My Mini began its journey from Brisbane to Melbourne today, and I thought it'd be an interesting experiment to measure the fuel consumption over the 2000-odd kilometres.

The engine is a 1098 bored 60 thou, for 1152cc. It has twin 1-1/4" HS2 carbs on a Cooper manifold, 3-1 extractors, a lumpy cam and a 123ignition dizzy. It's running a rod-change gearbox with a 3.44 ratio diff, which means the car pulls 3760 RPM at 100 km/h, which is pretty much where we'll be keeping it.

The first leg today was a short one, Morayfield to Broadbeach -- 134km of easy freeway driving. The not-so-good news is that the car used 12.5L of 98 octane, for 9.3 L/100km.

When I tuned it, I set the mixture slightly on the rich side (a hint of orange flame on the Colourtune at idle) so that probably contributes, but I'd rather that than too lean and risk burning valves or pistons (been there before ).

Tomorrow, all going well we'll have the car in Newcastle. Hopefully the consumption improves a bit away from city traffic...

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Simon

The adventures of an owner builder in the Tallarook Ranges

dude ill be amazed if ur mini makes it without dramas

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oil leak?..what oil leak..that puddle under the car is just sweat from all that horsepower

Thanks for that overwhelming vote of confidence

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Simon

The adventures of an owner builder in the Tallarook Ranges

You'll be fine, I drove my Mini back from Sydney with a loose steering wheel (SAAS boss, OBA wheel ), no high beams, no heater, no wipers, bald front tyre. Yes it was cold and wet but made it no dramas.

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1970 Mini Deluxe - 1275, Weber, Clive 346 cam, MS 4-pot slotted discs, Megajolt ignition Now with new improved Mambas... almost on the road
1966 Van with Traveller rear seat conversion
2008 Prado GXL
All in various states of repair...

I would'nt be concern with that comment, he's talking from personnal experience, your car is more likley better prepared than others.

Good luck with the journey.

Doogie

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I won Hay once, here's the pic to prove it..


Hay, it's not about the car, it's not about the venue, it's about the people that come here. Peter Dwyer, Mayor of Hay NSW.

I for one hope that all goes well for you. Are you staying in Newcastle tomorrow night? I gotta pop in to town in the evening to pick up my new Leopard, I'll keep an eye out for ya.

Dicko

I'm not at all concerned about reliability actually. I know the history and condition of the engine and gearbox, it's strooong. The biggest problem will be the weather -- thunderstorms forecast, and at speed the wipers barely touch the windscreen

In all likelyhood it'll eat the front tyres, as I recently completely replaced the front end (suspension arms, brakes, etc) and aligned it by eye and seat of the pants. That said, it goes and stops in a straighter line now than it ever has



Nah, my dad is driving the Brisbane - Newcastle leg, I'm flying into Williamtown tomorrow evening and then we're making for Wyong.





Is that the track, or paw variety?

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Simon

The adventures of an owner builder in the Tallarook Ranges

It'll make it , it will get past Coffs at least anyway , even if I have to tow it further south for someone else to give it a tow further

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What a stupid thing to say.

I drove 1500km sitting on 110km/hr without any issues at all.
998, very very standard.

the Mac OS variety, released at 6:00pm tomorrow night.

Dicko

I'm planning to do the Nelson Bay to Mt Cooper run in December.....Drive down Friday, spend the wwekend, drive back Monday, or maybe tuesday

Aahhh. Ordered mine online today, I'm already running an .. early build, let's say, looking forward to the full banana. No point camping out when I'm going to be on the road

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Simon

The adventures of an owner builder in the Tallarook Ranges

Mate, I just got home from work driving my mini in pooring rain all the way (only 60kms) but at a steady 110kph and had no probs... , and my beast is just a very worn 998, what i'm trying to say is that unless you hit a biiiigggg puddle I doubt that you will have any probs. That fuel consumption sounds about right for highway driving compared to mine anyway.... . Good luke with the trip and enjoy the scenery and take as many twisty roads as possible.

Cheers

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May the fork be with you.

Thanks Gerg, we plan to give the Snowy's a scare if we have time, so that should be fun

Probably not so good for the fuel consumption though

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Simon

The adventures of an owner builder in the Tallarook Ranges

Bugger the fuel consumption, go for the twisty roads and enjoy the drive .....you dont get the chance to do it everyday!!
you will make it no worries!!
have fun!!
life is to short not too!!
here for a good time not a long one!!

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http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nDMkVq1jRGU