12 replies to this topic

[The_Doctor]

Hi everyone,

 

There are three things at the moment that I've got on my list of things to do to improve my Mini's performance. Where I am, New Zealand, they all look to be in the same ball park cost (may be different in the UK because of shipping prices and local shops etc..). What order would you recommend I do these in?

 

They are:

 

Replace the Falken 145/70/10 tyres on 10x5 alloys with Yokohama A008 165/70/10 (I'd go with A032's but they're out of my budget)

 

Replace the very sagged and incredibly stiff suspension cones, as well as the knuckle joints and shock absorbers. 

 

And fitting a Stage 1 kit.

 

 

The car is a 1980 Mini 1000, which has had an engine swap from an Austin Allegro 1300, and a HIF44 carb. It runs alright but doesn't seem to be as quick as I would expect for it's gearing (3.9:1). 

 

Any opinions or recommendations would be much appreciated

 

Cheers,

James

[blackbelt1990]

Although it's only a small increase, you should prepare the car to take more power before you give it any!

I'd do the suspension first and then tyres. But to be honest, people would probably say leave the tyres if they're in good condition.

Edited by blackbelt1990, 07 May 2016 - 06:39 AM.

[Dusky]

Suspension - Stg1- tyres if the tyres are in good condition.

[GraemeC]

Definitely suspension first.

Make the car drive as it should and it'll give you far more pleasure than a quicker/grippier car that still handles like a dog.

[The_Doctor]

Come to think of it I reckon I'll definitely leave tyres til last. I've read that the 145's handle fantastically, albeit with less roadholding, but they may be held back with the current state of the suspension. I'll see how it handles and holds the road with the suspension replaced then decide from there what I reckon will give me the most enjoyment afterwards, stage one or tyres. Appreciate the comment guys, always such great information here :) 

[ukcooper]

suspension - 10" wheels best handling , 12" standard but best rubber selection, 13" Hummm but looks good. shockers and set up  very important.

 

Stage kit or head or/and cam.

 

Tyres depends what wheels and time of year.

[blacktulip]

Definitely cones first. It will transform the comfort and handling. Then I would recommend a stage 1 kit with a rolling road session immediately afterwards. The rolling road should go hand in hand when fitting any performance goodies, it is so critical otherwise you won't get any benefit.

[Cooperman]

Think about it like this - the way to better road performance is better ability to carry the pace of the car through the corners.

Therefore, the best performance improvement is the road-holding and braking.

If you can brake later for a corner and then go more rapidly through the corner the overall performance is improved.

There is little point in having more power if the ability to use this power is limited by the road-holding and braking.

With a classic Mini a 145 section width tyre is excellent and makes the car feel truly 'retro' and classic. Whilst dry road-holding might not be quite as good as with a 165 section, the handling will be really excellent and in the wet the 145 will be equally as good and maybe better, especially if the road surface is soaking wet.

[Cooperman]

Definitely cones first. It will transform the comfort and handling. Then I would recommend a stage 1 kit with a rolling road session immediately afterwards. The rolling road should go hand in hand when fitting any performance goodies, it is so critical otherwise you won't get any benefit.

Just think about how we used to tune and prepare our rally and race Minis, and other cars in that era, when there weren't any rolling roads. They still seemed to go well though  .

[blacktulip]

Definitely cones first. It will transform the comfort and handling. Then I would recommend a stage 1 kit with a rolling road session immediately afterwards. The rolling road should go hand in hand when fitting any performance goodies, it is so critical otherwise you won't get any benefit.

Just think about how we used to tune and prepare our rally and race Minis, and other cars in that era, when there weren't any rolling roads. They still seemed to go well though  .

True if you have got the knowledge or know someone who does 😁 I couldn't get anywhere near the rolling road results after I fitted my current 1301cc engine. I messed around for ages too lol.

[Steve220]

Tyres, suspension, tuning.

You want it to put the power down and take you through corners with correct traction first. I'd be then be looking at brakes. Engine tuning would always be last on my plate.

[carbon]

+1 for new cones first, would be worth getting 'red' cones from Minispares which are slightly stiffer. If you're getting these I would recommend getting a pair of the Minispares 1.5 neg camber front arms at the same time.

 

If you're still running drum brakes an upgrade to 7.5 inch discs would be next on my shopping list.

[Cooperman]

 

 

Definitely cones first. It will transform the comfort and handling. Then I would recommend a stage 1 kit with a rolling road session immediately afterwards. The rolling road should go hand in hand when fitting any performance goodies, it is so critical otherwise you won't get any benefit.

Just think about how we used to tune and prepare our rally and race Minis, and other cars in that era, when there weren't any rolling roads. They still seemed to go well though  .

True if you have got the knowledge or know someone who does I couldn't get anywhere near the rolling road results after I fitted my current 1301cc engine. I messed around for ages too lol.

 

I must admit that I now wonder how we did it. No rolling roads or gas analysers. We used to set it us as best we could from the needle charts and published advice, then tweak it all until it ran well. The funny thing is it usually worked, even on very modified engines.

The 'works' comp dep't had a dyno and would make their needle and ignition data available if you knew the right people.