That’s because it is!

Since we've used many other subframes on the market, the main goal we wanted to achieve were consistency, ease of install, and ability to run normal mini alignment specs. The square tubes used in our subframes are not structural. The engine mounts to the upper section of the subframe where it bolts to the car, and the lower section with the square tubes is removable. There will definitely be more videos, including a step by step guide to the install.

Thank you for the clarification, that is definitely an important note about the difference in the load bearing section vs removable section. I look forward to the follow up and keep innovating!

I have this same exact question. I've never seen a swap with AC but very much want to do one

Too hard to find b series engines

Trimming of the inner wings is required. We'll provide a template to cut the minimal amount required.

D16y8 from 96-00 Civic EX in the USA, Si trim in Canada

We run our alternator between the engine and the firewall, so there is room in the wings for a compressor. We do not have plans right now to add an AC kit yet, but it's definitely feasible. We're doing a build in the summer with a plan to run most of the AC system in the trunk.

That’s super cool and super interesting because down here in Florida it’s like life or death without A/C and A/C options in the mini are super few or non existent lol

It’s quite tight so I don’t think it would fit but with a welder and a grinder anything is possible:)

It'll work for either LHD or RHD

Are you saying Hondas are now not reliable? Going to be tough to prove. Good news is there are x00,000s of Civics on the road so plenty to choose from and you will never pay too much for this power train.

@Marcel C d16 is good, but you need to search for it and it could be hard to find one in decent conditions. Then you could need some replacement parts for it. Could be a problem because it's old

We did consider the newer Ford 3 cylinder, but supply, parts (old and new), experience in working on them, are plentiful for the D16. We routinely buy $300 dollar engines and rebuild them with new parts for use. The last mini was built 20+ years ago as well, and because it's popular with a huge community of enthusiast who want to support it, age is not an issue, just like Honda engines.

I think you need to watch the video again, he explains some of the differences with this subframe.

John and other manufacturers make to order and usually have a wait list. This is just anther option to choose from already a pretty limited selection. I think this is great that SMCO is doing this. No where near the same as Mcgees, Minitec and anyone else who makes frames. You should be stoked there are more options now.

@@poida97 Dropping the engine without dropping the subframe is a pointless feature. Advantage is you don’t need to bleed the brakes by dropping the engine only, disadvantage is that you have to pop the driveshafts to remove the engine without the subframe and to do that you have to separate the lower ball joints; arguably a harder job than bleeding brakes. SMCO says it’s a 40-minute job vs. a 6-hour job? That’s baloney. And it’s a Honda engine! How often are you going to need an engine-out service anyway?!

@@Reilly_McNicks SMCO is different than McGee in a way that doesn’t matter. As for wait list, McGee is a couple months at worst while SMCO is taking pre-production deposits and needs your core for an unproven subframe they’ll deliver sometime in the fall…

I really like the SMCO guys I just don’t know why they tried re-engineering something that McGee already perfected. Fighting over the same niche market is NOT good for the Mini community as it makes it less profitable for the people who continue to support us with innovative new products. Why didn’t SMCO create a B-series subframe that uses Mini suspension and actually fits? Now THAT would have been smart, because MiniTec suspension is junk and John McGee has no interest in B-series. Come on SMCO, innovate!