14 replies to this topic

[Noris8322]

My engine and gearbox is tired and urgently needs a rebuild before I can even think about driving it, but I haven't got the time to finish building that I've started building for it before the show season starts. So I was thinking about ordering one of Minisport's pre-built "sport" engines.

Any one used these engines?

Had any problems?

What kind of power is your producing?


Thanks in advance,

James

Edited by Noris8322, 27 January 2013 - 11:41 PM.

[OfMini&Men]

Gear box talk to guess works and check out other firms for engine work aswell

[Cooperman]

You might do better talking to Rob Walker Engineering at Witney in Oxfordshire.

[jonny95]

why don't you get a second hand running engine, then just use that til you've finished the engine you're building

[Noris8322]

Cheers for the advice guys! I think about fitting a running replacement engine but I know what I'm like, once it was in and running it would stay in there till it dies! lol

I've decided the Minisport engines are not for me. You know that old saying, first impressions count. Well, I wasn't impressed.

They list a price in their adverts in Mini World and Mini Magazine. All I wanted to know is what you get for that price but they don't have a spec list for it and the first guy I spoke to didn't really know what I was on about. It didn't fill me with confidence.

Can anyone recommend a good Mini engine builder in and around the Kent area??

[jaydee]

What did they ask for what spec?

[Noris8322]

What did they ask for what spec?

Eh??

[jaydee]

How much?

[Cooperman]

With these volume produced reconditioned engines one might wonder how carefully and thoroughly they are put together. The quality of a re-built engine is in the way it is asssembled as much as what new parts to what specification they are. For example, do they properly 'gap' all the piston rings? Is the cam timing set accurately using offset keys when required? Do the pistons come right to the block deck level at TDC? Are quality duplex timing chain and quality timing chain sprockets used? What quality pistons are used? Are new big-end bolts & nuts used?
As with all things, you usually get what you are paid for.

[Noris8322]

How much?

£1681 without gearbox

£2559 with gearbox

[Noris8322]

With these volume produced reconditioned engines one might wonder how carefully and thoroughly they are put together. The quality of a re-built engine is in the way it is asssembled as much as what new parts to what specification they are. For example, do they properly 'gap' all the piston rings? Is the cam timing set accurately using offset keys when required? Do the pistons come right to the block deck level at TDC? Are quality duplex timing chain and quality timing chain sprockets used? What quality pistons are used? Are new big-end bolts & nuts used?
As with all things, you usually get what you are paid for.

I know what your saying, I guess the only way to know its built correctly is to do it your self.

But I wouldn't say they are volume produced, they are built to order. Taking about 3 weeks and can be built using your existing block

Edited by Noris8322, 29 January 2013 - 07:44 PM.

[jaydee]

How much?

£1681 without gearbox

£2559 with gearbox

Have you tried MED engineering? They're doing reasonably priced engine kits/fully built engines

[Noris8322]

I'll have a look, but MED are expensive

[Cooperman]

To properly and thoroughly build an engine, fit it onto the gearbox, gas-flow 7 build the head, fit the flywheel & clutch, check & set everything ready for installation takes at least 30 man-hours. Add the machining and machine set-up time, plus parts and that gives an idea of what an engine build should cost.
Parts prices one can work out from the price lists.

[minispaniard]

Kent?

http://www.mlmotorsport.com/