23 replies to this topic

[TimS]

james for what you are building the car for you know theres completly no need for or you are just wasting all that money on the carbon

[Madmax]

hmmmmmmm maybe not

[miniman5]

depends on how well you maintain it mate!

ohh and the brakes.... the pads fade (get warm and dont work) but apart from that you should be fine! :grin:

[andrewinlondon]

I noted Alex's comments regarding gearboxes: see below -

"The engine will be fine but the gearbox can and does suffer as most MPi owners know!!!

Oil temp unless it goes over 120-130 is not a problem usually.

Alex"

Is there any practical way of monitoring or testing how the gearbox is performing/how much life it has left, without pulling it all apart? Is there anything proactive one can do to extend its life/performance, etc?

There was a full gear box replacement required for one of the minis on the Italian Job recently and it looked like a total "prick" of a job, involving over 4 guys, albeit in an underground car park and basic tools.

Thanks for all the continuing dialogue on this topic. I'm learning lots! :smartass:

Oh. and I haven't track day'd my mini yet. I expect that would murder the engine etc.

[AlexF2003]

im on a metro turbo 4pin diff (no idea what ratio) but mine sits at 110mph all day long doing about 5500-6000rpm its loud but sits there, i want a 5 speed gear box and a supercharger errrrrrmmmm.
droool
Alex.

Std metro turbo is 3.2:1


To keep a gearbox alive change the oil regularly and don't tune the engine LOL.

You can only acess the ware by totally stripping the engine

[Guess-Works.com]

Here's a list you may find useful

Select your Diff Ratio with possible source vehicle

2.760:1 21/58 ( Some late model Mini's )
2.950:1 20/59 ( Metro 1.3 HLE '85 on )
3.105:1 19/59 ( Metro 1.0 HLE & Some 1.3 HLE's )
3.211:1 19/61 ( MG Metro Turbo )
3.444:1 18/62 ( Most Mini's & post '84 Metro's )
3.647:1 17/62 ( Metro City, L & Van )
3.765:1 17/64 ( MKI Mini, 850's and Vans)
3.939:1 16/63 ( Option on Cooper "S" MKI/II/III )
4.133:1 15/62 ( Option on Cooper "S" MKI/II/III )
4.267:1 15/64 ( Option on Cooper "S" MKI/II/III )
4.350:1 15/65 ( Option on Cooper "S" MKI/II/III )

[Guess-Works.com]

And as for removing the FD with the engine/box in the car, pah....

I'd give good money to see it done, without dropping the gearbox from the engine, or having a modified bulk head.

You can change a gearbox without removing the engine, and yes I have seen that done, and will be honing a procedure for doing it in the new year

[rob mini]

have had mine at 85 for about 10 mins but you could watch the fuel gague drop! lol. i dont know why people comlain so much about brake fade. even from 85mph to standing my brakes seem to be constant all the way

rob

[Madmax]

havent had any problem with brake fade, just brake failure when my master cylinder sprung a leak...

brown trousers anyone