33 replies to this topic

[big tobby 7592]

so i have a 998 engine n its a bit thirsty and powerless and i want to swap the engine but bottem line is i'm cheap i want to do an easy swap to a modern engine that will be more economical but i dont really want to be doing any major cuting apart from the front end whic may end up as a flip as its already damaged

any ideas or links to projects where people have already done similar would be nice i know that the vtec and vauxhall engines are popular bit there no real point in putting that much power into sumthin that lite so sumthin around 1 - 1.4 would be ok i would also change petrol tanks so diesel could be an option

[oli8925]

Suzuki swift engine?

[The Matt]

Why not consider a late mini 1275 MPi engine swap?

[Scallywag630]

A later 1275 engine would be your best bet. Several other engines require major modification to subframe/bodywork. Re the flip front...there is a thread on here about the need for an IVA test etc.

[big tobby 7592]

you see if i was goin to swap it with a 1275 engine i would really want to have a five speed gearbox i have heard about people doing this to withe the original casing but i am unsure

the only other thing would be that at the moment the mini is just drinking petrol and its a fully rebuild engine although it hasn't been on the road in 20 years and this has been its first thousand miles since the early ninetys i wouldn't want too be have the same mpg issues with a larger more expensive to tax engine but maybe its just my engine so would you let me know what you guys 1275/998 engines run like

[oli8925]

1275 would be your best bet if you are on a budget of less than thousands and if you dont want to modify too much. Otherwise there are conversions for the Swift enigine and a Rover K series, but these require lots of money and extensive mods.

If you want 5 gears you could get a 1275 and a 5 speed box from minispares or the like but again, these are very expensive. What kind of money are you looking at?

You shouldn't really have a problem at the moment. Fair enough 4 speed can be quite uncomfortable on motorways due to engine noise, but there's no reason it shouldn't be happy to cruise along at 70 all day. I've only ever had 4 speed cars, and although I curse that my ears are bleeding, they don't let me down. 5 gears would be great, but is it worth the cost? How many times are you going to be using motorways or dual carriage ways?

With regards to your engine, if its being used as a daily after being stored for many years, its going to need a good full service, and be prepared for parts to start failing here and there. It's nothing to worry about, just that after so many years of standing, parts are going to be past there best. I've had this on mine. It's just something you have to work your way through. If you still have low mpg figures and things dont seem right, take it to a place like ML Motorsport to tune it up.

When my mini was feeling a bit sluggish, I took it to ML at SMD a couple of years ago. They asked a few questions then said the tuning is way out simply because I had replaced the carb, dizzy etc to get it running, and it needed 'fine tuning to the engine' as such. I think they called it an 'Optimisation Tune'. However I never got to get it tuned, but i have heard very good things. I would suggest you do this before considering anything else and see what you think.

Oli

[davidv]

On the money side buy a MG 1300 Metro Lump and box red one with alloy rocker cover only still 4 gears and tune it down.The drop straight in .And fit a couple of mounts so easy.

[oli8925]

On the money side buy a MG 1300 Metro Lump and box red one with alloy rocker cover only still 4 gears and tune it down.The drop straight in .And fit a couple of mounts so easy.

I test drove an MG Metty I was going to buy for the engine two days before my accident, so i never got round to that either...but it was quite a nippy little thing. for some reason the owner got rid of the original alloys too so it was on skinny steels, que lots of tyres squealing

Edited by oli8925, 10 March 2010 - 11:15 PM.

[big tobby 7592]

you see i have £4000 coming for my 18th and i was considering a damanged repaired hatchback such as the suzuki swift or punto but my insurance ends in octobers so i was thinking if i spend at a maxiumum £500 to see if i can fix a lot of the issues and make it into a proper little car again then i would keep my money and just live with the odd problem here and there.

i had the car retuned after my crash at christmas by a man who is knwon as the godfather of carbs in northern ireland but i never got it redone after the head gasket went so she probly needs it done again.

the engine has been completely rebuilt and it only has 50,000 miles so i would like to think that these problems are just a temperay thing

i know where i can get a late 1275 cheap, my next door negihboor as it happens has no in the back of his garage but i haven treally seen or heard much detail on it my engine is spi and am no machanic so i would just there would be a couple of expensive parts that would need to be bought.

Edited by big tobby 7592, 11 March 2010 - 10:59 AM.

[pantera2075]

Easiest conversion other than a-series is probably an early carbed micra engine - see bigchief's posts in engine conversions on here.

[davidv]

Yes the MG Metro Engine is a great lump to fit in a Mini.There are a lot about in Metros thats gone beyond a MOT.Its best to buy the scrap car so you can test it and also have the other parts Carb Fuel pump etc.The Discs and wheels.You must fit front discs also.Pop on a LSB and a fat tail pipe and there you go.

[oli8925]

I know this is always said, but it is very relevant. Seeing as you are just turning 18, have you looked at insurance? Any engine swap can hike insurance prices considerably. It's worth ringing around before you commit to buying anything.

[big tobby 7592]

hey looked up that minispares 5 speed gearbox i think for that money i would get a whole new engine and gearbox swap as well as high lows and a lot of sound proofing lol £1700 i think not

[davidv]

Well its always best to look into all options like a real sport.The Insurane does go up a lot and they must have the front Discs.For better Fuel returns you could just change the carb.Electronic ignition kit Electric fuel pump and 13" wheels.For power you should be happy with the MG metro lump.
Some do not know how to spot a 100 from a 1293.Thats up to you.You must fit the 2 mod. Brackets at the same time to be safe and save your exhaust pipe...

[big tobby 7592]

Well its always best to look into all options like a real sport.The Insurane does go up a lot and they must have the front Discs.For better Fuel returns you could just change the carb.Electronic ignition kit Electric fuel pump and 13" wheels.For power you should be happy with the MG metro lump.
Some do not know how to spot a 100 from a 1293.Thats up to you.You must fit the 2 mod. Brackets at the same time to be safe and save your exhaust pipe...

i have 13 inch super lites and front disc heres my car http://www.theminifo...p;#entry1759075

tell me more about this electronic ignition