New Turbo Mini Help
Turbo Mini Forums

Hi everyone,
I am new to the mini world and am considering purchasing a turbo mini. It would be my first mini, but that does not scare me, I have been working on cars my whole life. I asked for some specs of the engine, and got a long list of parts, but would like some experienced opinion on the matter. Could someone tell me if this is a reliable setup, how it should perform, etc.
Here is the list.

APEK 1380 engine kit turbo powermax pistons
Turbo cyclinder head hi-boost stage 2 27/28CC
standard turbo gearbox ratio 3.2 final drive and com
Bosch roller vane turbo fuel pump
metro fuel pressure regulator
copper fuel lines
4 cors radiator
SU HIFF44 Turbo carb
8psi actuator/dump valve
Metro oil cooler
NGK plugs
HI capacity water pump Turbo spec distributor
braided oil feed pipes
Turbo inlet manifold
Phase 2 camshaft/8 heavy duty cam followers
duplex timing chain kit
heavy duty AP clutch cover and AP plate
Heavy duty bearings STD thrusts
Garrett T3 Turbocharger

No intercooler, but there is an oil cooler.

Thanks,
Nick

The garingly obvious missing items are gearbox uprated parts. With a 1380 turbo of decent spec, I would say that straight cut drop gears, and a cross-pin differential are almost an essential upgrade for reliability purposes.

The gearbox does have strait cut gears.

I copied and pasted the specs that the owner sent to me. Mea Culpa
That is all that I know about the car untill I see it, so any input would be helpful.

As a starting point, find out the compression ratio of the engine. Anything over 9:1 is not good, preferably you want to be in the 8.0:1 to 8.5:1 region.

Ideally the gearbox would have straight cut gears AND drop gears, as well as a cross pin differential fitted.

and the intercooler dont for get this MOST important item

the intercooler is not the iceing on the cake its MORE CAKE!!!

dont miss all the free power with the above i have mentioned

Ok, I talked to the owner, it does have drop gears, and a cross pin diff. The engine was built by avonbar racing in 2002 and has 3000 miles on it since it was built. The engine was dynoed at 120hp. What I need to know is how reliable will this setup be to drive short distances daily (ie. college campus)?

If it was built by Avonbar - you'll probably be allright. A lot can have happened since 2002 though - 3000 miles or whatever

If it's got the right bits, then you can make the next stage and see how it looks for you and your wallet.