5 replies to this topic

[M44K TS]

As my car is slowly being restored, i have had time to think of what to do with the engine. At the minute, it's a standard 998 with a Stage 1 kit.

Typical 998, bulletproof, and when it was tuned up right, not too shy on performance when up against a mates Spi mini (i passed him with ease muh to his annoyance lol)

Now, money will be a factor here.

I have thought about 1275/MG Metro, 1380 if i can find one or a Metro turbo lump.

Am i right in thinking buying a complete Metro Turbo would be the easiest way?

Also, if we forget about the initial cost of buying the engine or full car if possible, realistically, how much would i be roughly looking at to get the engine installed and running, (obviously gearbox/diff rebuilds may be a factor)

As i say, i'd love to go down the Turbo route and the car will be a sort of weekend toy when complete.

Also, how reliable are the Turbo engine's?

Ta in advance.

[Turbo Nick]

as a rough guide i spent just over £500 doing my first turbo conversion, which includes the engine at £250. that was with doing all the work myself though which saves a lot of wedge.


turbo's have got a bad name for being unreliable, the trouble is most of the problems are caused by people ripping the engine out of a metro thats been raped by various barry's for the past 15 years, then dumped in a mini and expected to take the same abuse for another 100k. If its a std engine then you gotta remember the youngest ones are over 17 years old now. best bet is to get a metro if you can, then rebuild the entire engine before dropping it in the mini.

[M44K TS]

cheers for the reply, i think i may go down either the 1293, 1380 or just mg metro route

[Ethel]

The Turbo does have the toughest bottom end so whatever engine you're building it's a good starting point.

Build it from the bottom up - that way you should get reliability and when funds allow you can add a head, manifolds even a turbo relatively easily.

[M44K TS]

that's a good idea, cheers

[MRA]

A true turbo engine will be very hard to find ..... there are loads of "real turbo mate" engines out there but when stripped you find that the wrong conrods are fitted and the block has liners !!! no good (well a bit risky anyway) for any real BHP....... Liners are definately a no-no (
Building a good reliable engine is not just a case of bolting it together, there are loads of little tasks that have to be done to "help" reliability.

If you build you own engine, then firstly ensure that the area you intend to build your engine in/on is too clean to eat off... Yes I said TOO clean to eat off..... think of it this way a bit of C**P behind a shell bearing (main or big-ends) will in all probability destroy your engine... CLEAN CLEAN CLEAN then CLEAN again to make sure, and if you are building it in a garage or whatever then ensure dust cannot drop from the ceiling, plastic sheet from any builders merchants or B&Q etc..... will help. sorry for the long drawn out poszZZzzzzzzZZZZzzzzzz