What was / is Australia's most powerful 5 port Mini? A -series engine, normally aspirated, without the aid of NOS. We all know cross flows and 16 valvers can get big bhp figures, and so too can turbo engines of course. Paul Gulson and later KG Engineering built what they claimed were the country's most powerful 8 port Sports Sedans. But what's the limit for the original 5 port engine, and has it been reached yet?

In 1970 Manton's race engines were developing 130 bhp from 1310cc (with a Weber and Wade cam). Rick Scott was one of Manton's mechanics, and he later set up Scottune in North Melbourne, preparing an MG Midget for his partner, Ian Burrell, to race at Calder. In 1976, with the support of the motoring publication Auto Action, a new Mini racing series was introduced in Victoria - this later evolved into the Nubrik Series in 1979/80. It originally included a separate class for 5 ports. Scott and Burrell built a 1380 Mini for the series and embarked on a project to get as much power out of the 5 port head as posiible. They ended up with 165 bhp which at the time was claimed to be a world record. It convincingly beat all the 8 ports, including Alan Brazell's and Paul Gulson's.

Has this figure ever been exceeded? Well, Vizard got some pretty good figures on the 1380 clubman he built for his daughter to go drag racing in many moons ago, but I don't think it was over 150. And Swiftune in the UK managed 148 bhp from their 1460 which they seemed to think was tops.

But I believe the Australian racing Minis were far ahead of their English counterparts when it came to screwing the last ounce of power out of the ancient little 5 port. Anyone know whether any of the NSW or Qld Sports Sedans managed to better 165? Anyone know where Rick Scott is these days?

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Slide
1965 Mini Van (1360)
1970 Mk2 Cooper S (1310)
1978 Rover SD1 V8 (4.6)
1996 Land Rover Discovery V8 (4.0)

i've got about 30hp

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I'd say Greig Maluare's Group Nb race car would go close - just over 150 (can't remember exact figure sorry) from a 1293cc mini engine. Complies with all Group Nb regs so is 5 port head etc. Built by Graham Russell. Greig and Graham brought it along to one of our club meetings a few weeks back. You should hear it fired up - ooooooh yeah.

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Bob Slattery
Duffman Says A Lot of Things - OH YEAH!!

hate to think of the dollars sunk into it

I have a feeling you could buy a nice NEW car for the money spent on it!!!!
But which would give you more enjoyment

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Bob Slattery
Duffman Says A Lot of Things - OH YEAH!!

probably the new car

(no earplugs required )

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Just be very carefull when comparing HP.
I'd only compare HP if all the cars were measured on the same dyno under the same conditions.
Lot's to consider like were they talking at the wheels or flywheel?

i think the pom's put far more $ and time into the development of the A-series than us over here.
but how does one get such huge power?
whats the limit of hp while still remaining streetable?

surely 165Hp is insane and well above anything else?