Beta 1.8l 16v Nimi Sooper 1.0

The Nimi Sooper 1.8 16v - A Classic "Mini" with Vauxhall/Opel Astra 1.8 GSi 16v Engine Swap - Automation build

This mod recreates the legendary engine swap that was the stuff of mine and many other petrolhead's teenage dreams back in the day - cutting out part of the bulkhead to drop a Vauxhall Astra 1.8 GSi 16v engine into an original Mini shell, and while I never had the cash to build one in real life as a broke ass teenager in the 90's, Automation finally let me get an idea of what a little pocket rocket it might have been.

Working with the engine & tech specs I could find (based on the Z18XE engine spec), I've tried my best to capture what this combination would have been like. The result is a properly quick little beast, but comes with all the "character" you'd expect from stuffing a hot hatch engine into a tiny 60s shell with little expertise. The brakes are stupid, and the handling is... let's call it "exciting." It's very quick and nimble, but turn or brake too sharp at speed and it will try to kill you... Comprehensively.

It's not a perfect recreation a few more modern specs included to make it at least semi drivable, but it captures the spirit of what made this swap so appealing to teenage me and countless other young dickheads. Fast, fun, and absolutely lethal. Enjoy.