Utter Newbie : turbo charge a 998 or a 1275?
Turbo Mini Forums

Hi all, I only just found your site and am glad that I did :)
I want to turbo charge my mini, but have never done anything like this before so if you will bear with me I would like to ask a few questions...

1) currently I am running a standard 998cc in good working order. Is it worth trying to turbo this engie or should I forget about it and find myself a Metro Turbo 1275?
2) if i keep the 998 where do i start and what do i need?
3) if i go for a 1275 - do i get a turbo or a standard and add the turbo?

Basically any help, pointers or recomendations are most welcoome.
Thanks in advance.

http://mini.twisted-design.net/blog/

1. Depends upon the compression ratio. There is currently one 998 turbo on this site (and a think a few others in the making looking at other posts). Also you don’t need a metro turbo engine if you are planning a rebuild. The reason behind this apart from the pistons a stock 1275 engine is similar to the turbo lump.

So the next question, can I turbocharge my standard Metro 1300cc engine?

Well this is more tricky, yes and no.
The main point of concern is the pistons. The standard normally-aspirated pistons are not up to the spec of the turbo pistons. Therefore if retaining them for use in a turbo engine, boost levels must strictly be kept down, or else holed pistons are likely.
The cylinder head can be reused, although it is prefered to fit the turbo exhaust valves and guides with the larger stems. A number of people also use stainless race exhaust valves to good effect.
The other problem is that of Compression Ratio (CR). The CR of the Metro Turbo engine is 9.4:1. Although this is not large in normal terms, for a forced induction engine this is very high. Therefore it is desirable to reduce the CR where possible. Many people run a CR as low as 8.0:1 or less. CR can be lowered effectively by either enlarging the cylinder head chamber volume, or increasing the piston dish size. Of the two options, increasing head volume is easier, and can be done on your existing head.

See http://www.turbominis.co.uk/forums/index.php?p=vt&tid=4724

2. I will leave that to some who has done a 998 install however you will need all the bits a 1275 requires such as a bulk head box (if none mirage set-up). Fuel pressure regulator, turbo, turbo down pipe etc the list goes on. For a full post on this see the Beginners Tech section for more info

3. See answer 1

Edited by BA_Lordflash on 18th May, 2005.

Mine is an '89 Mini Racing. As far as I can tell everything appears to be working smoothly although it has done a few miles at this stage.

Everything you're saying, mini1071s, sounds good - low(ish) cost no chopping.
I'm assuming the mirage manifold you refer to is one from a Mitsubishi Mirage?
What would you get the IHI RHB5 turbo out of?

What would be the recommended way of going about this... try and find a stock metro turbo or rebuild the 998 with a turbo? and what would be the expected results from both? As I understand it a stock metro turbo has +/- 60 bhp and a stock 998 probably only about 35 / 40 - with relatively little complicated tuning what can be expected from each of these?

http://mini.twisted-design.net/blog/

g'day, i only just turn'd 16 and had never had any experience with mini's (never even riden in one) but im building a 998 turbo engine aswell. I'm only halfway through the build but so far it hasnt been "too" dificult, just make sure you do your research (this site is all i'v ever used). Im running a 12G295 head aswell, they are a great flowing head and leave you with a good CR (as stated above). Turbo wise, i went for somthing small, im useing a turbo roughly the same size as a T2, realy dont need anything bigger. Try get an oil cooler, good radiator and if you can an intercooler, should give you a healthier engine (from what i'v read). You'll probably also need a plenum chamber, metro turbo inlet manifold, Hiff44 carb to start with, there are other lil thing's you can do to 998 engines to make them stronger/better but as i dont even have a finished engine i'll leave it up to someone with a bit more knowledge to fill you in!

It'd be good to see some more 998 turbo's being built!

998 turbo

im looking for 90hp outa my engine, talk to wil_h he's the man when it come's to 998 turbo's!

998 turbo

Mini1071s I like the numbers you;re quoting :) both price and output (especialy the 110bhp ).

When it comes to finding metro engines in Ireland, i'd say its worse here than it is in the UK.

So unless I blow up my 998 i reckon I'll try and rustle up the necessary parts to turbocharge it while i have a budget and am rebuilding the whole car anyway.

Now the list in the Beginners Tech section of parts needed appears to be focused mainly on using a 1275 lump... are there any major differences when using a 998?

The site for Mirage Motorsport appears to be unavailable, any alternative places to source this part?

http://mini.twisted-design.net/blog/

If I can find the IHI RHB5 turbo, will I need a manifold like the one from Mirage for the T2?

http://mini.twisted-design.net/blog/

I may be considered the 998 turbo expert. But just remember, the faster you go, the quicker you're going when you hit a tree.

Deffo go for a T2, and a KC500 or an MG metro cam is as far as you should go if you want any pre-boost power.

Oh, and don't forget my brother (Ben_h) he has done as much as me in getting the project working.

Wil

Edited by wil_h on 17th May, 2005.

Fastest 998 mini in the world? 13.05 1/4 mile 106mph

Okay I'm trying to put together a list of all the components I will need to keep my eyes out for - especially as I;d rather get most parts off eBay than buy new :p

So far I've got:
T2 (off a R5Turbo, correct? any other cars this may come off? there are not that many R5's in Ireland)
OR
IHI RHB5 (off a Daihatsu - what sort of price would you expect to pay for this? I've spotted one going for £150 - and what is required manifold wise for this turbo?)
OR
there appears to be a whole list of them in one of the other forum articles... which one would be a) cheapest b) easiest to install?
Mirage Manifold - are there any alternatives to this? the price seems a little steep, especially as mini1071s seems to be doing much better on budget
12G295 head
KC500 or Metro Cam
Radiator - any partivual type recomend?
Intercooler - recomendations?
Fuel pump - recomend?
Fuel regulator - ?
Turbo oil feed - ?
Tank - ?
Down pipe and exhaust - ?

Edited by snowfruit on 18th May, 2005.

http://mini.twisted-design.net/blog/

you need to sort a fuel return,turbo carb with plenum (think you can get away with putting a plenum on a non turbo carb but may be wrong) uprated diff pin at least

2 core radiator is best i beleive

http://mini.twisted-design.net/blog/

Mini Spares do a kit to convert a standard fuel tank to an injection model, will this suit as the tank/fuel return?

http://mini.twisted-design.net/blog/

snow, have you got a part number for this kit?

Team Racing

mini1071s would it be possible for you to tell me the parts you've bought so far for your £206? and the parts you're still looking for?

http://mini.twisted-design.net/blog/

Jimster, I can't get on to the Mini Spares site at the moment, but I'll post it as soon as I can either get on to there, or I get the number from the catalogue I have at home.

http://mini.twisted-design.net/blog/

http://mini.twisted-design.net/blog/

is this any good?
http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?Vie...4550947479&rd=1
Its a Rover 800/400 Garrett turbo

And how about a Metro Turbo fuel pump?

Edited by snowfruit on 18th May, 2005.

http://mini.twisted-design.net/blog/

Heh this is starting to feel a little one sided :p
I just want to thank all you guys for helping me out so far. I'm sorry if I'm asking stupid questions, I've never turbocharged a car before :)

I've found a few things for sale and I just wanted ask which are useful, which would be the best option in case of a choice and what would be considered a good price for these item...

MINI Metro Turbo A+ Distributors Pair
renault 5 gt turbo unit
M.G Metro turbo fuel pump
Renault 5 gt turbo intercooler OEM
renault 5 gt turbo standard carb
12G295 Austin/Morris Mini Cooper head (a-series)
ROVER 420 DIESEL TURBO
subaru wrx turbo unit good condition t05
Turbo Intercooler for SUBARU Impreza WRX
Nissan 300zx turbo and ZX ECU
£150 Daihatsu Gtti turbo
Escort RS Turbo fuel regulator and pump

Edited by snowfruit on 18th May, 2005.

http://mini.twisted-design.net/blog/

How about the R5 intercooler, carb and turbo? are they worth it?

Also, if I fit a T2 I need the Mirage manifold but not the bulkhead box correct? If I fit the bulkhead box can I do without the Mirage as this is quite expensive? and does the IHI need the bulkhead box?


This may sound really stupid, but what is the difference between an ordinary carb and one with a plenum chamber, and what sort of carb would you all fit?

Lastly, is it necessary/recommended to go for the electronic ignition and ditch the distributor?

*edit*
I've come up with the following parts. Please tell me if they are suitable:

12G295 Austin/Morris Mini Cooper head
renault 5 gt turbo unit
metro turbo fuel pump
R5 intercooler

Edited by snowfruit on 19th May, 2005.

http://mini.twisted-design.net/blog/

What would the efi tank come out of? will a mini injection model do?

http://mini.twisted-design.net/blog/

get a complete mpi or spi tank £30-£50

Metro turbo weekend driver,Mini turbo in the making again!

<quote> With the Mirage kit, you do not need to mod any of the body (supposedly). And it is purpose built for the T2. However, since the Mirage kit is dsigned to fit, it doesn't flow nearly as well as an original Metro Turbo system modified to take the T2. </quote>

I got this off another forum. Is this correct - as in will it affect performance - and if so would it be better to fit a bulkhead box and adapt a metro turbo manifold?

http://mini.twisted-design.net/blog/