25 replies to this topic

[Spannerhead]

So I've recently bought an MPi Cooper that will soon have a Stage three kit on it. I'm looking to do an endurance event in the summer through Europe and the organiser reckons cars will need a range of 150 miles between fill-ups.

Can I get that kind of range from a tuned MPi, or do I need to get a left hand fuel tank?

[Brams96]

Can I get that kind of range from a tuned MPi, or do I need to get a left hand fuel tank?

You mean a right hand tank? Why not just take a jerrycan in the back?

[Cater_Racer]

So I've recently bought an MPi Cooper that will soon have a Stage three kit on it. I'm looking to do an endurance event in the summer through Europe and the organiser reckons cars will need a range of 150 miles between fill-ups.

Can I get that kind of range from a tuned MPi, or do I need to get a left hand fuel tank?

I had the same problem, took two 5 litre cans in the first few events. Eventually I put the second RH tank in, much neater solution. Which event?

HERO or CRA?

[Pooky]

RH tanks are a little rare. Might want to consider the possibility of removing the original tank and putting a larger alloy tank in the boot?

A custom job could sink into the spare wheel well and keep the centre of gravity much lower and central than twin tanks

Edited by Pooky, 31 December 2009 - 02:31 PM.

[nicksuth]

The MPi fuel tank is 7.5 gallon of which you should be able to safely rely on recovering 6 gallon so even at 35 mpg it should give you 150 miles between fuel stops?

[lrostoke]

Would think the single tank would be fine though ???

whats the capacity about 6.5 - 7 gals ?? thats 180 -210 miles based on 30 mpg

Edited by lrostoke, 31 December 2009 - 02:36 PM.

[Cooperman]

In competition you'll be unlikely to get much over 20 mpg when pshing hard. My 1991 Endurance Rally Mini gave about that on the RAC Revival Rally, so you'll be right on the limit for range + a bit of reserve. Carrying spare fuel cans is strictly not allowed under FIA/RAC rally regulations and a large alloy tank will give no-where to fit the two spare wheels a rally car needs. It's hard just to get the 2 spare wheels into the boot anyway. Your best bet would be to fit a 5.5 gallon LH tank from an earlier model car plus a new 5.5 gallon RH tank. Rallying ain't meant to be cheap anyway and better to buy the right tanks than to be winning at the point of running out of fuel!

[xBR4DLEY]

There is a right hand tank on the classifieds on here - well there was yesterday

[Sprocket]

150 miles should be no problem even driven hard with the MPi but the tank might look empty untill you fill it then you might find that there was another 5 litres still in the bottom

[Spannerhead]

Thanks for the responses guys, I'll have a think about those, and test out just how many miles I can get on a tank driving quite hard.

The event is just a tour really, all tarmac, heading down to Romania via all the great alping passes. Average 300 miles per day, no need for a nagivator as will all be done on satnav, totally uncompetative, just some fabulous driving. More info here:

http://www.locostbui....php?tid=127240

Be great to have a few Mini's on the trip.

[Cooperman]

Thanks for the responses guys, I'll have a think about those, and test out just how many miles I can get on a tank driving quite hard.

The event is just a tour really, all tarmac, heading down to Romania via all the great alping passes. Average 300 miles per day, no need for a nagivator as will all be done on satnav, totally uncompetative, just some fabulous driving. More info here:

http://www.locostbui....php?tid=127240

Be great to have a few Mini's on the trip.

In that case you should not have a range problem. I was thinking of the highly competitive Endurance rallies in the forests and lanes where 20 mpg is about the norm for a 1275 Mini.
My Historic rally Cooper 'S' gives about 12 to 14 mpg in the Welsh lanes and forests!
I sold my Endurance rally Mini as it was too much like hard work trying to keep up with modern cars like Pug 106's, Rover 214's, etc.

[AlasdairM]

This is an old thread- but I have a question: if taking a 5l green tank in the car as a spare, is it best keeping it in the boot or the rear passenger footwell?

I’m thinking that the boot could be a bit dangerous with the battery and the electrics from the lights. Maybe I’m a bit OTT though...

The main downside I can think of in the passenger footwell is that the car may smell of fumes all the time.

Any thoughts?

[rich_959]

I'd only carry a full spare can in the boot if it was wrapped and well strapped down, but I suppose I'm fairly cautious. 

[whistler]

In competition you'll be unlikely to get much over 20 mpg when pshing hard. My 1991 Endurance Rally Mini gave about that on the RAC Revival Rally, so you'll be right on the limit for range + a bit of reserve. Carrying spare fuel cans is strictly not allowed under FIA/RAC rally regulations and a large alloy tank will give no-where to fit the two spare wheels a rally car needs. It's hard just to get the 2 spare wheels into the boot anyway. Your best bet would be to fit a 5.5 gallon LH tank from an earlier model car plus a new 5.5 gallon RH tank. Rallying ain't meant to be cheap anyway and better to buy the right tanks than to be winning at the point of running out of fuel!

Are you not allowed to carry spare wheels inside the car, clamped of course?

[croc7]

I replaced the older RH tank with one that required trimming of the flange around the perimeter of the new tank and still had to trim the flange inside the boot, costing me the right boot support cable.  But it does give a total fuel capacity of 13 gallons imperial (15.5 US). 

Its comforting to have the extra fuel but the extended range far exceeds my bladder capacity!   Not sure if I would do it again but it is nice to be able to plan a route for long trips without concern for fuel availability.