where to start with engine
Turbo Mini Forums

hello , recently i got my self an mini . i thought id get the bodywork done first , which turned out to be allot more work than expected .... typical !!

it has now returned from the body shop and its time to start sorting out an engine.
i am looking for a fairly average setup nothing crazy but just nice amount of power something with like 130bhp.
i have the standard 1275cc that came with the car which has a blown head gasket.
i don't know what the best way for me to go about getting or building a turbo engine as i haven't got allot of experience in mechanics.
ive seen allot of metro turbos on ebay but they go for quite allot and you'll never be sure of the history or the condition.

i have also seen a few websites selling complete turbo spec engines and kits with allot of the engine parts for example
avonbar do a turbo engine kit and mini speed do a fully built engine

on the other hand i have been looking around this forum for info on rebuilding my 1275 engine i got with the car to turbo spec and evan though theres allot of info on here i dont think i have the skills and knowledge to pull it off.

sooo really just wondering what too doo ,and whats my best bet

any info would be great thanks
james

Have a read over on Phils site

www.turbo-mini.com

It should give a good base to understand what you need to do and what are capable of...

Schrödinger's cat - so which one am I ???

If you plan on paying others to do all the work then I would suggest looking at the cost of a good finished car against the costs of rebuilding.

Unless you are rebuilding a valuable car (e-type Jag? not Mini!) you can bet that the amount of money you will pump in will far-far exceed the value of the car at the end. My experience is that regular cars like Mini's MG's Triumphs will be just about worth what you paid for in parts, so anything you pay to others is a loss..

Time to start learning... Thats what this hobby is about, if you want a turnkey fast car go buy one...

Terry

BTW

"which turned out to be allot more work than expected ...."

You had better get used to that!!

Edited by Turbo Tel on 2nd Mar, 2009.

website:- http://www.terryhunt.co.uk

Tel,

I do agree with you when it comes to costing. Ive had my mini 3 years and im still on the bare metal shell build. Its cost alot so far but, and this is a big but. . . .

Buying a mini already built/tuned doesnt always workout as well as planned. Ive contemplated this time and time again but IMO you dont get exactly what you wanted other than when you build the car yourself. YES mini's suck money from you. Building a mini gives you the satisfaction of completing something along with learning at the same time. Its far more of an adventure.

Isn't that what mini's are about?


Anyway back on subject. Your best bet is to way up the pro's and cons of buying a pre built engine spec against doing it yourself along with the overall costing. Then make your own decision on the path you choose to take.

Ive found going to local engineering companies and talking to them face to face has worked wonders. Plus you can get some great advice and also start to get work done cheaper.