8 replies to this topic

[Toady]

I am going to soon convert mrs toady's mini from the auto 1275spi to a manual, as i really dont like auto style!!! One question i need help in answering is, do i have to replace it with a spi manual engine to retain all the spi stuff ie inlet manifold with spi/ecu etc. I would rather keep the spi as its her everyday mini (/show attendee car), and am not really building it for speed, more a case of reliability, but still pokey and fun!

Or can i use an older carbed engine/block, and just bolt all the spi stuff onto it, or are there injection parts on the inj units that are different to the carbed blocks, ie. knock sensors, crank position or other sensors?

Reason I ask is i know someone who has a nice freshly bored/honed 1380 sitting in his garage with new pistons, a manual box and metro turbo clutch. Its a carbed engine, and I was hoping to bolt the std injection head/spi on and have a nice torquey little spi engine. Is that possible to do, or should I just ditch the spi and go carbs??? She doesnt really want to lose the spi tho.....

Thanks.

[miniboo]

I reckon all you need is a manual gearbox and block and bolt the head and all the spi gubbins on to it. Job done.

obviously the normal manual stuff aswell like clutch etc etc

why noit go for it with the 1380 i reckon i twould work.

Minisprocket has made a 1399cc spi engine work so yes go fo it

[Guess-Works.com]

As you say, replace block/gearbox but, are there not sensor attachments for the SPI in the block/transfer case ???

I would suggest this be moved to Injection section, as the conversion to manual is the same regardless of aspiration system.

[Toady]

The main thing i need to know is whether the inj block etc has special mounts for sensors etc as guesswork says...

[AlexM]

That it does. As well as a special flywheel which works with the crank posiiton sensor.

[Toady]

That it does. As well as a special flywheel which works with the crank posiiton sensor.

cheers Alex, is it something that can be adapted?

[Sprocket]

Changing from auto to manual, has been covered many times on the forum, do a search for the usual gubbins swap.

As for the injection, everything is the same, auto to manual, except for the crank sensor. There are two options for this, either find an SPi flywheel and housing using the original sensor, or, fit an aftermarket crank trigger kit (best bet is the KAD or Specialist Components ones(for a reason)) and replicate the original. This can and does work.

Oh and just remove the kickdown linkage and make sure the starter inhibit switch is linked out.

Other than that everything else should be a straight swap

Edit* if you use a carb engine, be aware that the inlet ports in the head may not have the locating rings, if this is the case, dont use the locating rings at all and line up the inlet manifold as best as you can, or swap the head off the auto engine.

Edited by Mini Sprocket, 30 May 2007 - 09:09 PM.

[Toady]

thanks guys. I did do a search on the auto to manual subject and remember a fair old bit from when i used to be properly into my minis back in the 90's! Im getting back into it tho!lol! theyre so addictive!

My main reason was to find out if the block off a carbed A+ will work still.

So I take it all ill need is the bell housing and flywheel from a spi, (im using the std inj head) the rest is as per normal auto-manual?

[Toady]

Completed the conversion today! Im glad to get rid of that auto engine. altho it was quite good fun! he he! and a shame to take it out as the engine was in such good condition from only having one old lady owner al its life with fsh! Stuck a cooper spi engine in which was a gamble as I could only take the sellers word for it that it was in good condition, and luckily it is! It nothing like my old 110bhp mini! but still a hoot to be driving a mini again! New wheels will be going on this week too! wahoo!