Years ago my brother bought a Mini Sprite, the car was a pale yellow colour with 2 Black stripes down either side with Sprite writain on the rear quarters inbetween each stripe.

The car had an MG Metro Turbo block, but minus the turbo. Apparently the basic engine was better than the regular 1275GT engine, im not sure how true that is.

As most young drivers do he crashed it! This was the perfect operatunity to fully restore the car, as you can probably imagine a 1980 Mini wont be looking its best in 1997!

The car was given new wings, doors and bonnet and was fully resprayed. It gained 13" Revolution four spoke alloys with polished rims, black vinyl bucket seats a new headlining and steering wheel. The rest of the interior was never finished, it was due to get a vinl rear bench but they were rare. Bumpers were replaced for matt black items and mirrors changed for chrome bullits.

Suspension wise it gained Spax adjustables.

Now for the good stuff! The engine was bored to 1293cc, i think it was a new cylinder head too. A Kent fast road cam was added, along with lightened flywheel, and a K&N bolt on carb air filter. Exhaust wise was a 2" straight through stainless steel system! The engine was fully blue printed. I may have missed some of the spec out.

He eventually sold to his mate who attempted to fit twin carbs but could never get the set up. He then bought a big K&N carb, but it would need a hole in the bonnet to fit and was never used!

I believe the engine is now a 1380cc

Only the boot is rusting as its the original item.

My brother is now buying the car back for the not so large sum of £500!! Hes also getting 3 engines thrown in!

His plan is to fully restore again, but adding the stripes back and possibly a 1275cc again. Hes just dropped round the 1293cc and another block.

When he gets it back ill be sure to get some pictures.

Hopefully some of you may find this essay interesting!!!

 

The turbo engine was better. It had a slightly larger exhaust valve, stronger rods, stronger block, better flowing inlet manifold, larger s.u. Only downside is the turbo is an 'a+' which means a v.heavy flywheel/clutch assembly. Also has a stronger gearset.

I'd stick with the 1380. there's no substitute for capacity and it means you can up the spec of the cam and still retain good road manners. (MD286sp). But with an engine that size, you really ought to fit a side draught 40 or 45 with a 5 1/2 inch inlet. (webber flows slightly better than dellorto). No hole in the bonet but you will need to cut a hole in the bulkhead and fit a battery box to accomodate the filter.

Seems like a good deal for £500 though!

 

Little teaser pic:



The 1293cc blueprinted engine minus the head.

 

The turbo also ran a lower CR - though not sure this was by changes to head or block. So turbo engine without turbo wouldnt be instantly any quicker (though a good place to start further mods). The non-turbo MG has the same big valves etc and is often used as a straigh swap into mini for a cheap increase in power.

I'm curently working out what I'm going to do to make my 1275 Midget a bit quicker. I have an A+ that I would like to use as a basis for a 1380 with all the toys. Just need to sneak the funding past the boss.

 

Turbo engines used different pistons to get lower CR.

Can an A+ be used in a a RWD install? I thought the cranks were different between FWD and RWD A series and I'm not sure an A+ can take the RWD crank. Could be wrong, though.

 

No you're right the in-line block/cranks are different to the transverse and conversion is non trivial. Fortunately they used the A+ in the Marina/Ital as an in-line. There's a minor diff on how the flywheel mounts but the swap is apparently quite easy and relatively common. I've had an ex-Ital 1275 A+ under the bench for many years "in case" the current 1275 bit the dust, so its getting time to get it out and strip it to see what condition its actually in.

 

Ah yes, my memory had blocked out the awfulness of the Marina/Ital

 

Arrhh the Mr Vizzard's era, brings back fond memories of Cooper S/GT engines, 1293cc & 970cc, tiny disc brakes and a crampt engine bay

 

The amount of "thumbing" through David Vizard books before I could even drive..
My first toy was an A+ series.
Would be nice to see a mini project take shape on here.


Andy

 

No more updates as yet, i doubt there will be for a while! But ill keep you all posted!

 

This was my car that i built over one winter, from anew shell direct from rover.... boy was that a busy and expensive winter!!

 

very very nice mini m8 very good job

 

Vizzard is one thing....Clive Tricky and the Mini build-up in CCC was inspirational, but I had a 1937 Ford Y type with a Capri V6 in it and Jag suspension by then...

Nostalgia Rules, and why not.

Hope this Mini thread runs well.
More pics needed though!

Graham

 

No real updates as yet. The Mini is back at my brother's house and is currently stored away in his garage, sporting a 1360cc i think. There's going to be no real progress till winter my Dad has told me.

He has his doubt's as to wether the engine in our garage is the one he rebuilt or not. He gas flowed the head and bored each cylinder and said the engine was in pristine condition. This engine looks a bit tatty and rusty. It could be that water has got in through the grill (home made drilled alloy) or through the wheel arched but he's not convinced!

 

Went round to my brother's earlier and took a few pics with my phone, only one for time been as I dont have time! I also have loads of photographs of its original restoration waiting to be scanned.

Here she is!

 

13" Revolution alloys

 

Mmm, not doubting that, but they look more like 12's to me...??

So i guess i am doubting it really...

 

Very small update:

Soon to be prepared for another respray, last one was 1997. Theres a possibility of a Suzuki 600cc engine too, although my Brother said he was keen to stick with the A series, which means he could stick with the blueprinted 1293cc or go for the 1360cc that replaced it.

 

First car I had was a 1275 gt with an Mg metro motor and a Webber twin choke carb, o the joys of that Peco exhaust system. Pritty nippy too…..

Going to be a good project..

 

16vMarc

Always been a Mini fan. Built quite a few over the years. Had a 1340 Clubman in Red, very rare car now Clubmans. If I could have a Mini today I would have an Italian Mini Inoccenti 1275 Export. Also had an MG metro Turbo, It was in BRG and in excellent condition with low miles. Fitted a set of 1.5 ratio roller rockers, give you more valve lift. Think I have still got them in my garage?

All the best with build Rob