18 replies to this topic

[danny0646]

Hello there,
i have an 1982 mini city 998cc,
It has a K&N cone filter with a HS4 carb,
it also has a stage one kit,
i was really wondering what i could do to improve performance,
it is my everyday car and would love it to run well and to keep up with modern traffic,
is it worth swapping the engine?
what should i get first if i keep the 998cc,
i have a friend who races minis looking at it this week regarding timing etc,
my aim to is get a new thing each month,
cheers all
Danny

[lrostoke]

Not really answering the question but all I've got is a 998 stage 1 used everyday and no problems in modern traffic including a fair few motorway runs.
Modern traffic doesn't seem that impressive to me, local dual carriageways Im normally the one doing the overtaking without much strain either.

[danny0646]

Not really answering the question but all I've got is a 998 stage 1 used everyday and no problems in modern traffic including a fair few motorway runs.
Modern traffic doesn't seem that impressive to me, local dual carriageways Im normally the one doing the overtaking without much strain either.

Hmm think mine probably is running quite right,
maybe a rolling road session will sort that.
cheers

[bmcecosse]

Depends entirely on your budget - and your insurance position. But if the 998 engine is in good general condition - you may as well run it. Most cost effective mod is to fit a 1275 cylinder head - with a larger carb on MG Metro inlet, and a decent exhaust it will fly.

[danny0646]

Cheers bud,
Anyone else got any ideas?

[TimmyG]

Depends entirely on your budget - and your insurance position. But if the 998 engine is in good general condition - you may as well run it. Most cost effective mod is to fit a 1275 cylinder head - with a larger carb on MG Metro inlet, and a decent exhaust it will fly.

As above, there's absolutely no need to increase your engine size to 1275. This set up should make 55+bhp with the standard bottom end and cam, and be miles more fun than an equivelant power 1275 as it'll be more revvy, though still very torquey for a 998.
To do it even easier and cheaper I would just rebuild your 1.5" carb rather than fit a larger one, it won't lose you anything and will be easier to set up properly at this power level. Also I would use the inlet manifold from your stage 1 kit rather than the MG one as it should have slightly smaller runners (if it's the correct type) which are better suited to the 998.
I think you'll be surprised at how gutsy a 998 can be!

[danny0646]

Depends entirely on your budget - and your insurance position. But if the 998 engine is in good general condition - you may as well run it. Most cost effective mod is to fit a 1275 cylinder head - with a larger carb on MG Metro inlet, and a decent exhaust it will fly.

As above, there's absolutely no need to increase your engine size to 1275. This set up should make 55+bhp with the standard bottom end and cam, and be miles more fun than an equivelant power 1275 as it'll be more revvy, though still very torquey for a 998.
To do it even easier and cheaper I would just rebuild your 1.5" carb rather than fit a larger one, it won't lose you anything and will be easier to set up properly at this power level. Also I would use the inlet manifold from your stage 1 kit rather than the MG one as it should have slightly smaller runners (if it's the correct type) which are better suited to the 998.
I think you'll be surprised at how gutsy a 998 can be!

Cool i'll stick with the 998 then
when u say rebuild the carb what do u mean???
also what head would be the best to put on???
ive heard 12g940 would give it some power,
Thanks
Danny

[Pauly]

They give noticable power increase, but its not a "drop straight on" job. The block may need pocketing, depending what cam your running.

You can buy carb service kits, which comes with new seals etc to give the carb a new life. Can be easily done by yourself, or you can send it in to be done.

Edited by Pauly, 04 January 2010 - 09:43 PM.

[danny0646]

They give noticable power increase, but its not a "drop straight on" job. The block may need pocketing, depending what cam your running.

You can buy carb service kits, which comes with new seals etc to give the carb a new life. Can be easily done by yourself, or you can send it in to be done.

from what i know its just a standard cam,
which head would u advise?

[1977 Loud_Mini]

I have heard you can get a 12g295 head which was used on the coopers to give good performance, I think that most people try to use this type of head. I have a 998cc +0.20 bored and standard exhaust manifold etc and it revs nicely to 6000rpm, does yours rev like this with your stage 1 kit etc?

[bmcecosse]

Usually no need to do anything to the carbs - they last for ages. Just clean it! The 940 head is indeed well worth doing - just sink the exhaust valves by 40 thou. A 295 head will need 60 thou skimming off - and although good, it's not nearly as good as a 940!

[TimmyG]

If your car has done any sort of miles like most have then there will be wear present on the carb throttle spindle, and this will make the mixture erratic at anything other than wide open throttle due to air leaking in under vacuum. This will cause headaches when it comes time to set the engine up on the rollers and extra expense that involves, so it's definately worth getting the bushes/spindle replaced properly before set up so it will cost you less and of course the car will drive better! Also, if you are getting hold of a 2nd hand 12g940 head, the older ones are not suitable for unleaded fuel, so you'll either have to use an additive, or get the seats done. If your getting the seats done then it would be worth replacing the guides at the same time for the small amount it costs.
On my car i have done it the 'correct' way and pocketed the block but if the bottom end doesn't need stripping then the 40 thou seat cut back seems feasable enough if not ideal. Be sure to check the head hasn't been previously skimmed though....!
The water pump will also need to be filed down as it stands proud of the top of the block and fouls the larger 1275 head.

[paul6266]

im currently tuning my 998, although mines been overbored to 1032 or something like that lol ive got some hi lift rockers on it and a ported and polished mg metro head, wrapped freeflow exhaust, torquemaster inlet and just to make it look nice some braided hoses for everything, oh and im running a hif38 if thats any insperation?

[liirge]

im currently tuning my 998, although mines been overbored to 1032 or something like that lol ive got some hi lift rockers on it and a ported and polished mg metro head, wrapped freeflow exhaust, torquemaster inlet and just to make it look nice some braided hoses for everything, oh and im running a hif38 if thats any insperation?

Ohh sounds like quite a nice little build you have there mate, im tuning a smallbore as well at the moment, i was just wondering if you have a project build thread, and if you don't have you considered doing one? What kind of Hp and Torque are you expecting from your motor?

[paul6266]

i havent started a build thread unfortuatly, i suppose i should lol the car is nearly done but there is a few small bits im not that happy with if im honest so may do one for them, im not sure what the bhp will be if im honest....anythin over 60 would be amazing but i will have to see.....watch this space tho