meeni wrote:
Just trying to establish having never driven a powerful mini, (100hp+) what's the power feel Like vs a stage 1 1275?
Much difference between a 1330 and a 1380?
And How do they go against other cars..
Yep, I've lowered myself to posts like this

1380 will be exactly 3.6% more power. Is it worth it? Only you can decide, if you have a fresh 1275 and are boring it out straight to the last (without sleeving cylinders) bore of 1380 it would seem like a waste. Hence I went from 1275 to 1330 and not 1380. 1310 vs 1380 possibly a noticeable difference, 1330 to 1380, less noticeable, then you at least have 2 rebuilds left in the block (1360, 1380). So it's not really a matter of power...
Also there's the argument of stronger, straighter cylinder walls on smaller bores. 1380 is awfully thin in certain places. Straight, strong, revvy motor is more desirable trade off for 3.6% power...
What it feels like going from 1100 on 50ish bhp to highly strung 1330 with 120bhp: Torque, noise, sheer urge. The engine eats up gears fast, 1st and 2nd disappears in a few short seconds from on cam to redline. Hills just don't exist, Freeway onramps are your best friends. You spin up tyres in the dry and have no hope in the wet, so respect is needed. Torque steer if your rack is already worn.
A powerful engine will bring in many other parts of the car into question such as brakes, tyres, general mechanicals of the car such as suspension, handling etc etc. Suddenly that niggling problem you had with the rear brakes are a BIG problem now. The stock seats just seem to throw you off them around corners, stuff like that. If you had a radiator problem before, then it's about to be a catastrophe soon. That clutch pedal that was squishy before now just plain doesn't work.
How they are against other cars: Well it's a loaded question. We're talking about a mini from 1969 (or there abouts) which is ultra light class compared to what? A Commodore tripple it's weight and five times it's engine size? But if you are talking general then there are few cars out there that can out do a quick mini in the back streets. It would have to be a properly set up sports coupe like 200SX, Type R or WRX to match it in the twisty, low speed, agility-oriented roads. You just can't throw a commodore around corners and brake short distances like you can in a mini, as you probably already aware... Go Kart on steroids
In a straight line it will keep up with many modern cars easily. Put it this way: 120bhp is around 90KW in a 650kg car. A modern corolla is 100KW and 1200kg. So do your maths. As said a modern car with 150KW+ is roughly an even match to quick 1275, roughly...
I remember when I first got into my car after the engine rebuild and shouting out loud "GRAHAM YOU'VE BUILT MY A MONSTER!!!". I still feel that today actually...
IS THIS THE ANSWER YOU WANTED?
Next time you're in Sydney, give us a bell and you can go for a ride in mine and judge for yourself!