RWD Mini with a Mid-Engine Honda V6

Kade Harward loves Minis. He’s owned several with a manual transmission, one with an automatic transmission, and even one with a Honda K20 motor. Eventually Kade sought to create a Mini that would feel more like a go-kart.

In the back of Kade’s Mini is a 3.5 L Honda J-series V6. The motor features a J35A4 bottom-end topped with J32A2 heads. Exhaust is routed through Big Bore headers and custom exhaust with a Spintech Sportsman 3000 muffler. Kade installed a MiniTec aluminum radiator and fuel cell in the factory engine bay. The V6 runs on a JV6 wiring harness and ECU.

Power is transmitted to the rear wheels through a Clutchmasters single-disc clutch and flywheel to a six-speed manual transmission sourced from a 2004 Acura TL.

Kade converted the car’s layout using MiniTec’s Midi front and rear subframes. He also added a Sport 2.2 steering rack and QA1 coilovers with 300 lb springs in front and 400 lb springs in back. For braking Kade installed Super Brakes four-piston front brakes and PowerStop 1993 Miata rear hubs and brakes.

Extending out from each corner of the body is a set of roguese7ens forged carbon arches. Under those are Compomotive 13×9-inch wheels with Toyo Proxes R888R 225/45 tires. Kade also installed SMCO Apollo headlights and modified a hood from a 2001 Acura CL to cover the cabin.

On the inside Kade installed a set of Corbeau seats with Takashi harnesses surrounded by a roll cage. He changes gears using a Hybrid Racing billet shifter and P2R J-swap cables. View more photos of the Mini including the build progress on @V6_Mini.