21 replies to this topic

[Patt Batt]

Hi

 

First post, nice to meet you all.

Just looking for some advice on getting a wee bit more power from a '94 SPI Sprite.

 

As I understand, changing the stock cam to a Kent 274 is a good move, If i teamed this with some 1.5:1 rockers, what sort of BHP would I be looking at roughly?

 

Would cylinder head work help improve on this, or is it rather an expensive wild goose chase?

 

at the moment the sprite has a K&N OEM replacement air filter and maniflow twin box CAT back system.

Any words of wisdom would be much appreciated

 

Many thanks

[AVV IT]

If you're going to all the effort of upgrading the cam, then in order to make the most of doing so, I'd also upgrade the head if you can afford it. Despite all the claims though, I've never really been all that convinced about roller rockers. I wouldn't bother with them personally and would probably put the funds towards an upgraded head instead.

Edited by AVV IT, 22 May 2013 - 08:30 AM.

[mini_man_dan]

I agree with AVV it, i have that kent cam, cylinder head done and the usual stage one kit schpeel and mine is putting out 78bhp at the fly. Very driveable and pretty quick.

[Patt Batt]

Thanks for this information guys. Mini_man_dan, what kind of work was done on your cylinder head?
If i could get 75-80 HP out of the sprite I'd more than happy.
Many thanks

[AVV IT]

Sorry I didn't realise we were talking about a Sprite model here. In which case I think you're automatically going to be on a bit if a back foot, because I believe the Sprite models were all low compression engines and only put out about 53bhp as standard. I seem to recall that this was at least partly acheived through different pistons, so changing them might be something you want to at least look into, if your'e serious about getting the most out of it.

Edited by AVV IT, 24 May 2013 - 01:55 PM.

[Blatherskite]

We bought stage 3 head & maniflow lcb exhaust, and went from 52 bhp to 73 tested on rolling road - 1996 SPi. No cam change, pretty straoghtforward!

[v8rumbler]

We bought stage 3 head & maniflow lcb exhaust, and went from 52 bhp to 73 tested on rolling road - 1996 SPi. No cam change, pretty straoghtforward!

Where did you get the head and what cost?

[mini_man_dan]

I took my head to bill richards and described what was being done to the engine and he modded it according to that. Cost £280.

I got these figures from a cooper spi so dont know how much it will differ with your engine.

Hope that helps.

[jaydee]

You can do ANYTHING on the sprite engine before changing the ECU, you need the SPI Cooper ecu, mne101070 which is not easy to find, but have a look around.

The Sprite ECU wont be capable of giving the correct advance and fuelling for cyl head + cam mods.

[v8rumbler]

You can do ANYTHING on the sprite engine before changing the ECU, you need the SPI Cooper ecu, mne101070 which is not easy to find, but have a look around.
The Sprite ECU wont be capable of giving the correct advance and fuelling for cyl head + cam mods.

Do you mean I CAN'T do anything before changing ECU?

So MNE101070 is what I need first? Is that the only one I can use?
So an MPI ecu would not work?

[jaydee]

I really dont think mpi ecus can be used on spi systems... check your ecu code because those with a code ending with '60' (sprite, british open etc) wont be capable of setting advance and mixture right for any modification.

Other options are fiding a cooper ecu (the '70' one be carefull its not one with the immobilizer because that wont work afaik) or converting the engine back to carb (very easy to do).

[v8rumbler]

My ecu is MNE 101150
Any good?

[jaydee]

Thats not a good thing at all..

 

http://www.theminifo...28-new-ecu-spi/

[Fast Ivan]

 

You can do ANYTHING on the sprite engine before changing the ECU, you need the SPI Cooper ecu, mne101070 which is not easy to find, but have a look around.
The Sprite ECU wont be capable of giving the correct advance and fuelling for cyl head + cam mods.

Do you mean I CAN'T do anything before changing ECU?

So MNE101070 is what I need first? Is that the only one I can use?
So an MPI ecu would not work?

 

 

no, the mpi ecu would not work

[mini-luke]

Stay clear of 1.5 rockers, they are an excellent way of ruining a cam. The main resitriction on the injection engiunes is the cam you can use, anything too hot and the ECU will be unable to cope. Raising the compression slightly, fitting a well modified head and a SW5i or Kent 274 cam will be about the most you can do, which will still result in a vast improvement over the stock 50hp.

 

Something else to remember - there is no point fitting go faster parts to engine that has already lost 25% of it's power due to wear

 

 

You can do ANYTHING on the sprite engine before changing the ECU, you need the SPI Cooper ecu, mne101070 which is not easy to find, but have a look around.

The Sprite ECU wont be capable of giving the correct advance and fuelling for cyl head + cam mods.

 

There is very little difference between a Sprite and Cooper ECU, just as there is very little difference between the Sprite and Cooper engines, which are mainly a slightly higher CR and different cam