said:

I remember years ago at Thruxton, seeing a 'Mini' with a fully race-prepared BDA in the front

Early seventies, I saw it at Mallory. IIRC,

It needed an extra cog in the 'box as the Ford engine rotates the other way around.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

1 hour ago, Chrissy_J said:

This looks like a good source of bits, and not one I've seen before. Thanks for that, I'm always pleased to discover new sellers and companies.

 

I've kinda resigned myself now to the fact that if I want Factory81 parts I'll have to shop abroad. Just got to decide whether I'll use the company's website in Hong Kong, or go to BNA Model World in Australia.

I can vouch for that website and their stuff.  I am using an engine in my Caddy project.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

9 hours ago, Alan R said:

I remember years ago at Thruxton, seeing a 'Mini' with a fully race-prepared BDA in the front.

How much Mini was left, I don't know...

 

Cheers, Alan.

In which case - The Esci / Revell / Italeri Escort has a BDG engine that might work....

  • Like 1
Link to comment
Share on other sites

There is of course the legendary Project Binky mini, that is getting a 2l turbocharged Toyota engine and running gear (and is now looking very much like it may actually finish). It single-handedly justifies the very existence of YouTube. Have no idea where you're get a 1:24 engine but what a model project it would be!

 

In my dreams, I'd do one in 1:12 based on the Tamiya kit, but the stash is too big, my skills too small and the number of remaining years too few for this ever to happen. Oh well. Good luck with yours and I hope you find a suitable engine.

 

Kirk

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Sorry, I've been interupted 😁

Concerning the wheels... BRM ist offering a nice 1/24 slot version of the Mini,and normaly they are selling the spare parts, in your case wheels and rims. OK it will represent 13" wheels.

If you want 10" wheels you should search for 1/32 slot race accessoires, just bcs of the size.

Another option might be to look at scaleproduction, there you can find 13" setups with streched tyres, which look similar to the 1:1 wheels option.

And concerning the engine...in the 70/80s a cool tuning Option was to buy a crossflow cylinderhead with Webers.

Might be an idea...

Cheers

Marco F.

  • Like 2
Link to comment
Share on other sites

There is also project 64 - a 1964 997 cooper s that is officially the fastest mini in the world. 166mph at Bonneville. It has a near standard body, the original block with a BMW bike engine head and a turbo.

 

Here's a link to their FB page https://www.facebook.com/Project64Mini/

 

Edited by Jo NZ
added link, increased speed
  • Like 2
Link to comment
Share on other sites

On ‎1‎/‎26‎/‎2019 at 9:36 PM, Jo NZ said:

There is also project 64 - a 1964 997 cooper s that is officially the fastest mini in the world. 166mph at Bonneville. It has a near standard body, the original block with a BMW bike engine head and a turbo.

 

Here's a link to their FB page https://www.facebook.com/Project64Mini/

 

Interesting. There is of course a Tamiya K100 in 1:12 which would give an authentic donor cylinder head, but there would still be just a little bit of work required for intercoolers, wheels, tyres, roll cage, interior, bodywork etc...

 

Still easier than Binky though.

Edited by Kirk
Link to comment
Share on other sites

Bike engined Mini's are definitely A Thing, but getting a suitable 1/24 bike engine is tricky, hence my preferred idea of an alternative car engine. But, there are possibilities in both schools of modification.

ScaleProduction ( https://www.scaleproduction.de ) appears to have a lot of stuff I'd like, and at good prices, but the delivery charges are quite high so I'll have make a large order to justify the cost...

I like the idea of using slot car wheels and tyres too, it reminds me of the trike I built from a 1/9 scale BMW, with rear wheels from a 1/10 RC car. Cheap too!

Link to comment
Share on other sites

  • 2 months later...

Create an account or sign in to comment

You need to be a member in order to leave a comment

Create an account

Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!

Register a new account

Sign in

Already have an account? Sign in here.

Sign In Now
×
×
  • Create New...