There’s something so cool about classic Minis. Obviously, you’d never want to crash into a big SUV while behind the wheel of one but their compact size delivers a driving experience that’s impossible to match in any modern day hot hatch.
Classic Mini models are also quite popular to tune and upgrade. Take this one, recently featured on the Hoonigan channel. It is a 1971 Austin Mini Cooper but gone is its standard engine and in its place sits a single-cam D-Series Honda engine.
This unit displaces 1.6-liters from its four cylinders and features VTEC. It was originally only sold in Japan and has been modified with custom independent throttle bodies and a Hondata ECU. Coupled to the D16 engine is a manual transmission powering the tiny 10-inch SSR front wheels.
Read: MINI Wants To Help US Drivers Learn How To Drive A Stick
Very few other modifications have been made to the Mini, although it does feature some new trimmings in the cabin as well as an AEM digital instrument cluster.
If you own a classic Mini like this and install it with a naturally aspirated 1.6-liter Honda engine, you’re obviously not looking to achieve monstrous power figures. Nevertheless, the Hoonigan team still decided to strap it onto the dyno for a series of performance runs to see just how much grunt it is pumping out.
In the first run and with the engine and its independent throttle bodies screaming, the car delivers 116 hp at the front wheels. For the second run, it was revved a little higher to just below 7,000 rpm. Grunt climbed slightly to 117 horses. In the third and final run, it again topped out at 117 hp.