19 replies to this topic

[max-o-matic]

Hello everybody,

My car is in need of a new engine, and considering what had been done to the one it came with, my mechanic doesn’t feel comfortable building a new one around the parts that are salvageable. He asked me to source a new unit, built by a reputable company.

So I can either find a tuner here in France who will build me a full unit to spec, or go for the “plug and play” option that Minisport offers.

What I’m looking for is a fun fast road engine to go zipping around the countryside and maybe take on a road trip once a year in the summer. I’m not intending on competing in anything, so a full race engine is out of the question, but I’d like to feel “safe” overtaking a truck on the highway, and to get to my destination no matter the distance.

I’ve been looking at the options that Minisport has to offer and I’m inclined to go with one of their 1293 builds, but they don’t give much information as to what parts are going into their engines, or how they’ve been modified. Has anyone here gone down that road? If so, what configuration have you chosen, how’s the build quality? What are the issues that have come up? Any “customer experience” would be appreciated!

Many thanks,

Max

[whistler]

Have a look at minispares short engines, built I believe by Bill Richards.

[JXC Mini GT]

You may want to look at Minispares as a comparison, I had a Minispares 1293 short engine fitted by Mill Road Garage, the engines are built by Bill Richards, I have covered about 10,000 miles on the new engine and it is running beautifully

[Lucas1988]

i would certainly go for something from minispares over a minisport built engine. The other person to contact who built my engine is Thomas Classic and Modern in west wales, he builds new engines. he built mine for me and you can have a chat with him about what you want as well as chat through budget along with the components you would like to see fitted/he recommends.

 

I've not heard loads of good things about engines from minisport sadly i things the parts used in them can be very hit and miss

[max-o-matic]

These are pretty much the answers I was expecting, thank you!
I’ll look into engine builders here in France and in the UK then. It’s surprising that there aren’t more off-the-shelf options out there, especially for this kind of run of the mill project. I’ll look up classic and modern, but if you have any other recommendations, I’m all ears!

[Icey]

These are pretty much the answers I was expecting, thank you!
I’ll look into engine builders here in France and in the UK then. It’s surprising that there aren’t more off-the-shelf options out there, especially for this kind of run of the mill project. I’ll look up classic and modern, but if you have any other recommendations, I’m all ears!

I follow Dimspeed on Instas, French A-series builder. They seem to use good quality components and their machining work looks pretty good. I can only say what I’ve seen in pictures but they are at least in the right country for you!

[nicklouse]

Loads of good engine builders machinists in Europe who you might find things easier to deal with.

 

but I can highly recommend the MiniSpares/Bill Richards builds. If you join the TMF+ subscription you will get 7.5% off MiniSpares prices.

 

the reason I mention the other EU countries is that most builders will require part exchange units. Or charge an excess. I would not consider trying to to this now if I was in the EU.

[Cooperman]

+1 on the Mini Spares engines.

[Stevie W]

I run a 1293cc Minisport engine in my Mini and have had no issues with it over the last 5 years.

 

Everything was checked and measured and the oil gallery plugs removed before being thoroughly cleaned out and dried. Then I carried out a "dry" build to ensure all was OK.

 

The final build went well and the machine work wax to a very good standard. With the main bearing caps fitted and torqued up, the crank spun freely as described by David Vizard in his book.

 

With everything built up and the engine run in, it has used no oil between changes. Maybe is was lucky with my kit!

 

Cheers, Steve.

[max-o-matic]

Thanks for the input!


@nicklouse : yes the whole EU/UK thing is making this much more difficult than it would have been a few years back unfortunately. I’ve followed your advice and started looking at local solutions. There seems to be a strange void of A Series specialists around my neck of the woods, but I’ve written to half a dozen tuners in France and will know more about what can be done about this during the week.

@Icey : Dimspeed are on my list, and so far they’re the closest from home, which is good. The downside is that they seem to use almost exclusively Swiftune parts which will blow my budget to shreds. May be worth the phone call all the same, I’ll let you know!

@Steve : I’m glad to hear a positive comment about Minisport. I was looking at the fully built engines myself, and they seem like the only company that offers a range of those. What makes me skeptical is that I can’t find that many people who use this option when it seems to be such a practical one to me. I know the mini is the quintessential customizable car, and that mini owners such as myself are snobs when it comes to what parts are being used, so maybe it’s logical that each engine ends up being a custom build, but I’m still surprised that more companies don’t just package a set up that works and that you can simply drop in.

Edited by max-o-matic, 11 April 2023 - 06:06 PM.

[lildeucecoop72]

Also have a 1293 from Minisport. Stage 2 head, stage 3 cam, Hiff 44 and luminition on the dizzy. Not sure when it was built, but I have owned the car since 2007 so my guess is early 2000s. Changed the gearbox back in 2009 after I emigrated from UK to Norway.

Since then, covered a fair distance in it, including 3 summer Road trip holidays without a hitch, starting in Oslo area roaring over the mountains to the Westcoast (Stavanger/Bergen) and back, or down and around south of Norway back up to Oslo again. Steep hills, motorways, tunnels and hair-pin bends…if you look at the map, that is some ground. That engine didn’t let me down, and seemed only to want more. Compression test last summer looked healthy, and still purs on idle, and roars when I poke her.

So I can’t complain.

Edited by lildeucecoop72, 12 April 2023 - 07:58 AM.

[max-o-matic]

I’ve taken that trip! Olso to Alesund then down the coast to Kristiansand.. some of the very best roads I’ve ever driven! You’re very lucky to have them in your backyard!

I’ve spoken to a couple tuners and so far neither of them is inclined to use any of the parts I have left over : one deals exclusively with MED, the other exclusively with Swiftune.
I’ve had a lovely hour long chat with Dimspeed and though his prices are even higher than I was expecting, he’s running a very meticulous company, and it sounds like you do get quite a bit of bang for your buck. I wasn’t planning on going all in on this build, but I may have to reconsider my approach.. you only live once right?

[IronmanG]

In that case I recommend Oz at OAP. His engines are top notch

[mini13]

ML motorsport?

 

they are based near london, so maybe theres the possibility of you taking the car to them

[Steve220]

ML motorsport?

 

they are based near london, so maybe theres the possibility of you taking the car to them

 

That's not a bad shout. Not sure how bad import charges are, but for an engine worth £3k(?), i'd be doing anything to avoid them.