14 replies to this topic

[Will16]

Evening all,

I could be taking the engine from a M-Reg Cooper soon, but I'm not sure what it is. I know it's the 1.3 injection but in the engine bay what is different between the SPI and MPI? What parts/features am I looking? I have searched but found very little.

Thanks,
Will

[surfblue]

MPI has front mounted radiator.

[dennismini93]

ignition coil pack and no distributor. alternator mounted higher. front mounted radiator. more rust M is 1995 so will be spi as mpi came in in october 1996

 

EDIT: iv got a mpi so i can say that about the rust lol

Edited by dennismini93, 23 March 2014 - 10:52 PM.

[Twincam]

MPi will usually have internal releases instead of through-grille ones.

The other differences have been explained above but to re emphasise, the radiator will be at the front (towards the passenger side of the grille with an electric fan mounted to it) and will have a coil pack situated at the front where the dizzy would be. You'll notice the injection system will be slightly different too (MPi is twin point, SPi is single).

[dennismini93]

MPi will usually have internal releases instead of through-grille ones.

The other differences have been explained above but to re emphasise, the radiator will be at the front (towards the passenger side of the grille with an electric fan mounted to it) and will have a coil pack situated at the front where the dizzy would be. You'll notice the injection system will be slightly different too (MPi is twin point, SPi is single).

 

spi should be internal as well. 1991-1993 i think it changed

[Twincam]

MPi will usually have internal releases instead of through-grille ones.
The other differences have been explained above but to re emphasise, the radiator will be at the front (towards the passenger side of the grille with an electric fan mounted to it) and will have a coil pack situated at the front where the dizzy would be. You'll notice the injection system will be slightly different too (MPi is twin point, SPi is single).

 
spi should be internal as well. 1991-1993 i think it changed

Hmm... Saying that, my 1992 SPi and 1994 SPi are both external - both my MPis 1997 & 1998 are internal.

[dennismini93]

 

 

MPi will usually have internal releases instead of through-grille ones.
The other differences have been explained above but to re emphasise, the radiator will be at the front (towards the passenger side of the grille with an electric fan mounted to it) and will have a coil pack situated at the front where the dizzy would be. You'll notice the injection system will be slightly different too (MPi is twin point, SPi is single).

 
spi should be internal as well. 1991-1993 i think it changed

Hmm... Saying that, my 1992 SPi and 1994 SPi are both external - both my MPis 1997 & 1998 are internal.

 

the 1994 SHOULD defiantly be internal standard but 1992 is a bit of a cross over. but the cars are 20 years old and rover was rover so you never know

[The Matt]

SPI


http://www.minimania...SPiEngine01.jpg



MPI

http://img.photobuck...e/Mini/ef_3.jpg

[minimaxie]

 

 

MPi will usually have internal releases instead of through-grille ones.
The other differences have been explained above but to re emphasise, the radiator will be at the front (towards the passenger side of the grille with an electric fan mounted to it) and will have a coil pack situated at the front where the dizzy would be. You'll notice the injection system will be slightly different too (MPi is twin point, SPi is single).

 
spi should be internal as well. 1991-1993 i think it changed

Hmm... Saying that, my 1992 SPi and 1994 SPi are both external - both my MPis 1997 & 1998 are internal.

 

Yes, but if it's anything like my MPi, then someone at some point might of changed the grille and not known about the internal release. When I bought my MPi, it came with a dented external release Cooper grille, incorrect earlier front wings (remember MPi ones have notches in them for the Quadoptic headlights so they can tilt) and incorrect front panel so my front mounted rad doesnt line up properly. Basically, some garage done some shoddy work on my MPi's front end before I owned it lol, I'm now in the process of rectifying the changes.  

 

OP dont forget, MPi's have airbagged steering wheels too (similar to MGTF ones) and twin speed heater blowers

 

EDIT: Oh and they have different seats, the bolsters on SPi's are more prominent than on later MPi's

Edited by minimaxie, 24 March 2014 - 09:33 AM.

[monkey]

As the op only wants the engine and that's the bit he wants to identify, surly looking the injection system would be the best bet!?

[Will16]

Thanks guys for the help.

Off the top of my head I think it's a SPI as it had no airbag. I'm pretty sure the rad wasn't to the side.

[Tyred-and-emotional]

On a similar note... what date did the switch over from carb to SPI happen? i had a '93 Sprite which I think was a carb model, but I sold it back in '98 so my memory is fuzzy on it's details...

Edited by Tyred-and-emotional, 24 March 2014 - 04:24 PM.

[Calderwood]

On a similar note... what date did the switch over from carb to SPI happen? i had a '93 Sprite which I think was a carb model, but I sold it back in '98 so my memory is fuzzy on it's details.

All non RSP coopers (of the '90s) were fuel injected, base models changed from carb to spi in 1994, with the 35 anniversary edition being the last cars fitted with them. So unless they actually made some injected sprites in late '93 or something (which someone may correct me they did) I would think it was almost certainly carb fed. I know for certain, you couldn't buy a mini with a carb after '94.

[HarrysMini]

 

On a similar note... what date did the switch over from carb to SPI happen? i had a '93 Sprite which I think was a carb model, but I sold it back in '98 so my memory is fuzzy on it's details.

All non RSP coopers (of the '90s) were fuel injected, base models changed from carb to spi in 1994, with the 35 anniversary edition being the last cars fitted with them. So unless they actually made some injected sprites in late '93 or something (which someone may correct me they did) I would think it was almost certainly carb fed. I know for certain, you couldn't buy a mini with a carb after '94.

 

Not correct.

 

'Mainstream' Coopers were available at the same time as the RSPs and also ran carbs (until 1992/93), when they became the SPi Cooper. There were also carbed Sprites until the same date.

Edited by HarrysMini, 24 March 2014 - 06:29 PM.

[stealth05]

fuse box is still on the bulk head in the spi but is on the inside drivers wheel arch next to the bonnet pull on the mpi , as stated the spi is same layout engine block wise as the carb version , the mpi is a more modern lay out (no dizzy, front rad ,electronic coil pack ect) oil filter position is a give away on the spi it it positioned on the oil filter housing as all mini engines slung vertically under the alternator , on the mpi it is screwed direct to the engine block horizontally around the old distributor area .

Edited by stealth05, 26 March 2014 - 06:30 AM.