14 replies to this topic

[Dan65364]

Right so at the moment I have a 1988 "Mary Quant" edition with a standard 998 engine and I'll admit I know nothing about carb engines, or minis! my previous car was a Nissan 200sx with 300hp so it's a bit different to this. modifying that was all just bolt on parts and pretty easy.

 

The mini is now off the road and it will be getting derusted, painted and a new interior, so I was thinking of getting a bit more power out of the engine, I'm not expecting it to be fast, just able to keep up with traffic if you know what I mean 

 

So my question is, is it worth supercharging the 998? or put the money in to a good 1275? any idea of cost of doing either of these things? or does anyone have any other alternative ideas?

 

Thanks!

[Carlos W]

I've probably spent over £1500 rebuilding my 1275 and I'd like 90BHP.

 

There's a lot to consider when building an engine which will withstand a supercharger. Compression ratio, condition of internals etc

[nicklouse]

what do you mean by "keep up with traffic" they do as standard.

 

and then how much money do you want to spend each year?

 

you have picked the most expensive engine to get power from.

[Dan65364]

what do you mean by "keep up with traffic" they do as standard.

 

and then how much money do you want to spend each year?

 

you have picked the most expensive engine to get power from.

 

I mean make it quicker.

 

I'd probably only want to spend between £1-2k on the engine not in a rush to do it or anything though and like I said I'm not expecting it to be fast, just a bit quicker than what it is.

 

Don't you get most things in with the supercharger kits to alter compression ratio etc? my biggest worry would be the condition of the engine, not sure what the 998's are like and what they can withstand.

 

Are there alternative engines to get cheaper power from then?

[racingbob]

i would go for a 1275 with a mild cam like mg metro

 

and modded head would be in your budget up to 2000

 

be good fun mine gives 80hp and good torque

 

or 1275 with stage 1 kit but less power and less money

 

if engine 1275 being stripped it pays to change the cam while doing it

 

if not you would probably wish you did later on

 

modded head could be put on later if short of cash

[carbon]

+1 for 1275, with sensible mods this should work well.

 

Try to go for a common fast road spec, this will make setting it up a lot easier. Or if you're not comfortable with tweaking carb and dizzy settings then buy a complete prepared unit from a reputable company.

[mina08]

+1 1275

[Dan65364]

Thanks guys! I was thinking that a 1275 could be a better option. How much do these engines sell for? And does the 998 gearbox fit on to a 1275?

[Dusky]

Gboxes Are interchangable.(bar primary gear on the Crank)
I payed 150 euro for a full engine in need of a rebuild

Edited by Dusky, 08 November 2016 - 07:06 PM.

[nicklouse]

what do you mean by "keep up with traffic" they do as standard.
 
and then how much money do you want to spend each year?
 
you have picked the most expensive engine to get power from.

 
I mean make it quicker.
 
I'd probably only want to spend between £1-2k on the engine not in a rush to do it or anything though and like I said I'm not expecting it to be fast, just a bit quicker than what it is.
 
Don't you get most things in with the supercharger kits to alter compression ratio etc? my biggest worry would be the condition of the engine, not sure what the 998's are like and what they can withstand.
 
Are there alternative engines to get cheaper power from then?

My old 998 pick up would do 70 on the motorway and would move with the traffic fine.

A 1275 with a torquey cam will make things easier and you will get to legal speeds faster.

[Dan65364]

How many versions of the 1275 are there and which is the best one to get then?

[malynch27]

My 998 with a stage 1 has no issues keeping up with traffic. It is in the garage at the mo half way through having an SW5 cam installed. Looking forward seeing the results.

[Dan65364]

started stripping mine down and been keeping an eye out for a 1275. But I've just noticed that some people have done a Micra engine conversion as it fits in the mini bay without too many mods and it sits on the standard mini subframe with a few mods.

 

Is this the same with the 1.0 and 1.3 micra?

 

I would be able to get a decent power increase and a more modern engine without spending too much on the conversion this way, I could pick up a micra for around 300 quid and I could imagine it costing much more than 700-800 quid in total?

[gazza82]

If you are interested I've got a K-reg 1.0 I'm trying to sell for my elderly Mother! SORNd and not run for about 18 months.

[Swift_General]

With the money you're looking to spend, a stock engine rebuild could cost that figure alone without a supercharger, so as others have said go for the 1275 option. I've no idea about a Micra conversion, but there are plenty of 1275s from minis and metros still advertised for sale.