67 replies to this topic

[Northernpower]

Fascinating stuff about the aeroplanes! Brave men who our generation would do well to remember.
 

Last word on the aeroplane side and being brave. The navigator told me as the war progressed into the dark days of 1944 the constant fear not unsurprisingly turned into severe stress. The by product of this was they developed in his words boils and carbuncles on their faces that were so large they could not always get their oxygen masks to fit properly. The medic would want to sign them off active service but such was their sense of duty and comradeship they used to put packing into the edge of their masks and then tape the mask to their face to enable them to breath at altitude and complete their missions. 

 

They did not want to be the one crew member who let the rest of the squadron down, I can still see the look on his face as he was recounting this to me. Brave men indeed. This is the last word on this, I promise.

[Cooperman]

I always used to cruise the various 850's I've owned at around 60 mph which was about 4200 rpm.

 

I cruised my 998 Cooper at just under 5000 rpm which was just over 70 mph. Funny, but it didn't seem to mind.

[surfblue]

I always used to cruise the various 850's I've owned at around 60 mph which was about 4200 rpm.

 

I cruised my 998 Cooper at just under 5000 rpm which was just over 70 mph. Funny, but it didn't seem to mind.

I strongly suspect some of my original 34 horses may have escaped over the preceding 54 years!

Compression test will be in order and an engine rebuild over one of the coming winters will be scheduled.

[Stu1961]

Fascinating stuff about the aeroplanes! Brave men who our generation would do well to remember.

Back to top speeds:- my 850 cruises happily at 50, will do 60 reluctantly and has done 70 down hill on a motorway but really doesn't like it. I treat the old girl with respect normally.
Don't know what speed I've done in other minis, speedo needle stopped just past 90!

Brave men indeed, a breed apart.

[mini-mad-mark]

I went on the Riviera Run twice - the first time, some wide boys in a Subaru were egging me on - I think it was somewhere on the A30, it was a long downhill. The needle touched the edge of the fuel gauge (centre speedo) which I would say is an indicated 110-ish mph however I know it reads a bit fast (2-3mph at 30mph according to the smiley face electronic speed limit signs - are they accurate?)  so I reckon I was somewhere around 100mph  (assuming 10% error) - 1330 with unknown lumpy cam and the usual accoutrements. It was petrifying and I've never gone over 85 (indicated) since!!

 

On a side note, its a more economical car than my 998!! (probably because I have to rev it less?) on the way back the second time I brimmed it in Newquay and got to Northampton on one tank - 275 miles - I never dropped below 70 on the dual carriageways or motorway and was mostly at 80mph to keep out of the slow lane (or 72-73 if the speedo error really is about 10%) -  an average of 37mpg - not bad !!!

 

On another side note - re: reliability - I was with my son the second time and we made lots of "loser" signs to all the new/newish cars on the hard shoulder as we whupped past at 72(?) mph   

[KarmaVenture]

I think you mostly need to have your brain wired backwards to push any mini over a ton regardless of mod's. I remember well feeling a fine line between 'ooh this is fun' to 'holy crap what am I doing?!'.

[Northernpower]

I think you mostly need to have your brain wired backwards to push any mini over a ton regardless of mod's. I remember well feeling a fine line between 'ooh this is fun' to 'holy crap what am I doing?!'.

Noooooooo, you're wrong, mine pulls 95 in third, its just getting warmed up as I drop it into top.      

[Rapidmini59]

Not taken mine past 70mph yet at 5000rpm in fourth.
Nearly finished running it in.
Dont know what i can rev it to as it has no rev limiter.
1380 head on a 1330a+ with a 276 kent cam on a 3.64 final drive at 11.5:1 comp ratio with hif44 on fast road fuel pump and reg.
Quick pick up for mini.

[KarmaVenture]

 

I think you mostly need to have your brain wired backwards to push any mini over a ton regardless of mod's. I remember well feeling a fine line between 'ooh this is fun' to 'holy crap what am I doing?!'.

Noooooooo, you're wrong, mine pulls 95 in third, its just getting warmed up as I drop it into top.      

 

95 in third?! I bet that thing is screaming at you!!

[KarmaVenture]

Part of my reason for starting this one was to see how people are squeezing more top end out of their mini's. The 5 speed box is a no brainer for it but a right expensive solution. A lower final drive sacrificing some initial go seems more reasonable - or just always drive downhill? 

[Northernpower]

 

I think you mostly need to have your brain wired backwards to push any mini over a ton regardless of mod's. I remember well feeling a fine line between 'ooh this is fun' to 'holy crap what am I doing?!'.

Noooooooo, you're wrong, mine pulls 95 in third, its just getting warmed up as I drop it into top.      
 

95 in third?! I bet that thing is screaming at you!!

I know, it's great. I have 83lbs of torque at the wheels at 7,250 revs and a 3.1 fd. I'd love to know what it will do in top but I've never tried (I'll have to take it to a track day). For me it's more about the acceleration up through the gears.

[lawrence]

Top speed from mine was 95mph. Standard metro gta engine 1275, bottled it due to lack of crumple zones and a feeling of impending doom.

Top speed on my Micra 1275 high comp engine was 100, again bottled it!

Top speed on current Micra 998 was 80 ish but then its fueling was rubbish.

 

getting hard to find private roads these days!

[Ethel]

Before noise and economy was a serious consideration the final drives in Minis were more or less on the money for matching the engine's output to achievable top speed. A 5 speed box could work against you, in 5th it could be a case of needing a hill or tail wind to get to peak HP. 

[KarmaVenture]

Before noise and economy was a serious consideration the final drives in Minis were more or less on the money for matching the engine's output to achievable top speed. A 5 speed box could work against you, in 5th it could be a case of needing a hill or tail wind to get to peak HP. 

From what I gather, the 5 speed box pretty much just adds, effectively, an overdrive gear to a standard ratio 4 box. I'm not sure it's really designed for more top end but just to cruise at lower RPM for economy and noise reduction. With a more powerful lump, however, the concept could certainly be used to boost the top end i'd recon. If I ever find £2k down the back of the sofa i'll find out!

[Orange-Phantom]

 

Before noise and economy was a serious consideration the final drives in Minis were more or less on the money for matching the engine's output to achievable top speed. A 5 speed box could work against you, in 5th it could be a case of needing a hill or tail wind to get to peak HP. 

From what I gather, the 5 speed box pretty much just adds, effectively, an overdrive gear to a standard ratio 4 box. I'm not sure it's really designed for more top end but just to cruise at lower RPM for economy and noise reduction. With a more powerful lump, however, the concept could certainly be used to boost the top end i'd recon. If I ever find £2k down the back of the sofa i'll find out!

 

I've swapped  to a 3.7 final drive on mine (from a 3.1), this coupled with the 6 speed is great on the roads.  5th and 6th are overdrive and are very useable now and I can keep the engine on song if I need/want too.  Saying that despite me swapping to a SW10 cam (it did have a Kent 276 despite being told it was a SW10) it's so much better lower down, the power curve is flatter and the top end sweeter.  It's now a much better engine and driving experience.