Where to start (Engine Modifications)

[Stu_1.4]

Hi,

I've recently bough a Rover Mini Sprite, It's been tastefully modified. However the engine is standard (50bhp) and i'd like to start modifying it.

So where do i begin. Its a 1275 on carbs and i want to keep the original engine. Also i'm a student so the mods have to be cheap and it already has a Janspeed RC40 exhaust on it.

Cheers for any help you can give!

[MKnight702]

Simple,

Step 1) Buy a big yellow book by a chap called David Vizard titled "Tuning the A Series Engine"

Step 2) Read it

Step 3) Start to spend money!

It worked for me!

[FWDRacer]

Modify head - Bigger inlet valves and increased CR.

Fit 1.5 ratio rockers.

Fit (single) HIF44 SU on good inlet manifold. K&N filetr or beeter still - K&N Element in modified airbox (Not as noisy).

Make sure your Janspeed exhaust has a good LCB exhaust manifold attached to it.

Take it to a rolling road and get ignition advance curve and fuelling set up properly.

Enjoy.

[DanGT]

Work out how much you want to spend. Give the car a good service first, not just the engine but the all the car, brakes, joints etc.

Lots of companys do what they call a stage one kit. The good ones are worth looking at or you can make the kit up your self. The normaly include:
Inlet manifold
Exhaust manifold
Exahust
Air filter
Replacment needle for the carb
If you ahve the money to do more its normaly worth doing in one go.
Head and rockers next.

The replacement needle is use full as with out it the car wont run properly. A rolling road set up is ideal to get the carb set up but costs. Have fun

[Shoot Blair]

I'd get another engine and do it in your shed.

Get a VDP/MG/Auto mini head with the big valves and have a go yourself. Using Vizard as a guide and a £15 Aldi die grinder/dremel, I did my first head.

First Step, yellow book. Try abebooks.co.uk

I'd then look at ways of improving the rest of the car. Losing weight.