12 replies to this topic

[Chelsea_Pete]

Hi all,

 

Upgrading my mini to stage 1, and am thoroughly overwhealmed by the amout of carb needles on the market, I'd greatly appreciate some adviceas this is my first classic.

 

My setup currently is a 1986 chelsea with 1275 engine conversion, HIF44 carb, cone air filter, LCB manifold & RC40 exhaust

 

Minispares have already reccomended a BBW, whereas minisport reccommended a BDL... hence the confusion haha

 

I should add that the car was sold to me with half a stage 1 kit fitted but no new needle, the car is a fairly regular runner, so good fuel economy is important! 

 

Cheers in advance, Pete

[Mini Manannán]

Have you tried Minty Lamb's compare-o-ama? http://www.mintylamb.../?page=auto.htm

 

I have a similar setup to you and have just replaced a BCE for  a BBW, the BBW runs a little weak but at least it's not rich like it was with the BCE.  When I get a day free I'll have to tune the BBW  in, you'd be better off with an experienced Rolling road; I don't have the luxury of an RR on this rock.

[cal844]

Which needle is fitted at the minute? Try an AAU, if thats too lean try an ABY

 

My car is a 1275 (1993) HIF 38 (AAU needle)

Mini sport inlet(gas flowed)

KnN copy cone filter

1.75 inch maniflow LCB exhaust

2.25 inch link pipe

3 inch piped back box(centre exit)

 

Goes quite well, i actually need to turn the fuel up a bit  as theres a slight flat spot :)

Edited by cal844, 12 February 2015 - 03:20 PM.

[jaydee]

You need to sort the ignition timing first..

Then Its an HIF44 so no'A' prefix needles for you.

Try the BDL first, if comes out lean at mid-top range you need something richer at top try a BBW

You really need to do this using a gas analyser, your best bet is getting it rolling roaded by a mini specialist.

[AVV IT]

What spec 1275 engine are we talking about here? (as it's fuelling requirements will be dependent on it's spec). If it's a standard 1275 and you're unsure of its spec, then what car is it out of? BDL needles are a good starting point for HIF44's, but they tend to be more suited to mildly/moderately tuned 1275's.

To be honest if you're just running an otherwise standard 1275 with a stage one kit, then a HIF44 isn't really necessary, as a HIF38 would be adequate. I ran that setup on my old stage one 1275 and it was absolutely fine, I only upgraded to a HIF44 with BDL needle, when fitting another 1275 with cam & head mods. If you're planning further mods in the future, then it might be worth keeping the HIF44, but if you're planning on just keeping it at stage one, then I'd consider a HIF38 instead and selling on the HIF44, because HIF 44's tend to be worth two to three times more.

As above though, if you can get the car to an A-Series friendly rolling road, the best way will be to let them select the right needle for you there.

[KernowCooper]

I would have thought a BDL would be a bit rich for whats just a stage 1 tune

[Chelsea_Pete]

Thanks for all your advice, Ive got in touch with my local rolling road tuners so hopefully they'll be able to find me the right one for the job!

Interesting about the carb though dave, but perhaps will leave it for now so long as its not doing me any harm!

The a+ series is out of a 1990 metro van (so pretty low geared haha) I have to admit I dont have a clue what needles in there at the moment!

 

Pete

[KernowCooper]

Did the Metro van have a Low Compression engine ? the earlier mini vans and pickups did on certain engine numbers

[Chelsea_Pete]

Ah, I didnt realise that, can I find out from the serial number?

[Mini Manannán]

Have you run it through the Guessworks database? http://www.guess-wor...Tech/engine.htm  Assuming it's the original engine...

[Chelsea_Pete]

Cheers thats a very useful site, will plug the numbers in when I get home tonight

[IainNeon91]

Which air filter do you have on the carb? The airbox or cone? 

 

I have the BBW needle with my HIF44 and cone filter, seems to work very well... 

 

Edit- probably a good idea to mention i have the std spec 1275 engine.

Edited by IainNeon91, 13 February 2015 - 02:37 PM.

[Chelsea_Pete]

Unsure about that compression ratio KernowCooper, but Guessworks informs me that this is the engine:

 

Source Vehicle :  Metro  Engine type & CC :  A+ 1275 cc Transverse mounted  Fueling :    Engine features :  95 Ron Unleaded petrol Gearbox features : 

 

Std. Ratio Rod Change gearbox with Pot Joints

3.4:1 Final Drive 

 

 

 

Yes Iain its the cone type