6 replies to this topic

[RaceMec]

Hi Guys & Girls.
I've come across a lovely mini30 for cheap. It runs (although not well) she has little rust problems but nothing major and the previous owner changed the paint 😡 which was the best thing about the 30, he tried to make it look like a cooper. So in my eyes it's not worth restoring as to do a good job would be far to expensive. So I've been looking at turning it into something fun, me and my better half have been introduced to the world of rally through a friend and would love to have a go at makng my mini race ready. My friend with his "connections" can help with the safety and regulation side of it. I need help with the power unit. Do I keep the 998 lump and make that better or swap it out.
I'm just looking for the cheapest way to have fun with her. Any recommendations??

Edited by RaceMec, 11 December 2015 - 01:01 PM.

[Dusky]

What do you call fast?

Where do you want to use it for? You seem to have absolutely no clue what you want. regulations will force a given engine size if you're racing it.

If you are racing it forget the cheap part. A good engine is never cheap. Eve a standard rebuild costs upwards of 700£ if you want a proper job.

A proper racign engine costs everythign etween 4 and 10K depending on regulations, who does teh work ,...

[slidehammer]

I am afraid Dusky is right there is no thing as cheap power. Standard1275 engines of no know background are fetching good money now and start tuning or rebuilding you are talking hundreds and into thousands. Just look at the cost of a good modified head hundreds of pounds now before you start on anything else.. In my opinion the best route for more power is a 1275 A+ engine that you can either hear running or some piece of mind it is in good running order.

[racingbob]

what about this ministox ive heard about maybe cheap but I know nothing realy about it

 

other racing it wont be cheap

[New game mini]

Not really racing but you could keep it road going and do RWYB and track days and stuff, they're a laugh and cheap and there aren't many strict rules and regs so u can do what u want to ur car.

[chris27989]

Three things you want when building an engine:

 

1. Reliability

2. Performance

3. Cheap

 

Only can only ever have two of these!

Choose wisely

[Cujo Racing]

The cheapest way to make a standard Mini quicker is take as much weight out as you can (chip out soundproofing etc), add a few suspension parts and fit some decent rubber to get it handling properly.

A well sorted 998 is still a lot of fun for most disciplines - I'd keep the engine until you've tried your hand at something

 

If you need a bit more grunt, a few more horses can be tuned from the 998 quite cheaply.

The more power you add, the more you will need to upgrade everything else like diff, brakes etc. Then it's a bottomless pit...

 

Stage rallying and circuit racing are hugely expensive now a Mini, especially if you want to be at the sharp end. 

A Mini 30 would be perfect for Autosolos and Autotests, they are really cheap and loads of fun and you can double drive if your other half wants a go.

They are  probably the closest to stage rallying you can get without breaking the bank.

 

Good luck