21 replies to this topic

[patto]

Regarding buying engines its best if thay have been stored with the plugs in, the rocker cover on and any other holes like the ports and dizzy hole stuffed with rags.

With the plugs out you should be able to turn it with a spanner on the crank without too much force. I would suggest though with a engine you don't know the history of a full rebuild is needed.

As for what engine I wouldn't know I've only driven 998s lol, I'm currently building a 998 turbo with a 1275 head and other bits. Hoping for 110-120 bhp :)

[oliver122]

Slap a supercharger on it

Or a turbo

New some a guy that turbo'd a 998 pick up ended up blowing heads and gaskets every 3 months or so . so wasn't too keen haha

that's probably because the compression ratio wasn't low enough and was running to much boost xD

a 1275 is a good investment as they are only getting harder to find . if you did that you can build the 1275 to any spec you want while keeping your car running . iirc a standard 998 out the factory was 42bhp and a 1275 was 65 . ive just built an engine myself 1275 kent 276 cam , ported polished head with a stage 2 maniflow exhaust manifold and a hif 44 should be around the 80-90 mark :)

[Carlos W]

With regards picking an engine up, this can be done with 2 people, 3 is probably safer, but you start getting in each others way and struggling to find places to get hold of.

Obviously, this is only for when you go and purchase the engine, hire or buy a crane for installing

[MattyC113]

Hi

I had a 1275 in my car when I got it that was utter crap (rebuild for the future) and because insurance is so high for us younger drivers I started looking around for a 998

As like you I didn't know anything about buying one but luckily for me I have a grandad that has been a mechanic for a number of years and he helped see me right

I'm now rebuilding it myself with his help and then I'm going to rebuild the 1275

One thing I would say is it takes a long time to rebuild yourself if you are working to a deadline or have little time to do it so rebuilding one is probably not ideal unless you are not in a rush

When going to look get a mechanic you trust with at least some knowledge of engines to come along with you and a week or so before (if you have that kind of time before going to look) make up a list of tgings that you may need if you've seen pictures of the engine (eg eBay) and see how much it will cost to get parts (I always use moss as a guideline for this sort of thing as they are the most expensive so you know what damage can be done to your wallet and decide a price you are happy to go to based on the pictures

If the guy you are buying from I'd a mini fan then chat a little and tell him what you are looking for

With me it was just the block I went to buy but ended up with the complete engine gearbox head and carb. All the things to return it to the road use for an extra 20 quid

Like I say if you have an older friend in the mini scene or someone that is willing to help you rebuild yourself then I would be tempted to go for a engine that has been sat for a bit

My grandad says that even if it came out of a running car the best thing is to rebuild then you know exactly what you've got

Hope this helped and hope you find what you are looking for engine wise

Ps sorry for the length of this :)

[lrostoke]

One thing worth considering is the final gear ratio, the OP mentioned screaming along @ 5000rpm when other cars seem to woosh past with no noise.

You go for a low gear ratio you'll still be screaming to achieve higher speeds.

[Cooperman]

One thing we Mini enthusiasts have to realise is that we are driving what is possibly the ultimate classic car. It is a 55 year-old design and will never drive in the way a modern car will, nor be as quick on the roads. So modern cars will pass easily at cruising speeds.
Yes, it is possible to make a Mini quicker, but then it will not be as reliable and there has to be a trade off between acceleration and cruising speed.
The fun in owning a Mini is in driving a true classic and a 998 is a real classic in its own right. It's not going to be as comfortable, reliable or good on a journey as, say, a 1.4 Fiesta which will be as quicker or much quicker and will do around 120,000 miles without any reliability issues.
Just enjoy owning a classic car and, if necessary, keep it for weekends in Summer and get a cheap modern car for daily use.

[gazza01]

:) that sounds good do 1275 metro engines fit the same as mini engines?? I know they look similar to mini engines ? But is their any specific extra modifications to make a 1275 metro engine fit a mini ?? Thanks

the metro uses a mini engine. make sure its an austin metro engine not a rover metro. different altogether
if you can get a good mg metro engine even better.
good luck and be careful of those nicely painted ebay engines claiming to be reconditioned etc.
Do your homework before rushing in. This forum has a for sale section..