2 replies to this topic

[drchrisdvm]

Hi everyone! I've had a 2017 Mini since it was new, but I recently acquired my first classic mini. 1975 Mini 1000, right hand drive. This is such a fun car....lots of looks. I just took it on my maiden voyage to work and back yesterday (stuck in traffic, manual shifting in a RHD...I forgot what that was like). Does anyone install an aftermarket tachometer? I just worry I'm above the safe rev limits on her. Had her up to 74 mph yesterday (speed limit is 70mph here in Florida), and she seemed to be straining. 

 

I look forward to exploring her more and more as time is going. Maybe even give some more oomph under the hood with an engine swap? 

 

Have a great day!

 

Chris

[DeadSquare]

Hi everyone! I've had a 2017 Mini since it was new, but I recently acquired my first classic mini. 1975 Mini 1000, right hand drive. This is such a fun car....lots of looks. I just took it on my maiden voyage to work and back yesterday (stuck in traffic, manual shifting in a RHD...I forgot what that was like). Does anyone install an aftermarket tachometer? I just worry I'm above the safe rev limits on her. Had her up to 74 mph yesterday (speed limit is 70mph here in Florida), and she seemed to be straining. 

 

I look forward to exploring her more and more as time is going. Maybe even give some more oomph under the hood with an engine swap? 

 

Have a great day!

 

Chris

Welcome to The Mini Forum.

 

75 MPH is just over 5,000 RPM, and you should be quite safe up to 85 MPH which is just under 6,000 RPM where the valves bounce.

 

With stronger valve springs and a hotter camshaft, a Mini will rev to 7,000 RPM.  After-market Tachometers are available and are not too difficult to install.

 

Remember that you are driving a 65 year old model with almost 65 year old sound insulation, so compared to your modern car, you are hearing a lot more of the car "at work".

[slidehammer]

Welcome aboard. 

I have a standard 998cc Mini which is from 1987 so on 12 inch wheels and I think with a taller final drive and I think 60- 65mph is a good long distance cruising speed and 70 mph or above in shorter bursts. I know they are strong engines and with regular maintenance are hard to kill but i just feel like it is starting to get a bit frantic.

I had a tuned 1380cc engine that would happily rev to 7,000rpm and that was a completely different kettle of fish as it was built to be rev'd and was all lightened and balanced.

The other thing is they start to run out of power as the peak power is lower on standard engines and reving them harder does not give you more power as you have gone past peak.