Turbo Time!
Turbo Mini Forums

Hi all,
As my username suggests, I am currently running a 1380cc, and the time has come for me to turbocharge my a-series! ha haaa

So, rather than mess around with my existing lump, a 1293cc turbo engine needs to be bought. I own a tidy 1989 MG Metro Turbo, so any items bought on an exchange basis are not a problem.

My question is, has anyone got a recommendation for a built turbo engine, company-wise? I'm after a fully asssembled unit for ?2500...(ancillaries are on a seperate budget)

So far,
-MED Turbo Special looks too mild a spec for the cash,
-Minispeed offers a nice turbo build but I have recieved poor service in the past which puts me off buying from them,
-Avonbar's engines are not detailed well on the website, and I they do not quote power figures from their engines
-Morspeed offer an excellent 'Turbo Challenge' engine, quoting a rolling-road proven 208bhp @ 25psi. Looks nice

Any other companies offering A'Series Turbo engines built???

The car is going to be used for 'hold onto your seats'-fast road use, so it has to be reliable and usable power. 150bhp at a respectable boost level is what i am after. (I would give a figure here, but Ihave no experience as to what the engine could reliably handle)

So, any thoughts gentleman would be appreciated...Cheers, Tim

http://www.metropower.co.uk/portal/default.asp?id=75&mnu=75

Also VmaxScart?

Vmax, Morspeed, et al - whoever you choose, you won't be dissapointed i suspect.

HOWEVER. When it comes to a built up block (neglecting piston dish sizes) only the camshaft will determine the power output and suitability of the machine to your needs. Will you see any power difference from a fully prepp'd bottom end from any of them you mentioned assuming identical cam, head and turbo specs? Not very likely unless someone screwed up.

As regards nice power claims - again be wary. A few Rolling roads are well known for being 'optimistic' in the outputs compared to others (for example, that mobile RR idiot who attends various mini shows - 75hp from a stock 998 I think NOT!).

You'll also need a nice turbocharger to go with whatever setup you choose. Asking an old T3 to last whilst supplying 1293CC's worth of air compressed to nearly 2 bar (4 times that in the metro) is - well, need i say more?

The biggest gains you'll ever see will be from losing the high inertia T3, and fitting mapped ignition.

Would it be wise to fit an uprated T3 Turbocharger, or opt for an alternative 'charger?

I have visited the Vmax Scart website, but didn't notice a built engines section...Oh well, I'll give them a call now and try my luck!
Their 'Monster' Turbo head has a very nice spec...

Cheers, Tim

http://www.metropower.co.uk/portal/default.asp?id=75&mnu=75

a lot of people are using the t2 from a renault 5 and some other cars with great success

Does anyone fabricate adaptor plates for the exhuast manifold to allow the use of the T2 from a Renault 5 GT Turbo?

As far as gearboxes go, obviously straight-cut is the way forward with big bhp, but what else do I need with regards to diff pins etc?

Cheers, Tim

http://www.metropower.co.uk/portal/default.asp?id=75&mnu=75

"Does anyone fabricate adaptor plates for the exhuast manifold to allow the use of the T2 from a Renault 5 GT Turbo?"

This is quite easy to do yourself as i did, borrowing from TurboDaves idea.
Or try Jimster on this site, he was selling some plates a while back.




"but what else do I need with regards to diff pins etc?"

Fit a twin pin diff, the Minispares one being the "pukka" item. Pretty much indestructable, though i managed to break one ......

Phil.

WWW.TURBO-MINI.COM

Or alternatively send Mirage a message and leave your bulkhead intact!!! Antman

Excellent, that adaptor plate looks like a simple solution.

I shall be running a dump valve, and also an intercooler. What is the best way of arranging these at the plenum chamber?
Should I buy one of those 'spacer plates' for a dump valve take off, and buy one of those modified plenum pipes that excepts an intercooler? (seen frequently on ebay for about £37)

Or is this the only way I can have both? I thought maybe using the spacer plate instead of buying a plenum with a dump valve take-off might effect the performance of the dump valve?

Cheers, Tim

Edited by 1380ccWeberMan on 24th May, 2005.

http://www.metropower.co.uk/portal/default.asp?id=75&mnu=75

Metro turbo weekend driver,Mini turbo in the making again!

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?Vie...AMEWN%3AIT&rd=1

Metro turbo weekend driver,Mini turbo in the making again!

Looks good, i'll keep an eye out for another on ebay!

With regards to the Carb, are there any performance rebuild kits that will allow for high boost use? Maybe around the 1 Bar mark?

Cheers, Tim

http://www.metropower.co.uk/portal/default.asp?id=75&mnu=75

Avonbar or turbominis shop on here(shut at the mo)

Not another metty boy

Edited by Dangerous on 24th May, 2005.

Metro turbo weekend driver,Mini turbo in the making again!

Yep, MKII MG Metro fan through and through!

I own the White non-turbo 1380cc car (in my link below), and a 1989 Turbo version in Black (currently having a full engine-out respray)

So, as far as Turbo'd a-series go, I'm on the right website!
I think the turbo minis on here are fantastic, would like to see one in action in the flesh....Anyone live near blackpool?

So, back to the engine discussion,

What are the carb' requirements for a high-boost turbo?

Cheers, Tim

http://www.metropower.co.uk/portal/default.asp?id=75&mnu=75

WWW.TURBO-MINI.COM

check out www.manchesterminis.co.uk and follow your nose to the technical section, then the turbocharger section, and there is something about modding the carbs in there...

Checked it out, plenty of useful info

Next question, is there a particular dump valve that works well on a turbo'd a-series? There are so many available, surely they are all rated to operate on different capacity engines?

Has anyone posted a video clip of a dump valve in action with the bonnet up?

Cheers, Tim

Edited by 1380ccWeberMan on 26th May, 2005.

http://www.metropower.co.uk/portal/default.asp?id=75&mnu=75