is it worth getting
Turbo Mini Forums

From what I found on the web, Austin Maestro are fitted with an A-series in its transverse form.
What is more they are supposedly 69 hp wich must be between the late carbed Mini Cooper and the MG Metro.
My feeling is they have a "small" camshaft, big valve head (35 mm inlet) and better inlet tract than the two other small engine bay we do favour. Any real world comment ?

Idea n°1 : is it worth getting for the engine ?

Idea n°2 : turn it in a turbo mule just to sort out all issues before going tight fit under a Mini bonnet

Engine is told to be around 80 000 miles, rebuilt must be on priority list ?

Thanks in advance.

Rusty by nature

It's an A series but nothing like the Mini or Metro. Hence will not fit.

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."

How different is it ?

I'll do somme further research to get some pics of this engine ...

Target was to get a spare short block in which to fit all the good guys internals while spending time with a running car at an early state of tune and solve installation issues

Rusty by nature

Very different, fits in a Maestro backwards with a different gearbox. Only bit worth having is the head if it is unleaded.

Ive seen a Land Crab engine in a mini before 1750cc, im not sure wether its worth doing or not. I know the engine weighs more than the world though, so it would go round corners like a bag of flour.

1/4 Mile 14.3secs 96Mph Terminal 10psi of boost.


Fibreglass Parts? - http://www.tdkracing.co.uk/
Split Rims? - http://www.force-racing.co.uk/

The Maestro/Montego donks have a totally different crank shaft , it`s not even good for a Nth/Sth spridget, the rear flange is just all wrong ,

www.miniman.com.au

"""LazyGoodForNothingSmartArseKnowItAllBackYardMiniMechanic"""

Too bad, those are really cheap compare to Mini compatible donors ...

Rusty by nature

After some thoughts, this would do for the perfect sleeper as it is :
- not quite as good looking as a Mini (I was going to write darn ugly but feared to upset the feelings of who ever might like that car)
- really cheap,
- not often found on the road,
- offers plenty of engine bay space,

Now for the questions :
Is the gearbox any stronger ?
Supposedly the energy lost in the drop gears is available at the wheels and ther is one less spot for failure, killing two birds ...
- is the camshaft identical to Minis/ Metros
- Is the oil pump in the same location ?
- are they known to offer a correct (if not Mini perfect) handling ?
- would you guys go for one (for a laugh / in an attempt to extract the very last blown HP from an A-series)

Rusty by nature

I wouldn't bother with an A series turbo in them, IMHO. The maestro did have a turbo version using the O series engine (I think it was O series). A common (ish) mod is to put the 220 turbo lump in as it is a simple swap. Then you have a proper car.

Have a look round the Maestro/Montego forum

http://www.maestro.org.uk/forums/index.php...af168da61e9c94&

Edited by Ben H on 26th May, 2008.

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