zzdcar
Home
/
Reviews
/
Culture
/
This LS-Powered Mini is the Undisputed Champion of Hooning
This LS-Powered Mini is the Undisputed Champion of Hooning-June 2024
2024-02-19 EST 22:13:00

Image for article titled This LS-Powered Mini is the Undisputed Champion of Hooning

Is there anything cooler than a car built for the singular purpose of shredding tires and looking scary as hell? While this Mini technically can be driven on the road (and it seems the owner does just that), there is very little here in terms of driver comfort or user friendliness. With a 4.8-liter small block LS engine jammed in between the headlamps, a massive belt-driven air pusher mounted on top, and ratty bodywork wrapped around an austerity-special passenger compartment, this rolling rubber vaporizer is ready to get the attention of everyone in a four mile radius at a moment’s notice.

Singularity of purpose is what gearheads do, right? A car built for the drag strip isn’t great at autocross or track days or driving on the street. That translates similarly to any single discipline build. This car might set a respectable time down the drag strip based solely on power to weight ratio, but it’s too light for traction. So just light the match and burn it down, put a boot in the throttle pedal and shred some tires. There is only one thing you can do with this car, and it is filling its niche perfectly.

If you’re going to go to LS Fest, jam an LS in an Austin Mini and fuckin’ send it, my dude. And when the steering wheel pops off in the middle of your burnout, keep your foot in the gas and keep roasting.

This car speaks to me. Loudly.

Comments
Welcome to zzdcar comments! Please keep conversations courteous and on-topic. To fosterproductive and respectful conversations, you may see comments from our Community Managers.
Sign up to post
Sort by
Show More Comments
Culture
Watch ABS Fail When MotorWeek Tests A 1997 Chevy S-10
Watch ABS Fail When MotorWeek Tests A 1997 Chevy S-10
MotorWeek’s is some of the on the internet. The long-running automotive news magazine has a treasure trove of tests after being on the air for over 40 years. Where else can you find detailed instrumented testing of long-forgotten cars like the or a ? MotorWeek’s recent Retro Review upload is...
Jun 21, 2025
Subaru Had It Right All Along
Subaru Had It Right All Along
When first came to the United States, it sold small funky cars that were decidedly un-American. As the company grew its own identity and became more established in the U.S., it became the first automaker to offer an all-wheel-drive passenger car in 1975. Subaru was also an early-adopter of...
Jun 21, 2025
Toyota Is Moving A Prewar 700-Ton Press Machine Halfway Around The World
Toyota Is Moving A Prewar 700-Ton Press Machine Halfway Around The World
closed its São Bernardo Plant in November 2023, marking the end of its first overseas production facility. The closure caps off a period of continuous car production in São Paolo, , lasting over 60 years. The plant was home to a Komatsu 700-ton press that predates itself. And now...
Jun 21, 2025
I Entered My Lifted Miata In A Real Off-Road Race, Here's What Happened
I Entered My Lifted Miata In A Real Off-Road Race, Here's What Happened
I have two automotive loves: The first is the Miata, the second is off-road racing. For a while I raced air-cooled Volkswagens in the deserts of California and Nevada and I was lucky enough to co-drive in a class 11 stock bug in the Baja 1000 a few years...
Jun 21, 2025
2024 Kia EV9: What Do You Want To Know?
2024 Kia EV9: What Do You Want To Know?
At long last, we are about to get behind the wheel of for the first time. Sure, , and sure, , and sure , but hey — what can you do? Anyway, before we get behind the wheel of this three-row electric beast, we want to know what you...
Jun 21, 2025
I Can't Get Enough Of This YouTuber Who Builds Tiny, Fully Functional Scale-Model Cars
I Can't Get Enough Of This YouTuber Who Builds Tiny, Fully Functional Scale-Model Cars
I love tiny, of . I have a that is roughly half the size of a normal cat, and she’s perfect. I own a 2013 , which is like the miniature version of a normal-sized vehicle (at least here in Texas) — but beyond that, I also own a Hot...
Jun 21, 2025
Copyright 2023-2025 - www.zzdcar.com All Rights Reserved