9 replies to this topic

[JET]

Cooper:
1991:

Hi all,

Now I know I'm looking into the future but I suppose it doesn't hurt to have a plan and was thinking that my car has done 57,000 miles so far and after so many years when it's racked a load more miles under it's belt is it worth doing a engine rebuild on my 1275.

I then thought would it be worth having my engine bored to a 1380 maybe or is it worth buying one of these engine kits thats already that size that you can get?
The engine would have a stage 1 exhaust and K&N air filter that I currently have on it what ever route I pick.

One thing that is putting me off the idea and I'm not sure if it is actually true but would a 1380 be less reliable than a 1275?

Just curious as to advice people could give me on what they think I should do?

[Ethel]

The kits you see will all be offered on an exchange basis, so little different to modding your own engine on cost. If you wanted a big bore you might do as well to source a lump that's on it's last legs and save your serviceable engine to sell on for more.

A freshly bored, and rebuilt, engine is likely to be more reliable than one with a few miles under its belt. Though, a few bits, like the head gasket, will have a slightly tougher time (not to say it would fail) and more power is likely to find out weaknesses elsewhere on the car. In fact, a large bore engine won't need to be worked as hard to go as well as a more standard one, but could you resist pushing the accelerator?

[mk1leg]

Mini engine kits are a cheaper way if your a compitent at engine building or following a haynes man............

[Paul Wiginton]

A 1380 will be no less reliable than anything else. It only if its a race spec motor thats being revved to 9,500rpm all the time like mine that will make it less reliable. you can have a very good every day driver running upto 110bhp as long as you maintain it well.

Paul

[Pauly]

A series engines are known to go round the clock (heard of quite a few) and still be as good as when they came out the factory, if its looked after and serviced when it should be an 'A' series will last forever .

But 1380's if built right can be a very nice road engine. If you want loads of power (110+hp) you will lose the smooth running of the engine, it wont idle very well and be sluggish at bottom end. But on the other hand if you aim for mid range figures say about 90-100hp you can get a great all rounder.

Paul.

[rozzer1275]

I have run a 1380 for 60,000miles with no probs, but i was told by the peolple that built it that it will not last as long as the factory unit, 1380 have loads of power potential there is no replacment for displacement as they say. but once youve finished the 1380 there is no more boreing out that can easly be done, scraped engine.
1.3 engines are becomeing scarce melted down for scrap or bored and used, just look on ebay old 1.3 are going for £200.
I got 120,000miles (regular oil changes of 10 40) out of my original engine only probs were, diff, plastic caged gearbox bearing, drop gears.
I would fit a big head and cam to yours then if it gets nacked or you get bored, bore it out to 1330 then you can still goto 1380 later and reuse the good head cam and other bits.

[JET]

Thanks people plenty of info that I never considered.

if you aim for mid range figures say about 90-100hp you can get a great all rounder.

Sounds like the kind of region that would suit me then, I wouldn't be looking for too much power just enough to have a bit of a kick and keep the practicality.

I would fit a big head and cam to yours then if it gets nacked or you get bored, bore it out to 1330 then you can still goto 1380 later and reuse the good head cam and other bits.

That sounds like quite a good idea.

Might be worth getting my car on the rolling road to see what hp my car is actually putting out at the moment to see what I should be aiming for.

I think I might see if I can get a hold of that tuning the A-series engine book as well.

Thanks found this info very useful.

[JET]

Resurrecting a dead thread...

Been thinking alot lately in fitting a stage 4 head and a Swiftune cam to feed my grid for a lil more grunt, but talking to a some mechanic friends of mine fitting a cam would involve alot of work on the engine to such a point that I might as well fit a whole new unit to my desired spec.

They suggested I slowly over time rebuild a new engine and swap it with my current one to sell on to help pay for it, which I love to do but I have no place to build it nor would I even know how, so thats that option out the window.

I started thinking, maybe I should just leave it alone until I have no choice but to rebuild or fit a new unit and then thought if I just replaced the head It would mean the engine could stay in the car and would involve less work = less of a heavy bill.

So my new question is, would Fitting a stage 4 head with 1.5 ratio rockers give me enough power to satisfy me until my engines tired and knackered?

[zebidee]

They suggested I slowly over time rebuild a new engine and swap it with my current one to sell on to help pay for it

I'm doing exactly that. This summer as my project i'm building a 1380 from a Metro lump, then selling on my trusty 1275 when i finish .

On the knowledge side of things, Ultimate Mini's 1380 A-series builder DVD will walk you through doing every part of the build, well worth buying!

If you really didn't want to go that way though, Vizard always points out that good performance can be obtained from a well worked cylinder head. Though if your going down the route of changing the head and rockers...you might aswell go one step further and build a new engine

[JET]

Ultimate Mini's 1380 A-series builder DVD will walk you through doing every part of the build, well worth buying!

Will have to see if I can get a copy, I've got tuning the A-series book on order too.

They suggested I slowly over time rebuild a new engine and swap it with my current one to sell on to help pay for it

I'm doing exactly that. This summer as my project i'm building a 1380 from a Metro lump, then selling on my trusty 1275 when i finish .

That would be the ideal route for me, but its not a case of not knowing how to build it that is putting me off as I can always get help and learn. Its the fact that I have nowhere to store the engine or the tools to even work on it.

Which Is why I'm thinking of mods that can be done with the engine remaining in the car.
Have been reading a thread recently and has kind of put me off the idea of fitting 1.5 ratio rockers and is worth being patient for a new cam so am thinking just fit the Stage 4 head and leave it alone.

On that note does anyone know the kind of results a Stage 4 head would give power wise on a 1275, stage 1 kit and air filter fitted unit. Carb model.

Thanks I think I've got a plan now.