11 replies to this topic

[KarmaVenture]

So - as part of my project I plan to drop in a shiny new A series power plant.

 

The internet is full of reviews, mostly bad (people tend to review more when they've had bad experience) and varying in age, so...

 

If I wanted to buy something like a 1293-1330cc performance engine (potentially turbo'd or supercharged), ideally ready to drop in, where would I go? Has anyone had good, recent, experience I can draw upon?

 

Thanks in advance :)

[blacktulip]

I did a self build with lots of input from people in the know. Saved lots of money plus I have an idea for next time.

As for companies, I haven't had first hand experience but I have heard good things about bill Richards engines.

[nicklouse]

Where are you and how many thousands have you got to spend?

[KarmaVenture]

I have considered the self build route, BlackTulip. Although never taking a project on like this i'm in no rush and i'm handy with a spanner!

 

Nick, that is the million dollar question isn't it! I'm near Bedford but would happily travel anywhere for a good build at a good price - and as for price... I need to do everything from styling to suspension, engine to ice, so the budget needs to stretch. That said, the engine is a key component both for giving decent power output and enjoyment straight away but also being a solid platform for building on down the line so I can work around that. £2 - £2.5k ish in my mind is the engine allocation - open to options though and self building would allow more money to go on performance upgrades too.

[nicklouse]

Ok first you need to think charged or not. You can't change your mind half way through.

Then you need to think about usage.

Drop strait in does not really happen as most engine builders don't assemble gearboxes onto engines fit flywheels etc.

But if you are getting the box sorted as well then you may be able to get something sorted with them putting it on the new engine if you have it sent direct.

Looked at Specialist Components engine over in Norfolk?

Turbo Phil of this forum up in Cumbria .

John Guess of GuessWorks (gearboxes) also on this forum but currently planning for the IMM.


Or you could just get short motor and head from MiniSpares and assemble onto a box yourself.

[JBW]

Most of our members use Rob Walker engineering, near Witney in Oxfordshire, he know's his way round an A series very well, apparently used to do the cylinder heads for Avonbar.

 

http://www.robwalkerengineering.co.uk/

 

One of our members has a BMW motorbike head conversion engined Mini that was Rob Walkers, reputed to be about 130 BHP, its very quick !

[KarmaVenture]

Excellent contacts and potential sources; thanks indeed so far. Oxford isn't far and Cumbria is my favourite place in the UK so looking good on both of those fronts. I've seen the name 'turbo-phil' mentioned in a range of places already; somewhat of a legend i'm led to believe!

 

With regard to usage, it's not my daily motor and will spend most of it's time hacking up B roads of a Sunday afternoon but also be putting up a strong fight on circuit days.

 

I am keen on supercharging so would be building with that in mind. If the block is solid enough to take the additionally through flow from a charger could it not be added at a later stage with a re-tune and carb change Nick?

[nicklouse]

well yes but you would need to reduce the compression... so two head gaskets and a decompression plate.

 

pointless. do it right do it once.

 

if you had a good build then you might be able to open the chambers up to decrease the CR but if you are building new then the CR would be optimised for that build so ............

 

talk to Phil or any other builder about NA and blown 

[KarmaVenture]

Good point; extra expense at the start may very well compensate any further expenses in changing a set up later. Trouble is id want a blow through supercharger and the convention will add pennies no end. Turbo is probably easier with that in mind.

I'll leave the details and further questions from this feed but if anyone has reviews or recommendations I'd welcome all.

[ace01]

I would also suggest South Mini and Metro Centre.  Not far from you and they have a very good reputation.  

[KarmaVenture]

Southam mini metro? Auto correct did the same for me just now! Good reviews on their Facebook and on here too.

 

See, this is why forums can be awesome! All the googling i've done in the last few weeks yielding minispares, sport 'n' speed with a few others thrown in; one day with a question here and i've a wealth of options to explore now. Continued thanks guys :)

[cal844]

Ac Dodd does engines too

Also consider sending the gearbox to be rebuilt and tweaked for the supercharger