9 replies to this topic

[Silicon Skum]

while my Mini Cooper is being restored I decided to remove the CAT from the exhaust system, it was looking a bit ropey and after 14 years and 48K miles of daily use, I figured it had a higher risk of failure soon (and seemed to be full of carbon) and I dont fancey a blocked exhaust. it was the first generation CAT, so it was a bit restrictive compared to the later CATs. So I think my carb will now be running a needle thats too lean for what the engine needs. anyone know what needle I need for the cab?

engine is a 1275 carbed cooper block, all standard, HIF44.

The cooper engine is basically an MG Metro engine with a Cooper cam, so would the Standard needle that the MG lump (before CATs were fitted) used be suitable?
I looked it up and I think it was a BDG needle in the MG metro.

Help!, I dont' know a great deal about carbs and needles, I dont want to kill my engine. :'(

SS

[THE ANORAK]

standard needle for a Rover carb cooper is BFY and the spring is red.

i wouldn't of thought removing the cat would affect the carb needle but what do i know.

on my cooper, removing the cat had no noticeable difference on the performance of the car.

if you ever need tech data on a carb cooper check out my mainstream site

[Silicon Skum]

It wasn't removed for a power gain, it was fairly rusty (KrapFit decided the best way to sort the flapping bottom heatshield was to rip it right off! ) and I've heard a few stories about the CAT matrix crumbling and blocking the exhaust. I figure 14 Years is probably about the MTBF (mean time between failure) for an early CAT and there is no way I'm spending anymore cash on an allready expensive resto (car is a '91 so it's not needed for MOT anyway). Besides, I have a feeling it's not working anymore my emission levels for the last 4 years have been quite high for a CAT equipt mini. I'm keeping hold of the old CAT just incase it's ever needed.

Cheers for the info though.

SS

[miniboo]

i reckon u will be ok without the cat and the need for a new needle

[Sprocket]

MTBF (mean time between failure)

Mean Time BEFORE Failure ???????????????????????????

[pikey7]

carb with a cat? did they? as standard?

[Sprocket]

yup

[pikey7]

stoopid. (but you learn something every day! )

[english-bully]

BDL.....is about the best needle to start with are kid the best all rounder if fitted with Lcb and a K&N,piper cross etc etc.....but never put a cat back on it...

[Silicon Skum]

MTBF (mean time between failure)

Mean Time BEFORE Failure ???????????????????????????

Nope, BETWEEN, it's the "average" lifetime between failures in similar aged products. --> http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/MTBF


Pikey:
I dont know why they put a CAT on a carb car either, you end up damaging the catalyst each time the carb wanders out of tune, which is most of the time in my case.

english-bully:
ta for the info, the car (for now at least) is staying with standard exhaust manifold and paper filter, though this may change when the engine is rebuilt in the future. The needle you sugested got me on the right track.

I just compared the diferences on a SU needle chart (gota love google) between the BFY, BDG, and BDL, the BDL and BFY are VERY similar in the numbers, mostly the same. The BDG is mostly all higher than the BFY, so it looks like I *should* be ok with the BFY (standard) needle I have, might even be ok with LCB + K&N.

So it looks like I'll be keeping the standard needle.
Thanks all.

SS