hey im kinda new to this so i was just wondering does a conversion make a mini more reliable so to speak....i know it will probably depend on the type of engine etc....but in general....

Yes.

as long as its a good frame design and the engine youve choosen is in ok nick

the A series isnt that unreliable however if looked after

Overall, yes. The Toytoa Starlet engine is as with anything toyota pretty much bullet proof. There are always teething troubles where you are transplanting from a car made in 1994 to a car made in 1971 (in my case). But once these are sorted out the thing runs trouble free for a long time. Mine runs like a bird...

Cheers

Matt

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225hp atw on 14psi. 1/4 Mile no idea. Take one 1971 Mini Clubman, one Starlet GT Halfcut, Simmer over a warm MIG Welder, and Voila Minstar! www.mpdesign.id.au

Its a funny thing but none of the conversion cars have been around long enough to really judge, it will take 10 years to see how reliable they are and some known problems excist with the donor cars like the Suzuki gearboxes and it will take some time to see how the Toyota's go with the big boostes the guys are running, the clubman sports car people have found the toyo gearboxes to be a little weak, I don't think the converted cars are going to get an easy life as the power becomes addictive and used quite a bit

Jon

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Roundies and Clubbies(except vans) are both ugly that is why I have Midas and a van
1293 Mini Midas Bronze,1275 Clubman van

I couldn't make my A-series mini more reliable if I tried. It still has the original engine (which has been rebuilt once - 20 years ago) and has NEVER broken down on me and always starts first time. I think that regular servicing extends it life quite a bit.

I don't think that is too bad for a 39 year old car/engine - there good if you can find one that has been looked after well.

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"In two years time your car will be like a lady's clothes, out of date, my car will still be in fashion when I am dead" - Sir Alec speaking to Pininfarina

would like to add to above as long as you find a mini that hasnt been f%$^ed with by a previous novice and has had the maintenance done by someone who knows there a solid thing

i have found the things that become unreliable on minis are usually not engine/gearbox related more - electrics, brakes and perhaps fueling carbys/pumps

Jon, would agree in the most part still as long as you run a reasonably low boost things should be fine. I have reduced my boost to about 12psi which still provides a bucketload of power but should not tax the engine unduly. Once again preventive maintenance as with the A Series should prolong the life considerably. But agree you flog any engine/car and something will bung eventually. Are you coming to the next ACTMCC I will unveil Minstar MkII!

Cheers

Matt

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225hp atw on 14psi. 1/4 Mile no idea. Take one 1971 Mini Clubman, one Starlet GT Halfcut, Simmer over a warm MIG Welder, and Voila Minstar! www.mpdesign.id.au

Matt

I will try and make it, is it next week or the week after, i look forward to seeingthe new work

Jon

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Roundies and Clubbies(except vans) are both ugly that is why I have Midas and a van
1293 Mini Midas Bronze,1275 Clubman van

Might also add to this that the ceonversion engines are alot more reliable for the power you are getting. Try and make 250HP out of an A-series and see how long it lasts?

Anyone who knows me, knows how i drive and my 1100 in our moke has stood up to a hard life of 5 years now with me and it's still going strong, it was rebuilt about 10 years ago now. Only had a shattered pinion gear to worry about. Other than that it starts first go, and has seen trips up and down the coast regularly on weekend thrashes and to melbourne. It also takes me to work every day. (for a few more weeks at least).

It's also a pretty highly strung 1100, but it's built right, balanced and it always get's it's oil change between 3-5000km.

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Starlet Conversion:
http://www.ausmini.com/forums/viewtopic.php?t=15484

I am a bit confused you start with ya cant make an A series do 250 and then go on to tell us how good your A series has been c'mon which is it

Jon

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Roundies and Clubbies(except vans) are both ugly that is why I have Midas and a van
1293 Mini Midas Bronze,1275 Clubman van

does it have to pump out 250 to be good?

Well the original question in this topic is if a conversion is more reliable.

My point was it all depends on what you want to do with each engine.

There are two fronts for the conversion. Power or Efficiency (or some form of both).

Now my aim was for 200HP atw. If i was to do this with an A-series, it would not serve me like the 1100 does. It just wouldn't last. Now a 4EFTE with 200HP will (or should).

Again BIAM it depends on what you want. You old fart Jag driving types may not care about power, but if it's what i wanted then it's good and it's also something the a-series couldn't do.

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Starlet Conversion:
http://www.ausmini.com/forums/viewtopic.php?t=15484

no argument from me. I was just confused by Ferals statement. I can see how you can say I wouldnt out 250hp through but it is good. As you rightly pointed out it depends on what you want..

But Bloke you are so easily confused

Mini Mad as I said earlier mate it will take time to see how reliable the conversions are and it will also be reliant on how tight you guys srew the rubber band up had a good chat with Matt last night and good look over his, he is hoping to get another dyno on Saturday morning before the show n shine down here

Jon

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Roundies and Clubbies(except vans) are both ugly that is why I have Midas and a van
1293 Mini Midas Bronze,1275 Clubman van