what makes an a series a aseries?
Turbo Mini Forums

so many opinions lol!

IMO its an a series untill you go to overhead cam....

well I have to say that dont I

although I guess it would be possible to make a bolt on cam carrier to fit a 5 port

It's such a difficult question to give a serious answer to.

Sporcket and Robert both make sensible arguments for their point of view.

To my mind the challenge is getting the best out of a power unit that can be bolted directly to the original engine moounting positions.
I don't like engine transplants in Mini's because they always seem to destroy the balanc of handling that I enjoy so much when driving a Mini.
That said I have heard nothing but good things about the Vaux X16XE conversion but have yet to actually drive one.

I'm not saying we should discount all engine conversions, just that there seems to be more negatives than plusses on the CHARACTER of a Mini when they are converted. If people want to do conversions on Minis then fair play to them .... it is after all their car!
I have often wondered what a spridget would be like with a Toyota 4AGE engine in though .........


So for me changing heads to 7/8 port or KAD/JKD/ BMW K is fair enough.

Every day is a school day ...........

How fast and how expensive ...... the same question...

Edited by Paul S on 2nd Oct, 2007.

Saul Bellow - "A great deal of intelligence can be invested in ignorance when the need for illusion is deep."
Stephen Hawking - "The greatest enemy of knowledge is not ignorance, it is the illusion of knowledge."

I agree Axel ... Nic's car is something special indeed

Every day is a school day ...........

How fast and how expensive ...... the same question...

11.72.

carl

WWW.FORCE-RACING.CO.UK PLEASE CLICK HERE

I apologies for making this a "Mines bigger than yours" thread.

Saul Bellow - "A great deal of intelligence can be invested in ignorance when the need for illusion is deep."
Stephen Hawking - "The greatest enemy of knowledge is not ignorance, it is the illusion of knowledge."

"BMC A-Series

Austin launched a new, small capacity, four cylinder engine in 1951 to power its new "Austin Seven" (better known as the A30), from these humble beginnings came one of Britains most famous powerplants. In 1952 Austin merged with its arch rival, Morris and soon found itself sharing its new engine with the Morris Minor. Originally the A-Series engine measured only 803cc, in 1956 the capacity grew to 948cc and again in 1962 to 1098cc. By now the A-Series could be found in a variety of BMC cars and light vans including the A35, A40, Minor, MG Midget/Austin Healey Sprite, 1100 range and of course the Mini. Initially the Mini used a smaller 850cc unit, although later models used a variety of different sizes including the famous Cooper engines. A 1275cc A-Series was also being used in other BMC cars and would remain in production well into the 1980's powering the Austin Maestro and lives on today in the current Mini."



appart from the fact this needs updating , I would suggest an 'a' series has nowt to do with the gearbox .
I always thought it was essentially the block [in its many configurations /evolutions]
But totally agree that a true 'A' series is the block and 5 port head

hohoho i could have a vegard style sig with this thread

I dont know what makes the a series. If you look at everyones reply what makes the a series for them is what they have

the 16v guys dont think the head, and thats why theyve changed it-to make it easier getting big power, but for me i quite like trying to make it as quick as possible whilst keeping the characteristics of the original engine

I'm 16V KAD [ the ultimate 'A' series ]
But still think a real, genuine, no arguments one, has the 5 port head

The only two constants throughout the life of A Series are 5 ports and 3 main bearings, so is that what makes it A Series?

I would say its A Series as long as its built from any OE part (standard or modified) or any non original part that was engineered specifically as an upgrade for A Series.

K heads are excluded then, sorry JohnK, Jimster, etc

Paul

I seriously doubt it!

Well I'm going by the blue book definition:

The block must be visibly identical to that originally fitted, anything else can be changed.

NB, the actual wording in the blue book is slightly different but I can't be arsed to look it up.