A Lunatic Put 495 Horsepower In The Back Of This Mini

"DailyTurismo" (thedailyturismo) 11/07/2014 at 12:04 • Filed to: Daily Turismo, Blog

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The original Austin Mini is one of those motoring icons that is instantly recognizable anywhere and is known for its compact package, large usable space and cat-like reflexes. It is one of those hip cars that makes the driver cool no matter if he is Jason Bourne, Mr Bean...or the bastard love child of Chuck Norris and a pikes peak hill climb car.

It is cool. But, if I learned one thing from high school, it is that the real trick of being cool is avoiding the appearance of trying to be cool — the cool must naturally ooze from your pores. Like the bespectacled nerd who aces all of his classes even though he doesn't study — he becomes cool because he appears effortless in his success. Now, what happens when you take that genius nerd, cover him in a leather jacket, ray bans, prison tats, teach him to throw 60 yard touchdown passes and grow a viking sized beard? Quite simply, you've got the recipe for a young Chuck Norris, or this !!!error: Indecipherable SUB-paragraph formatting!!! currently bidding for $16,100 reserve-not-met with $35,000 buy-it-now on eBay, located in Jupiter, FL with 4 days to go.

Folks who know me, ask me how I come up with ideas for the stories about the cars. Sometimes, it is hard, I've got to find a hook, something unique about the car that can be translated into an amusing story — and other times, the car writes the story. This is one of the latter. This car is a 10 lb bag of whoopass stuffed into a 12 oz pickle jar. I could have monkeys pounding on keyboards and you still scroll down because the pictures are captivating.

I know what you are thinking. A 495 horsepower Mini, it'll be a front wheel peeling machine with a huge rear anti-roll bar to help it lift its rear wheel like a dog trying to piss on a fire hydrant ...but just like that time you said buying a !!!error: Indecipherable SUB-paragraph formatting!!! , bad idea, you are wrong. Dead wrong. The engine, it ain't in the front. Its in the back, where your kids shouldn't be, and it should be.

The builder was even kind enough to build some kind of insulating firewall with lexan window so your pony tail doesn't get sucked into the compressor of that giant air cleaner free turbocharger. I'd have left it open and put a big sticker on the sun visor that says "get a haircut hippie," but I'm a jerk like that. The builder of this thing, on the other hand, is a class act. You are looking at a Honda 2.0 liter K20Z1 inline-4 from a 2005 Acura RSX Type-S that has been turbocharged and tuned to 495 horsepower mated to a 6-speed manual gearbox that is mounted to the rear wheels.

The interior is fully customized and you can quickly add up the retail dollars spent on this car and the seller's assertion that $100k was spent on the car can't be far from the truth. Everything has been modified in this car from A to Z and a sweet set of build pics can be found on the builder's website !!!error: Indecipherable SUB-paragraph formatting!!! .

See a better way to pickup somebody else's tuner car for a fraction of the build cost? !!!error: Indecipherable SUB-paragraph formatting!!!

Originally posted as !!!error: Indecipherable SUB-paragraph formatting!!! on !!!error: Indecipherable SUB-paragraph formatting!!! .

TwinCharged - Is Now UK Opponaut > DailyTurismo 11/07/2014 at 12:06

3

um

holy crap

I've been going around and about in an original 1997 Cooper for a few weeks that that felt sprightly enough.

495hp, Jesus Christ.

SidewaysOnDirt still misses Bowie > DailyTurismo 11/07/2014 at 12:09

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Track prepped subs, brah.

SidewaysOnDirt still misses Bowie > DailyTurismo 11/07/2014 at 12:09

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!!! UNKNOWN CONTENT TYPE !!!

Fixed that for ya.

mcseanerson > DailyTurismo 11/07/2014 at 12:10

6

Where do the passengers legs go?

DailyTurismo > SidewaysOnDirt still misses Bowie 11/07/2014 at 12:10

1

Not sure where the passenger is supposed to put his/her legs...

DailyTurismo > SidewaysOnDirt still misses Bowie 11/07/2014 at 12:11

1

Haha! Yes! Herotic!

DailyTurismo > mcseanerson 11/07/2014 at 12:12

28

If you're gonna ride shotgun in this thing, the most comfortable position is the fetal position, so why not start out that way?

crap_spackle_1 > mcseanerson 11/07/2014 at 12:24

10

wrap your legs around the thunder!

SmoresTM Has No Chill (O==[][]==O) > DailyTurismo 11/07/2014 at 12:27

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The best part of any tuned-to-hell Mini: the still-awkward steering wheel position.

Someone I work with has K20A (I believe. It's out of a Type-R) swapped Mini, but the engine is up front and its not putting down as much power as this one is.

Still, you're driving a Honda powered idiot-box with the same steering wheel position as a go kart and even less legroom. What could possibly be more fun? The answer: not a whole lot.

Curiousplay > mcseanerson 11/07/2014 at 12:32

0

They'll be too clutching their knees to their chest in terror from all of the amazing power and driving.

El-Verde > DailyTurismo 11/07/2014 at 12:32

3

Wow...this looks really well done, albeit maybe not tastefully so.

Buy it, repaint it to hide that carbon fiber, make it less boy racer-y, profit.

Turbineguy: Nom de Zoom > DailyTurismo 11/07/2014 at 12:33

6

This kind of lunacy I can support.

Zundfolge > DailyTurismo 11/07/2014 at 12:33

2

That is almost as cool as this:
http://retrorides.proboards.com/thread/167217/…

SlickMcRick > SidewaysOnDirt still misses Bowie 11/07/2014 at 12:34

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That's honestly what I was about to post. Good thing I always seem to scroll through comments before I post something.

fjam5000 > DailyTurismo 11/07/2014 at 12:34

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You don't need legs when you got SWAGG!

DailyTurismo > SmoresTM Has No Chill (O==[][]==O) 11/07/2014 at 12:35

1

I love the truck angled steering wheel from the original mini.

DjM1390 > DailyTurismo 11/07/2014 at 12:35

1

Um. What? Damn.

inefficient > SmoresTM Has No Chill (O==[][]==O) 11/07/2014 at 12:35

6

Every time I spot the steering wheel still canted in a mini derived car, it drives me insane. "Why and how was this position acceptable. I don't even."

DailyTurismo > El-Verde 11/07/2014 at 12:36

1

Not sure how much profit is left after you pay $35k for it...but I do agree some parts are a bit boy racer-y. Front headlights would be the first thing to go.

DjM1390 > DailyTurismo 11/07/2014 at 12:36

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i'm sure passengers will love earth shattering bass aimed at their balls and/or vag. Yes, and/or.

Harris_the_Unknowing > DailyTurismo 11/07/2014 at 12:38

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!!! UNKNOWN CONTENT TYPE !!!

Jim > DailyTurismo 11/07/2014 at 12:39

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I'm both confused and aroused. My depression isn't suicidal, I'm lacking a death wish at the moment, but, I still want it.

DailyTurismo > DjM1390 11/07/2014 at 12:39

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NOS baby, its got NOS.

STi or GTFO > SmoresTM Has No Chill (O==[][]==O) 11/07/2014 at 12:40

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This is not a K20, this is a B series.
Most likely a b18c5 out of the 1997-2001 Type R.

feeble > Zundfolge 11/07/2014 at 12:40

1

The one in the link you provided is much cooler.

LS1RX7-owen > mcseanerson 11/07/2014 at 12:42

1

one on each side of the sub, where on warm days you can feather your sack with the woofer

Kingen2 > DailyTurismo 11/07/2014 at 12:43

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Video, i want video, i want to see this little psycho ride in action!

PurpEL > SmoresTM Has No Chill (O==[][]==O) 11/07/2014 at 12:44

3

That my friend is a B18, K20's replaced that engine. It's still a cool mini none-the-less!

JayHova > DailyTurismo 11/07/2014 at 12:45

17

Cue Oscar Pistorius jokes.

DailyTurismo > Kingen2 11/07/2014 at 12:45

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Videos..you say...

http://www.audioprofiles.com/page2/page2.ht…

I couldn't get them to work, but my flash player is wonky.

SmoresTM Has No Chill (O==[][]==O) > STi or GTFO 11/07/2014 at 12:46

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Whoops! I stand corrected.

JayHova > DailyTurismo 11/07/2014 at 12:46

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Seriously fugly headlights.

SmoresTM Has No Chill (O==[][]==O) > PurpEL 11/07/2014 at 12:47

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I stand corrected! I don't know much about Honda engines (except the F20c. I would love to swap one into the 2002), so I'm not surprised I got that wrong. Ahaha

SmoresTM Has No Chill (O==[][]==O) > inefficient 11/07/2014 at 12:48

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It isn't, but somehow it is. Honestly it makes these cars a pain in the ass (or knees) for me to drive. At 6'1", my legs get awfully cramped but that doesn't keep me from having a blast while driving them!

Evil-B > DailyTurismo 11/07/2014 at 12:48

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Those headlights look reeeeefuckingtarded

UncleJarvis > DailyTurismo 11/07/2014 at 12:49

1

Thats one to the most bad ass Mini's Ive ever seen. .

phydeaux > mcseanerson 11/07/2014 at 12:49

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Where we're going, passengers don't need legs...

SmoresTM Has No Chill (O==[][]==O) > DailyTurismo 11/07/2014 at 12:49

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It's so awful, and yet somehow perfect. I've driven that mini a handful of times and it always end with my knees killing me, but with a giant smile on my face.

Boss2452stolemylunchmoney > mcseanerson 11/07/2014 at 12:52

0

Passenger must throw out that stupid speaker!

Boss2452stolemylunchmoney > DailyTurismo 11/07/2014 at 12:53

1

You mean NAWWSSSS, right?

DougNuts > SmoresTM Has No Chill (O==[][]==O) 11/07/2014 at 12:54

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That looks like a B18C5 to me.

mierdv > DailyTurismo 11/07/2014 at 12:55

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Steering wheel is on the wrong side

Chaparral2F > SmoresTM Has No Chill (O==[][]==O) 11/07/2014 at 12:55

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That engine in the red Mini is a B series engine, not a K series.

Znegva > SidewaysOnDirt still misses Bowie 11/07/2014 at 12:55

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Looks like the sub was placed as an homage to the speaker riding scene in Howard Stern's Pivate Parts.

CobraJoe > SmoresTM Has No Chill (O==[][]==O) 11/07/2014 at 12:55

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I want that little red honda powered one more than the "XTREME!!" one up top.

Evil-B > SmoresTM Has No Chill (O==[][]==O) 11/07/2014 at 12:57

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It could be my eyes playing tricks on my but the whole front end of that mini looks wrong.

jebusmoses > DailyTurismo 11/07/2014 at 12:58

2

I swear I mean no disrespect, but...some parts are a bit boy racer-y? I kinda love this thing, but it's dripping with it.

Evil-B > mierdv 11/07/2014 at 12:58

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Nope its on the right side

Kingen2 > DailyTurismo 11/07/2014 at 12:59

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Thank you! Open in a new tab and wait for quicktime to load them, then it works!

You had fordboy357 at "meat tornado" > DailyTurismo 11/07/2014 at 13:02

4

clarkwgriswold001 > DailyTurismo 11/07/2014 at 13:03

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Awesome car, but those headlights...?

Dy-no-mite Jay > mcseanerson 11/07/2014 at 13:05

2

I was wondering the same thing. It almost looks like some futuristic urinal for when you piss yourself just before you hit a tree doing 175.

Acidboogie > DailyTurismo 11/07/2014 at 13:06

1

Mini 5 Turbo?

Sally O'Broder > DailyTurismo 11/07/2014 at 13:07

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Oh yes please!

zomg-anon2 > mcseanerson 11/07/2014 at 13:08

1

is that a fleshlight?

Dy-no-mite Jay > Zundfolge 11/07/2014 at 13:11

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You can see the wheels from INSIDE the car. This thing is crazy. Like some go cart on Blue Meth!

plainnottoasted > SmoresTM Has No Chill (O==[][]==O) 11/07/2014 at 13:11

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This photo makes it look like the steering wheel is mounted where the mirror adjustment lever comes out of the door panel on some cars.

fritzo > inefficient 11/07/2014 at 13:11

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I seem to remember the position of the steering wheel had to do with leverage. The engine on the original Mini's was on top of the wheels, there was no power steering, and the cramped cabin meant it was difficult to turn the wheel. The odd angle helped you turn the wheel easily.

Don't quote me on that, but I could have swore I heard one of the original designers mention that in a documentary (or acid trip...not sure which).

Dy-no-mite Jay > Evil-B 11/07/2014 at 13:12

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plainnottoasted > DjM1390 11/07/2014 at 13:14

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Hahahahaha it's got NOS. Why on earth does it have NOS? Because of course it does.

montego > DailyTurismo 11/07/2014 at 13:22

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Single lug......drool!

SmoresTM Has No Chill (O==[][]==O) > plainnottoasted 11/07/2014 at 13:23

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I noticed that too. It really does look like the steering column is coming out of the door...

SP23 > DailyTurismo 11/07/2014 at 13:25

18

I see what you did there.

kernow > DailyTurismo 11/07/2014 at 13:25

0

Love it. Hoonitic takes a 210hp motor tunes and turbos it up to 495 then thinks to him self Nitros is a good idea and wangs in a bottle of that for good measure.

SmoresTM Has No Chill (O==[][]==O) > CobraJoe 11/07/2014 at 13:27

0

I'm with you there. It looks much more usable and less likely to kill you. And it's still a blast to drive!

SmoresTM Has No Chill (O==[][]==O) > Evil-B 11/07/2014 at 13:28

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I noticed that too. I think it's just the picture though. It looks totally normal in real life.

OneHeadLight > SlickMcRick 11/07/2014 at 13:30

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HERO: The most overused, carelessly applied word in the English language.

Thunder > DailyTurismo 11/07/2014 at 13:30

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!!! UNKNOWN CONTENT TYPE !!!

There - fixed it for you.

OneHeadLight > DailyTurismo 11/07/2014 at 13:30

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RHD?

Thunder > SidewaysOnDirt still misses Bowie 11/07/2014 at 13:31

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LOL - I just did the same, but "Genius" rather than "Hero".

Great minds, or something like that.

CobraJoe > SmoresTM Has No Chill (O==[][]==O) 11/07/2014 at 13:40

0

I'm ok with a vehicle trying to kill me, makes me feel like a beast master.

But I'm more interested in a car that puts function ahead of genital vibrating speakers.

Chris > Evil-B 11/07/2014 at 13:43

1

Ba-dum TISHHHHH

Drakkon- Most Glorious and Upright Person of Genius > DailyTurismo 11/07/2014 at 13:47

1

Honestly?

SmoresTM Has No Chill (O==[][]==O) > CobraJoe 11/07/2014 at 13:50

0

I'm all for a car that would like me dead, but cars that are actively trying to kill me (which I've only experienced once in my dad's old Shelby Cobra kit car, actually) freak me out ever so slightly. It wasn't enough to make me not want to drive it, but I always had to gather myself before setting off.

But, yeah, genital vibrating speakers aren't something I need... Or want. At all.

MrMcQueen > crap_spackle_1 11/07/2014 at 13:51

1

I told that to a girlfriend once.

Bags > DailyTurismo 11/07/2014 at 13:53

1

Hard to believe it doesn't need a wheelie bar...

civicdrivr is not a civic drivr > SmoresTM Has No Chill (O==[][]==O) 11/07/2014 at 13:53

0

That's a B18C5, not a K20.

Still, I'm sure it's fun as hell.

STi or GTFO > SmoresTM Has No Chill (O==[][]==O) 11/07/2014 at 13:54

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The K20 did live as a Type R, but it was in the Civic. Though it didn't come to the U.S.

The one pictured lived in the Integra

DailyTurismo > Bags 11/07/2014 at 13:59

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FIFY: Hard to believe it doesn't have a wheelie bar...

Uak42 > DailyTurismo 11/07/2014 at 14:08

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ZCars are the same guys that stuff Hayabusa's into anything you like. I asked for a Mx-5 with one in 2010, but the price was a little too steep for me at that time. They wanted £8k for the engine, gearbox and transaxle, which was fine, but the fab work and the base Mx-5 was priced too steeply. Still want one in a few years.

SmoresTM Has No Chill (O==[][]==O) > STi or GTFO 11/07/2014 at 14:14

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Ahhh. Yeah you're right. Well there's my something new learned for today! Ahaha

allpurposeben > DailyTurismo 11/07/2014 at 14:20

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What about these lunatics? Celica GT4 drivetrain in a Mini 1000.

http://www.badobsessionmotorsport.co.uk/test/index.php…

VanSam > Zundfolge 11/07/2014 at 14:37

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Almost is pushing it.

cream wobbly > DjM1390 11/07/2014 at 14:46

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and, or or, or both

CobraJoe > SmoresTM Has No Chill (O==[][]==O) 11/07/2014 at 14:53

0

I'm a bit jealous, I've never gotten to drive a cobra kit (or real one). I always thought I'd like the insanity of it.

Tripper > DailyTurismo 11/07/2014 at 15:07

0

Holy shit, I love it!

scotschris > DailyTurismo 11/07/2014 at 15:24

0

Holy shit that website is bad....

SmoresTM Has No Chill (O==[][]==O) > CobraJoe 11/07/2014 at 15:37

1

If you ever get the chance, don't pass it up... Unless it's raining. I got caught out in the rain once and let me tell you, the chincy cloth top is impossible to put up and does nothing, and those beautiful curves actually direct water right into your lap. That, and all of its power makes keeping full traction a little tricky. On a nice day though, it's amazing. It's one of the most visceral driving experience I've ever had. The real trick is going to the bathroom before you get in, because you're guaranteed to nearly piss yourself at least once.

45bullets > DailyTurismo 11/07/2014 at 15:51

4

Renault 5 turbo 2 anyone?

DanPadge > mcseanerson 11/07/2014 at 16:26

2

I bet its a big hit with the ladies

LNFmini > DailyTurismo 11/07/2014 at 16:27

0

I need this in my life.

Jake - Has Bad Luck So You Don't Have To > DailyTurismo 11/07/2014 at 16:57

0

dat speaker placement

Rick > DailyTurismo 11/07/2014 at 17:22

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Not your flash player, same for me. Who uses flash anymore anyways...

Rick > DailyTurismo 11/07/2014 at 17:31

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http://www.audioprofiles.com/mini/ZcarsMini…

http://smallblogv8.blogspot.com/2012/03/mr-vte…

http://www.modifiedcartrader.com/for-sale.aspx?…

Chris Hayes > DailyTurismo 11/07/2014 at 17:32

1

I met the original builder of this a few years ago out here in CA. We tried to book the car for The Smoking Tire but he sold it shortly after we met him. A little surprised the car made it all the way to Jupiter (used to live there) and is on the block again.

The detail put into this car is simply amazing, the best mini build I've ever seen.

SmugAardvark > DailyTurismo 11/07/2014 at 17:41

2

Maybe it's just the angle of the photos, but look at the first two pictures (the side view and the rear view).

In the rear view, you can really see those angry rear fenders. But in the side view, they look much closer to the stock rear fenders. Optical illusion?

DailyTurismo > 45bullets 11/07/2014 at 17:49

0

Yes, it does look very R5 Turboish.

Mustang 'DontHitTheCrowd' GT > DailyTurismo 11/07/2014 at 18:43

0

Mini_Fanatic > inefficient 11/07/2014 at 19:22

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Direct to rack, not enough room in front or behind the firewall for extra shafts and u-joints. A lot of small cars of the era are like that (like the BMW Isetta and Messerschmitts) It's easy to get used to, and damn good fun. It's a great feeling tugging on the wheel to throw it into a corner, rather than simply rotating it, and then holding on for dear life.

Carlitos the Fünfer > DailyTurismo 11/07/2014 at 22:17

0

This is fantastic. I think I would've tried to make the body as unassuming as possible for maximum sleeper-status. But still... 495hp in a mini? Do want.