13 replies to this topic

[Jimbo1998]

So after a great deal of searching I have found what could be my perfect starting mini.

 

Its a 1982 998cc Austin. The colour I love and even has a neat monte carlo sunroof fitted.

The only trouble is that after extensive reading of threads and technical data from all over the place, people seem to think it simply isn't powerful enough to cut the mustard. 

Sure it can be upgraded with a stage 1 kit (I was looking forward to doing that myself) but then it 1) still won't be as powerful as a good 1275 2) Will require a high RPM to get this power out, which is fun, but will also reduce engine life span and also fuel cost is a thing to consider for me.         3) lastly I want to keep this car for a long time and do work to it as and when funding is available and it just seems that there is far more potential for a 1275.


Am I missing something, it would be a shame to walk away from the stunner of a car I am looking at?

All the best 

[mab01uk]

998 Minis can be a lot of fun standard or modified, smoother and more robust and long lasting engines compared to many 1275 Minis.....

[sonikk4]

If the car is really good then buy it. You can always buy a 1275 engine, get it rebuilt then swap them over.

You can still enjoy the 998 and they are not bad engines. I hammered mine in my Clubby and it was fine.

[Northernpower]

If you are confident the bodywork is solid and rot free then go for it. All the expense is consumed in rectifying rotten bodywork. The mechanical work can be carried out as a rolling project.

[slidehammer]

I agree with the above you buy an old Mini on condition of its body and paintwork as they are by far the most expensive parts to rectify. The engine can wait.

[DJS911]

If, as you say in your opening post, the only trouble with the car is the engine size then buy the car, enjoy it and change the engine in the future.
998 to 1275 is not that big a job when you consider some are dropping in turbo’d 1.8 k series lumps!

[alex-95]

I wouldn't say the 998 are slow, I drove mine for 3 and 1/2 years as a daily and was great fun. Like others have said you can get a 1275 and rebuild it to what you like and swap the engines over.

[Boycie]

As said, the engine really is easier to repair or replace than masses of rust repairs. Also, the small-bore lumps are great! People always think a 1275cc+ motor is the be all and end all of Mini ownership, where the reality is the vast majority of Minis over the years have been lugging around 850s and thous.
I have a 1098cc in my 1976 car. It's a generally maligned choice but I love it. Loads of torque and goes very well indeed with its Cooper head and st1 kit :)

[Jimbo1998]

Thank you all for feedback, will report back if and when she becomes mine!

[Haygate]

Cant beat a good 998, my first minis had them and they were bullet proof, upgraded to 1275s in the end and was forever pulling the thing out as I was blowing diffs all the time with my teenage drive like a tw@t digital style. On or off :)

[Cooperman]

The 998, and the 850, had a charm of their own. The smaller engine is so much smoother than a 1275.

Most people buy a classic car for the retro driving experience and the 998 Mini has this in buckets-full. If a 998 is up-graded to 998 Cooper specification it will give sufficient performance to more-or-less keep up with modern traffic, especially if a 3.44:1 FDR is fitted.

You don't buy a classic car to go as fast as modern cars and if out-and-out performance is wanted then there are faster classics out there. 

Enjoy your Mini for what it is and what it represents - motoring in the 1960's style.

[hhhh]

Cant beat a good 998, my first minis had them and they were bullet proof, upgraded to 1275s in the end and was forever pulling the thing out as I was blowing diffs all the time with my teenage drive like a [email protected] digital style. On or off :)

 

I've blown a few diffs myself. Does the cross-pin diff make a big difference to longevity?

[Haygate]

Cant beat a good 998, my first minis had them and they were bullet proof, upgraded to 1275s in the end and was forever pulling the thing out as I was blowing diffs all the time with my teenage drive like a [email protected] digital style. On or off :)

 
I've blown a few diffs myself. Does the cross-pin diff make a big difference to longevity?

I would think so as it was always the planet gears that, usually through the diff housing that was my first ever use of liquid metal :)
So I imagine they would be pretty strong, have never used one and hope my driving style has changed :)

[johnR]

If you drive faster people have less chance to see how cool you look