auto to manual, spi to carb turbo. Wideband gauge fitted!
Turbo Mini Forums

Hi all.
firstly thanks to this forum and its users for 90% of the information that I have read, hopefully its sunk in!

I have a 1995 1275 auto Mayfair and its my first mini on the road. I have owned it since December 2013 and have loved every minute of it. I have attended London to Brighton run and some camping weekends away etc. The only down fall of my mini is its too slow. I have spent hours researching how to get more poke (or bananas) and realising quickly that the auto box was not up to the task although I would happily have kept it.

So my plans:
1275 spi manual motor
t3 turbo
hiff turbo carb + inlet
9.4:1 cr
7psi boost
spi tank and pump
Electronic dizzy with Aldon Amethyst mappable ignition
basically standard metro power for now as I will lose momentum with a big project. Sorry if im boring anyone as I know this has been done to death but this thread is more for my benefit.

My first issue is with the bulkhead box from Minispares or more the instructions that come with it. I get the general idea but its not the best instructions I have read. Am I being thick?

Edited by 1275grimsby on 8th May, 2015.

mine: http://www.turbominis.co.uk/forums/index.php?p=vt&tid=570945

I never realised that the came with instructions, have a look at a few build threads and it should become fairly obvious.

Good idea at keeping it semi-simple so not to lose momentum, good luck with it

the lip at the top of the box goes just above the crossmember. I didn't do any of the welding to subframe? get the grinder out and give it ago sort of draw around the box first so you have a rough guide for cutting

Edited by wng691s clubby on 2nd Oct, 2014.

Done now needs redoing lol

Dazed and Confused....

For now im going to use the n/a pistons and keep compression and boost standard. I read on here somewhere that n/a pistons are good for 8psi. Again no intercooler yet. Its all due to cost and my patients. Once its running on what I have, at least I can play whilst saving for pistons cam Head work etc. If I do it all now it will be a long project due to money and I will lose interest. 90 ish bananas will be a massive increase over 50 to me for now.

mine: http://www.turbominis.co.uk/forums/index.php?p=vt&tid=570945

Not a minispares box, but this will five you an idea of where it goes.

You are doing it wrong. As you look at it the cut on the bulkhead right hand side needs to flare out to the inner wing 45 degrees to clear the turbo inlet air pipe.
I made the same mistake when I did mine first time many years ago.

Thanks carlzilla, it gives me a good idea of placement and i will do as tom says with 45 degree angle.

mine: http://www.turbominis.co.uk/forums/index.php?p=vt&tid=570945

I have actually got an escort RS turbo intercooler which I didnt think would fit in, however looking around others have done it so I will be using this:

Hopefully be able to fit it discretely.

Bulkhead box day tomorrow!

mine: http://www.turbominis.co.uk/forums/index.php?p=vt&tid=570945

update:
Firstly thanks to wng691s clubby for his moral support and expertise as i was bricking it!
Oh and I know my welding is shite.







Day off tomorrow out with kids, sunday should be dropping the engine in :)

mine: http://www.turbominis.co.uk/forums/index.php?p=vt&tid=570945

Do you have a spare engine or planning or banging a manual box on the auto? Obviously the blocks are slightly differwbt

mine: http://www.turbominis.co.uk/forums/index.php?p=vt&tid=570945

see told you it would look good

Done now needs redoing lol

Didn't waste any time getting that fitted! Fair play.

Busy day today.
I fought with the engine mounts for three hours as the holes just wouldn't line up.
Fitted:
new water pump
turbo oil drain
engine
exhaust manifold and turbo
turbo oil feed
carb and plenum
alternator
starter motor
dizzy
servo and brake stuff
gear linkage

Few parts just laid in place like radiator, fuel pressure reg and coil just so I know what parts to order from mini spares tomorrow which is quite a list
Doesnt look like much room for intercooler so might not use one yet.

Anyway, some photos

Edited by 1275grimsby on 5th Oct, 2014.

mine: http://www.turbominis.co.uk/forums/index.php?p=vt&tid=570945

Good work.. where did u get the spacers for auto to manual subframe?

Minispares Dave

mine: http://www.turbominis.co.uk/forums/index.php?p=vt&tid=570945

getting there

Done now needs redoing lol

Made a bracket for fuel pressure regulator.


Fitted three gauges, volts oil pressure and boost pressure.


Heater is back in.


Awaiting a parcel from minispares now.

mine: http://www.turbominis.co.uk/forums/index.php?p=vt&tid=570945

Fitted choke cable too, someone might have to teach me how to use one of those

mine: http://www.turbominis.co.uk/forums/index.php?p=vt&tid=570945

Another day at it today.

Fitted:
throttle cable
bdd carb needle
rod change stabiliser bush
Adjustable engine steady
braided clutch hose and bled it up
rod change oil seal kit,
Took all these out


Been fiddling with the spi wiring loom to make things work and then discovered a big petrol leak from the float bowl,


I have quickly realised two things,
1) This turbo lark is more work than I though and im only doing a basic conversion.
2) My large hands are more suited to working on Landrovers

mine: http://www.turbominis.co.uk/forums/index.php?p=vt&tid=570945

bumer getting closer tho

Done now needs redoing lol

Fair play you're not hanging about with this! Should be done in no time!

mine: http://www.turbominis.co.uk/forums/index.php?p=vt&tid=570945