18 replies to this topic

[TA2DMAC]

Ok I'm new and have a few questions.
I will be looking to get better performance out of my Mini. It has a 998cc and I would like to get more out of it.

Possibly changing heads, cam, intake etc. I'm not really sure where to begin.

Before attacking the engine I'm planning to upgrade the brakes, suspension and more then likely the gearbox. Probably a LSD Differential. I can't do it all at once but would like to know where to start.

I will be using the car as a summer driver. Mainly for spirited driving, events and runs on a nice day...and who know a track day hear and there.

by the way Stateside parts are very limited and Mechanical knowledge probably the same, so I hope you all can help me out.

Is 85-100 hp achievable or even needed? I just dont want to be stuck trying to get to 100mph on the expressways and taking forever to get there.

Thanks

[oliver122]

suspension would be a good start getting adjustable so you can have it set-up might be a good idea , stiffer cones , or even get a spring conversion

brakes are a defentate must if your after more power , so metro 4 pots would be worth while

if you want 100bhp out of a 998 , your best bet would be to turbo it , 100bhp is achievable , and you dont have to do alot with the gearbox as long as its in good working order

if you want 100bhp out of a na 998 , you would be spend a lot of money on it

there are plenty of engine builds on here so have a browse through and they will give you the general ideas of what you would be looking at , and costs

http://www.turbo-mini.com/62147.html that is a link to a 20hr 998 turbo build , and there is another fourm turbominis that has plenty of info on turbo a series engines

hope it helps

[Mini_Magic]

I thought the speed limit in America was 55mph...?

[TA2DMAC]

Average speed here in Michigan is about 70mph but most poeple travel at about 80-85mph. Gotta keep up to the flow of traffic. Hasn't been 55 since the mid 1980's although it varies from state to state. Plus it's nice to have the extra for passing and getting yourself out of a bind if needed.

Speaking of, what kind of HP would I truely need to be able to hit 100mph without trouble? If it's less than 100 hp no need to go that far if I can do it more affordably.

[mk1coopers]

Getting to 100MPH will be a question of balancing power and diff ratios, a 3:44 is a good compromise but you will still need to pull 6500 RPM + in top gear to get near this (assuming 10" wheels), you can get S (70+ BHP) power out of a well tuned 998/997 Cooper engine, but it's going to cost, you need to ask yourself what you will do most of, freeway driving or backroads and track days, then build the car to suit, it's always a compromise, that's why people tend to end up with more than one Mini

[hazpalmer14]

turbo.......

[ace01]

70-80 BHP is achieveable without turbos, nitrous or other ambitious plans. If you are going to rebuild your 998, use a large overbore, Minispares do pistons up to 80 thou over. Then use a reasonable cam, 276 or similar, and a decent cylinder head, maybe a 12940 with modifications to fit or a good 998 head. Using a 1 3/4 carb and a good exhaust system should get you to 70-80 BHP depending on the actual build and compression ratio. Don't forget to build a good quality bottom end.

[Ethel]

If you're looking to do 70+ mph regularly, without making your ears bleed, you'll want a lower ratio final drive like a 2.95 or 3.1, 3.2. The only way you'd get a usable 100bhp out of a 998 to turn those gears would be with forced induction. Which might also be an easier option in the States, assuming blowers are more plentiful than Mini parts.

You haven't told us what year & model your Mini is, bearing in mind many imported into the States are younger than the paperwork suggests. A post '85 car would already have a decent set of disc brakes for example, you may already have a suitable final drive too, and some engines are easier to turbo than others because of the compression ratio.

[TA2DMAC]

Thanks, a lot to think about. The car is a 1978 Leyland Mini 1000, origionally from Canada. (Big ugly indicator lights and side turn signals)
As far as I can see it's all stock. It has drums all the way around. Discs are on my list as well as redoing whatever I need on the suspension. After all its 33 yrs old.
I'm not sure, but I beleive it's an A type engine. See picture below.
As it will be a summer car I'm probably gonna pull the huge heater off of it as well. At least I think its a heater (left side in picture)

Ethel, you are correct, I do plan on doing 70+ on a regular basis with possible track time.
There are several tracks in the state including a Nascar track which you can dirive on promotional days. We also have Road Rallys and a Challenge style track called GingerMan Raceway.

I was looking at a stage 3 tuning kit on minisport-usa
http://www.minisport..._T-KMST001.html

However if I can do it cheaper that would be great.

I have also been toying with the idea of a supercharger.

This will be an ongoing project, the missus has me on a budget. (Pay the car off first then toy with it after the first summer.)

The good thing is I can take about half of all the money I make from tattooing/ bike building to use as I want so I figure I can probably drop about 3500 GBP/ - $6000 in the next yr or so if business is good)

[Ethel]

It does look like what you say it is & that is a small bore A Series. The huge blower is a Canadian Mini thing, a more powerful heater for those cold winters, but the interior housing is essentially the same as the UK version that also houses the blower. Alternatively you could probably rig something up in the ducting under the fender: with a bilge blower from a boat.

Canuk Minis also had a peculiar emissions system that pumped air into the exhaust. Yours has been removed, hence the empty belt pulley behind the fan and the holes on the thermostat housing where the pump attached. The radiator top hose is also on the other side to our Minis to make room.

Drum brakes can stop you almost as well as discs but they overheat quicker and need regular adjustment to stay effective.

[TA2DMAC]

I was wondering about the extra pully.
Also do you think an electric fan instead of the stock one would make much of a difference?
I just came across a write up in Mini World about a 5 speed gearbox sold by Minispares. Anyone have any experience with it?

[Ethel]

A Mini's fan has more work to do than one on a car with radiator facing the wind as it goes along & you still have to take the power out of the engine to generate the electricity.

You can pay for a lot of engine mods for the cost of a 5 speed box & achieve better acceleration than you'd get from an extra cog. Cruising in top gear is about the final drive and you can get much the same ratio with 4 or 5 gears. An alternative strategy is to swap the A Series for something more modern & refined - see the project sections. Nissan Micra engines seem fairly popular, if they are in reasonable supply where you are.

[twrminisport]

That kit only contains a "stage 2" head which means nothing and it will not be good enough for what you want anyway.
The HS2 carbs will need modifying as per vizard by yourself
Decent air filter and ram stax.
You will need a much more revvy camshaft
Lighter flywheel
SC Drop gears
Lightened, wedged and balanced and x drilled crank
Lightened rods
Overbore possibly to +80/ +120
Centre oil pickup
Maybe a x-pin diff
Final drive of 3.65 if you are on 12" wheels or 3.44 if you are on 10"s

I can give you a list of suppers for the above in the UK :/

Also did you get my PM?

Jesus

[Mini_Magic]

Why not start with a 1275, that will be easier to tune up to the numbers you want?

[TA2DMAC]

Jesus I got your PM and replied back. Thanks.
Mini_Magic, Finding a 1275 or pretty much any mini parts here in the US is a struggle. I'd love to go to a bigger engine. Even thought about Mintec's Vtec kit, but I'd rather keep a Mini Motor in it.

I was fortunate enough to come across the Mini in as good of condition as it is. I'm still looking for legitmate suppliers here state side. Looks like most of my parts will have to be ordered and shipped, which will kill me on shipping cost. I'm going into this a lil blind as this is my first Mini. So I'm hoping the group can help me when it come to the build and the best way to go about it.