23 replies to this topic

[R1minimagic]

You can quite easily get 90bhp from an injection engine, i have done it many times myself and just look at the JCG kits...

[stretch tech]

i have only had experience with a carb engine but my dad didn't want me to get an injection model as he hates having to deal with all the electrics, he prefers a nice simple mechanical system as they are easier to fix at home (my dad has been a mechanic for nearly 30 years so i trusted his advice).

carb engines are also easier to modify but injection would be better if you are going to keep standard.

the engine is also simpler to strip down on a carb model

it all depends on what you plan to do with it, if you are going to modify then it is easier to get a carb model

there isn't much in it really, it is just down to what you want at the end of the day

Rhys

[Mini_Magic]

1. Reliabilty - Injection

2. Maintenence - Debatable

3. Power/Modifcations - Carb

Buy injection if you're keeping it standard, buy carb if you're planning to tune and modify it.

Edited by Mini_Magic, 23 December 2011 - 01:45 PM.

[AVV IT]

One other thing to remember is the car you get with the fuel delivery system, for example the 94 onwards injection mini's come with much comfier seats.

Apart from the fact that the so called "SPi Seats" that you are referring to, were not actually exclusive to the Spi models. They were also fitted to the late HIF 38 carb models ('92 onwards) as well.

also am I right in thinking that the later SPi/MPi models were more prone to tin worm???? or is that just a rumour??

Having seen it for myself I can confirm that it's not just a rumour. It's debatable whether the early 90's carb and SPi models were actually any more prone to corrosion than earlier 80's examples. But thanks to poor rust proofing and a few other production issues, the MPi models certainly were. I've seen a few examples of rotten MPi's in a far worse state of corrosion than untouched Carb & SPi models that are significantly older.

Edited by AVV IT, 23 December 2011 - 02:50 PM.

[Sam14]

Thank you for all your input.

Well if i sell my Ford fiesta the mini i purchase will become my daily drive.

Ive previously owned both SPI and a carb'd Mini.

So it would need to be reliable yet i want a bit of grunt. I dont want some 1380 engine thats been so lightened it can just about tickover

If i knew more information on Carb'd models, i would jump at them straight away as i would have no problem with being able to set up the mixtures etc.

Its abit hard to be honest. My project clubmans gunna be the toy so yeah

[Black.Ghost]

There is nothing wrong with the SPi engine. I have a 92 Cooper and the only thing I have had to do was the stepper motor when the idling went all over the place, and that didn't take very long at all to sort out. I have never had an issue with starting the car, even after it had been left unused for, I'm ashamed to say, nearly 2 years (other than the battery but a carb'ed model would need that as well).

As major power isn't a consideration, I would strongly consider the SPi models. Even if you want major power, it can be done at a fairly high cost. Having said that, power doesn't come that cheap in carb'ed models either.

The big thing for me that swings it the way of carbs however is the look - a nice simple carb'ed mini has a much less cluttered and neat engine bay than an SPi. I know there are some pretty tidy SPi bays out there, but the carb'ed ones are easier to do.

[1275GTS]

i have both carb and spi coopers. i like both of them. the RSP cooper carb has a stage 1 kit fitted and so does the spi cooper. Both are reliable but the carb cooper is quicker. i like both and don't have any problems with them. i've used both as daily drivers throughout the year and never been let down by either. the carb is slightly easier to maintain due to the fact that there is more room in the engine bay due to the lack of the injection system. as stated you do need some specialist tools if there are problems with the injectionn system. at the end of the day you will be pleased with which ever mini you get.
the injection minis are smoother and quieter to drive.

[chrisxr2]

Having had both, the injection starts goes and works every time, the carb with the choke is more tempremental but with way more character. Two carbs one spi for me, in winter often want an injection but these past couple of relative mild days run like a dream.

[Wil_h]

I agree with a lot of the points above, certinally injection is more reliable and consistant in operation, there is no differance in maintenance. The only reason people are saying a carb is easier is because their brains and tool boxes are are full of carb stuff. Injection is not more complicated, just different. I'm pretty sure anyone who is competent with a carb could fix injection if they put their mind to it.

The final point about power is a tricky one. The standard fit injection systems (mpi and spi) are not readily tunable, unlike a carb where you can change or modify bits to alter the fuelling. this is then the limiting factor of the standard injection systems.

However, such kits as the Specialist Components one offer a fully mappble system, so you can tick all 3 boxes for injection. But as originally said, it aint cheap.