Turbo?
Turbo Mini Forums

Hello,

Ive been contemplating on installing a turbo in my mini, and my initial idea was to buy a 1380 turbo engine kit from MED but to have a garrett T3/T4 Hybrid turbo as i want about 25psi. I emailed MED but they didnt respond.

Whats your opinion on this? At the end of the day i am looking for a 0-60 time of around 4 seconds, however i understand mega bucks may have to be spent?

I initially bought a Garrett T3 however i dont think its gonna satisfy me.

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0-60 of 4 seconds? As in 'low/mid' 4 seconds?

Well that will take some doing, and if you think it's just going to come from an engine, you'll be mistaken...
The lighter you can make it the better!!!

Just a thought - why are you thinking of 25 psi rather than actual power or torque generated???

you any thoughts on how you're going to control the sparks or fuelling?


Finally, welcome! You'll find lots of helpfull bods on here. As regards MED, try and see it from their view. Some guy emails them with what seems like a request for an engine build ready for grenading apart... You don't sound like you have an awfull lot of 'turbo' experience just yet, so this is business they could probably happily pass by, even if you are genuine about putting money on the table...

oh, as regards a T4, i don't think you'd even generte more than 5 psi, as there just isn't enough exhaust flow present to make it work. I've not looked at compressor maps, it's just a feeling!!!

Edited by turbodave16v on 3rd Aug, 2004.

garrett t34 is far to big and unthinkable,a t3 is probally capable of 270bhp+....in my opinion running a smaller turbo than the t3 not bigger,will get you quicker accleration

regards mark

yep t2.5 hybrid looks the biz, when i have the money some time in the distant future looks might become reality

Everyone knows that instructions only have to be read if the thing doesn't work....

just read the top post.
buy a westfield .

Everyone knows that instructions only have to be read if the thing doesn't work....

definitely go for a T2/2.5. smaller turbo = Less lag = faster pick up. You are gonna need an expensive gearbox for the power you are wanting though!

Speedster turbo under construction

Yeh im not experienced with Turbos at all! I only know the basics of how they work really. This seemed like a good place to get questions answered.

Ok ive got a Garrett T3 in my garage. Its a bit ancient tho, off a metro turbo someone said. Maybe that would be good enuf then, save me some hassle...

Ive already had an MG metro conversion and stage3 head and other bits + Carbon front end, doors and bootlid. Im bored with the power now tho (again!) so lookin to upgrade. What would you say the advantages and disadvantages are to having a turbo? Would you say its a worthwhile investment?

Cheers for the replies so far.

P.s. im looking for a low 4 yeh. Possibilities?!

-Chris.

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possible for sure.
Expensive though. VERY Expensive!!!

Here's a tip - get the car up and running and proven on an 'intermediate' turbo engine...

Learn the lessons (if anything goes worng and blows the engine / box you've not lost too much) then once it's alll sorted, spend big money and get yourself the bits needed to make serious power...

As regards pro's and con's...
If you don't build one, you'll never appreciate how fast a mini can go on relativly little money!

A ?1500 turbo install will whoop a ?4K nat asp engine in most cases!

Good stuff.

Yeh i was contemplating on buying that Turbo engine kit from MED. And then fitting a Turbo (T3 maybe) to it with the extras.

But i would prefer it if the car would acceleate rather then do burn outs : )

- Chris.

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its a black art laying the power down in 1st gear on any car never mind a turbo , even the best still smoke the tryes off the line.

Everyone knows that instructions only have to be read if the thing doesn't work....

I could replicate my engine, gearbox, turbo, engine management, etc for around ?2.5k... including RR session!
If you do some of the work yourself, using only what components are required to do the job, you'll be onto a winner...

What is your 0-60 time in? Did you buy a ready made engine or did you build it yourself with your own chosen parts?

Im saving up atm for it and im hoping to have the money by August. Im looking to save around 4g.

Im only a student so comming across money isnt easy (Near impossible) but im gonna work full time in summer like now.

Its all worthwhile at the end right :)

- Chris

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what`s the date today???

Everyone knows that instructions only have to be read if the thing doesn't work....

04/08/04

Just incase you needed to know the year aswell : )

- Chris.

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Totally worthwhile!!!

Remember a few basics:
Any post '86 block has the 'turbo' bearings.
Turbo and nat-asp rods are the same
Turbo gearboxes are the same, except for a slightly larger (and VERY expnesive 1st motion nose bearing) and slightly different FD than the standard 1300 A+ gearbox.
Heads are the same, except turbo has 'special' exhaust valves and double springs.


So!
1) Get a 1275 metro block bored to 1293, and prepped along with new cam bearings, cooling mods, acid dipped, cleaned, etc.
2) Set of omega 'turbo' cast pistons
3) ARP Rod bolts
4)Avonbar 'turbo' oil pump
5) Avonbar phase 2 Cam with new followers timed at 108-109 degrees
6) SC/CR gearset
7) Trannex (not minisport) 4 pin diff
8) 3.44:1 FD for 10" or 3.6 for 13"
9) SC drops
10) re-ground crank if needed (doesn't have to be crossdrilled, wedged or bladed!) fitted with steel flywheel, backplate, organic cllutch and grey coverplate
11) drilled clutch cover to release the heat from standing starts
12) 'MinTec' floating primary gear bush to avoid seizure during standing starts
13) large (28cc ideal) chamber head, with 35/29 valves - but with large seat width on exhaust valve. Larger valves will be better - but thats scope for future work!
14) Payen BK450 head gasket (standard Rover 1275) with standard headstuds at correct torque (no more!!!)
15) Renault 5GT water cooled turbo fitted to modified manifold, manifold ports matched to head
16) Carb modified as per this link
http://www.manchester-minis.cwc.net/technical/turbo-carb.htm
17) The intercooler selected and installed as per this link http://www.manchester-minis.cwc.net/techni...ntercoolers.htm

By the time you build this, an electronic ignition retard will be on the market for under ?300 which will sort out the ignition.

If you build all that, and put it in a light car, I GUARANTEE you will have a mini that will run sub 14's on a regular basis, and at least 5.0-5.5 seconds 0-60.

Sounds good huh!

Edited by turbodave16v on 10th Aug, 2004.

What the... Thats loadsa stuff!

I like the bit about the diff (not minisport). Ive ordered so much stuff from them and its either taken 5 times as long to deliver as they said it would, or they send the wrong stuff or its broken.

Thats a good list tho cheers for that.

Yeh if i was gonna build it the ignition thing would probably be out of date. Ive never built an engine before so im prolly gonna have to dish out for labour aswell...

Ahh this is gonna do my balls, but 5.0 seconds is immense!

- Chris.

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Im saving up atm for it and im hoping to have the money by August. Im looking to save around 4g.




its the 4/8/04 now

Everyone knows that instructions only have to be read if the thing doesn't work....

no no i mean 2005!

- Chris

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arh thats make much more sense

Everyone knows that instructions only have to be read if the thing doesn't work....

I'd find someone who is willing to 'assist' you in building the engine.
I did this for Jim - basically i did the 'dry' build to check we weren't going to encounter any major probs, then stripped it down.
He came over for the weekend, and we both assembled it.
I take a long time to assemble a short engine - at a guess around 30 hours - around half of which is cleaning the various bits. That is also assuming all the 'prep' work (machining, fitting, etc) is done.
Remember that workshop rates are around ?20 / hr, so don't be surprised at the prices quoted by MED and others for assembling your engine - and if it's too cheap - there is a reason for that!!!

oh, before you ask - i'm not able to offer my assistance. I've too much on what with emigrating and something else i've just been asked to do for one of the MiniMagazines!

For minimagazine...

Whats that then?

Or is it top secret?

- Chris.

Oh i got anther question id like to ask.

With the carbon front end is it possible to change the cam without taking the engine out?

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id say yeah, should be fairly easy.

top tip i heard from dave is use those cheapo long magents to hold the followers up providing there fairly new!

heh yeh thats not a bad idea actually.

Good news about the cam. At least that will satisfy me for a couple of weeks : )

-Chris.

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