Another popular engine transplant conversion in the 1960's (when transverse fwd units were much less common) was from the Mini's big brother the Austin/Morris 1800 'Landcrab' also with a transverse gearbox in sump layout with the BMC B-Series engine. The main problem with most of these conversions was the extra weight which spoiled the Minis handling. Would be nice to see some done today using Maxi or Landcrab engine/gearboxes as interesting 'period' conversions!
Derrington did Xflow heads back in the day
Many thanks for pointing that out.....some pics of the Derrington cross-flow head below and links to further info.
Another popular 'in period' Mini engine transplant below:-
The advanced for its time, lightweight all alloy SOHC Imp engine (ex-Coventry Climax) was fitted to the Mini's transverse fwd gearbox by several Mini racers in the 1960's and 70's due to its high reving ability and tuning potential in the 1 litre class. One of the most famous Mini racers to use this hybrid set-up was Ginger Marshall who had many successes racing a Mini Van/Traveller in the Modified Special Saloon class during the 1970's.
1970s Special Saloon car racing with almost unlimited mods allowed the Imp engine which was far more technically advanced than the old A series and could be tuned to give reliably more power hence the Mini-Imp engined hybrids. I spent many weekends at the circuits in the 70s watching Ginger Marshalls Mini-Imp challenge the Hillman Imps domination of the class. Eventually both the Minis and Imps developed into Maquire type space frames with fibreglass bodies and Ginger Marshall unfortunately put a Reliant Kitten body on his!
Some more Mini-Imp details here: http://www.startline...1/terrapin2.htm Quote: "At that time it was fitted with Allan's Imp engine / Mini gearbox conversion. "It was eminently suitable for hillclimbing where the car runs for just a few minutes, and usually not much more than a minute in anger. Allan had bolted a thick alloy plate onto the bottom of the Imp engine and then cut the gearbox away from a Mini engine. The plate formed a flange which bolted onto the the gearbox. This was fine for hillclimbing but was less than oil tight when we ran a race distance. However, "Ginger" Marshall had, during the 1980's run a Reliant Kitten special saloon with an Imp/Mini Hybrid." "Ginger's brother was the mechanic and I spoke to him. They had had 5 special blocks cast which included the block itself and the adaptor to fit the Mini box. That gave a relatively reliable oil tight seal. As luck would have it, one of the people who had bought an engine from the Marshalls advertised it a week or two later in Autosport, so I bought it and fitted it, which solved a lot of problems."
^Imp engine on a Mini gearbox conversion in Metro subframe by Ian Carter/Shrigley Engineering. See more under 'Current Projects' & scroll down for future 4WD Imp Project! http://www.shrigleyengineering.co.uk/
Imp battles with Mini,Alfa,Lancia at Spa in hscc half hour race. 9,000rpm in top = 118mph going well for 998cc! (More videos on Shrigley Eng website).
As a road going engine however, early Imp Mk1 engines did have a reputation for blowing head gaskets, overheating and warping the alloy head, which it never fully lived down even in its improved later Mk2 form. I also remember bolting on plates to get rid of the excessive positive camber on front wheels of Mk1 Imps!
Another 'period' Mini engine transplant below which was based on the Imp engine.......shame few of them survive today as they were so much more interesting than today's Honda Vtec conversions!
Monty Guildford's Mini racer fitted with an Imp engine, he finished it in 1973 after an 18 month build. The engine was built and tuned by George Bevan but the gear box was designed by my Monty and built by Peter Wise of Goodland engineering of Tonbridge Kent. The crank was a one off. Note also the exhaust coming out of the nearside A panel!
