a few links relating to V8 minis
http://www.geocities.com/jharkola/Viku2.html featuring Viku Perala's v8 engined mini. Amazinly fits under the clubman bonnet transversly, front wheel drive and no major body mods
http://www.v8mini.co.uk
spag's V8 mini conversion, include various tech bits and an ongoing diary
of his project