When is an a-series, Not an a-series ???
Turbo Mini Forums

With all the talk of seven / eight port heads recently, I've got thinking...

Can you still call the a-series by the same name when a different head is fitted?

For example, put a pinto head onto a YB_ engine, is it still a 'cossie' or is it now a pinto?
Put a YB_ head onto a stock pinto bottom end, is it now classed as a 'cosworth?
Another example - put the XE head onto an old 8v vauxhall block, is it now an XE?

I was just wondering - basically the first person who puts a seven port head with full injection and turbo in a lightish shell is going to wipe the floor with everyone at Avon Park or other events. I know history dictates that this might not be the case, but full injection will make for an easy driving machine that will quickly be mastered on the track (no bogging down or anything)...

Wil / Ben I'm curious, what are the (if any) rules in hill-climbing about different heads?

In roadgoing the head and block must be of the same type and material.

However, in ModProd onlly the block has to 'externally identifiable as the original type'. You can put whatever head you want on.

Wil

Fastest 998 mini in the world? 13.05 1/4 mile 106mph

i'd say its still an A series because it's not like you're taking the head off another car/engine and making it fit...the 7/8 ports are basically an upgrade in the same vein as a stage 5 head etc but the next step up.

GOOD! question dave

i and many peeps call an A series when it sports the block gearbox and FWD train

depends which events you enter etc

i wonder who may be building such a engine
before avon next year ?

Edited by BENROSS on 27th Jul, 2005.

I think the head change makes sod all difference to be honest, as has been said, its just an upgrade.

Here for the craic..

Supercharged Arden powered

The works cars had 7/8 port heads back in the day...

So I'd go with bencross and say "A series when it sports the block gearbox and FWD train"

Alex

AlexF

I'd go with the same block & gear box = A series

i see what your saying any yes can't really i guess as the A series is known for it's crap head!

Best 1/4 mile 13.2 seconds @116 mph
First 5 port miniturbo to make over 200 bhp on a carb?
First 5 port miniturbo to make over 200 bhp on Injection?

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if its unreliable its an A sries

hmmm. Interesting thoughts!

So in the same way that if you fit 'wildcat' heads to your Rover V8 - it's still a Rover V8, so the a-series is still an A-series.
I guess if it was an 'OE' production head off a different engine that fitted (like putting the YB_ head onto a pinto) then that is pushing the boundary; wheras an aftermarket head developed to replace - and eliminate the faults - of the traditional head (like the V8 wildcat heads) then this is 'still' the original 'engine'...

Edited by turbodave16v on 28th Jul, 2005.

I think you've hit the nail on the head, Dave.
with Vw's you can put the 16v heads onto the 2.0 8v bottom ends, and that makes a 2.0 16v, not a 2.0 8v with 16 valves.

ALEXF

bencross!!

surley i hope! i dont come over as been that way.

it will only be an issue if its quicker, won't it

seen em spanked em !!!!!!.

so, how quick do you the readers think the auto Delta 220 odd hp bini shaped thingy would cover the 1/4 mile.

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please tell us carl

would an A series be an A series if it had inlet pipes let into the bore through the water jacket, all 8 valves used as exhausts and a blower making a supercharged 2 stroke?

not feasible i know, but an interesting quesion.

I'd say it's an A-series as long as the block, crank and rods are still there... I mean there were so many aftermarket heads even in the sixties, and they are fitted with different gearboxes in RWD cars..