9 replies to this topic

[dhandley]

Hey guys and girls,

I have a 1983 Austin Mini, 1000 model with 998cc engine. It's my first car and i absolutely love it! Now, i would just like to say that i'm not a boy racer but i would like a little more power/speed. Does anyone have any tips that could make it go a little faster?? I would add a bigger engine but unfortunately it's an automatic so as far as i'm aware changing the engine isn't possible. Am i right in thinking that??

Let me know what you think.

All the best

David

[Ouster]

Firstly, give the engine a good tune. Correct timing makes a lot of difference to the performance. Change the sparks, HT leads etc.
After that, a stage one kit (K+N air filter, exhaust system from inlet manifold backwards, carb needle) will free up a bit more power. After that, you'd want to stick a high-performance head on the engine - ported, polished etc.

At least, that is what you would do on a manual engine to make a 998 go a bit faster. I'm not familiar with automatics - I think you can swap over to a manual engine (anything is possible after all!) but you have to mess around with the gearbox to make it fit?

[*DJH*]

if i remember, i think Dan said that you can't graft a manual gearbox to an auto top, something to do with the oil ways.
and again i think that the auto subrfame is different, but i don't know whether you can use that with a manual engine.



not much use that really was it

[huw_jenks]

I got a 1982 998cc Mini last year and the first thing I did was buy some Power Boost spray (http://www.ecotekplc...power_boost.htm). Seriously made a differance! Would definately recommend a treatment of it for an old engine like yours. Also, I think for a 1983 engine an engine additive would help as you probably have a 'leaded' head, although I don't always use this on my engine, gets a bit expensive!
Huw

[Neilos]

sack the automatic mate.

automatic = banana. more hassle than they are worth.

put a metro engine in, or buy an new manual engine from a mini place. well worth it.

[rob#155]

I've a 998 auto, and I have just bought a 1275 manual, The answer to your question is: No, you can't put a manual box onto an auto block, due to the oilways as correctly stated earlier, You will however need to get a clutch pedal master cylinder, gear lever including selector, then you should make sure the tunnel in your mini is right for the type of linkage (Rod or old type tunnel) when removing the auto selector you may need to open up the hole to fit the manual gearchange, and you must remember to join the two wires on the starter inhibitor swich (this is on the back of the gear selector and stops the car from being started in gear)
Finally the subframe will need modifying, basically this is just drilling a couple of mounting holes for the new engine!

This all sounds a lot, but depending on what you think of small capacity autos, can be well worth it!
Hope this helps!
Rob.

[dhandley]

I've a 998 auto, and I have just bought a 1275 manual, The answer to your question is: No, you can't put a manual box onto an auto block, due to the oilways as correctly stated earlier, You will however need to get a clutch pedal master cylinder, gear lever including selector, then you should make sure the tunnel in your mini is right for the type of linkage (Rod or old type tunnel) when removing the auto selector you may need to open up the hole to fit the manual gearchange, and you must remember to join the two wires on the starter inhibitor swich (this is on the back of the gear selector and stops the car from being started in gear)
Finally the subframe will need modifying, basically this is just drilling a couple of mounting holes for the new engine!

This all sounds a lot, but depending on what you think of small capacity autos, can be well worth it!
Hope this helps!
Rob.

Hey Rob, that all sounds very interesting. Just out of interest how much did that set you back??

It's hard because i don't want to trade in me mini when i've spent time and money doing it up just the way i wanted it. The car maybe 25 years old but it's only done 35,000 miles! and i don't know that many cars that can boast that kind of mileage!

Dave

[dhandley]

I got a 1982 998cc Mini last year and the first thing I did was buy some Power Boost spray (http://www.ecotekplc...power_boost.htm). Seriously made a differance! Would definately recommend a treatment of it for an old engine like yours. Also, I think for a 1983 engine an engine additive would help as you probably have a 'leaded' head, although I don't always use this on my engine, gets a bit expensive!
Huw

Thanks guys i'll look into some of those suggestions! The power boost spray looks like an awesome bit of kit i'll definitely have done when i get a tune up!!!

Dave

[rob#155]

Dave,

as I stated I've just got the 1275 engine and box, I have a donor mini for the rest of the parts (and also as a guide for drilling holes and fixings) so at the moment just the price of the engine. I'll be doing the work myself with some help from my mate.
I've been thinking about this for the last 6 months or so and been getting lots of info on what needs doing. When I set to on it I'll be taking photos all the way through and hopefully it will help someone out in the future.
I'm confident it wont be too hard.
Rob.

Edited by rob#155, 21 July 2008 - 08:57 AM.

[Neilos]

The labour to have mine converted was around £900.

I did mine the cheapish way. I located a 1275cc MG metro engine and basically got the whole car for £150. The engine had 57,000 miles on it and was fine.

I bought all the other bits from ebay and use parts for a doner mini.

I located all bits like gear linkages, mounts, cylinders etc on the internet, and got my local garage to do the work.

I went to Gaydon mini show the other day though, and seriously EVERYTHING needed to convert from an automatic to a manual was there in the jumble section. It was also very cheap.

If i were you, id get a good engine, find out exactly what bits you need then head to a show to locate bits. Plus you can touch and feel the bits before you buy them. I later found that ebay and rover mini specialists are somewhat expensive and could have saved money on parts!