Availability of Donor cars

[GTiMini]

Seeing this is a global group I was wondering what the availabilty was for donor cars in other parts of the world. Specifically the Suzuki GTi.

Here in Australia they seem to be plentiful and hence the mini community has a high interest in them. Hondas, especially the VTec'd ones here are rare and very expensive in comparison. Vaxhalls exist in a variant form but are rarely considered for a mini conversion. Rovers don't really exist.

Can I see some feedback from other parts of the globe please.

[evolotion]

well over here in the uk, (in my experience) rovers and vauxhalls are plentifull and dirt cheap. tho the 1.8 k-series is sought after.

swift GTi's are not very common but usualy dont fetch much when for sale

and v-tecs are reasonably common but highly sought after so cost quite a bit.

:)

[Qwiknik]

Hi,
the swift GTI sold well here in Germany. There are lots around, but good cheap ones get snapped up because the engines fit in the Jeeps too!
A popular conversion here.
I was wondering if the technical inspection here in Germany would notice that a GTI engine was fitted in a Mini. Would emmision levels be much different to the later Minis with injection, SPI or MPI?
I like the Vtec conversion, but would go Suzuki because I have a Suzuki Cappuccino too. It would keep things in the family.
I think the GTI package is hard to beat for the price, I wouldn't touch a Vauxhall/Opel with a barge pole, however good the engine is.
Nick

[GTiMini]

Hi,
I was wondering if the technical inspection here in Germany would notice that a GTI engine was fitted in a Mini. Would emmision levels be much different to the later Minis with injection, SPI or MPI?
I like the Vtec conversion, but would go Suzuki because I have a Suzuki Cappuccino too. It would keep things in the family.
I think the GTI package is hard to beat for the price, I wouldn't touch a Vauxhall/Opel with a barge pole, however good the engine is.
Nick

The emissions would be as good if not better than the mini due to the later technology.

Are you suggesting that in Germany they don't care about engine swaps if the emissions are same?

[qwiknik]

Oh they care alright!
I just mean if the conversion is very standard looking I might get away with it, as long as the numbers generated on the emissions test are not too different. Better values should be no problem, just worse.
The only correct way to do the conversion in Germany is on a pre 10/1971 logbook. Emissions are no problem before this date.
Problem is pre 71 Minis are rare and expensive here, I guess in the UK they carry a premium too.
I just thought if I removed the Suzuki lettering on the cam cover and replaced with MINI they might just swallow it.

[miniswift]

Nice idea about getting lid of Suzuki lettering.
Well, in UK Suzuki Swift Gti is getting cheaper.
If you know where to look :lol: .
I saw a lot of Mk-1 for £200 ono ( or nearest offer).
I saw it in ebay and UK Swift web site.
I even saw 2(mk1s) for price of 1.
They are good cars but, they don't like salt on the road.
They didn't get treatment right when they left factory.
So, they usually rust and they get MOT failure :cry: :P .
That's when people like me come into it.
Go and tell owners, I will buy your car for good money and use whatever you need and sell other staff on ebay!
I got 2 engines and gearboxes to play with.
I got both of them for £150-ish and they are both done about 70k miles.

Anyway, good luck with your conversion in Germany.

Cheers
Atchi
P.S. I made jig for sub frame now.
I shall start to cut them up and weld in material!

[miniswift]

Hi Con and ppl,

I just bought mk1 gti as a everyday car.
It is very quick car.
I'm putting this engine into my mini and modding the engine too....
I must be crazy.
With LSD and R1 carbs....it will be fun car.
I just need to finish the thing...
I wounder how many more years!?


Oh, I'm selling my crx vt if anyone is inetrested.

Cheers
Atchi