10 replies to this topic

[minilee94]

I am just curious on what spec engine you lot have built and how much its set you back

From standard to fast road

It cost a lot more than you think aye I thought mine will only cost about £600 I am very wrong

[sonikk4]

I will have a fully rebuilt 1293 bottom end with a stage 4 head (whatever that maybe) a SW5 cam, fully rebuilt gearbox twin HS2's (although that may change) RC40 exhaust etc so by the time thats complete it will be the stiff end of £2k. Hoping for around 85 bhp give or take.

 

I need to add to this i still have things like clutch, dizzy and other parts to buy. Although we bought the bottom end fully built its getting stripped apart to see what exactly has been done to it. The potential for much more money to be spent yet.

[mk1leg]

well I have a Swiftune 1380 ST cost me £3000 and well worth it it has 100bhp at wheels and 100lbs torque...

this as before I painted it....and restored my mini...

and after a lick of paint.....

[ACDodd]

I have just done a quote for a 998 Block and clutch, £1400. Half engine built, bored new pistons balanced rods, lightweight flywheel, cam etc.

 

AC

Edited by ACDodd, 23 September 2013 - 07:57 PM.

[Guess-Works.com]

Obviously I cannot divulge what people are spending on engines which I build but needless to say, 2k don't get you much. 

[The Principal]

Last one I built was over £15k normally aspirated all the bells and whistles

[minilee94]

Ahh Pretty good specs and yeah your right guessworks it don't get you much iv spent about 2k already and I have still gota get about another £1000 worth of bits or more

I'm never ever doing this again

[Mrpeanut]

I've just had a 1275 +v60 built with minisports evo1 cam, duplex vernier timing gear, fully rebuilt gearbox.

I used the machine shop to build up the block, a mini mechanic mate to dial in cam and help build up block, a gearbox building mate to rebuild the box (all new parts from Minispeed and guessworks).

Including buying the block and box, all parts (inc new timing cover, pre-loved clutch casing, new clutch, new flywheel, and new everything else that bolts to the block) my total spend so far is £1100.

That doesn't include a head though but I've got a decent large valve and ported head.

My current well worn lump with knackered box pushes 78bhp. If I can push that to 85 bhp and have a nice torquey car for daily use for that spend I'll be delighted.

[JD97]

Even though there smallish figures is surly power to weight ratio right? I mean how do minis at sort of 70-100 bhp compare to a mk6 fiesta st? Sorry for stupid questions lol I'm new and learning!

Edited by JD97, 23 September 2013 - 09:45 PM.

[Cooperman]

Even though there smallish figures is surly power to weight ratio right? I mean how do minis at sort of 70-100 bhp compare to a mk6 fiesta st? Sorry for stupid questions lol I'm new and learning!

 

The Mini is a classic car and cannot really be compared to a modern multi-valve twin cam road car.

The biggest problem is that to get a Mini to give high power results in a narrow power band which, in turn, means it needs a closer ratio gearbox and, thus, a lower ratio final drive. This then means a poor cruising speed as the mph/1000 rpm is low. Take a Mini with 100 bhp and it's probably going to have a 3.76:1 FDR. That gives about 15 mph/1000 rpm in top and a narrow power band.

Now, a Fiesta ST will have good torque from about 1400 rpm right up to 7000 rpm. Engine wear will be low, it will cruise all day at 80 mph or more with no excessive stress, the engine balance will give a smooth ride, etc.

But, the Mini is a true classic, in the same way a Ford Cortina Mk.1, a Jag E-Type, a Sunbeam Rapier, a Morris Minor, a VW Beetle (air-cooled), etc., are all classics. So a Mini is to use to enjoy classic motoring with all the down-sides as well as the pleasure and fun a classic can give, and this can include classic & historic motor sport, for which a Mini can be ideal, especially a Mk.1 Cooper 'S'.

[JD97]

Even though there smallish figures is surly power to weight ratio right? I mean how do minis at sort of 70-100 bhp compare to a mk6 fiesta st? Sorry for stupid questions lol I'm new and learning!

 
The Mini is a classic car and cannot really be compared to a modern multi-valve twin cam road car.
The biggest problem is that to get a Mini to give high power results in a narrow power band which, in turn, means it needs a closer ratio gearbox and, thus, a lower ratio final drive. This then means a poor cruising speed as the mph/1000 rpm is low. Take a Mini with 100 bhp and it's probably going to have a 3.76:1 FDR. That gives about 15 mph/1000 rpm in top and a narrow power band.
Now, a Fiesta ST will have good torque from about 1400 rpm right up to 7000 rpm. Engine wear will be low, it will cruise all day at 80 mph or more with no excessive stress, the engine balance will give a smooth ride, etc.
But, the Mini is a true classic, in the same way a Ford Cortina Mk.1, a Jag E-Type, a Sunbeam Rapier, a Morris Minor, a VW Beetle (air-cooled), etc., are all classics. So a Mini is to use to enjoy classic motoring with all the down-sides as well as the pleasure and fun a classic can give, and this can include classic & historic motor sport, for which a Mini can be ideal, especially a Mk.1 Cooper 'S'.

I knew it was an unfair comparison, thanks for your expiation!