I'm looking to get into minis recently. Was originally looking for any 1275 but then I was told that just because it's 1275 doesn't mean it'll be a quick one, and I'm after one of the quicker ones, being tuned for economy.
So the Rover Mini Coopers look in my price range. But they seem to come in 3 different types. Carb, SPI and MPI. Which one is the quicker? I heard that carbs have more long term tuning options and I'm interested in trying to get the most out of the A series.
Rover Mini Types?
Started by
Ludford
, Nov 10 2012 09:52 PM
25 replies to this topic
#2
iMurray
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Posted 10 November 2012 - 10:00 PM
If you want the most from an a series, buy a carb... 1275 90s carb minis are pretty easy to find.... And the tuning is way easier/more options.
Good luck.
Good luck.
#3
Ludford
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Posted 10 November 2012 - 10:01 PM
If the right car comes along but it's injection how hard/expensive is a carb conversion?
#4
J666ERA
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Posted 10 November 2012 - 10:06 PM
On an SPi not to hard nor expensive if you spend a little while getting the bits, if you buy new bits can be expensive.
Carb cooper, 90-92 is one to go for or if injection pre MPI...
Carb cooper, 90-92 is one to go for or if injection pre MPI...
#5
iMurray
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Posted 10 November 2012 - 10:07 PM
I've got a feeling its pretty costly/not worth doing considering you may as well just buy carb'd one.
There are a few about on this forum... Check the rebuild threads for a blue mpi with webers and amegajolt system.
In terms of the injection cars. I own an mpi, and the generic mini companies do a good "stage 3"kit for around £1250 which will boast 90bhp...
I wouldn't push a standard gearbox and well used block much further than 90bhp... that's plenty in my book! Minispeed in Guildford do a good stage 3kit and install
There are a few about on this forum... Check the rebuild threads for a blue mpi with webers and amegajolt system.
In terms of the injection cars. I own an mpi, and the generic mini companies do a good "stage 3"kit for around £1250 which will boast 90bhp...
I wouldn't push a standard gearbox and well used block much further than 90bhp... that's plenty in my book! Minispeed in Guildford do a good stage 3kit and install
#6
Ludford
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Posted 10 November 2012 - 10:50 PM
My budget is around £2500 for the car is that enough?
#7
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Posted 11 November 2012 - 01:13 AM
The 1275 engine was created for the 1964 Cooper S and was continued until 1971 (in the UK). It gave 76 bhp. A simpler, lower performance (59 bhp) 1275 engine was fitted in the 1275GT from 1969 to 1980. Then there were no 1275 Minis until 1990 when the Cooper was revived as the RSP and then the Mainstream. These had the same version of the engine used in the MG Metro which had a higher performance cam than the standard Metro. They were rated at 61 bhp. These only lasted a year with just over 20,000 made then the Cooper went to injection (SPi) giving 63 bhp. In 1992 the Sprite and Mayfair models were given 1275 engines with carburettors but less powerful (50 bhp) than the earlier Cooper version. These went to injection (also SPi) in 1994 but again less powerful (53 bhp) than the Cooper versions. All Minis after 1996 have the same multi-point injection (MPi) 1275 engine (63 bhp).
There is not much difference in the performance of the different versions of the Rover Cooper and all can be tuned for better performance but the MPi's ECU will limit the engine to 90bhp.
I have a 1990 Cooper RSP S (John Cooper conversion) with twin carbs and giving 78 bhp and a 1997 standard Cooper MPi giving 63 bhp. Both seem to average 40 mpg. The Cooper S is definitely way outside your budget and carb Coopers are hard to find. I am not sure I understand the point in converting injection to carb if you are on a limited budget. If you convert to carb you also need to be careful that you can pass emission tests for the age of the engine. My S is special but I love my MPi. It drives beautifully and is very reliable.
There is not much difference in the performance of the different versions of the Rover Cooper and all can be tuned for better performance but the MPi's ECU will limit the engine to 90bhp.
I have a 1990 Cooper RSP S (John Cooper conversion) with twin carbs and giving 78 bhp and a 1997 standard Cooper MPi giving 63 bhp. Both seem to average 40 mpg. The Cooper S is definitely way outside your budget and carb Coopers are hard to find. I am not sure I understand the point in converting injection to carb if you are on a limited budget. If you convert to carb you also need to be careful that you can pass emission tests for the age of the engine. My S is special but I love my MPi. It drives beautifully and is very reliable.
#8
Mini_Magic
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Posted 11 November 2012 - 12:03 PM
If you want tuning and performance, get carb. If you want reliability and economy, get injection.
#9
Ludford
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Posted 11 November 2012 - 05:45 PM
What would be the cheapest way to get 90hp? A carb one or an MPI with one of those stage 3 kits?
Can an MPIs ECU be modified or replaced to allow more horsepower?
Can an MPIs ECU be modified or replaced to allow more horsepower?
#10
Mini_Magic
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Posted 11 November 2012 - 05:48 PM
Carb would be easier and cheaper to tune up. The MPi is a bit limited for tuning, the ECU will need to be changed for any serious tuning.
#11
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Posted 11 November 2012 - 07:40 PM
What would be the cheapest way to get 90hp? A carb one or an MPI with one of those stage 3 kits?
It won't quite get you 90BHP, but probably the cheapest way to get reasonable power in a classic mini, is to transplant in an early MG metro engine (1982-1988). Along with a correctly jetted HIF44 carb, high flow air filter, decent inlet and gas flowed exhaust system you should get 80+ bhp. MG metro units aren't as common as they once were though, so expect to pay £350+ if you find one and you'll also need £250 or so, for the carb, exhaust, inlet etc.
Can an MPIs ECU be modified or replaced to allow more horsepower?
As far as I'm aware they cannot be remapped, although as standard they can actually cope with performance mods up to around 90 Bhp. You can fit a replacement aftermarket ECU instead that will allow you to modify to your hearts content, but from what I understand this is not a cheap option.
#12
Ludford
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Posted 11 November 2012 - 08:55 PM
Gonna try and look around for a carbed cooper. Hope I can find one in my price range
#13
iMurray
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Posted 12 November 2012 - 07:51 AM
Have fun... Mpis are the best though 
#14
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Posted 12 November 2012 - 08:18 AM
Mpis are the best though
At rusting yes.... they're pretty much unrivalled at it in fact!!!
#15
jaydee
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Posted 12 November 2012 - 10:22 AM
Fast and economic, get an MPI and swap the diff for a 3.2
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