ausmini :: View topic - To convert or not to convert that is the question.

mini_van_1970 wrote:

yes this is sort of my first resto, the thing is I have helped my father numerous times with his projects on his WW2 jeep and I am getting an apprenticship in motor mechanics so if I learn from that it shouldn't be that difficult to understand the internals of modern engines but I am going A series all the way hopefully 1275 bored out to 1380 with all the internal parts that make it go well and make it reliable I want to get about 90 to 100bhp off the wheels and go all out on it but it all is determind by the green stuff "money" (ok it isn't green here it is only a saying)

Pat

OK........ power figures......... to get 90/100bhp at the treads will take $$$$$$$$$, for example there will be a mini up here shortly running a Matt Read 1415 on 2 x 1"3/4 SU's.....it is expected to be putting down about 80-90 atw hp :shock:

....the cost to build was close enough to $7000 that it did not matter :shock:

.

Just for comparisons sake........ my 2cents

Author:	mini_van_1970 [ Thu Mar 31, 2005 2:48 pm ]
Post subject:	To convert or not to convert that is the question.
Ok I was just wondering how many of you would put other types of engines like brad's or v-tech or suzuki or any thing like that or keep it the way it is with an A+ or A engine Pat

Author:	Lillee [ Thu Mar 31, 2005 2:51 pm ]
Post subject:
Man Brad's car is a dream! if you can afford it and have the guts then do it I say! I have neither

Author:	simon k [ Thu Mar 31, 2005 2:55 pm ]
Post subject:
I'm doing a non-vtec honda 1500, I like the starlet, swift GTI seems the most popular, it should be on your poll list

Author:	J_A_M [ Thu Mar 31, 2005 3:02 pm ]
Post subject:
I think you need GUTS, CASH, PATIENCE, CASH, SKILL, did I say CASH?, WILL POWER and PERSISTANCE to do a conversion. I am not talking from experience, but purely observation. Is this your first resto Pat?? Maybe stick with the good 'ol A series.

Author:	mini_van_1970 [ Thu Mar 31, 2005 3:10 pm ]
Post subject:
yes this is sort of my first resto, the thing is I have helped my father numerous times with his projects on his WW2 jeep and I am getting an apprenticship in motor mechanics so if I learn from that it shouldn't be that difficult to understand the internals of modern engines but I am going A series all the way hopefully 1275 bored out to 1380 with all the internal parts that make it go well and make it reliable I want to get about 90 to 100bhp off the wheels and go all out on it but it all is determind by the green stuff "money" (ok it isn't green here it is only a saying) Pat

ausmini https://www.ausmini.com/forums/

To convert or not to convert that is the question. https://www.ausmini.com/forums/viewtopic.php?f=2&t=5960	Page 1 of 2

Author:	fuzzy-hair-man [ Thu Mar 31, 2005 3:35 pm ]
Post subject:
It seems to me maybe wrongly I don't know but most if not all of the gains to a modern engine are in the head so therefore if you can get a modern head for a mini like the K1 beemer head then you will have an engine that will perform close to modern standards. I guess there is other stuff like alloy blocks but... right now I would be more than happy with a cheap 8 port head maybe even crossflow but hey a CHEAP 8 port head doesn't exist does it

Author:	13secmini [ Thu Mar 31, 2005 3:48 pm ]
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guys, i bet i spent less on my whole car then what most of you do on just an a series engine with over 100hp. My whole car including paint, interior, wheels, brakes, conversion and halfcut was close to 10 grand+ on road costs. I know how much it costs to do an A series as i have 2 im doing at the moment, and the others ive had before the conversion,,,,they are not cheap once you add everything up. Now there is a couple of conversions done (suzuki,toyota,vtec,diahatsu) it makes it easier for others to follow, with a good base car to start with you could get away with a 5 grand outlay on the whole conversion easy, have 150+hp@wheels on standard engine and 5 speed box. The feeling i have that i can go as hard as i want on it without having to worrie about a rebuild is great, just drop another motor in if it blows ($250-$800).....I havnt touched my engine since i changed the oil last october, its done 10 000kms now and i will change it again, but its that simple to run. by the way these motors (4efte) can take a heap of power standard, mate has 200hp@wheels on a standard engine (bigger turbo and fuel injectors) and has done 60 000kms on it with not 1 problem. dont forget if you do a conversion it will no longer sound or feel like a mini to drive, have another standard mini so you can always go back to the classic sound of the A series reving its nipples off,, i know i miss it. brad.[/u]

Author:	Harley [ Thu Mar 31, 2005 3:51 pm ]
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You don't have to stop at 1380, I know a guy with more than 1440. Its power level is insane. Personally, I'd like to get the whole drive system out of a Smart Roadster into a mini. 600cc turbo and 6 speed. Does less than 4L/100km too.

Author:	scotty [ Thu Mar 31, 2005 4:15 pm ]
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No offence intended, but why put a Jap engine into a mini, other than 4 qtr mile racing? Kinda takes the challenge and indaviduallity of building a mini But that's just my opinion. On the flipside. A mini with a vtec would be a force to be recconed with!!!!!

Author:	Harley [ Thu Mar 31, 2005 4:24 pm ]
Post subject:
90% of the reason is power 10% is the reliability and servicability factor.

Author:	mickmini [ Thu Mar 31, 2005 4:45 pm ]
Post subject:
i'm a long time fan of sticking a modern engine in an old car. the combinations are endless, so as far as individuality is concerned, you can't go wrong. as far as modern engine advantages and where they come from - A-series has 3 main bearings, all modern engines (4cyl) have 5. this makes it far more reliable. - A-series is all cast iron. engine and gearbox are nearly half the weight of the car modern engines with alloy head and maybe alloy block are heaps lighter, so you get an even better power to weight. - modern engines have fuel injection, so you get a very powerful, flexible engine that gives great fuel economy. -modern engines have an inlet and exhaust port for each cylinder, no more siamese port problems disadvantages are that a mini is a bastard to fit anything into. If you can't do it yourself it will cost a packet. you need to find an engineer to sign off before you start (least of your problems i reckon). insurance could be a killer. a good example - though not mini - is my brothers 1974 corolla sports sedan with 4AGE that puts out about 180hp reliably. most you could have got out of the original 3K engine would be 130hp at twice the price. and it would need rebuilding every few races. Even better is the long term project to go for outright class and stick a lexus 4L V8 in it - this engine is all alloy, so only weighs 50kg more than the cast iron block 4AGE, but you can get 300hp out of it with stock internals. and as far as only doing it for 1/4 mile ask brad how he enjoyed wakefield park eh?

Author:	sg [ Thu Mar 31, 2005 5:08 pm ]
Post subject:
mini_van_1970 wrote: yes this is sort of my first resto, the thing is I have helped my father numerous times with his projects on his WW2 jeep and I am getting an apprenticship in motor mechanics so if I learn from that it shouldn't be that difficult to understand the internals of modern engines but I am going A series all the way hopefully 1275 bored out to 1380 with all the internal parts that make it go well and make it reliable I want to get about 90 to 100bhp off the wheels and go all out on it but it all is determind by the green stuff "money" (ok it isn't green here it is only a saying) Pat OK........ power figures......... to get 90/100bhp at the treads will take $$$$$$$$$, for example there will be a mini up here shortly running a Matt Read 1415 on 2 x 1"3/4 SU's.....it is expected to be putting down about 80-90 atw hp ....the cost to build was close enough to $7000 that it did not matter . Just for comparisons sake........ my 2cents

Author:	awdmoke [ Thu Mar 31, 2005 5:54 pm ]
Post subject:
Well, you know my thoughts But seriously, unless you have heaps of time & access to a serious workshop, do a conversion that has been proven & preferably in kit form !!! Mike

Author:	MiniK [ Thu Mar 31, 2005 6:00 pm ]
Post subject:
sg wrote: mini_van_1970 wrote: yes this is sort of my first resto, the thing is I have helped my father numerous times with his projects on his WW2 jeep and I am getting an apprenticship in motor mechanics so if I learn from that it shouldn't be that difficult to understand the internals of modern engines but I am going A series all the way hopefully 1275 bored out to 1380 with all the internal parts that make it go well and make it reliable I want to get about 90 to 100bhp off the wheels and go all out on it but it all is determind by the green stuff "money" (ok it isn't green here it is only a saying) Pat OK........ power figures......... to get 90/100bhp at the treads will take $$$$$$$$$, for example there will be a mini up here shortly running a Matt Read 1415 on 2 x 1"3/4 SU's.....it is expected to be putting down about 80-90 atw hp ....the cost to build was close enough to $7000 that it did not matter . Just for comparisons sake........ my 2cents On the contrary, what about Jim(Kazjim's) 998 turbo.....hasnt mortgaged his house for it and yet its still a little ball tearer

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Author:	Spaceboy [ Thu Mar 31, 2005 7:21 pm ]
Post subject:
hell yeah convert, they should have put a decent engine in the mini a long long time ago.. they may sound good, but a series' are really sucky engines.