7 replies to this topic

[Pier-Luigi]

Hello all,

I've finally completed my mini's engine! Its only taken 2 years, whole car 10 years! I wanted to learn more about the mechanics involved with this fascinating little engine and wanting an upgrade I persuaded myself to take the high road: removing it, stripping it, sourcing parts, organising machining, learning to build it back up and install it. Off the top of my head the spec is:

- 1380cc A+ metro turbo block, offset bored, 11-stud with Minispares race head stud/nut set.
- Minispeed pistons, Nippon rings on lightened, balanced, polished and shot peened rods (Rob Walker), ARP fasteners.
- Crankshaft wedged, bladed, cross drilled, nitrided. MED centre main strap.
- Ultralight flywheel, backplate, Orange clutch, MED crank damper + alloy belt pulley. MED fasteners throughout.
- Full rotating assembly balanced by MED.
- Camshaft by Keith Calver RE13OT for sports/road giving optimum torque. Lightened ST cam followers, new push rods.
- Belt-Drive timing belt kit on Alloy front plate.
- High capacity Oil Pump and Water Pump + alloy Radiator (with expansion tank).
- Reconditioned Gearbox, FD 3.44, Minispares EVO cross pin diff, central oil pick-up, KAD short shifter.
- Rally spec. 11 stud cylinder head: based on 12G940. 29mm exhaust valves, 36mm inlet valves. Ported and polished throughout. Chambers matched to 21.5cc, double valve springs. Copper head gasket. Compression 10.5:1.
- 1:5 ratio pressed steel rockers, thick wall shaft, alloy spacers replacing springs.
- Alloy metro inlet manifold: Ported and shot peened, matched to head.
- HIF44 carb, knife edged throttle disc (no spring-valve), slimmed shaft, BBW needle, uprated yellow damper spring.
- Keith Calver 1.75" stub stack matched to K&N plenum chamber, 17" long cold air feed and K&N air filter.
- Big bore Maniflow 3>2 exhaust manifold, heat wrapped, ARP fasteners.
- RC40 Full stainless system, 2 silencer, big bore.
- Nippon lightweight alternator and Powertune high toque starter motor.

I've learnt a great deal doing this myself and I'd encourage anyone to give it a go! Although A LOT of time, blood, sweat, tears, swearing, late nights, early mornings, expensive mistakes have been spent and made; the sheer size of the smile that stretches across YOUR face when YOU step back and YOU see that oil pressure rise for the first time is UNFORGETTABLE.

Ta very much for reading,
Pier-Luigi

If interested I've uploaded more pics of the engine build and rest of the mini project to my Flickr account:
http://www.flickr.co...s/69117716@N06/

P.S. Many thanks to TMF for pulling together so well, very useful advice from many, many enthusiasts.

P.P.S. I cant wait to finally drive this mini, should be on the road for Easter! Wohooo... Brm Brrruuuum Brrrm

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[cooperdan]

looks really good bud, good for you,

its something im looking at doing next,

take it you will go for an rr

Edited by cooperdan, 19 March 2012 - 07:51 PM.

[Pier-Luigi]

Thanks very much Dan, totally recommend it!

If you need any help/advice let me know. I came across loads of common issues that never get mentioned... but are s#@t scary when you find out for the first time and the manual/vids etc say nothing.

Rolling Road for definite, KAD are about an hour away, do you know any good RR's in Kent area?

Ta,
P

[cooperdan]

Id recommend BD Engineering in sittingbourne.. This guy is brilliant, alot of experiance, really knows his stuff... does my next door neighbours race car webbers..

Cheers buddy, Noted

[RayBoogs]

That looks like a serious engine right there! Good job!

Get a video of it running as well. Also have you got a build thread or any pictures of your car?

edit: just seen the link, what an idiot!!

Edited by RayBoogs, 19 March 2012 - 09:16 PM.

[RayBoogs]

That is a gorgeous mini mate. And the wheels, ah the wheels, where did you find those, they are excellent!

great photos as well.

[Pier-Luigi]

That is a gorgeous mini mate. And the wheels, ah the wheels, where did you find those, they are excellent!

great photos as well.

Hello Ray Boogs!

Thanks very much for your kind words!! Glad the link works My mate took some of the better pics, he could polish a terd till it gleamed! Yes will certainly get a video of it running, hopefully not long now. I've been meaning to do a build thread for a few years now, finally pulled my finger out...

Ah haah, the "wheels" I have a soft spot for these, I've been carting them round in a box for 12 years now, apparently made by 'Rimstock', 13" x 6.5" sporting Yokos. My friend runs a wheel refurbishing business they're the nutts (Body and Wheels, Westgate-on-Sea, Kent), they looked terrible before!

Apparently they were off a race mini from the 1980s, I did find some info out about them years back there was an online database which I can no longer find :-( certainly aren't many of these babies kicking around... Better get some locking wheel nuts.

Ta very much,
Pier-Luigi

[Pier-Luigi]

Id recommend BD Engineering in sittingbourne.. This guy is brilliant, alot of experiance, really knows his stuff... does my next door neighbours race car webbers..

Cheers buddy, Noted

Thanks very much for the contact, will certainly check BD Eng. out. The mini has to pass its MOT first (2 weeks time) though. If all goes to plan Easter Break should be fun. Very fun. Ta, P