22 replies to this topic

[Guess-Works.com]

Something which has been thrown in my general direction is an article in this month Mini mag about a mini van with a maestro engine and 5 speed box...

Immediately big alarm bells start ringing...

Yes the Maestro used the A series engine, and yes possibly used a 5 speed box, but before you all go and start pulling maestro's apart in the scrapyard be aware of this...

In typical Mini Magazine (generic term) style, the author of the article has missed out a few crucial and important facts.... It's not a maestro gearbox attached to that engine, although the script does not suggest that it is not and if it were, the van would be going vey fast.... backwards..

The A series engine in the Maestro and Montego is rotated through 180 degrees to enable the attachment of a side mounted gearbox, and hence the carb and exhaust are attached to the front and the sparkies and dizzy and everything else is around the back...

The modifications which must have been done are to the block to allow the fitting to the transverse Mini gearbox ( this is something I believe MiniSprocket was looking into not so long ago ) and it's respect to the van owner that he's managed it...

On the other hand, I would love to be proved wrong !

[minivanman]

I was talking to someone about this and he reckoned that the maestro block was a lot stronger casting/design to the mini, and had potential for seriouly big power (200bhp+)

[Dog]

I don't think its the blocks or heads thats the problem on Mini enignes... its the gearbox... its made of cheese!

[minivanman]

nah this guy was saying the *cant remember which* bearing was larger and stronger. but I'll be jiggered if I can remember which bearing it was.

[Big_Adam]

but you can get 200+ from a mini engine block.

[Guess-Works.com]

I don't think its the blocks or heads thats the problem on Mini enignes... its the gearbox... its made of cheese!

Dont forget the gearbox was originally designed to take about 30/40 hp, so lets say something which you build produces 150 hp, that means the g/box is taking 4 to 5 times the power it was originally designed for...

[The Matt]

I don't think its the blocks or heads thats the problem on Mini enignes... its the gearbox... its made of cheese!

Dont forget the gearbox was originally designed to take about 30/40 hp, so lets say something which you build produces 150 hp, that means the g/box is taking 4 to 5 times the power it was originally designed for...

Yup, and that'll eat into any design engineers safety/reserve factors!

I don't see why the Maestro block would actually be any stronger though?? As mentioned above.

[Bungle]

there was a topic about this on minifinity awhile ago

from what i can remember is a inline A series engine like found on a minor or midget

[mad4mins]

sorry guessworks didnt mean to give you a head ache...lol

you can now say you are the supreme font of knowledge on mini gearbox's ... Prof Gearbox....

its good to have a healthy debate in the morning!! hehe

heres the article if anyone whats a ganders

[Jeff R]

Hi Guys
Sorry for any confusion on this, the article is slightly misleading, although I didn't write it
Basically the Maestro engine and gearbox won't fit as the gearbox is on the end of the engine rather than underneath. Also, as Guessworks points out, it would be mounted backwards! After all, if was really easy we'd all be doing it!
I spoke to the owner at Bingley, as I was also a tad confused. Turns out he used the Maestro block (which has the oil filter located in a different place), and adapted it to fit a Mini Spares five-speed 'box. Not sure about the ins and outs of how it's done, but that's the story!

Jeff

[Pie]

Jeff, correct me if im wrong, but isnt he from malvern? and they also have a pick up???

Possibly from Hilltop Minis Of Malvern???

LMAO just noticed the pick up is featured too!!! :doh:

[fikus01]

aah it makes sense now, i have heard tales of this block being stronger, i have one too adapted for a mini gearbox, all be it only with 4 gears.

i think its strength was due to the routing of the oilways being dofferent because the filter screws on similar to a tpi mini but slightly higher and at an angle.

vizzard rates it as the best block to go big bore with because of its strength and casting design!!

[minivanman]

thankyou fikus! I knew there was a reason it was good but couldnt remember why

[phils sprite]

very very intresting!! guessworks your amazing! how do you know all this stuff!!??? well if the maestro lump is able to handle more power then this might explain this video!!! although it sounds like a bike engine to me but im really not sure what do you guys think?? i personaly havent seen anything move like this before its awsome!!!!!!!!

im talking about a section in the vid about 1 min 52 seconds!!!



what on earth is powering that??

cheers phil.

[Jordie]

we passed his pickup on the main road into malvern show last year!