Newbie questions on converting to turbo
Turbo Mini Forums

hi all just found this website via miniclassic, gotta say its very helpful but ive got a few questions, firstly, is there any alternitive to the mirage motorsport kit as it is so bloody expensive ?
can anyone here make one for me for a price ?
what is needed to convert a standard 1275 engine into a t2 or t2.5 turbo engine as far as mods to the block, crank, head ,head gasket, CR, bearings ,etc... is concerned ?
urm anyone know where i can pick up a metty turo lump complete if i decide that the mirage motorsport kit is to expensive ?

think thats it for now

Cheers for any help Dave

Dave Fletcher A.M.I.M.I

Im just looking at the mirage kit now. Me and a mate are hoping to order over the next few months and are hoping to get a "bulk buy" discount on a pair. Not sure if it will work but ill see.

The mirage kit is supposed to be very good quality though so maybe the price can be justified

Not having read much on the Mirrage option, does this allow the smaller trubo to be installed without cutitng up the bulkhead? and apart from less lag what other benefits to the T2 or T2.5 are there?

A-series power! 1972|1310|T3 turbo|Omega pistons|Cantre main strap|Orange clutch diaphragm|AP race plate|Comp pressure plate|Lightened steel flywheel|13-row oil cooler|Vernier duplex timing gear|Phase 2 Piper cam|Green air filter|Hi boost carb needle/spring|2"Stainless exhaust|3"Play mini stainless rear box|Jack Knight s/c 4spd gearbox|Jack Knight s/c drop gears|Silicon coolant hoses|Lumenition HT leads|GAZ lowered height shocks all round|Steel flip-front|Rear safety devices cage|Group 5 arches|6x12 deep dish Minilites|Surf blue/Old english white|

Yep, no bulkhead mods needed which i dont really want on the pickup. Didnt mind on the saloon.

T2's have a better driveability i think. Better off asking Jimster and/or Turbodave as they both run T2's and have had the pleasure of driving both T3 turbo'd cars and T2's.

I think ?350 is good value for the mirage kit... You get a polished stainless manifold and downpipe, that is developed, proven and will bolt straight up to a head and with no bulkhead mods. It has been made from the correct grade of stainless steel and comes with a lifetime guarantee also.

If your mini has not got the bulkhead box yet, and you'd decided on a T2, then bear in mind you'll need to spend 10hrs modifying the std manifold to take a T2, then another 5-10 hours making the exhaust elbow for the T2 (or a complete new downpipe).

If you want, i'll make one for you that is as good as the mirage one, with the same guarantee's and no bulkhead mods. My price is ?500+ for the effort and time required.
I'd advise you to go for the mirage kit....

Don't know where you are, but you're welcome to come and have a demonstration / drive of my mini in Manchester to try the T2.
I'm sure Jimster will also extend this offer (Bridgend)???


For what it's worth, i'd say only bother with the T2 if you want the response and lack of lag you'd get from a very modern turbocharged production car. If you want the satsfying surge of power as a T3 finally spools up, sending a torrent of torque through the drive wheels whilst you attempt to keep a firm hold on the steering wheel, stick to a T3! Each to their own, but I prefer the response time of the T2, and accpt the huge inneficiency over 16psi...

I'm sure Mark Haswell will be able to expand on the driving further, as he had a few goes of mine on the strip a few months ago!

Yea, welcome to come and have a ride in my t2'd mini , I'm in south wales.

Team Racing

hi lads right well im near to bristol, is the metro turbo actually any good standard in a mini or not ? also what is needed to convert a standard 1275 engine into a t2 or t2.5 turbo engine as far as mods to the block, crank, head ,head gasket, CR, bearings ,etc... is concerned ? or is the standard 1275 the same apart from amnifolds etc....

Cheers
Dave

Dave Fletcher A.M.I.M.I

what is A.M.I.M.I ???? on your sig?

aproved mechanic of the institute of the motor industry

Dave Fletcher A.M.I.M.I

is probably easier if you can get a metty turbo lump complete, rather than trying to convert a standard 1275 into a turbo unit as it will probably end up costing you alot more. i dont know if anyone else has had this problem but trying to get hold of a metty turbo manifold is a nightmare!

on that basis alone i would try to get a complete unit, unless you are going down the Mirrage route. a standard turbo unit will feel quick enough compared to the 1275.

A-series power! 1972|1310|T3 turbo|Omega pistons|Cantre main strap|Orange clutch diaphragm|AP race plate|Comp pressure plate|Lightened steel flywheel|13-row oil cooler|Vernier duplex timing gear|Phase 2 Piper cam|Green air filter|Hi boost carb needle/spring|2"Stainless exhaust|3"Play mini stainless rear box|Jack Knight s/c 4spd gearbox|Jack Knight s/c drop gears|Silicon coolant hoses|Lumenition HT leads|GAZ lowered height shocks all round|Steel flip-front|Rear safety devices cage|Group 5 arches|6x12 deep dish Minilites|Surf blue/Old english white|

Dave if i pop up to manchester any chance of a demo of the t2 please?

no probs,

Drop us an email and we'll sort somet

D