7 replies to this topic

[simini]

I'm brand new to mini's so i apologise if i'm not using the correct terminology. I have a 998cc mini at the mo and would like to go a bit faster. I've been offered a 1275cc that has been modified to 1410cc. I'm not too sure this is possible. I thought the biggest you could go was 1380 with a re-bore. Im going to see the engine on sat, any pointers as to what to look for would be much appreciated.

[Bungle]

jammy has a 1425 in his garage

although it would move faster if it was in his mini

[simini]

would it be quick?

[biggav]

It depends who had done the work and how well they have done it.. bigger engine doesn't necessarilly mean faster(though it sounds like it should in this case). do you know if any head work has been carried out, when the engine was built/who buy/ how many miles it has covered since rebuild etc etc etc I got hold of a really fast 1400 engine once but the way we drove it it needed rebuilding every few months and went through gearboxes faster than you would believe... they're great if you don't mind doing work, or can afford to let someone else do it but i wouldn't do it for an everyday car. I would go for a trusty 1275 everytime!! make small adjustments as and when you can afford it and get David Vizards book on tuning A-series engines which will tell you everything you need to know... don't forget, if you go for a big engine, you will need big brakes too!!!

[simini]

It has had "hundreds spent" on the head, but has no gear box. I was planning to get a 1275 and rebuild it myself, but this came up and i'm not sure what to do! I don't want to be fixing it every couple of months and intend using it as an every day work car.

[Bungle]

It has had "hundreds spent"

jammy reconds his 1425 cost more that 10k when it was new

[biggav]

Buy "Tuning the A series Engine" by David Vizard from ebay or Amazon if you can't wait, it will be the best money you'll ever spend. it's published by haynes and very descriptive and will help you do most work yourself and understand how and why things work/don't work. if you want a fast, reliable car, it's deffinatley the way to go, engine's which sound too good to be true, usually are!!!!

[simini]

thanks for the advice biggav, i'll buy it now.