20 replies to this topic

[minimanshane]

Hey i am sorting an engine for my mini something with more power I have sourced a 1.3i but I am not sure it will be insurable.
The engine will be for when im 17/18 (when i get my license).
Is it insurable??
Cheers shane

[Sprocket]

How big is your wallet

[BerkshireMini]

No, I would say but depends on how much your'e willing to spend on Insurance.

Considering 1.3i is a Cooper engine and they'll see it as an engine conversion I would have thought so that'll bump the price up.. don't quote me on that though.

[minimanshane]

what sort of costs are we talking?

[Sprocket]

No, I would say but depends on how much your'e willing to spend on Insurance.

Considering 1.3i is a Cooper engine and they'll see it as an engine conversion I would have thought so that'll bump the price up.. don't quote me on that though.

There is a 53bhp 1.3i and the 63bhp 1.3i, the latter being the Cooper :cheese:

[ed4ran]

Whats the differences in the engines to get the 10bhp? Cam?

[minimanshane]

its a 95 engine

[Sprocket]

Whats the differences in the engines to get the 10bhp? Cam?

Yes. ECU maps may also be different as they are a different part number????Duno????

[Clubby1275GT]

in 20 and i have a 1275 gt, up to 73bhp, all mods decalred with adrian flux insurance and i only pay £650

[minislapper]

Why do you need more power even before you've got your licence or passed your test?

Drive the car with a small engine and build up some no claims. If you desperately want a 1275 then buy a 1275 car. If you fit a bigger engine into another car insurance companies will see it as a modification and will charge you accordingly.

Insurance for new drivers is ridiculously high as it is, why make things worse for yourself by doing things too soon. Get some experience behind you first then start throwing in bigger engines.

[The Roadie]

Whats the differences in the engines to get the 10bhp? Cam?

Yes. ECU maps may also be different as they are a different part number????Duno????

Nope its just the ECU as the cam is the same part number (courtesy of Dan AGGGGEEEESSS ago).
I'm still trying to find a Cooper ECU for my Sprite.

[The Roadie]

Oh my mate bought a 1984 Mini City fitted with an MG Metro 1275cc unit.
He could get it insured in his mum's name, but not even with him as a second driver as it was classed as a modded engine and he was 17 with no NCB of course.
Do what I did and buy a 1275cc car to start off. 998s are a fair bit cheaper to insure mind.

[Bigbudders]

I had one of them lesser powered 1275spi engines in my last mini, and i am sure the ecu is,'t the difference. I think the non cooper version had a much lower compression ratio. I think it was something like 8.8 compared to the coopers 10.1.

I paid £800 F Comp insurance when i was a 1st timer but the car was standard. That was with Herts insurance.

Don't go the modified route for your first car mate, like the others have said either buy a standard 1275 mini or keep a 1000cc till you get some no claims.

Personally i'd love a tuned thouey engine, they're so rev happy.

[Clubby1275GT]

i work for an insurance company and minis are the cheapest cars to insure being from grp 2 all the way up to 15, the highest 1275 i think is the paul smith because its lmtd and quite popular with thieves. the cheapest being the 998's n 850's, but even my 1275GT is only a grp 4. i doubt u'll find a cheaper car the insure than a mini, depsite the engine size!
most cars these days are grp 4 onwards, all apart from them electric plastic buggies with roofs that go 3mph.

[Boy Racer]

go small to start with, you can always play with the 1275+++ sizes when you can drive the 850/998 hard

I have an 850cc moto guzzi and a 90cc monkey bike, guess which one i have more fun with on the road