Engine choices, MPI or A+ ?
Turbo Mini Forums

Hi,
Currently sat in my car is a 1380 A+, leaded big valve head, belt drive etc.
Just landed, a complete MPI engine.
Do I 1380 the MPI add T2 bung it in the hole, or T2 the A+?
I have Turbo carb, manifold, plenum, RS Turbo intercooler, small alternator,oil cooler, remote filter and MPI cooling system in stock already to go on the A+
I want to run 9. something compression at 10 PSI with a phase 2 cam. Would there be any avantages in using the MPI? Should I get bigger/stainless valves in the MPI head, or will they be ok?
Cheers,
Gavin. :)

Edited by Bat on 20th Feb, 2006.

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go for it

SORRY A+

Edited by jimmy on 22nd Feb, 2006.

1293 Turbo mini

Hi,
Thanks t2clubby, thats what I'm trying to work out as well! :) What I'm driving at is:
Does the MPI engine have anything better/stronger than the A+ ? I'm already running mapped ignition by the way.
Cheers,
Gavin. :)

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as far as i know its the same bar the obvious differences like the oil filter position and the lack of alternator mounting...

I'd go with the normal A+ personally for ease.

What about oil cooler fitment on a mpi block ??

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

Hi,
@ Dangerous...
1 - Stop bouncing!
2 - I would have thought a sandwich plate would take care of that. Mmm, sandwiches!
Cheers,
Gavin. :)

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Remember with the MPI there is no where for a normal distributer - so you would have to invest in some sort of mapable system for your sparks.

I'm certain the valves in the MPI head would be fine. However it would be a very good idea to get the head off and the chambers opened up suitably for a lower compression ratio. Then you would be able to run your 10psi target.

Do you really want to use the smaller t2 on a 1380. With those extra cc's i'm sure you will spin a t3 just fine!

Hi,
@ Sumpnut: Yeah, I want a T2 and high a comp ratio. By some stroke of luck I'm already running mapped ignition on the old banger! I don't want to cut the bulkhead about and move the heater. I want good off boost economy (or as good as it can be) and I want all the action right down the bottom end, no lag. Peak torque at 3K rpm.... :cool: That's having your cake and eating it in my book!
Cheers,
Gavin. :)

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Sounds like a plan!

Any idea what compression ratio you run at the moment?

With a carefully planned ignition map 10psi should be acheiveable on fairly high compression.

If people with standard metro turbos at 9.4 to one can get it with a crappy dissy im certain its possible upto maybe 10.5ish to 1?

I run 9.2 -1 comp with the standard turbo cam 1.5 - 1 rockers and 10psi I use mapped ignition it works a treat.
I am going to build an outher motor soon and would like to know if what I have is the best for my needs or not eg cam comp etc but I dont have the time or money to build loads of motors and try them on the road and dyno.
And most owners seem to think theres are the best which makes it dificult to choose a setup.
I need something that I can use every day also on the motorway I did 550 miles in my turbo van yesterday collecting my new gearbox from Iain it returned 35 mpg siting at around 70 - 75 mph.
Can your spread sheet help me decide what to do.
Allan

Edited by AllanMcD on 23rd Feb, 2006.

http://www.rabdunn.co.uk/

Sorry I forgot at the moment my motor is 1330cc
The new motor will be 1275 maybe I will bore it not sure,Avonbar phase 2 cam maybe but this is what I would like to know what the different speck will do to spread of power and economy.

http://www.rabdunn.co.uk/

Hi,
@ Allan, if you've got to do lots of miles a higher compression gives better fuel economy. Standard turbo is 9.4:1 I think. Someones running 9.8:1 with I/C and 10
PSI . Your mapped ignition should help too. What advance are you running on the light load sites? You want as much as you can get away with! (I'm runnig uoto 40 someting on N/A) I'm also interested in the cams effect on economy I've got a N/A Metro cam and was thinking of buying a phase 2, but don't know what would be best for a 1380?
Cheers,
Gavin. :)

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I run 45 max of boost it pinks at around 48.

Edited by AllanMcD on 23rd Feb, 2006.

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Hi,
Thats good then I should be able to get 35MPG out of mine, when I eventually build it!
Cheers,
Gavin. :)

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I also run a 2.76 diff - 0.958 ratio drop gears and 12" inch wheels which means it is geard very high but it could handle higher no problem.

http://www.rabdunn.co.uk/

Hi,
Allan are you running straight cut drops? If so whats the noise level like? Also do you know what your torque figure is?
Cheers,
Gavin. :)

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what tyre`s 165/60/12 ????????

1293 Turbo mini

160/60/12 and I am using straight cut drops which are fairly noisy. I am going to get a good set of headphones for the radio then it wont mater about the noise.

http://www.rabdunn.co.uk/

Hi,
That's one way to do it!
Cheers.
Gavin. :)

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Is it that bad

1293 Turbo mini

The noise isn’t too bad on shorter journeys but I sometimes go a long way I have fitted thick carpets and sound deadening stick on stuff.
My next project (mini pickup) will have a straight cut box and drops with little in the way of extra weight so it will be noisy.

Ps when I went dan south on wednesday to get my new gearbox the noise was geting to me so I tore a bit off my roll cage foam and made ear plugs they worked a treat.

Edited by AllanMcD on 24th Feb, 2006.

http://www.rabdunn.co.uk/

Hi,
LOL at the ear plugs! You're showing your finely honed Mini type improvisation skills! You soon picked up the dan south accent while you were there :)
Cheers,
Gavin. :)

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