Discussion
Hey everyone
After getting involved with my mates mini van, and getting it tuned at SRE last week (such an amazing difference for 66 quid!!), i've caught the mini bug. As of such I've been trauling through ebay etc for the last few days.
It total my budget is modest as this is going to be my second car. Im looking to spend about 2 grand in total, buying the car, and making it mine (sorting out the tuning, putting in race buckets and harnesses, and a rollcage) and I don't mind getting mucky (all the better, im doing mechanical engineering, and there's no better way of learning about cars than dicking around with them) I've found this on ebay, which is reasonably close to university, and looks the kinda thing im after, although if he's right about that engine, I don't think I'd feel comfortable with 120bhp in a mini!
Here's the link:
[url]linky|http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=4581444747&rd=1&sspagename=STRK%3AMEWA%3AIT&rd=1[/url]
Any comments, or other suggestions, or any advice would be welcome.
Cheers!
Peter
After getting involved with my mates mini van, and getting it tuned at SRE last week (such an amazing difference for 66 quid!!), i've caught the mini bug. As of such I've been trauling through ebay etc for the last few days.
It total my budget is modest as this is going to be my second car. Im looking to spend about 2 grand in total, buying the car, and making it mine (sorting out the tuning, putting in race buckets and harnesses, and a rollcage) and I don't mind getting mucky (all the better, im doing mechanical engineering, and there's no better way of learning about cars than dicking around with them) I've found this on ebay, which is reasonably close to university, and looks the kinda thing im after, although if he's right about that engine, I don't think I'd feel comfortable with 120bhp in a mini!
Here's the link:
[url]linky|http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=4581444747&rd=1&sspagename=STRK%3AMEWA%3AIT&rd=1[/url]
Any comments, or other suggestions, or any advice would be welcome.
Cheers!
Peter
Hi
Looked at the link and see the auction has ended, sorry if this is coming too late.
Without knowing the exact spec I would say the 120bhp quoted would probably be a flywheel figure. A lot of confusion arises as people are not often clear what power figures they are quoting.
I would suggest you look for an unmodified (or at least not too molested) 1275cc carb engined mini with good bodywork. Mechanically minis are very easy to look after, it's the shell that can become a money pit so go for the best you can find. A 1275cc engine will be good fun to start with, and a good basis for further tuning if you wanted.
Check out Miniworld and mini magazine for an idea of what's about, but the prices in there can be a liitle inflated so look in the autotrader as well.
Hope that helps
Neil
Looked at the link and see the auction has ended, sorry if this is coming too late.
Without knowing the exact spec I would say the 120bhp quoted would probably be a flywheel figure. A lot of confusion arises as people are not often clear what power figures they are quoting.
I would suggest you look for an unmodified (or at least not too molested) 1275cc carb engined mini with good bodywork. Mechanically minis are very easy to look after, it's the shell that can become a money pit so go for the best you can find. A 1275cc engine will be good fun to start with, and a good basis for further tuning if you wanted.
Check out Miniworld and mini magazine for an idea of what's about, but the prices in there can be a liitle inflated so look in the autotrader as well.
Hope that helps
Neil
Agree with Neil.
I think the 120 bhp quoted was a bit optimistic as well. The trouble with high outputs is that the transmission is suspect and you can expect gearbox/diff/transfer gear problems if you use that sort of power. Unless you can correct those yourself you can expect big bills. I still get problems even with all the right transmission parts and a 115 bhp engine.
As Neil says, best start with a fairly standard 1275 unit, then, as you strip and re-build it you can decide what you want to use it for and that will determine the level of modification and the gearbox configuration. Remember, the pre-A-Plus gearbox is much stronger than the A-plus box which has weaker gears. For road use I always think about 90 bhp is optimum to balance performance against reliability and driveability in traffic
For a 110 bhp+ engine, a straight-cut close-ratio gear set is advisable. However, these are competition boxes, very very noisy, need low diff ratios and are not good for day-to-day driving or long distances. My 'S' has all this and I take it everywhere on a trailer!
Best get a standard car, with bodywork as good as possible, then evolve a spec to suit your required use.
We are all here to help with that - just ask.
I hope this helps, and welcome to our clan.
Peter
I think the 120 bhp quoted was a bit optimistic as well. The trouble with high outputs is that the transmission is suspect and you can expect gearbox/diff/transfer gear problems if you use that sort of power. Unless you can correct those yourself you can expect big bills. I still get problems even with all the right transmission parts and a 115 bhp engine.
As Neil says, best start with a fairly standard 1275 unit, then, as you strip and re-build it you can decide what you want to use it for and that will determine the level of modification and the gearbox configuration. Remember, the pre-A-Plus gearbox is much stronger than the A-plus box which has weaker gears. For road use I always think about 90 bhp is optimum to balance performance against reliability and driveability in traffic
For a 110 bhp+ engine, a straight-cut close-ratio gear set is advisable. However, these are competition boxes, very very noisy, need low diff ratios and are not good for day-to-day driving or long distances. My 'S' has all this and I take it everywhere on a trailer!
Best get a standard car, with bodywork as good as possible, then evolve a spec to suit your required use.
We are all here to help with that - just ask.
I hope this helps, and welcome to our clan.
Peter
Thanks for your welcome and advice. Seem to spend half my life looking through ebay for the best shells at the moment! I got my mate keeping one eye open as well, but if anyone spots anything that you think is potentially what i'm looking forward, then feel free to give me a nudge!
Cheers
Peter
Cheers
Peter
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