21 replies to this topic

[Henryprictoe]

Hello I have a 998 99h engine with a stage one it has a spotted 3 branch manifold and howley inlet manifold pipper cross air filter 2' exhaust pipe underneath to a back box that goes too 1.5' and a stage 1 carb needle what can I change or any small cheats to get my mini too go faster ??

[Anthony30]

Cooper freeflow manifold with a 1.625'' or 1.75'' exhaust. Preferably rc40 or Maniflow.

[Henryprictoe]

I have a 1.7/8 upswept manifold back box not fitted yet if I where too change too that and a centre pipe and manifold would that be ok ??

[Anthony30]

No idea to be honest. The exhausts I mentioned above are proven in quality and performance. Your not going to get massive amounts of power from a 998, but they are fun to drive.  I think you should consider getting the head ported and polished. 

[Henryprictoe]

I'm building a 1305 the 998 is in my mini for now just want abit more umpph !!!:@))

[Anthony30]

In that case, just save your money. I'm going for a 998 turbo to keep the original block, but I do like the idea of a 1293 with twin hs4 carbs, kent 266 ect.

[Henryprictoe]

Yeah but my 1305 is going too take long to build !!:@) so I just wandered if there where any little tweeks I could do for abit more power !!:@))

[swampy1978uk]

reduce weight is an option

remove everything you don't need seats, stereo and speakers everything but the shell and a drivers seat and an engine

[phil hill]

1. A good all-round service of the engine and tune, to ensure it's running at it's best (Rolling-Road tune if you've got the budget).

2. A good all-round service of the suspension including geometry/alignment to ensure it's all pointing in the right direction to enable you to use the legendary Mini handling.  (see some of CooperMan's suspension posts for guidance on angles to aim for).

3. A good all-round service of the brakes to ensure you are not dragging a brake somewhere sapping the power you have, and to give you confidence you can stop when you need to.  

 

Add lightness if/when/where you can.

 

Enjoy the Mini experience !!

 

Phil.

[Mrpeanut]

The cooper freeflow and rc40 as above. It'll cheer up your 998 and be fine for your new build. I ran that combo on a 1330 which produced good torque and power.

[coopdog]

In that case, just save your money. I'm going for a 998 turbo to keep the original block, but I do like the idea of a 1293 with twin hs4 carbs, kent 266 ect.

Yeah I've heard those 998 turbos are pretty cool ;)

[Cooperman]

The problem with driving what is really a 55-year-old car (well, design-wise it is) is that you can easily spend a small fortune on it only to find it is then just slightly slower than a £1000 1.4 Fiesta. It's sad but true.

As with all 1960's classic cars, be they Minis, Anglias, Cortinas, or whatever, they cost a lot to run, but even more if modified and still they are slow by modern standards, as is to be expected really.

Best bet is to make sure the engine is nicely set up and running well, clean up the cylinder head by removing the roughness and de-shrouding the valves a bit, increase the C.R. to around 10:1 and fit a decent inlet manifold, ex. manifold and exhaust system. Ensure the suspension is set properly and the brakes work well as that enables you to carry what speed you do have safely through the corners. That is where the fun is with a Mini.

[Anthony30]

 

In that case, just save your money. I'm going for a 998 turbo to keep the original block, but I do like the idea of a 1293 with twin hs4 carbs, kent 266 ect.

Yeah I've heard those 998 turbos are pretty cool ;)

 

[Anthony30]

The problem with driving what is really a 55-year-old car (well, design-wise it is) is that you can easily spend a small fortune on it only to find it is then just slightly slower than a £1000 1.4 Fiesta. It's sad but true.

As with all 1960's classic cars, be they Minis, Anglias, Cortinas, or whatever, they cost a lot to run, but even more if modified and still they are slow by modern standards, as is to be expected really.

Best bet is to make sure the engine is nicely set up and running well, clean up the cylinder head by removing the roughness and de-shrouding the valves a bit, increase the C.R. to around 10:1 and fit a decent inlet manifold, ex. manifold and exhaust system. Ensure the suspension is set properly and the brakes work well as that enables you to carry what speed you do have safely through the corners. That is where the fun is with a Mini.

Fair comment, but I like the noise and feel of an 'old school' turbo car. I'm aiming for modest power to keep the engine reliable, and drivable on a daily basis. I love the look and sound of twin carbs, but prefer a turbo set-up.  I'm not going to argue that it's good value for money, because It's clearly not, but if it makes me enjoy driving the car, even more than I already do, then It's worth the price.

[Cooperman]

I know I've spent a fortune on my Minis over the years just because I like driving them. I've spent loads on other types of classic as well like a Jensen Interceptor and a Porsche 911, plus a couple of Merc 450 SL's, a Rolls Silver Shadow and a TR5 and for pleasure it's been worth it.

The only thing I can't see much of a future in is trying to make an old car go like a modern car. The pleasure in driving old classics like the Mini is to get the retro-drive' old-school  type of motoring. I like old cars to drive the way they did when they were new.

But then, we each have our own perceptions of how things were. If we didn't like old classic cars we wouldn't bother with them. It's the same with other classic things like old radios, old paintings, even old houses. I once owned a farmhouse built in 1829 and I did enjoy living there and restoring some aspects of it.

The love of old things is something only some people have and it's part of their soul. And that's good.