31 replies to this topic

[matt1332ish]

Got 4k (U.K pounds) to spend on my mini. I want engine mods and am looking for at least 150bhp. So, the options are:
Engine transplant (enough cash?)
Turbo (reliability issues? For a daily driver)
Super-charger (not alot of grunt?)
Other? (DON'T want straight-cut gears, too noisy)

Thanks for any advice, look forward to you're comments!
P.S= am not a rich b*stard, just cashing my life in!

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[Brawlyrox]

VTEC conversion

[Dan]

Reasonable amount to spend on performance upgrades, but do remember to spend some of it on braking upgrades as well.
150 Bhp from £4000 is going to be pushing it a bit I feel, unless you can do a lot of the work yourself or get it done at mates rates.

Turbo's can indeed be very reliable as daily drivers, they were offered as standard after all.
Supercharger not much grunt? Are you mental? Superchargers give massive increases in the power output of an engine, equally throughout the rev range (unlike turbocharging) of around 30-50%.
Unfortunatley you won't be able to put 150 Bhp through a helical A series transverse transmission. It WILL go bang quite spectacularly. You would need a straight cut box, or an engine transplant from another model if you're determined to keep a helical box.

You can get around 150Bhp from a supercharged 1380 with a fairly fierce cam, or a turbo unit running lots of boost but to get one as a built unit will probably cost your whole budget. And you would have no money left to uprate the brakes or gearbox which would be essential.

Oh and you will need at least a single grey clutch diaphragm, which are very heavy springs

[Dan]

I've been thinking and possibly the easiest way to get 150 Bhp from an A series is to use one of the twin cam heads available for the A series. These can achieve about 120 Bhp per litre (using Weber Alpha injection), so with a 1380 or even a 1275 you do get amazing power levels. They are easy to fit and setup, the only drawback is they are expensive. At least three grand just for the head. But it will give a very reliable, quiet, modern engine with good longevity. It uses a long timing belt rather than a chain so is quiet, and the length of the belt means it doesn't need replacing as often as the normal A series belt drive kits. It moves the induction away from the bulkhead so you don't get so much roar in the cabin (especially if you use an intake plenum). It doesn't drastically increase the cooling requirements either.

They are made by KAD or Jack Knight. Or you can convert a BMW K-series motorcycle head to fit. This is the casting the KAD version is based on (while the Jack Knight is totally bespoke). The K-series bike motor is dry sump and horizontal, so needs some converting to run in a vertical configuration and have oil drains, and needs some oilways moving. And then you will need to fabricate a front plate to take the belt and an idler pulley and some oil seals.

[Jordie]

i agree with above, u can get vtec conversion for £4k ish.

www.plmini.com do this, but if you sourced the engine or woteva yourself they might be cheaper.

[matt1332ish]

Engine spec as-is:
1340cc Jonspeed engine
Block 'A' series GT
Solid Center Main Strap
Bore +060 thou
New cam bearings
MG rods
276 Kent cam
Duplex chain set
ST 111 U/Lead cylinder head
1 3/4" HIF44 carb
K&N cone air filter
Valves 36 inlet / 30 exaust
Comp ratio 10.3 to 1
1.5 ratio rockers
13 row oil cooler
Lumenition 'Magnetronic'ignition
82deg thermostat
Facet solid state fuel pump
RC40 exaust
Quick-shift gear lever

Got 's' disk setup brakes already. Vtec conversion sounds good, but I have a very limited mechanical ability! The drive in roar out conversion is 7k, I could ask a mate to help but he's 'old school' mechanic (MG Midgets etc). The car is a daily driver, so I would need it back from the garage as soon as possible to get to work and stuff. Looks like the super-charger so far then, with engine management system?

[Jordie]

£7k....*gets saving* mmmmmm

[mighty_mini]

i heard from a mate that you can get a superchager kit, which uses the new bmw cooper s charger. and has been made to fit on the A-series

£1600 complete.. ill find out where he saw it...

My turbo is reliable, but my foot isn't!!! :nugget:

well it lasted a month this time.. it seems to be getting longer each time :grin:

[matt1332ish]

That super-charger kit is the one from VMAXracing. It's top of my list.

[matt1332ish]

Although....Has anyone got any prices/guesstimates for JK head? Just found and interesting article on fitting a BMW K1 head, needs some fabrication bits to fit.
http://www.miniman.com.au/bmw.htm .Any info on best engine management systems/prices to go with the super-charger? Apparently that's the best way of getting the best out of it?

[Random Nonsense]

Personally, I'd go for a properly built 1330 with the Vmax supercahrger kit if I was after big power for that money.

JK head with cams, manifolds and carbs would set you back more than your total budget.

Edit: just noticed the words "daily driver" forget monster A series then. Gotta be a vtech, vauxhall, or K series.

[Guess-Works.com]

VTECH

[Random Nonsense]

one question: the spec of your current engine really should blow your socks off. Have you had it set up properly?

[Dan]

That's what I was thinking, you should be seeing around the mid 90's out of that engine already. And it should be more than responsive. What is the gearing like?

Since you already have disc brake hubs, CVs and stuff you will be able to get some vented 7.9" discs & 4 pots or something for under £400.00 which will stop you well.

The supercharger from the MINI CooperS hasn't been around as a kit for the A series for very long, and is kind of still in development. So it may not be best as a daily driver with reliability in mind. There are supercharger kits designed for the A series specifically which have been around for a long time now. But the blower is a little less efficient than the BMW one, although it probably suits the A series better. The kit is designed by an Australian company and is made for A, B and C series engines among others.

The best aftermarket fuel injection system is without a doubt Weber Alpha Plus. Fully customisable, loads of options on the ECU, runs almost any accessory you want including emitions controls. Generally great. It was standard equipment on the Aston Martin V8 Vantage throughout the late 90's (till the Europeans killed it).

[Miniman]

sounds good VTEC is good lol get 1