ENGINE ADVICE

[gary26]

I have just started to think about the engine for my project mini, allthough some way off , i would like to have an idea on which way to turn for the engine. I am not looking for something stupidly fast but i would like something with a bit of poke. I was thinking along the lines of a standard low millage 1275 with a stage 3 tuning kit. What sort of bhp should i expect if set up properly. I did think about the metro turbo engine but i think that would be hastle than its worth. Ultimatly i would like it to be fairly reliable, or as reliable as a mini can ever be

ANY THOUGHTS!!!!!

[noisymini]

1400cc 16v k-series ;D

or if you wanna keep the A-series then a low mileage standard 1275 will cope with a turbo strapped to it and will probably be cheaper than expensive head mod's.

I cracked a piston in my proper 1310cc turbo so, to keep me on the road, i ran a standard 60k spi engine with two head gaskets, to lower compression, at 4psi daily and up to 7psi for fun. Must have been around 90 bhp and made all the right noises. Ran it like that for at least 6 months with no probs before fitting proper turbo head. Sure it would have gone on longer if i left it.

Depends what you want though as i'd say its a pretty easy cheap way to get extra horses but you will have turbo lag and poor throttle response which i got a little fed up with.

[gary26]

am i right in thinking that the 1400 k series engine is the rover engine that is used on the earlier 214 rover. If so how hard is it to fit

[Miniböttcher]

it depends if you want to keep it a A series or go for something like a K series from a rover or a honda 1.6 vtec. or a swift engine

if you have a small budget
go for the A series you can pick up a good fast road engine ( 1293, 1330, 1380) with a few mods for a few hundred quid. make sure you can hear it running or drive it.chech out ebay.

but if you want more power and a better reliablity go for a vtec or k series. this wll cost more but only a bit more that a full rebuild on a A series engine with mods.

these will need a adapted subframe which you can buy or make yourself
for more info on this it best to talk to "noisymini" or "vtec steve", as they have done the vtec and k series convertion.

i have nearly finished rebuilding my engine and gearbox
i found the most expensive thing was the machine cost but thats one of the things that have to be done , so dont skimp on it go to a good machine shop.

dean

[gary26]

so if i wanted to fit a swift or a vtech engine would it envolve a lot of body mods other than the subframe, i.e will it fit in or will i need to make the front end of the mini longer.
i like the sound of a swift engine, i hada a swift gti before and i would love to get that sort of power from the mini

[k1]

sorry but why buy a mini if you dont want a or a+ series.

[noisymini]

Go to www.16vminiclub.com look through the galleries, read the stickies and use the search function. You should be able to find all the answers to any questions you have as most things have been covered before by someone.

This is a link to my gallery with many pics of my frame etc.

www.16vminiclub.com/gallery/thumbnails.php?album=623

That shoud give you an idea of whats possible and whats involved.

[monkeyjim]

Putting a 1330 med kit together for my Mark 1 and have a Allspeed subframe on order for the 8valve Vauxhall conversion I am doing on my 1990 Studio 2 .
Anyone got a MK3 1600 Astra MPi or Nova GSi ? .
Must be a runner and v.cheap . Bodywork,interior,mot and tax not important. I only need the engine with ancillarries, ECU , engine electrics and gearchange . Also need Corsa 1500 Turbo Diesel gearbox. ;D

[Stephen]

isnt the diesel engine from an isuzu or something japanese?

[monkeyjim]

Not sure about the Corsa , the Astra and some others had GM or Isuzu diesels.

[Stephen]

yea think it is, my sis had a L reg 1.5 diesel corsa a few years back and me and my dad had to swap the engine over as it had siezed

[monkeyjim]

there is a link between GM and Isuzu because GM owned Isuzu.
Vauxhall Monterey 4x4 (made a few years ago) is the same vehicle as the Isuzu Trooper . There is also a Isuzu version of the awfull Frontera .

[k1]

Heres a bit of trivia for you ;did you know that GM was one of the three biggest companies in the world!

[monkeyjim]

Were'nt they having trouble recently ?