26 replies to this topic

[jake2357]

 

 

Being rude would be fluffing up someone's expectations knowing that we haven't qualified the original poster. Cheap might be 5k, power expectations might be 10 percent.

It's a very general question, it comes with very general and vague answers. Smartass I may be but I am warranted.

What are you looking to get out of the car?

Is it running or in pieces?

What's the mileage?

Is the engine in good condition?

There are plenty of low buck performance upgrades, unfortunately the best upgrade is often shedding weight.

Start with a health check of the car, if it's good then get it tuned by someone who specializes in s.u carbs (if it has one) this is about as cheap as it starts and will likely find you a few HP.

I would like it to be kind of an everyday driver and I need it to be able to reach the speed limit on the highway. I'm in college right now and I have to make a 4 hour trip home so the parts I install can't be wearing anything down.

 

its got almost 50,000 miles on it and the engine is in pretty good condition

 

 

That's 55mph then in Texas?

 

haha no 75mph and on the road I usually take its 85mph

[jake2357]

Mine is an 850.

 

Upgrade the carb to 1.5 Inch, with manifold to go with. That will give you a bit of extra poke.

 

If your after acceleration then 10 inch wheels are best, top end then 13 inch will be your point of call.

What kind of carburetor do you suggest getting

[sonikk4]

It will make for quite an uncomfortable journey trying to maintain that sort of speed in an 850. You will be thrashing the nuts off it.

You really need to consider your budget as to just how much you can exactly afford.

My bog stock 998 clubman will do 85 when pushed but I really would not want to maintain that speed. I normally cruise at around 65-70 mph. Even then with early seventies sound proofing ( he's a 74) it's noisy.

It will be different once the 1293 goes in but that will be a while yet.

[matt050990]

Mine is an 850.
 
Upgrade the carb to 1.5 Inch, with manifold to go with. That will give you a bit of extra poke.
 
If your after acceleration then 10 inch wheels are best, top end then 13 inch will be your point of call.

What kind of carburetor do you suggest getting

I'm no expert on this but mine is a 1.5 inch HS4 with uprated needle.

[gazza82]

That was why I asked ... an 850 at 65 or 85 for 2 hours ???

 

 

Will be parked up next to a squished Armadillo very soon if you thrash it like that ... hope you have AAA cover!

 

 

Don't forget Mini's were around in the UK when speed limits were less and 70mph motorways thin on the ground ...

[jake2357]

It will make for quite an uncomfortable journey trying to maintain that sort of speed in an 850. You will be thrashing the nuts off it.

You really need to consider your budget as to just how much you can exactly afford.

My bog stock 998 clubman will do 85 when pushed but I really would not want to maintain that speed. I normally cruise at around 65-70 mph. Even then with early seventies sound proofing ( he's a 74) it's noisy.

It will be different once the 1293 goes in but that will be a while yet.

Well ill be making around 250 a week this summer so I'm hoping to either swap the engine out our upgrade the 850 a good amount.

[sonikk4]

Save the money and buy a bigger engine. More bang for your bucks. Keep the 850 to one side in case anything goes wrong.

[Cooperman]

You really won't get an 850 to cruise at much over 60 mph. The 850 is not a high-revving engine, but with some easy mods it can get to around 42 bhp from 34 bhp, although even that won't help much. Limiting factors are the split-skirt pistons and the weak crankshaft. If you go for more power that will mean higher revs and the risk of the crank snapping.

Really the Mini was not designed, back in the late 1950's, for high speed freeway cruising when motorways were just being opened in the UK. In fact, until 1965 there was no maximum speed limit on the roads of the UK, not even on A-roads, only in built-up areas.

The 850 is a true classic car and they are becoming rare now, so fitting a big engine will really knock back the value.

It would be expensive to modify the 850 to give meaningful power and for that sort of cost a second car could be bought for long journeys and the 850 kept as a classic and iconic car.

[jake2357]

Save the money and buy a bigger engine. More bang for your bucks. Keep the 850 to one side in case anything goes wrong.

How much do you think a 1275 would cost?

[timmy850]

Minimania in the US have a forum and classifieds.. that might be your best option to find something local to you?

 

Here is one engine (although in Canada)

http://www.minimania...ansmission_Mini

This one looks like a bargain original Cooper engine

http://www.minimania...275cc_Mini_Coop

 

Of course any used engine brings the risk or needing a rebuild unless you buy it freshly done with warranty from a reputable builder...

 

Forum:

http://www.minimania.../msgThreads.cfm

 

 

 

[sonikk4]

Stateside i really dont know without searching to be honest. Here in the UK they range from £250 upwards. The bottom end of the price range would need a rebuild.

[Cooperman]

If a big engine is fitted to an 850, the brakes and driveshafts will also need changing.