New 1991 998cc mini owner- my thoughts and questions

[aidan8888]

Well I passed my test 4 years ago and have had verious cars (mini, bmw 316, skyline gts, skyline gtst, bmw 323). Now I have swapped the 323 for a rover mini.

I swapped this-


For this-


I had a spin in an industrial estate to check it all out, it was fun to drive, alot more nimble than what i'm used to. However, I have noticed the gearbox is very, very stiff, and it is a hassle to get into third, and i often have to get to third by 4th. Paintwork is pretty good, but I will be welding two sills, replacing two wings and maybe the doors. The car also feels a bit gutless (I know its only a 1 litre). However, it has cut my insurance in half, and I think it will cost me less to run, and give me a whole new driving experience.

Now for my questions. I have done some research, shall I get a 1275 or the 1380 engine,

How can I make the gearbox smoother, shall I change the oil, is it a common issue for gears to go on 1 litre minis?

And finally, the fuel economy is worse than my old BMW (and 400 bhp skyline for that matter), I think it may be because the car has been stood for a couple of months, do any of you have ideas as to why it is getting under 20 mpg?

I love the car by the way. I have a massive grin whenever I look at it.

[Jon Brown]

Nice motor, could do with some better quality pictures though.

If driven sensibly you get 35mpg, but it is quite hard to drive a 998 in low revs.

Sounds like it could probally benefit from a good service and I would have the timing checked my a mini guy just to make sure its running spot on. I know a guy in surrey if that helps not sure where your based though.

As for the gearbox I have no idea

Happy motoring

[DanGT]

There is problem with the gear box. If it is just hard to get in to gear could be the clutch? Ajustoment or replacment? All minis are now getting on a bit so the gear boxes that are looked after are not known for being bad but they will go wrong in time and if badly looked after.

1275-1380 is mainly down to cost the 1380 can be nicer to drive in the way of power but you will spend more on it. Also if you are driving a lot dont go made with tuning, the wild cams and big heads etc are fun but not every day.

[Ben Magoo]

I'm a massive fan of the 998 - they are a brilliant engine, strong, reliable, torque'y and very tunable.

Change the oil first and see how much metal is on the end of sump bung magnet. Even concider flushing the oil a couple of times, your gear change issues could simply be sludge related!

If it's still giving you problems I would source another engine, maybe even rebuild it.

Best thing in the world though, stage one kit with a decent RC40 exhaust and a rolling road tune will give you a brilliant little motor!

[aidan8888]

Thanks for the replys, that has cleared a few things up. I will try and get a few more pics up.

One more question, where is the best places to for service items, I have found opie oils good in the past but they dont seem to stock air filters or fuel filters.

[anonymous-user]

Was that the one for sale in Warwickshire?

Was gonna go look at that but thought I'd hold out and keep looking for a Cooper.

Edit* Also, for sorting it out http://www.minisport.com/
You'll find everything there.

Edited by PSBuckshot on Wednesday 23 February 15:33

[aidan8888]

Just outside warwickshire. I don't think it was for sale though as it was an acquaintance that happened to mention it to me, he has only had it since December when he bought it so perhaps that is when you saw it for sale?

[anonymous-user]

aidan8888 said:

Just outside warwickshire. I don't think it was for sale though as it was an acquaintance that happened to mention it to me, he has only had it since December when he bought it so perhaps that is when you saw it for sale?

It's here http://www.carandclassic.co.uk/car/C209337/

Looked a tidy car from that picture though.

• Also check the listing date 12/02/11

T'was for sale.

Edited by PSBuckshot on Wednesday 23 February 16:06

[Jon Brown]

For service parts your local motorfactors should be able to sort you out with everything you need.

As for oil, halfords due a classic oil (old style can) and I think millers or someone like that due something similar. Your local motorfactors should be able to supply a classic oil. These classic oils have some additives that most modern oils don't have any more and is supposed to be better for older engines.

Its was I use anyway

[GingerWizard]

Get a 1275, strap on a 40DCOE webber (welding required for box section, get this done at the same time as sills) and a stage3/4 head and a full play-mini 2.5" sports exhaust with LCB. Visit a rolling road specialist.When your bored, bore it to 1330 and supercharge, then 1380, 8 port, finally 1430, 16v BMW cylinder head conversion, with nitrous oxide....

80-180BHP

[TVR Sagaris]

A standard 998 can easily get 40mpg. It's only when you start getting into serious modifications (cam, bigger carbs and the like) that you affect the mpg. In fact, a stage one kit is supposed to improve fuel consumption and my car - a 998 with a stage one - still gets 40mpg without a struggle.

I'd stick with the 998 for a while. It's a great, revvy little engine that, although relatively powerless, works well in the Mini. A 998 in decent tune in the right gear is a surprisingly nippy thing. Be prepared to make it sing and you'll really enjoy yourself. I do, most of the time.

[aidan8888]

PSBuckshot said:

It's here http://www.carandclassic.co.uk/car/C209337/

Looked a tidy car from that picture though.

• Also check the listing date 12/02/11

T'was for sale.

Edited by PSBuckshot on Wednesday 23 February 16:06

Looks like your right, it is pretty tidy, just a spot of welding and a good service are what it needs I think. Cheers.

Jon Brown said:

For service parts your local motorfactors should be able to sort you out with everything you need.

As for oil, halfords due a classic oil (old style can) and I think millers or someone like that due something similar. Your local motorfactors should be able to supply a classic oil. These classic oils have some additives that most modern oils don't have any more and is supposed to be better for older engines.

Its was I use anyway

I got a good price for everything from opie, I will check halfords out to compare prices. Cheers.

GingerWizard said:

Get a 1275, strap on a 40DCOE webber (welding required for box section, get this done at the same time as sills) and a stage3/4 head and a full play-mini 2.5" sports exhaust with LCB. Visit a rolling road specialist.When your bored, bore it to 1330 and supercharge, then 1380, 8 port, finally 1430, 16v BMW cylinder head conversion, with nitrous oxide....

80-180BHP

Sounds like a good plan, why is welding required for the carb. I always thought the 1330's were off metros' for some reason, Its good to hear I can go 1275 then build up the same engine.

TVR Sagaris said:

A standard 998 can easily get 40mpg. It's only when you start getting into serious modifications (cam, bigger carbs and the like) that you affect the mpg. In fact, a stage one kit is supposed to improve fuel consumption and my car - a 998 with a stage one - still gets 40mpg without a struggle.

Sounds like something might be up with my motor then, I will give it a thorough service for now and see if it improves.

[Jon Brown]

The welding is for a box in the bulkhead as the weber is alot larger than a standard carb. Although your not supposed to make changes to the bulkhead of cars anymore according to VOSA.