Hey

i have a 78 clubman and the engine is not to bad even though i would like a bit more power and durability.

Any ideas on a cost effective way to increase power ie, exhaust, carby etc.

Also my gearbox is shot as most of you guys might have gone through. Is it a good idea to replace the complete gearbox or recondition and also what type of gearbox would you guys recommend if its a conversion.

Any help would be great

Thanks

Do you have a budget?
Bigger carby and extractors always improve a setup, maybe even a new exhaust system to go with the new extractors. Electronic ignition is very good as well and mose well look at new/upgraded plugs and leads .
It comes down to how much you can spend and look ahead at what you want in the end.

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Respect mine and I'll respect yours.

Um budget yeh. Well its not much. Lets say about $1000. I not really asking for outrageous power figures. Just something with good a tone and runs reliable.

ur right i was thing new exhaust and extractors. That would prob set me back $500 unless anyone knows anywhere cheaper. $500 is an estimate by the way. lol

cheers

Is that $1,000 seperate to the budget to fix the gearbox ? What size engine is it ? What cylinder head do you have ? What carb and exhaust do you have ? How mechanically minded are you ?

If you can do the work yourself and find a decent 2nd hand exhaust/extractors then it might well be worth changing the head as well .

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The best thing to do is recondition what you have and budget $1200-1500 to do this PROPERLY You cannot simply 'replace' your gearbox they are not available new anywhere, anything you buy would simply be reconditioned and there is nothing wrong with that at all.

There is only one choice for gearboxes if by conversion you mean another type, there is nothing out there that will fit the A-series. The only other choice is to do a complete conversion of a motor and gearbox but that's another kettle of fish altogether.

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

Ahhh the agony of restoration!

its a 78 clubman, 998c, single carb, and pretty much standard to that.

i have a couple of mates that know there way round as im not the most clever with them though i do know enough to get by.

its the gearbox thats troubling. ive had a quote of $1000 to get it up to shape. does that sound good? or you guys know anywere cheaper.

Can any gearbox specialist work on a mini gearbox or do they need to be mini savy?

Gearbox price may flitter around a bit, but I do know you will save a little less than 200 dollars from your 500 dollar estimate if you are after a complete set of extractors, muffler and pipe. Just call around the mini suppliers and you will be surprised, it's not that expensive.

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SooperDooperMiniCooperExpertEngineering

All garage work involves equal measures of enthusiasm, ingenuity and a fair degree of irresponsibility.

That price doesn't sound too bad if you are dropping the complete car off to them and picking it up again installed as removing the engine/gearbox unit takes a bit of time (experienced mini people can do it quickly ) . I've seen gearboxes needing a lot more money worth of parts and labour without including removal/dismantling though as well . Most gearbox places can do them but personally I'd prefer a good mini specialist over a general gearbox specialist .

Also , since the motor has to be pulled out to fix the gearbox it might be worth fitting a slightly better camshaft at the same time , you can uprate the other stuff (Carb/exhaust) later as money becomes availible but it's difficult (read that as impossible without cutting holes in the passenger side inner guard) to swap a cam with the motor in situ .

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yeh cheers that will save abit of green. hopefully i can find somewhere to do this.

Does changing head gaskets, pistons, fuel pump, ignition have any effect on performance and reliability. I know it does with high end engines, not sure about minis though