Starting fresh!

Starting fresh!

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anonymous-user

Original Poster:

61 months

Thursday 16th August 2012
quotequote all
This might be a long winded read, sorry!
I have a 1275 engine, producing around 70-80bhp. To cut a long story short I bought an Impreza and now my Mini although very very fun feels very very slow! So I'm aiming for 130+bhp in the Mini.
I'm sort of capping my budget at a few thousand (vague I know... and not all at once because I don't earn this much!)
I've considered 8 ports, probably too expensive for the base kit + the carbs and then everything else and it still wouldn't be over 130bhp or not much over for the money.

Questions... What BHP increase would I see from the following? I'm not big on A series tuning figures so rough estimates appreciated.

http://www.minispeed.co.uk/content/1380cc-fast-roa...

http://www.minispeed.co.uk/content/supercharger-ca...
(maybe both of the above with a s/cut box)

What horsepower would an engine like this deliver? http://www.minispeed.co.uk/content/1380cc-engine-f... In this case I'd be less concerned about hitting that 130bhp because its a complete engine which is always lovely!

I'd like a nitrous kit as well, just for show more than anything.
As well as the above I'd be getting new brakes, wheels, tyres, rollcage! and other things but if you can suggest otherwise please go ahead.
A vtec/other conversion is a no as well. And I considered a twin cam head but I think it'd be too expensive.

  • Oo forgot to ask, if I bought a new engine how much would I get for my 1275?
It is still leaded, polished head, twin carb(SU), 276 cams, just under 60k miles, 1:5:1 roller tip rockers and a few other bits and bobs.



Edited by PSBuckshot on Thursday 16th August 10:35

guru_1071

2,768 posts

241 months

Thursday 16th August 2012
quotequote all
a budget of a few thousand isnt going to get you a reliable usable 130 bhp.

if this was possible, my bank account would be a lot more healthy!!!!

anonymous-user

Original Poster:

61 months

Thursday 16th August 2012
quotequote all
£4000?
Anyway I never stick to my budget....

FWDRacer

3,564 posts

231 months

Thursday 16th August 2012
quotequote all
BMW K-Head conversion. Only logical way to produce what you require for well under 4K assuming you build it yourself. Have you factored into your budget a stronger box/drops?

Edited by FWDRacer on Thursday 16th August 11:26

anonymous-user

Original Poster:

61 months

Thursday 16th August 2012
quotequote all
FWDRacer said:
BMW K-Head conversion. Only logical way to produce what you require for well under 4K assuming you build it yourself. Have you factored into your budget a stronger box/drops?

Edited by FWDRacer on Thursday 16th August 11:26
Yes, Minisport do good gear boxes.
What kind of BHP gains would I get from the above links do you know? I'd have thought they would say on the site but nothing.

FWDRacer

3,564 posts

231 months

Thursday 16th August 2012
quotequote all
If you go chasing power for a road engine then you will end up frustrated and ultimately dissappointed. The key to a really engaging fast road Mini is torque and drivability. The Stage 4 motor on the link you sent will need to be revved hard all the time to get the best from it - short final drive, really noisy. In short - a pain in the ar$e.

That is why I suggested the K-conversion. Google it. Good torque, road drivability - throttle bodies and mapped ignition will allow this.

anonymous-user

Original Poster:

61 months

Thursday 16th August 2012
quotequote all
FWDRacer said:
If you go chasing power for a road engine then you will end up frustrated and ultimately dissappointed. The key to a really engaging fast road Mini is torque and drivability. The Stage 4 motor on the link you sent will need to be revved hard all the time to get the best from it - short final drive, really noisy. In short - a pain in the ar$e.

That is why I suggested the K-conversion. Google it. Good torque, road drivability - throttle bodies and mapped ignition will allow this.
To the first thing you mentioned..this is why I bought a second car.
Anyway, looking at the BMW heads...
http://www.twinkam.co.uk/shop/article_SCK001.8/Twi...

Around £3000 (just under) including c-head.
What other things would I need to buy with this kit to make it all happen? That seems very good value for that kind of money.

Robso96

19 posts

150 months

Thursday 16th August 2012
quotequote all
try med engineering , they have alot of really decent stuff , http://www.med-engineering.co.uk/

vx220

2,700 posts

241 months

Friday 17th August 2012
quotequote all
Allspeed vauxhall conversion
You'll spend more on the subframe etc, less on the engine. But got to be an easier route to reliable 130-ish bhp
Looks more period and "mini" under the bonnet than vtec or BMW cylinder heads

vx220

2,700 posts

241 months

Friday 17th August 2012
quotequote all
More specifically, allspeeds c16 Vauxhall conversion
Syandard length nose, single cam engine

anonymous-user

Original Poster:

61 months

Friday 17th August 2012
quotequote all
I don't want to do a full conversion + I'm not a big vauxhall fan wink
Anyone know anything about that full BMW kit I linked above?

vx220

2,700 posts

241 months

Friday 17th August 2012
quotequote all
Might save on gearbox builds... ;-)

anonymous-user

Original Poster:

61 months

Friday 17th August 2012
quotequote all
Maybe but its just not what I'm looking for.

GingerWizard

4,721 posts

205 months

Friday 17th August 2012
quotequote all
4k would go a long way to modifing your current engine. When you buy an engine they normally bolt on an exchange unit cost, (for a whole engine exchange prices can vary from 250-650)

For 4 grand i would go and get a either a 1380 thumper with stage 5 head, 296 or scatter cam, webber 45 carb, play mini or rc50 exhaust, SC drops; or bolt on a supercharger and have the engine refreshed in the process (i.e uprated drop gears, cylinder head, engine breathers, fuel pump etc.

why 130bhp btw? That would make a 200bhp/ton car (even with a heavy mini) is it accleration or top speed you are after?, I hope you have the stopping situation covered.... yikes

anonymous-user

Original Poster:

61 months

Friday 17th August 2012
quotequote all
GingerWizard said:
why 130bhp btw? That would make a 200bhp/ton car (even with a heavy mini) is it accleration or top speed you are after?, I hope you have the stopping situation covered.... yikes
Accleration. I have the diff for that at the moment.
Why 130bhp, I don't know. I just want something that can beat my Scooby or push it at least from a standing start.
The brakes will be sorted! Don't worry, I do not have a death wish hehe
I'm really getting into this BMW head, seems very good and the more I read about it the more I want it!

camelotr

570 posts

175 months

Friday 17th August 2012
quotequote all
IMHO if You start to use an item for what it was realy not ment to be used, You will find yourself fighting more often then not. The a-series engine with its gearbox is not realy ment to develop 100hps/litre. It is possible, but with heavy compromises on economy and reliability. In my experience someting like a good 75 bhps/litre seems like the margin of daily use. Maybe better mechanicans then me can go with slightly more.

You will never cope acceleration with an 4wd Impreza WRX even in bog standard form (nor will You a Mitsubitsi EVO, Ferrari, Lamborghini or the kind). But the mini with a good suspension is unbeatable around the corners. And much-much more fun. Go for a reliable 100hps 1275, and learn to use it on the edge in the corners.

rufusruffcutt

1,543 posts

212 months

Friday 17th August 2012
quotequote all
Talk to John at SC if you want to go down the BMW K series route.

Good background article on the conversion here:

http://www.dep-o.co.uk/features/ultimate-a-series/

Be careful on the prices as the SC website doesn't include the dreaded VAT.

anonymous-user

Original Poster:

61 months

Friday 17th August 2012
quotequote all
camelotr said:
Go for a reliable 100hps 1275, and learn to use it on the edge in the corners.
I'm only a supercharger off that now.
I just have this silly idea in my head to make the Mini a monster. I bought a second car so I can do this, it won't have to be usable on a daily basis. Just a weekend hoon and shows.

guru_1071

2,768 posts

241 months

Friday 17th August 2012
quotequote all
camelotr said:
You will never cope acceleration with an 4wd Impreza WRX.
oh really.....!!!!




lloyd upset a few people the other week!!!