16 replies to this topic

[Andrew O]

Rover Mini 30 998 1989
Stage 1 kit fitted
Now before anyone starts I know full well that Mini's were not built for speed in the slightest but I understand they should be fairly nippy.

My Dad took it ( I was working ) for a rolling road tune up session at a place in Abercynon ( Wales ) and he adviced me there were two things that needed doing.
1- Convert my wax stat to a fixed type ( I did this today using 2X 1 pence pieces )
2- He also informed me that the vacuum going from my carb to the dizzy was not working at all.

All I want to know is how 'nippy' should the car be, as the acceleration is leisurely to say the least and hills are a bit of struggle.
So if someone could shed some light on what I should be getting that would be great

Ps, this is my first Mini so I've nothing to compare it to.

Thanks
Andrew.

[jaydee]

Vacuum advance is vital if you want to get some decent mpg out of your car

Do you have any power/torque figures of the RR session?

[Cooperman]

You have a 55-year old designed car. It won't be 'quick' by modern standards and with only at best 42 bhp (with the Stage 1 kit) from the 998 engine acceleration will be leisurely. The  0- 60 time will be around 18 seconds with a maximum level speed in  nil-wind conditions of about 80 mph, but it'll take a long time to get there.

If the engine condition is OK, then just enjoy the fun of driving a true classic car.

[Andrew O]

I don't have any yet as I'm going back for a free session when these items are fixed.
Cooperman, I do know that and as stated I'm fully aware Mini's weren't designed to be fast. I was however wondering if mine is abnormally slow

Andrew

[carbon]

Your Mini 30 may be fitted with the 2.95 ratio final drive differential - this is good for the fuel economy but not so fast off the line. On the other hand you should be able to hit over 70mph in third...

 

Diff ratio can be changed but this would be an engine out job.

[Andrew O]

Currently with the way things are my Mini would not have a hope in hell of hitting 70 in 3rd
I've ordered a new vaccum for the dizzy, is fitting a new one going to make much of a difference ?

Andrew

[Ethel]

55 yrs old, or not, it still takes as much force to accelerate 700 odd kg's of Mini & driver - somewhat less than a "modern" equivalent. You should get similar performance off the line to small hatches with around 1.2L engines, though it'll tail off sooner owing to air resistance being a larger proportion of the work your A Series has to overcome.

 

Was the RR operator familiar with older cars? You won't see much vac advance at idle, and he should have been able to track down the cause for you.

[Andrew O]

It's definitely a lot slower than a 1.2, lots of my friends have small 1.0/1.2 cars and they're all much nippier.
Yes he was very experienced with classic mini ( Been doing them 30 odd years )

Andrew.

[KernowCooper]

The vacuum unit wont make any difference to the power of the car only increase the MPG while crusing, I suspect it a high diff killing the accleration

[DILLIGAF]

Yes it will make all the difference and will make it feel nippier..........

[Leics1275]

There are some big ass hills out abercynon way, they really will kill your power

[Tahiti Joe]

Your asking us if your cars abnormally slow or underpowered however not giving us any figures to give an idea of how it is performing? Pretty tricky that one!

[Andrew O]

Thanks for all your advice and help, I've ordered the new vaccum part so I'll get that on when it arrives and report back.

Andrew

[Andrew O]

Well I put a new vaccum unit on today and there is an absolutely huge difference. Problem solved

Andrew

[KernowCooper]

When crusing on a light throttle the vacuum advance is advancing the timing, flat out foot to the floor your back on the centrifugal advance, what I ment by the engine wont produce anymore power I ment outright power, should have explained it better.

 

Glad your sorted