Canadian ERA
Turbo Mini Forums

I have had my ERA for a couple of years. Runs good for the most part, but with a little trouble going into second gear. I have just started a rebuild a project and spent a couple of saturday nights getting the engine out.

http://turboera.com/ - I started this site to track my progress.

I am not 100% sure what I am going to do on the rebuild yet, but have been spending a lot of time going through this site and turbo-mini.com. It will likely be a 1293, but we will see. The part I am most uncertain about right now is how I should be upgrading the gear box.

Here is a picture of the engine just after being removed.

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Edited by Jeremy on 1st Apr, 2010.

'91 ERA
http://turboera.com/

So it has been pretty slow going, but the engine build is underway for my ERA. I am going to be breaking some ERA enthusiasts hearts, because I will be changing the spec on the Engine as I am boring it out to a 1293, hoping for 200HP and considering EFI.

On Monday I am planning to order the following from Mini Spares:

A new Timing with adjustable cam gear
VALVE INLET 37.2mm
VALVE EXHAUST 32mm
VALVE GUIDES
Keepers (VALVE COTTER SINGLE GROOVE)
Lifters (CAM FOLLOWER)
ROCKER ASSEMBLY 1.3 RATIO 1275cc FULL ROLLER ROCKERS
Group A Metro Turbo Head Gasket
Centre Main Strap

I am also looking if I can get some Mahle forged piston with a 15cc dish from the States since I am in Canada. As well as a custom Isky CAM.

There will be a few other Misc things purchased such as gaskets and jets for undercrown cooling, ARP Head Bolts (11), ARP Main Studs and ARP Rod Bolts.

Any comments are welcome. I also have a couple of questions:

Is it necessary to buy the Group A Metro Head Gasket or will a simpler one work?

Is the Two bolt main strap adequate or is recommended to go to a Steel Main Cap Set With 4 Bolt Centre Main like the one that Swiftune sells?

I am getting the needle bearing rockers, but is it worth it or can I just stick with the bushed ones?

Lastly I am assuming I won’t need to purchase an oil pump as I have a Metro motor with an existing oil pump, correct?

Thanks,
Jeremy

'91 ERA
http://turboera.com/

welcome to TM!

imo i wouldnt bother with the groupA head gasket, a payen BK450 is what most of us are using and there about 13gbp each

the 4 bolt main is overkill on a turbo a series its benefits are at high revs a 2 bolt strap will be good for turbo,

yes buy a new oil pump, its the heart of the motor

EDIT: maybe at 200horses id consider the 4 bolt main cap, correct me if im wrong but i think most of the 200+bhp on here use just a 2bolt centre strap

Edited by Brett on 2nd Apr, 2010.

Yes i moved to the darkside

Instagram @jdm_brett

If you are getting a 2 bolt main strap, I would recommend, if not the strap, at least get the bolts and washers from Fast Carl. His are 6 dash and from memory the minispares ones are 3 and are no stronger than the factory bolts.

If you take your metro oil pump apart, even if it looks OK on the outside it will be groved and scared on the inside. A new one is a must.

the current main strap from minispares are 6 dash now

Yes i moved to the darkside

Instagram @jdm_brett

On the subject of the head, you do realise you'll have to offset the 32mm ex valve ? With a 37mm inlet this valve combination will leave very little material between the valves, offsetting the ex valve more to counter this will result in it not fitting down a 1293 bore. Just something to consider. :)

WWW.TURBO-MINI.COM

Thanks guys, I will get a new oil pump.

@Brett - I will get the cheaper gasket and stick with the two bolt strap.

@Turbo Phil - I will have a look at that. How high have you modified the inake port? Is it solid between the intake runner and the top of the head?

I also think I will actually go with the bushed rockers.

One other question in regards to the Pistons are the Mahle ones the best best when running high boost(18psi)?

I will have some gear box questions after I do a little more research.

Thanks.

'91 ERA
http://turboera.com/

It's not solid, no. There is a water jacket, go to far & you'll break through.

WWW.TURBO-MINI.COM

ok, thanks.

'91 ERA
http://turboera.com/

i want it!!!!!

Well I am finally making some progress. Front sub-frame is out and has been cleaned up; gearbox has been torn down; and porting has started on the head. I put some pictures on http://turboera.com.

Now, I am going to order a cross pin diff, and figure out which rebuild kit I need. I was having an issue with second gear grinding a bit, and I broke the bearing on the 1st motion shaft when I tried to pull it. Any advice on which kit? MSG20 from Minispares?

Also when cleaning up the suspension I was just going to get new cones as all the bushing looks good. I would like to buy adjustable hilos, tie-rods, etc..., but everything is in good shape and I have lots of other things I want to buy.

Jeremy

'91 ERA
http://turboera.com/

hi jeremy ,
in case it helps , i m running stock drop gears on around 190 bhp ,no probs ,..but a 4 pin diff and a straight cut box was necessary after about 130 lbs /ft . i also use a stock turbo crank and rods ,with no centre main strap up to 7200 rpm ,with omega cast pistons .

regards
robert.

Medusa + injection = too much torque for the dyno ..https://youtu.be/qg5o0_tJxYM

Robert, do you have any issues with your diff? I was going to avoid an LSD for now.

'91 ERA
http://turboera.com/