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P&L Minis

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P & L Minis (http://www.plmini.co.uk) is a family firm and deal only with Minis. Their cars are prepared to high standards, both mechanically and cosmetically. They specialise in restoration and building of cars and engines to customer specifications. Just recently, they introduced a kit to fit a Honda VTEC 1600cc engine in a Mini Clubman. The sub-frame they use is based on the Metro K series and is then modified and strengthened to take the Honda engine. Turrets are fabricated to mount the sub-frame to the Mini's existing turret mountings. 

The pictures on this page show the car that was displayed at the Mini's 40th birthday party at Silverstone where it attracted a great deal of attention, mainly for it's bodywork and interior.

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This picture shows the VTEC powered Mini Clubman.

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This picture shows Honda engine installed. Note that the inner wings are pretty much intact.

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This picture shows the front of the subframe

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This picture shows the rear of the sub-frame

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This picture shows the left hand mounting bracket for the Honda engine.

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This picture shows the right hand mounting bracket for the Honda engine.


The P&L VTEC conversion requires that the car be a Clubman to avoid having to cut away too much metal, however, it is entirely feasible to fit the engine to a standard Mini and fit a flip front. The standard wheels and tyres (to fit a Mini) can be used at the front and rear. The example above uses 14" Super-Lite wheels and Yokohama tyres - 195x50x14. Paul recommends that a rear beam axle is used to match the spacing of the front wheels which is increased due to the additional width of the Metro sub-frame. A benefit of this is that  weight in the rear is reduced due to the replacement of the standard steel rear sub-frame.

The sub-frame that is shown displays the Honda engine mounting points and the fabricated turrets. Note that the sub-frame is shown prior to being shot-blasted and powder-coated. Below are the latest pictures from P&L showing the frame powder-coated in black and their latest VTEC powered Mini in Surf Blue. Nice eh?

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This picture shows the powder-coated sub-frame complete with hubs, brakes and coil-over shock absorbers. 

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Engine bay shot of a completed VTEC Mini. Fits very nicely don't you think and it's for sale!

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The completed VTEC Mini in Surf Blue complete with body kit and 13" Super-Lite wheels. 

I've been to see this kit and was impressed to see the use of turrets to allow the fitting of the tower bolts. The sub-frame is very substantial and is suited to road as well as competition use.

Typical costs (current on the 20th December 2000, all including VAT, subject to change) are:
Honda VTEC 1600cc engine £800 (approx. depending on availability)
Subframe £850
Wiring loom conversion  £200
Driveshafts £235
Coil over shocker conversion £175
Clutch cable conversion £55
Fuel pump, tank conversion, other sundries etc. £75
Suitable radiator £75
Rear beam axle £80

Total bill is expected to be just over £2,000 including VAT.

P & L quote a figure of £6,000 for a drive-in, scream-out conversion!

Contact details for P & L Minis are listed here.