41 replies to this topic

[RetroRacer21]

hello all.

I got a 1275 GT engine not long ago.
And going to get it re-bored, new sills and head skimmed and so on.

Uncle has a friend who does engines, not sure how much yet probably around £600 for re-bore and skimmed.
unless anyone else knows a Mini bloke who does them?

but I want to change the gearbox for a Straight Cut Gear one.

is it worth me getting one?

I'm not driving the car everyday, only weekends and mini shows.
so I want the engine to be a fast road engine.

I love the sound of the gears.
I know they alot tougher to drive with, but I'm ok with that.

are they easy to fit, into a engine?
do I need anything else to go with it?

also...
any advice on what should I get done to the engine?
Upgrades?
what to look out for?

I have a straight through RC40 exhaust, and lots of Carbs ready. (dont want twin.. too much hassle)
so single large Carb, and good exhaust to go on.

Engine has around over a month.. before I look to put it into the Mini.
need it done for London To Brighton Run.

any advice?
cheers

[GreaseMonkey]

dude 600 quid for a rebore and skim ! Are you sure ? or did you mean 60 quid ?

[haz]

maybe he means strip - rebore, new pistons and rebuild?

[RetroRacer21]

maybe he means strip - rebore, new pistons and rebuild?

yea new re-build.
everything in there.

I have to take the gearbox off, so I wanted to get a straight cut one to put on.

is there any places that re-build engines? (your own one)

[haz]

in answer to your question... get something like a kent 286 cam, new oil pump... crank re-grind and new bearings, port and gas flow your head, whilst ur at it get new stem seals, and you might want to think about getting bigger valves fitted, all depends on your budget

dont really need the straight cut box but i'm going for one too without having the need especially

[Wessie28]

straght cut gearxobes are better for a race car, but in a road car will wear quicker when doing motorway mileage for example
what you need to think of is what will be practical and financially sensible rather then just doing it for bragging rights you'll be better off spending the money on a 4 pin diff or a different diff ratio to give you quicker acceleration etc
as for the engine, get a mild/fast road cam, new followers, centre main strap, possibly get some work done on the head to help it flow better but most importantly get it set up properly on a dyno or rolling road once it is built in order to get the most out of it

[RetroRacer21]

I have yet to be on a motorway
it wont be used much on the roads, only weekends and shows

I'm not after bragging rights, just love the sound (why I love Mini racing)

I'll look into the other parts though haz. definitly.
just not sure how much it will all cost.

and how long it will all take...

I'm going for a classic Retro Racer feel though.
so want it too sound like a little Race Car.

and pull like one.
it will take time, and I'm in no rush, just the engine needs to be in by 18th may.
so if I get get the inportant things done on the engine, the big mods can come later in the summer.

but if the engine is out, need most doing to it now.

Edited by Mini-Herbie, 27 March 2008 - 10:23 PM.

[lewis]

unless your putting through it some pretty hefty power and regular track and sprint use you wont really need a straight cut gear box, there more expensive to get rebuilt aswell

if you want that whine you can get straight cut drop gears but wont really increase the peformance alone

[haz]

it'll be a miracle if you get it back and in your car in a month!!

building a good engine can cost you anywhere from 800 quid to 6 or 7k... theres so so many things you can look at improving or getting that little extra from in terms of performance or reliability

it all depends on just how far you are willing to go

and once you've done all this... and your mini is faster, you might want to think about keeping it on the road and not in a bush or a ditch... or under a HGV! breaks, susspension, steering, roll cage, INSURANCE!! - it all adds up

[RetroRacer21]

yea I'm not worried about performance too much.

just the whine down for the gears (so either gearbox allready done, Or just buy the gears)
engine really.

want it re-built to be new, then worry about extra's later.
I'd get the head skimmed stage 2 (depends what this dude charges)

and yes, Roll cage, buckets, then after engine upgrades, brakes, steering, suspension can come later.
insurence yea... I know, but its ok.

is it easyer to buy just the straight cut gears and fit them myself when I take off the gearbox on the 1275 engine?
rather than buying one thats allready complete?

[Ouster]

so I want the engine to be a fast road engine.



yea I'm not worried about performance too much.

Make your mind up!

[RetroRacer21]

so I want the engine to be a fast road engine.



yea I'm not worried about performance too much.

Make your mind up!

If only it was that easy

I want best of both worlds then
isnt going to cost a fortune, but will have better performance than my old 998

but definitly want cut gears.

[Scott.Tamson]

A Supercharger also has a whine to it

[RetroRacer21]

A Supercharger also has a whine to it

you mean one of these

friend contacted him, think they around 2k... if I remember..

[RetroRacer21]

Hi Again.

I need to get this engine done soon.
so...

What engine specialists would be able to pick My engine up (or if they are close, I can deliever)
and do the job and send it back to me?

I want....
it checked over, new parts fitted if needed.
re-bored, skimmed (stage 1 or 2)
and most of all. straight cut gears in gearbox.

would it be best to take the engine and gearbox appart.
send away the engine to get done.

and do the gearbox myself?
how would I go about putting straight cuts in?

I'm probably looking to spend £500 on getting the engine done.
then another £200 to fit it round the corner in my local garage?

Think I could get it for that?

I need to get the engine done this month.
So I will have it done for begging of May and in by the 18th.

any sudgestions and places that specialize in Mini Engines?

Do MORSPEED take your own engines and re-build to your own spec?
they not far... I think.