8 replies to this topic

[aussie78leyland]

i just bought a 78 leyland mini and i have heard a rummer that a austin 1800 engine will bolt into a mini with minimal modification. i was wondering if any one had insight in to this topic.

[Jammy]

I believe that is an O series engine?! I think that requires quite a lot of modding to get in, and if your taking all the trouble to do that you may as well put in the newer K series (from a metro, rover, lotus elise...), a vaux engine or Vtec.

[m1n1]

I thought O - series units were 80's engines, fitted to maestros/montegos' etc...

When i worked at Big M motor factors many years ago these was a guy there who used to go on and on about his mini which he fitted with an old 1800cc maxi engine. I think thats B - series.. but i don't know. anyway he used to brag about how fast it was.. etc. it did fit, but i remember him saying he had to work on the subframe and the inner wings a little

[Sprocket]

The B serries will fit but will need an amount of engineering to make it work. I believe the cars used in the film Italian job, the parts where they drive down the stairs had the B series engines fitted as the transmission was a little more robust. I seem to remeber that they were the 1600 veriety though.

Like others have said, why bother with an old B series. Just fit a 2.5 litre V6 Ecotec from a vauxhall like others have done http://www.16vminicl...orums/index.php :sick:

[jack_marshall]

Im sure the B series engines come from cars like the classic MGA's??

[The Matt]

The old 1750 Maxi engine! It is not an A series engine I don't think, and also is a bit heavier than the old Mini engine.

There was a car in Miniworld about 7 or 8 years ago that had the conversion (a blue and yellow one IIRC).

Bit of a major conversion, I'd go for a more standard jobby meself and drop a VTEC or even Metro turbo engine in if I wanted to go for major power now!

[Wil_h]

Maxi engines were used as a conversion engine years ago as they had the same engine/gearbox lay-out as the Mini (i.e. box below engine). So it was theoretically an 'easy' swop.

Although I've never done it, I suspect it's no easier to fit than fitting a modern engine. It certinally won't be a bolt-in and drive off conversion.

The other problem is the Maxi engine is it's a big old lump and ends up sitting much further forward than the a-series. This would make the handleling rubbish (loads of understeer).

The Maxi engine is infact an e-series engine with about 90 bhp, so a pretty pointless swop really.

The B-series was only ever an 1800 as far as I know, and was fitted to MGBs, the 'B' being the give away. It was also fitted to Marinas. It was never used as a front-wheel drive engine.

Wil

[Sprocket]

The B-series was only ever an 1800 as far as I know, and was fitted to MGBs, the 'B' being the give away. It was also fitted to Marinas. It was never used as a front-wheel drive engine.

Wil

http://www.austin-ro...inebseriesf.htm

Now you know different :cheese:

[Wil_h]

Well well, that'll teach me for being born in the 70s.

I wonder what front wheel drive cars it was used in?

Wil