77 replies to this topic

[iMurray]

true :) but i dont know what it is about the 998 engine... i just like to see em well tuned and people having fun in them

[fattail95]

true :) but i dont know what it is about the 998 engine... i just like to see em well tuned and people having fun in them

998s are solid little engines, can achieve good output relatively easy with little outlay in terms of cost, and can take one hell of a beating! I have nothing against them and love to see people enjoying them for what they are, a great motor! It's just the constant pointless comparisons to 1275s that annoy me..

[Noah]

Hit the nail on the head Benjamin.

You're all comparing tuned 998s to worn out 1275s. Seems fair.

[Radleigh]

I got a question - supercharging a 998? Worth it?

I don't own a mini at the moment, but will be buying one this year...and it will be supercharged. I'm just undecided what car/engine is best to buy. Not looking for masses of power, just a fun little car to hoot about in. If it's worth doing another thread for then I will, just say

[iMurray]

no denying that tuned 1275s are better :)

speaking of which... noah i think my engine needs some love... whadda i need to do?

[iMurray]

someone has a supered 998 on here... and i believe its producing 66break. i dunno his name though. its in his signature

[Harrison541]

I would tell you how good 1275's are but you probably wouldnt hear me all the way back there...
And I can't really help you with what mods to do as mine is standard because its quick enough for me already...


But being serious for a minute, (if you are still reading this post) tuning the 998 yourself you will get more of a sense of satisfaction than just dropping a bigger engine straight in. Like you said it is cheating, sort of.

[Artful Dodger]

My miglia 1000cc engine will probably monster most 1275 engines... It will be interesting to see how the 1000 performs against the 1312. Both similar ish spec

[1984mini25]

The main problem with both the 998 and 1275 and the a series in general, is even when tuned they simply don't rev as high as a modern engine. So if your looking for performance your better off with something else with way loads more power, reliability, gears, etc....

[Artful Dodger]

The main problem with both the 998 and 1275 and the a series in general, is even when tuned they simply don't rev as high as a modern engine. So if your looking for performance your better off with something else with way loads more power, reliability, gears, etc....

??

People have had them up very high... There are story's of 10,000 rpm..

Now it is pointless, as it's more than likely off cam by then, but there is no reason with a lot of work the a series is rev-able! Steel main caps sorts the crank whip issues, good solid pushrods etc and balance the living buggery out of it:P

[CHUNKY365]

Hit the nail on the head Benjamin.

You're all comparing tuned 998s to worn out 1275s. Seems fair.

Not at all.

For a comparison. My 998. Tuned 1330.

Mine could keep up. Only a few miles slower off from top end.

The main difference was the bit inbetween. The 1330 had me whilst pulling away in fourth to overtake. Mine needed a little time to to catch up, but we're talking mere seconds.

The 1275 wins due to capacity and given torque. But build the 998 right and you gain power, torque and still keep reliability and economy.

A lot of people look at 'overbuilding' an engine, which can cause negative effects. But match your mods right and the 998m can and will out perform a fresh built 1275.

AND don't forget, its not just the engine. Final drive makes a HUGE difference. and also having the nuts to drive it harder.

I would love to supercharge mine. I'm not a turbo fan, but do like the idea of a supercharger.

Remember also the main reason for tuning a 998 for many, especially us 'older' folks is that when we were kids getting hold of a 1275 engine was either a) bloody hard or b) bloody expensive.

Plenty of 850's and 998's to get hold of and play with. Henceforth, more tuning options, more knowledge and better results.

I've a magazine article somewhere of a 850 kicking out about 70-80 BHP. The only real big alteration was the 7 port head to eliminate the engines Achilles heel.

All that power though and I doubt it would reach a top speed of 60MPH. It was built as a rallycross racer and therefore was revvy with rapid acceleration.

So you need to look at the overall bigger picture, when it comes to building an engine.

[mini93]

No replacment for displacment... no, not true... Turbo charger, More volumetric efficiency, more power... artificial displacement (hence the capacity mutiplier in motorsport catagorys)

Saying a 998 will lunch a 911 or a ferrari off the line.... lulz... wut? as if! maybe if they were changing their radio station and didnt notice the lights change... here's an idea, not every car thats rocks up at the lights if after a drag. My 140 bhp 2.0 Diesel Audi will out drag my 100bhp mini. my old 106 gti will crap over quite alot of things for out dragging them but im not going delude myself into the idea it will lunch a ferrari at the lights.

And theres the old thing, sat with 2 engines on the floor, a 998 and a 1275, and you have 2 grand in your pocket 1k for each... by time you spend a K on each... the 1275 is still going to be quicker pound for pound

[Tamworthbay]

Another replacement for displacement is the late great Colin Chapman's lightness, the more you can add the better. Even losing a spare wheel and the general crap carried in most cars makes a difference. My KR1S would beat any car off the line, it was a 250cc but weighed as much as a flys left testicle. At the end of the day it's all about fun, I have more fun in my 998 mini than I had in my 911 or 944turbo, the only mainstream car that has come close was my 3.0 Capri, but that just tried to kill me repeatedly. My Robin Hood was great fun, but its hard o compare kit cars with factory built.

[MiniLandy]

...go 16v.

A Honda B series weighs about the same, but puts out 160bhp.

Rover K series weighs about the same, costs 50p, and puts out 103 reliable horses through 5 gears in its smallest, standard form. 160bhp if you get the 1.8vvc one.

[Mini_Magic]

Seeing 998s struggle with even the slightest incline has put me off them for life. Even 1275s don't really have enough torque as standard.