KAD finally doing the alloy blocks.
Turbo Mini Forums

I seriously doubt it!

well well well,, from what i can tell , there is a whole lot more mini racing in all parts of the world , & in all sorts of different classes than just the English mini racing scene, so i would think that there would be quite a few race classes that an alloy A-series can race in

also the weight saving will be huge

also """IF""" the new block is going to be 5-main, then cool, pretty dam tough,,, i`ve no idea if it is going to be a 5-main or not , but why would anyone bother making another flexy 3-main with off-set rods,,, 5-main with straight rods would be the ducks nuts, just like all the late bike engines

all i can say is that if all you guys think about is pub points then you`re pulling it a bit hard


edit--> Manifold,,, i reckon you`re dead right

good on KAD, go for it i say

Edited by MadMatt on 11th Jun, 2011.

www.miniman.com.au

"""LazyGoodForNothingSmartArseKnowItAllBackYardMiniMechanic"""

i think what they are trying to say, if they make these alloy blocks then it wouldnt be a A series engine no more.

Exactly, and no mini engine is not really mini racing (to some extent).

As far as I can see if this new 'a-series' is elligable then any engine will be, and if that's the case there will be better and cheaper alternatives.

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

if they build it with 5 mains, it will be a "new" engine that uses A series parts. I could understand if it was a direct copy but if they make them with 5 mains it will no longer be an A series.

I agree that it wouldn't be aseries anymore, but i would have one. Especially over an engine conversion, just to keep weight down and have something a bit different.

And if there going out of their way to make a new block, they may as well make something like mad matt's engine that would be great, with 5 mains, larger bore, and maybe adapt to a different gearbox too.

http://www.twin-turbo.co.uk
http://www.hillclimbandsprint.co.uk/default.asp

A man without a project is like a like a woman without a shopping list.

Because they can, same reason matt is making his engine. Agreed as budget goes its pointless, but still if you can why not? You'll end up with something stronger, lighter, more reliable, and with the potential to make more power. And bespoke to your requirements.

Edited by george91 on 13th Jun, 2011.

Dear me.... I better take my nice shiney light rear Ti rear radius arms off and put the old cast iron ones back on.

http://www.twin-turbo.co.uk
http://www.hillclimbandsprint.co.uk/default.asp

A man without a project is like a like a woman without a shopping list.

Tbh if i had the money to spend amd not worrie about anything then personally i would just do things because i could, why not? Some people have the opertunity to do it so why not?

Its like saying why get drunk, because you like to and because you can, same applys to the ally block, you like shiney you get shiney dont you

Drives
-Ford S-max Mk2 Ecoboost
-Rover 100 VVC #2 - track project

Searching is all you need on TurboMinis

Each to their own. I think its great to be innovating in different ways be it a K head or alloy KAD head/block or a 7 port rather than being insular.. There are different race series throughout the world with different requirements. Some people like Rolex others like Omegas. Some like Swatches. Its all good. Enjoy what you have.

All i was getting at really was that it would bridge the gap between aseries engines and engine conversions. So it would have all the bits that made a modern engine better, in a light aseries size engine.

Anyway i can see your view Ben and i'm not trying to convince you, just hoping you can see where i'm coming from too. I'm under no illusion that it could have better power potential than say a b18c turbo, but it could be much more suitable for a mini in terms of size/weight.

Edited by george91 on 13th Jun, 2011.

www.miniman.com.au

"""LazyGoodForNothingSmartArseKnowItAllBackYardMiniMechanic"""

Ok, why climb a mountain? Why do anything? Its not that I don't like inovation and looking at thing differently, its kind of what I do for a living. I think that my problem is that I don't see it as inovating. Redesign, maybe, for the hell of it, definately. But inovating, no. Of course this is just my opinion and I am fine with you all thinking it is great (especialy Matt), I can just think of better ways to empty my bank account.

http://www.twin-turbo.co.uk
http://www.hillclimbandsprint.co.uk/default.asp

A man without a project is like a like a woman without a shopping list.

I agree with Ben (we are twins after all). In most cases I am happy to go with 'because you can' But when it come to engineering it doesn't work for me. You need reason. and the reasons for this block don't add up for me.

Like the Clifton suspension bridge, yes it's all very nice, thanks Brunell, but it doesn't really go anywhere.

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

[X] nail here for new monitor

Well if you had a single seater I guess the engine could be used for hillclimbs. But it couldn't be used for production cars, not in this country anyway.

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

Millington alloy blocks have been used in racing to replace Pinto/YB blocks for years, so no reason why this couldn't depending on regs

i honestly think it`s just called "Evolution" really,,, hasn`t (as everyone seems to be saying) nearly every late model car manufaturerererererer gone alloy block now-days? so why not us? now it`s our time, is it not???, now with the blend of the late model motorbike engine designs in out grasp & twin cam, multi-valve & turbo injection etc etc etc,,, why isn`t it our time now?

weight is weight,,, & a more desirable internal design is my idea of a progress & also a decent box too yeah i`m with all that too,,, just for the sake of it all being a simple all-round improvement , even with some restraints on design conforming (if you get my drift)

but hey? they had the will,,, & where there`s a will there`s a way

& i don`t see me buying one (Sorry KAD , & i honestly mean that when i say i`d like one, well yes certainly would!!!) but sadly i`ve committed on another stoopic-ly expensive, time consuming, sanity testing power unit of my own

but still,,, if i won the lotto this week, i`d certainly hand out for one



I bet Carl would love one

www.miniman.com.au

"""LazyGoodForNothingSmartArseKnowItAllBackYardMiniMechanic"""

I can't see how it is a bad thing, you can get aluminium versions of all the yank V8's and hundreds of people use them in fast road, drag, race motors all over the world. You keep your compatability with most of the other engine parts, but shed loads of weight which gives you a (slightly) quicker, more agile and more economical car.

If you can afford it why not, at least it's putting money back into the UK's manufacturing industry and giving people more options.

If I could afford a direct replacement ally block I would definitely have one, my car is too modified to comply with a lot of regulations anyway so I'd have nothing to lose!

It's been proven that thousands of people use ally versions of original engines in other cars succesfully so what's the problem here? If you want to stay compliant with a certain set of rules- don't bother upgrading!

Edited by topcat on 15th Jun, 2011.

www.topcatcustom.co.uk