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those are some nice wheals there so nice it makes me wana get a mini to put a set on

Incredible wheels,even more incredible tyres,and at a price thats spunkworthy. What a car,say that again!

helooooo stu thought id just say hya and compliment u on all ya hard work wit the mini!keep it goin matey.xxx

ta all, i getting loads of comments but not critisms as of yet! right now on to the intressting bit.........the engine. obtian this engine off a mate at a handsom price of 0.00p. he was told it was a 1450 race engine, which has been used a few times round a track and then left for storage for about 2-3years. just got it tonight and have done a bit of investigation. removed the head to check up on this "race" engine. measured the bores at 73.5mm which means it is definately a cc of 1380+ (for those who i have lost you standard 1.3 mini enigne is of the 1275cc, you can obtain quite easliy over bores of many varities the most popular being 1293,1330, 1380,1430. most go for the 1380 as a max for a road enigne, but it is possile to make a 1600 (though it is rare and extreme impracticle))

futher investigation will continue at the weekend. the head (of the 5 port variety) has 35.7mm inlet and 29.6mm exhaust which indicates a standard 1275 head. this alone has led me to question this "race" engine, which i think is homemade. if it does turn out to be the worst i do have the option now of obtain a enigne kit at a cheaper price (as i have an enigne to exchange!) which i might actually end up doing!

still with me? heres some pics

the "race" engine (mmm look at the size of those cylinder walls!


the gearbox it was run on


and the 998 taken originally from my car

Cylinder walls are looking a bit SLIM there mate. Just get the head worked and uve got a nifty engine,altho that really is bored out to feck,can walls that thin survive??

Gearbox,need reconning,its gotten a bit rusty?

belive it or not they can stand up to alot of punishment (although only being 3-4mm thick!) but it looks like the bores have worn, only futher investigation will tell! definately upgrading the head, maybe 37inlet and 31exhaust. though i am tempted by an 8port head! aslong as it is the same type as the one currently on my 998 i can interchange bits but might go for reconning that as well! and a nice beefy 4pin diff to help get the power down.

bores look alright but the cc isn't measuring up! the pistons indicate its a 1293 but it can't be with its 73.5mm bores. have to work it out using the stroke aswell, but i may end up exhanging this for a brand spanking new unit. will take the lightened duplex timing gear off this engine thou



having problems with my front coilovers, they hit the subframe when the wheels have a 2 inch gap from the arch! will make some custom brackets soon!

Hey Stu, all is looking well, ok you want criticism;

About the white roof, would have preferred the roof in silver for the later cooper look, not much to criticise...yet lol! I am confused by the 'under wheel arch pic' what is that bump on the inner wing?

Anyway its looking good, now the fun starts with the engine, that 'race' engine looks a bit of a mix match, home-made jobbie as you say, its probably put together for max performance, 1380 block? 1275 head ? ...hmm

woo hoo someone doesn't like the colour! no i don't like it with a silver roof, white looks alot better, and it masks all the errors in it!

the suspension pic shows it almost hitting the subframe, and the engine isn't in yet! making some custom brackets to put it closer to the wheel.

tell me about it! i think i won't bother with this block as the more i think about it the worse it seems, looks like i will be going with a 1380 kit!

doh! i don't think anyone has try to go this low on coilovers, the bump stop is on the coilovers them selfs but i will be putting a wee one on the subframe for precautions.

You sure there's room!?

i could just chop it off and weld a plate in its place, but look at the angle of that top arm, don't think they designed it to go that high! lol

Definately ask on The Mini Forum, they will know! Yeh, the setup just isnt like anthing ive ever seen before, and it doesnt look right somehow!?

new bits, carbon door cards, mmmmmmm real carbon! will get some pics up with these on on the weekend.