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Vauxhall 1.3 Cdti, Has It Been Attempted? Would It Be Possible?


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#1 jack_2206

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Posted 24 January 2013 - 11:25 PM

Has anybody heard of a Vauxhall 1.3 cdti engine being used in a mini? Would it be possible, and (in theory) would it work?

Personally, i think it's a cracking idea, it should pull well, be reasonably torquey, and extremely economical.

Any thought's or info would be appreciated,

regards,

Jack.

#2 Noah

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Posted 24 January 2013 - 11:29 PM

Not sure if it's been done, but I'd rather the 1.7, more torque, more power.

Seems a-lot of outlay for a 1.3 diesel.

#3 100ev8

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Posted 24 January 2013 - 11:49 PM

Not sure if it's been done, but I'd rather the 1.7, more torque, more power.


didnt think 1.7 was any good ? not to long ago they were poo ?

#4 Noah

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Posted 24 January 2013 - 11:57 PM


Not sure if it's been done, but I'd rather the 1.7, more torque, more power.


didnt think 1.7 was any good ? not to long ago they were poo ?


They are. But powerr!!! LOL.

The 2.0CDTi that they fitted in the Astra is a good engine.

1.3 Is a bit weak power wise.

Its your car not mine but the things to think about is, diesel engines are gonna be more heavy than an A-Series one.

2nd, Can you really still have fun in a Mini when its a 1.3 Diesel?

#5 100ev8

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Posted 25 January 2013 - 12:01 AM

the 1.3 is like a little missile for a derv engine (or fiat engine whatever you want to call it) and mega mpg

#6 Ryang556

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Posted 25 January 2013 - 12:02 AM



Not sure if it's been done, but I'd rather the 1.7, more torque, more power.


didnt think 1.7 was any good ? not to long ago they were poo ?


They are. But powerr!!! LOL.

The 2.0CDTi that they fitted in the Astra is a good engine.

1.3 Is a bit weak power wise.

Its your car not mine but the things to think about is, diesel engines are gonna be more heavy than an A-Series one.

2nd, Can you really still have fun in a Mini when its a 1.3 Diesel?


My fiesta van is a 1.4 tdci (2006) and I feel it goes quite well? So in a mini I'm sure they'd be economical as ******* and still go quite well, getting them to fit would be fun mind!

#7 Alex_B

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Posted 25 January 2013 - 12:50 AM

Issue with derv is the fuel pressure, you need a tank that has a small pump in it to get initial pressure, then a inline fuel pump that will pressurise the fuel up to the correct level, modern diesels run a fuel pressure of what can be up to 20,000 PSI which is huge and a big undertaking when fitting fuel lines that can withstand the pressure and in the event of an accident not burst, as 20,000 psi of anything would easily cut through metal and flesh like a laser through butter

#8 The Matt

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Posted 25 January 2013 - 07:07 AM

Please please don't put one of those engines in a Mini. They are a terribly weak and rattly little engine and are prone to no end of problems. A good engine is hard to find too. They're very weak off boost, have various fuel leak issues and you can't get much enjoyment out of them unless your sole purpose in life is more mpg.

A good second hand engine is going to be £1k. Diesel is dearer than petrol and it'll take you a lot of miles before you'll be rewarded by high mpg.

#9 The Matt

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Posted 25 January 2013 - 07:08 AM


Issue with derv is the fuel pressure, you need a tank that has a small pump in it to get initial pressure, then a inline fuel pump that will pressurise the fuel up to the correct level, modern diesels run a fuel pressure of what can be up to 20,000 PSI which is huge and a big undertaking when fitting fuel lines that can withstand the pressure and in the event of an accident not burst, as 20,000 psi of anything would easily cut through metal and flesh like a laser through butter


That's why the high pressure pump is driven off the exhaust cam and feeds the common rail with hard lines.

#10 jack_2206

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Posted 25 January 2013 - 07:04 PM

thanks guy's, you've raised some good points! I was just curious as to whether or not it's been done. Does anyone have any suggestions regarding other engines? from personal experience?

cheers,

Jack.

#11 The Matt

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Posted 25 January 2013 - 07:30 PM

If I'm 100% honest, I'd say (with a massive amount of hindsight).....

Stick with a modified A-series if you want to retain value in your Mini in the future.

I fitted a C16XE in my '71 MK3 (project thread called "the Freak, with added XE") and I love it, it's a great conversion and still drives like a Mini. It's a similar all up weight to the Mini, uses Mini steering, brakes, suspension, retains the majority of the inner wings, standard length roundnose....everything you'd want from an engine conversion. It's probably around 150bhp, maybe more, maybe less. It lights the tyres up in 1st, 2nd and 3rd gear, it's geared to hit about 140mph, but I doubt it'd get there. Certainly not with me driving. The fastest I've hit is 115mph and that was just scarey. It's taken years to do and it'll never be finished. I'm constantly wondering what conversion to do next, or whether to go back to another A-series. Maybe it's just me that's the problem! :lol:

#12 The Matt

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Posted 25 January 2013 - 07:45 PM

Posted Image

It does look very lashed together, but it's all there and runs damn well. The 1.3 CDTI isn't really any smaller and mine will do 40+mpg if I want it too.....only it makes a MUCH nicer noise than the diesel does! ;D

#13 jack_2206

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Posted 25 January 2013 - 08:15 PM

Wow, that looks awesome! I've just had a look at your video too :) That sounds like you've got the best of both worlds to me, fantastic performance, reliability and it's economical. How much would you say you've spent all in all if you don't mind me asking? Plus, it's a big bonus being able to keep so much of your standard mini running gear!

Cheers,

Jack.

#14 The Matt

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Posted 25 January 2013 - 08:24 PM

Haha, I've spent waaaaaaaay more than I should have done. I'm always tinkering.

Around £1600 on the Allspeed frame, engine mounts, bottom arms, tie bars etc.
Around £50 on a decent gearbox
Around £1000 on an engine refurb (that turned out to be a waste of time)
Around £250 on another engine that turned out to be OK
Around £1500 on throttle bodies, engine management, inlet manifold, injectors
Around £150 on air filter
Around £250 on silicon hoses everywhere :lol:
Around £100 on clutch linkages and cylinders
Around £500 on a pedal box, brake bias adjuster, cylinders, reservoirs etc.
Around £300 on uprated front brakes
Around £50 on things like the gear linkage, various other second hand parts from scrapyards to make it fit
About £50 on the bodywork, which really lets the car down! >_<

#15 jack_2206

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Posted 29 January 2013 - 06:23 PM

haha, fair enough lol, sounds like you've had some bad luck though to be fair. Seems like a good conversion to me, as i said before, you seem to have the best of both worlds with yours,

cheers mate,

Jack.




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