going back to the enigin and gear box i thought that u could not put a 1275 on a 998 box becasue the gear box was not big enough thats what i got told is that true???????

no not really. Unless its an old 3sychro box. Even then it can be made to fit fairly easy. As stated above all 4 sychro boxes are interchangable.

Small bores and big bore motors from a gearbox mounting point of veiw are the same size.

In reply to the "why no over head cam" questions and so on, it's easy to forget the seventies. The UK was in the depth of deep economic depression, with electrical brown outs due to production shortages of coal, three day working weeks and unions causing unrest. For example, for a while, everyone at Triumph was one the same salary, from the Managing Director down to the guy sweeping the floor. So the development of engines, when funds were so unbelievably scarce, wasn't important at all.

The mini works well as a front wheel drive car, RWD was never in their plans. As always, it was cheap transport for the masses and nothing more. The charm and chic allowed it to develop a popularity that other cars lacked, and to be honest, other cars were just as good.

Why they didn't go to a OHC or DOHC engine (when they did move to EFI) with the Rover is probably due to the mini being on its last legs, with safety issues meaning the shell was doomed. In spite of its popularity, the mini was never a big money spinner for Leyland and I'm just glad so many were made.

yeah true Shame.. If only i had a time machine i would go back and Change the future For the mini And also put a Chickens Shadow in a Famous picture (mona lisa Thats what she was smiling at). the chicken was doing a dance.
Regards Darken.

I reckon that is the stupidest question I've ever read/heard in my entire life, and I've heard some corkers

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did I tell you that I won a trophy?

The designer (Alex Issigonis) had already been there and done that, look at the mighty Morris Minor...
I'm not dissing the Minor, back then the Minor 1000 was a bloody good little car.

If you want a drift car, go buy a RWD Jappo. But.. I reckon a well driven race Mini would lap quicker than many of the drifters/synchronised swimmers.

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DrMini- 1970 wasaMatic 1360, Mk1S crank, 86.6HP (ATW) =~125 @ crank, 45 Dellorto (38 chokes), RE282 sprint cam, 1.5 rockers, 11.0:1 C/R.